Apex Legends Patch Notes

Welcome to Apex Legends Season 26: Showdown! This major update brings revolutionary changes to the Outlands with new gameplay mechanics, enhanced ranked systems, and powerful new tools to dominate your opponents.

Major Highlights:

• Wildcard Mode: Experience chaos with Legend stacking, self-revive kits, and simplified loot
• Elite Weapons: Powerful weapon variants from Ballistic's personal stash
• Legend Amps: Game-changing passives that enhance your combat abilities
• Revolutionary Ranked: Drop Zones, Auras, and improved scoring systems
• Accolades System: Recognition for exceptional gameplay beyond just winning
• Nintendo Switch 2 Support: Enhanced performance with up to 60 FPS

Wildcard mode throws the rulebook out the window with insane gameplay mechanics that will test your adaptability and skill. Check out our dedicated blog for all the cards you'll want to have in your hand before jumping in.

Key Features:

• Second Chance Revivals: Multiple opportunities to return to the fight
• Legend Stacking: Play as multiple copies of the same Legend
• Self Revive Drop Kit: Get back in the action without waiting for teammates
• Simplified Loot & Inventory: Streamlined looting experience
• Auto Looting: Automatic item collection for faster gameplay
• EVO Orbs: Special items that level up weapons, reduce respawn timers, and grant shield/Ult charge

EVO Orbs Functionality:

• Level up weapons instantly
• Reduce respawn timers for faster returns
• Grant a percentage of shield & Ult charge
• Kickstart health regen for immediate recovery

Elite Weapons take the firepower from Ballistic's personal stash and into your hands. These variants pack a punch and replace their typical counterparts for a limited-time.

RE-45: Burst

• Swaps to Energy ammo
• Comes with a spin-up mechanic
• Found on Energy Arsenals

Legend Amps are game-changing passives available in Unranked and Ranked BR matches. With five options to choose from, there's an optimal Amp that could sway things in your favor in any type of fight.

Key Features:

• Purple tier loot items
• Early game: Fairly uncommon with a higher chance to spawn in high tier loot locations
• After Bins Reset: All bins have a higher chance to spawn an Amp
• Five different options to choose from

Locked Hop-Ups means that the looting for these boosts are no more. Each weapon comes pre-equipped with its Hop-Up waiting to be activated and unlocked for the rest of the match.

Benefits:

• Streamlined looting: No more searching for specific Hop-Ups
• Guaranteed upgrades: Every weapon comes with its optimal Hop-Up
• Faster gameplay: Less time spent looting, more time fighting

Key adjustments have been made to better reflect your performance and risks. Entry costs, placement RP, and kill points have been tuned to create more room for performance-based variance and rewarding consistent well-rounded play.

Challenger Bonus

• If the killer's rank is 1 tier lower than the victim: KP +15% bonus
• If the gap is 2 tiers: +25% bonus
• If the gap is 3 tiers: +35% bonus
• If the gap is 4 tiers or more: +50% bonus

Entry Cost Adjustments

• Bronze: 10 RP (was 0 RP)
• Gold: 38RP (was 35 RP)
• Platinum: 48 RP (was 45 RP)

Kill Points Adjustment

• 1st: 20 RP (was 26 RP)
• 2nd: 18 RP (was 22 RP)
• 3rd: 16 RP (was 18 RP)
• 4th: 14 RP (was 16 RP)
• 5th: 12 RP (was 16 RP)
• 6th: 10 RP (was 16 RP)
• 7th: 10 RP (was 14 RP)
• 8th: 10 RP (was 14 RP)
• 9th: 8 RP (was 12 RP)
• 10th: 8 RP (was 12 RP)
• 11th-15th: 6 RP (was 10 RP)
• 16th-20th: 4 RP (was 10 RP)

Placement Points Adjustment

• 2nd Place: 100 RP (was 95 RP)
• 3rd Place: 75 RP (was 70 RP)
• 6th Place: 40 RP (was 30 RP)

Drop Zones will start Ranked matches faster and fairer with squads automatically spread out across POIs. Before the match starts, you'll see a preview of your Drop Zone with a ping-able map for strategic co-ordination before locking in your Legends. Loot has been fairly distributed across POIs, so no Hot Zones here. Keep your head up, though. There's always the chance a neighboring squad will contest by skydiving in.

Key Features:

• Automatic squad distribution across POIs
• Pre-match preview of assigned Drop Zone
• Ping-able map for strategic coordination
• Fair loot distribution across POIs
• Contest warnings for neighboring squads

Drop Zones Details:

• Match start: squads are randomly assigned a POI
• Pre-Legend Select: players are presented with a map preview of Drop Zone
• After Legend Select: players deploy via squad Dropship to assigned zone with nearby enemy POIs marked for imminent threat
• During landing: added warning for incoming threats if an enemy squad invades Drop Zone

Dev Note: Ranked matches should allow you to get into the match before it's over—bad drops can ruin that and lose you RP. Drop Zones means that all players will land at relatively the same time and have a shot at survival without waiting for the Dropship to unload. Contested drops are still possible, but limited and manageable: no more will half the lobby drop on the same POI. You'll get the best chance at loot in your assigned Drop Zone, but efficient looting is still important in case enemies invade.

Introducing a brand new cosmetic option: Auras. When equipped, your Aura will be visible in the lobby, Legend selection, and during podium moments. In matches: during dives, emoting in 3rd-person, and it's visible for both of the engaged players when reviving or finishing. You can toggle your clout on/off in the Legend Locker.

Visibility:

• Lobby and Legend selection
• During dives
• When emoting in 3rd-person
• Visible for both players when reviving or finishing

Ascension Crest Aura

• Every player with access to Ranked will get the "Ascension Crest" Aura after logging-in after Showdown's launch
• Reactively reflects your Ranked Tier going forward
• Those still working on their Road to Ranked will be granted this Aura once Ranked is unlocked
• Toggle on/off in the Legend Locker

Heat Shields are disabled in Ranked.

Dev Note: Stalling near the Ring and doing long out-of-Ring rotations will now be even riskier. You'll need to rely on good positioning in order to survive into the late game.

Time to recognize players and their squadmates for all that they do during a match—not just winning. From pulling off tricky double kills to expertly blocking damage for your squad, Accolades highlight actions that often go unnoticed, uncelebrated, and untracked. They're designed to celebrate varying playstyles and skill, and can be earned in Unranked, Ranked, Wildcard, and Mixtape with each tracking separately.

Key Features:

• Multiple Playstyles: Designed to celebrate varying playstyles and skill
• Cross-Mode Support: Available in Unranked, Ranked, Wildcard, and Mixtape
• Separate Tracking: Each mode tracks separately
• Four Tiers: Each Accolade has up to four tiers for you to achieve
• XP Rewards: Earn XP as you progress through tiers

Display & Tracking:

• In-match Accolade unlocks shown above the kill feed
• Post-match summary shows earned Accolades
• Gladiator Card displays top three Accolades
• Full list and tracking under Account Progression
• Daily cap of 2200XP for Accolades

Account Progression Features:

• Complete List: View all available Accolades with descriptions and targets
• Season Tracking: See which Accolades you've earned this season
• Mode Breakdown: Track progress per mode (Unranked, Ranked, Wildcard, Mixtape)
• Achievement Count: See how many times you've hit each Accolade

Find the full list and your tracking under Account Progression, including descriptions, targets, and those you've earned this season, per mode, and how many times you've hit them.

Experience E-District like never before with a complete lighting overhaul and improved layout for better gameplay flow.

Major Changes:

• Lighting overhaul: now takes place during the day for better visibility
• Lotus: new rotation added for enhanced gameplay variety
• Added adjacent doorways to many shops for additional flow and escape routes
• Removed some buildings and clutter to improve readability and navigation

Gameplay Improvements:

• Better Visibility: Daytime lighting improves target acquisition and navigation
• Enhanced Flow: Additional doorways create more tactical options
• Improved Navigation: Reduced clutter makes the map easier to read
• New Rotations: Lotus area provides fresh gameplay opportunities