Pirots Slot Review
ELK Studios have built a recognisable style across their portfolio, and Pirots continues that tradition with a playful pirate and parrot theme that feels refreshingly fun rather than overly serious. The studio has made a name for itself by creating cluster-based games that go beyond standard mechanics, and this release proves they’re comfortable pushing boundaries. The combination of upgradeable gem symbols, transforming mechanics, and a collection-based bonus system sets Pirots apart from typical cluster pays offerings. This is a game designed for players who appreciate feature-rich gameplay with genuine mechanical innovation, not just aesthetic polish.
Base Game and Features
Pirots operates on a 5×5 grid that expands up to 8×8 as the game progresses. The core mechanic centres on four coloured gem symbols (Red, Purple, Green, and Blue) paired with matching bird characters. When gems land adjacent to their corresponding bird, you form winning clusters that cascade and redrop, similar to many modern cascading slots. Red gems carry the highest pay value, followed by Purple, Green, and then Blue. The critical distinction here lies in how ELK has implemented the collection system: these birds actively participate in the mechanic, moving up, down, left, and right to gather feature symbols from winning clusters. This transforms what could have been a static win-and-redrop experience into something more dynamic and engaging.
The base game employs CollectR mechanics with 656 ways to win initially. All gem symbols start at Level 1 and can be upgraded through the Upgrade symbol feature, increasing in value up to Level 5. This layering of mechanics creates genuine variety in how wins develop across consecutive spins. The RTP sits at 94.00% with high volatility, positioning Pirots firmly in the extended play space where dry spells between features are expected rather than unusual. Bet range spans from 0.20 to 100, giving both cautious players and high-stakes chasers reasonable options.
Feature Symbols in Play
Five distinct feature types activate throughout base play, each offering different mechanical benefits. Upgrade symbols boost gem values by 1-3 levels, with multicoloured variants upgrading all gem colours simultaneously. Transform (Rum Barrel) symbols convert gem clusters to match the collecting bird’s colour, enabling strategic redrop potential. Coin symbols display random prize values and award their face value multiplied by your current bet. Bombs trigger when no more winning clusters exist, clearing all regular symbols whilst preserving feature symbols, then triggering a redrop and automatic grid expansion. Wild symbols substitute for all gem symbols from the paytable regardless of current level, providing the traditional safety net of wild slot mechanics.
The Collection Meter System
Above the grid sits a bonus scatter meter where collected scatters accumulate. Two adjacent bird symbols can swap positions when no immediate winning clusters exist but one can be created, adding a minor layer of predictability to the cascade system. When the meter fills completely, a Feature Award triggers, transforming three random gems into feature symbols on the next spin. This system rewards players for building momentum within individual play sessions, though filling the meter requires patience in a high-volatility environment where base game hits arrive less frequently.
Pirots Free Spins
Free Spins trigger by collecting three Bonus Scatters, initially awarding five free drops. The round maintains the same grid size, symbol collection status, and gem win levels from your base game session at the moment of trigger. This carryover of state creates meaningful continuity between base play and bonus rounds. During free spins, collecting three additional Bonus Scatters awards extra drops as a retrigger, theoretically allowing extended play if the right symbols land frequently enough. We tested the free spins feature during gameplay and found the round to deliver varied outcomes with fairly frequent hits once triggered, though results naturally depend on which base game state you carried into the bonus.
The X-iter Bonus Buy Feature
ELK Studios offer the X-iter bonus buy system with five distinct purchase options (though UK players cannot access this feature due to UKGC regulatory restrictions on bonus purchase mechanics). The Bonus Hunt option costs 3x your bet and awards one drop with quadruple bonus trigger chance, making it the most accessible entry point. Feature Bonanza costs 10x stake and guarantees a full symbol collection plus feature symbol awards. Maximum Grid Size costs 25x stake for a drop where the grid instantly expands to its full 8×8 capacity. Standard Bonus costs 100x stake and awards a direct entry into free spins. The Super Bonus option sits at 500x stake cost and awards Super Free Spins with the maximum grid already in place plus all-colour gem upgrades pre-applied.
The X-iter feature stands out as genuinely innovative, offering players meaningful agency in how they approach the bonus. Rather than a simple “buy free spins” system, each tier serves a distinct mechanical purpose. For UK players specifically, the absence of this feature represents a regulatory requirement rather than a developer choice. The UKGC restrictions on bonus purchase mechanics mean this option simply cannot be offered to players in licensed UK jurisdictions.
Our Honest Verdict
Pirots is a fun ELK Studios classic with genuine innovation and a dash of thematic silliness. The bird collection mechanic genuinely distinguishes this from standard cluster pays offerings, and the upgradeable gem system adds real strategic depth to how wins unfold. When all the features fire in harmony, the cascading redrops and grid expansion create the satisfying momentum that high-volatility slots should deliver. ELK has demonstrated a clear commitment to pushing mechanical boundaries rather than settling for cosmetic enhancements.
However, honest assessment requires acknowledging the trade-offs. The 94.00% RTP sits slightly below the premium 96-98% standards that some high-value players target, though it remains within industry standard ranges. As a high-volatility slot, Pirots features lower base game hit frequency by design, which means extended dry spells between significant events are normal rather than flawed. This is the nature of high-volatility gameplay, not a shortcoming specific to this game. ELK has shifted toward 94% RTP in recent releases as a trend across their portfolio, potentially reflecting broader market changes in how operators structure theoretical returns.
The maximum win cap of 10,000x stake is respectable for the volatility range and sits as a legitimate high-end for this style of game. The X-iter feature availability restriction in the UK is purely regulatory, not a negative choice by ELK. For players seeking consistent base game action or lower volatility mechanics, Pirots will not satisfy. For those comfortable with variance who appreciate feature-rich gameplay and genuine mechanical innovation, this release will more than suffice. The 7-March 2023 release date positions this in ELK’s established portfolio rather than as a new experimental title, giving players confidence in the stability and testing behind the mechanics.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the RTP of Pirots?
Pirots carries a theoretical Return to Player (RTP) of 94.00%. This represents the average percentage of stakes that returns to players over extended play and sits within standard industry ranges (90-96% typical), though it is slightly below premium standards of 96-98% that some high-value players seek. -
What is the maximum win on Pirots?
The maximum win potential on Pirots is 10,000x your stake. This figure represents a genuine high-end win multiplier for this style of game and reflects the potential of the upgrade system, grid expansion mechanics, and cascading redrops working in combination. -
Does Pirots have free spins?
Yes, Pirots includes a free spins bonus round triggered by collecting 3 Bonus Scatters. The round awards 5 free drops initially, with potential for additional drops through retriggers if you collect 3 more scatters during the bonus. The free spins maintain your current grid size, symbol collection status, and gem upgrade levels from the base game at the moment of trigger. -
Can I play Pirots on mobile?
Yes, Pirots is fully playable on mobile devices. ELK Studios develops all their games using HTML5 technology with a mobile-first approach, making Pirots accessible on both iOS and Android platforms with full responsive functionality and optimised controls for touch devices. -
Does Pirots have a bonus buy feature?
Yes, Pirots includes the X-iter bonus buy feature with five distinct purchase options (Bonus Hunt at 3x stake, Feature Bonanza at 10x stake, Maximum Grid Size at 25x stake, standard Bonus at 100x stake, and Super Bonus at 500x stake). However, this feature is not available to UK players due to UKGC regulatory restrictions on bonus purchase mechanics in licensed jurisdictions. -
How does the grid expand in Pirots?
The Pirots grid starts at 5×5 and can expand up to a maximum of 8×8 as gameplay progresses. Grid expansion occurs through winning clusters, cascades, and particularly through bomb symbol explosions which clear regular symbols and trigger automatic grid growth. The expanding grid mechanic creates increasing win potential as features chain together. -
What volatility level is Pirots?
Pirots operates at high volatility, meaning lower hit frequency with longer intervals between significant winning events. This is an intentional design choice that appeals to players seeking variance and the potential for larger individual wins when features align. High-volatility gameplay naturally includes extended dry spells in base play, which is normal rather than unusual for this style of slot.
