> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.basepixel.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Redeem: Reclaim lost pixels

> Lost a pixel? Pay the redeem price and take it back. 24 hours only.

Losing a pixel isn't the end. **You have 24 hours to reclaim any pixel you previously owned**, by paying the redeem price.

## How redemption works

If your pixel was conquered, the contract remembers you as the **previous owner**. For 24 hours from the moment the battle resolved, you have a unique right: pay 0.0005 ETH and the pixel returns to your wallet. The current holder cannot refuse — redemption is enforced by the contract.

```solidity theme={null}
function redeem(uint256 tokenId) external payable;
// Requires:
//   msg.sender == pixel.previousOwner
//   block.timestamp - lastTransferTime <= 86400
//   msg.value == 0.0005 ETH
```

The full 0.0005 ETH goes to the **current holder** as compensation — there's no split, no bounty refill, no team fee on redeem. From the holder's perspective: they captured the pixel and earned 0.0005 ETH if the loser bought it back, or kept the pixel if they didn't.

## Step-by-step

<Steps>
  <Step title="Spot it on your account page">
    On basepixel.io, your account page lists pixels you've lost in the last 24 hours, with a countdown timer for each.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click 'Redeem'">
    A confirmation modal opens, showing the cost (0.0005 ETH) and where it goes.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Approve the transaction">
    Sign in your wallet. The pixel returns to your wallet immediately.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Re-arm before re-fighting">
    The pixel comes back in **Unaction mode with no committed layout**. To put it back into the war you need to re-commit a formation and toggle Action mode on.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What the contract clears on redeem

When the pixel transfers back to you, the contract resets several fields so the redeem cycle can't be exploited:

* **`actionEnabled = false`** — the pixel is in Unaction mode, immune until you opt back in.
* **`layoutHashes[tokenId] = 0`** — your old layout commitment is wiped (it would be stale anyway after a wallet swap). You re-commit before fighting again.
* **`previousOwner = address(0)`** — closes the redeem cycle. Without this, the ex-winner would have a fresh 24h redeem window against you, and the back-and-forth could loop indefinitely. Battle losses are the only path into the redeem flow, by design.

These clears are also applied on every transfer (battle settlement, marketplace sale, manual transfer) — the new owner of any pixel always starts with a clean slate.

## The 24-hour countdown

The redemption window is strict: **exactly 24 hours from the last transfer**. After that, the right expires forever.

The window resets on every transfer. So if Alice loses a pixel to Bob, Bob holds it for 12 hours, then Charlie conquers Bob:

* Alice's redeem right is **gone** (`previousOwner` was overwritten when Bob → Charlie).
* Bob now has a fresh 24h window to redeem from Charlie.

Only the **most recent previous owner** ever has the redemption right.

## Strategic considerations

### When to redeem

Redeem if:

* The pixel has sentimental value (your first pixel, an early-mint pixel, part of an art piece)
* It's strategically located (frontier defense, key territory you've already invested in)
* You're confident in your formation matchup with whoever's in the area

Don't redeem if:

* It's a random pixel with no strategic value — minting a new one elsewhere is probably better
* You'll just lose it again immediately to the same attacker

### From the attacker's side

If you just conquered a pixel, expect the previous owner to redeem within hours. Plan around it:

* **Don't fortify** a freshly conquered pixel — it might leave your wallet at any moment in the next 24h.
* The 0.0005 ETH redeem fee is your consolation if it does get bought back. You don't need to over-defend.

## Edge cases

### What if I'm the only owner the pixel ever had?

If you minted it and it was conquered, the original mint counts — you have the redemption right.

### Can someone block my redemption?

No. Redemption is enforced by the contract. The current holder cannot prevent it. The one exception: if the pixel is **currently locked in another battle** (`activeBattleOf[id] != 0`), redeem reverts until that battle resolves. The window doesn't pause, though, so contested pixels can lapse.

### What if I redeem and immediately lose it again?

Your redemption right resets — you have a fresh 24 hours from the new loss. In theory you could redeem indefinitely, but each redemption costs 0.0005 ETH, so it's only economical for valuable pixels.

<Card title="The full game loop" icon="repeat" href="/introduction/how-it-works">
  Review how mint → battle → redeem fits together
</Card>