Apex Legends Season 20 Breakout debuts on February 13, 2024, introducing the innovative ‘Legends Upgrade’ system. Alongside this, expect significant adjustments to EVO Shields, the replicator, and notable updates to ranked play. Commemorating the game’s fifth anniversary, a fresh Straight Shot LTM and collection event await, offering a rewarding 150 Heirloom Shards.
As we mark five years of the Apex Legends journey, Respawn is ushering in Season 20: Breakout with substantial overhauls to the game’s core elements. Set to launch on February 13, this season promises to captivate players with its transformative updates. Let’s delve into the exciting changes awaiting in Apex Legends Season 20.
To address the most common question upfront: no, Apex Legends Season 20 won’t introduce a new legend, map, or weapon. However, Respawn is reshaping the game with significant updates. Expect a new legends upgrade system, enhanced EVO Shields, revamped ranked play, the debut of the Thunderdome map, and more exciting features.
New Legend Upgrades System
After five years, Respawn is set to enhance the fundamental gameplay of Apex Legends with perks through the introduction of Legend Upgrades. Rolling out in Season 20, this in-match progression system will be linked to your EVO Shield tier. As your shield upgrades, you’ll unlock perks, adding a new layer of strategy to the game.
When you upgrade to blue armor and then to purple armor, you’ll encounter two decision points. Each legend provides four unique perks for you to choose from, enabling you to customize your upgrades based on your current gameplay needs. This dynamic system resets after each match, offering flexibility and strategic depth to your gameplay experience.
According to the official blog post, “Legend Upgrades and Armor will only impact Battle Royale modes. Mixtape modes will not have upgrades and will continue to use Body Shields this season.”
Evo Shields Reworked: Cores?
In Season 20, Respawn has revamped the mechanics of shields in Apex Legends, making significant changes to how they function. One notable adjustment is the elimination of body shields from floor loot. Instead, every player starts with a white EVO armor, which can be upgraded through various means, including combat and non-combat methods like EVO Harvesters and Caches.
In the latest update, Respawn Studios has replaced the traditional Body Shield with Shield Cores, eliminating it as a lootable item. Players can now acquire Shield Cores from enemy death boxes to restore their shields, presenting a new method for exchanging armors within Apex Legends.
Ranked Revamped, Again!
In Season 20, Apex Legends is reverting to the ranked changes that proved successful in the past, moving away from experimental features. Notably, LP (Legend Points) has been replaced with RP (Ranked Points), allowing players to earn bonuses for kills, match placement, and surpassing higher-ranked squads (the Challenger bonus).
There’s a new “Top 5 Streak” bonus, simplifying the total RP calculation. Additionally, every player will reset to 1 RP in the upcoming season, requiring them to restart their ranked journey. Ranked splits are also making a return, pushing players back by six divisions.
Additionally, provisional matches and promo trials have been discontinued for the time being. The entry cost for each rank has also been revised. Overall, these changes set the stage for an exciting ranked experience in the upcoming season!
While you’re here, make sure to explore the Breakout rewards tracker. By doing so, you’ll unlock the Heat Sink Flatline recolor at no cost. There are plenty of other free rewards waiting to be claimed, so be sure not to overlook them!
Changes in Replicator Crafting
Respawn is implementing a comprehensive overhaul of the Replicator, also known as the crafter, in Apex Legends for Season 20. With the transition to Shield Cores, the shield upgrade option in the crafter becomes redundant. Additionally, since shields will no longer be found on the ground, this change expands the available loot pool to include more weapons rather than rotating them through the crafter. The same adjustment applies to attachments as well.
The most significant change is that players no longer need to collect crafting materials to use the replicator. Instead, each replicator is now limited to one use per player. Once a player uses a replicator, its functionality is exhausted for them, requiring them to seek out a new one for further crafting needs. Beginning next season, replicators will only offer four items: heals, batteries, ammo, and respawn banners.
Legend & Weapon Balances
Legend Changes
- Respawn has announced a nerf for the Conduit tactical, Radiant Transfer, in Apex Legends. However, specific details regarding the changes have not been disclosed.
Weapon Changes
- As observed in the Game Informer feature, the Wingman has returned as floor loot in Apex Legends.
- Respawn has confirmed that digital threat optics can no longer be equipped on SMGs such as the R-99 and Volt. These optics are now restricted to shotguns and pistols.
- Additionally, Respawn has announced nerfs for the Hemlok Burst AR and 30-30 Repeater.
We anticipate further legend balance changes in the official patch notes. Stay tuned as we will update this post with additional information once it becomes available.
New Mixtape Map: Thunderdome
In contrast to previous seasons, where Respawn repurposed popular POIs for Mixtape maps, Apex Legends Season 20 introduces a new custom Mixtape map: Thunderdome.
Thunderdome, reminiscent of King’s Canyon for Apex veterans, will be accessible in all three Mixtape modes: Control, Gun Run, and TDM. This floating arena boasts a unique feature: a live audience, possibly inspired by The Finals. Explore Thunderdome’s various areas below.
120Hz Support on Consoles
Yes, it’s finally happening! Earlier last year, Respawn rolled out the next-gen update, but it was missing the most significant enhancement: 120Hz support. With Season 20, you now have the option to enable 120Hz performance mode on current-gen consoles, namely PS5 and Xbox Series X. Additionally, the team is introducing support for haptics and adaptive triggers.
New LTM + 5th Anniversary Event
Respawn is celebrating the fifth anniversary of Apex Legends with a new “Straight Shot” limited-time mode (LTM) designed to provide a fast-paced and exhilarating combat experience. During a virtual briefing, the developers explained that the focus is on getting players into the action more quickly.
In this LTM, only 10 squads (30 players, compared to the standard 60 in a Battle Royale match) will drop into pre-determined Points of Interest (POIs) on a smaller portion of the maps. One significant difference in this mode is the absence of a jumpmaster. Instead, each squad is dropped directly into a random POI, along with one other team.
Another significant change is related to looting. Instead of scouring for attachments, fully-kitted weapons (in white, blue, purple, or golden variants) will spawn on the floor. Additionally, the final ring will close in on players in half the usual time, approximately 10 minutes.
A standout feature of the Straight Shot LTM is the ability to re-queue into the next match directly from the spectator screen. This allows players to watch their killer dominate the lobby or be defeated while waiting for the next match to begin.
Furthermore, the fifth-anniversary collection event will accompany Apex Legends Season 20. By purchasing 24 limited-time cosmetics, players can earn 150 Heirloom Shards. All maps in rotation during Season 20, including Olympus, World’s Edge, and Storm Point, will be adorned with colorful balloons, graffiti, and more.
Clubs Retire; Tags Take Over
[UPDATE | February 5, 9:40 PM] – As announced in the official blog post, Clubs in Apex Legends will be retired in Season 20, making way for “Tags.” Similar to Club names, tags consist of 3-4 alphanumeric characters that will be displayed before your username.
