[p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/38098458/5fb7d3a19718549335c1911cc66a71309d3b98e2.png"][/p][p]This February, EA Play members get the Gold Fortune Cat Weapon Charm. Grab this lucky ornament before March 2, and equip it to your favorite weapon to battle for glory, fame, and fortune in style. Launch Apex Legends and claim your member reward in the Legend Locker today! Find out more about upcoming EA Play benefits at [/p][p]https://store.steampowered.com/subscriptions/ea or follow us on X (Twitter) and Instagram @eaplay. [/p][p]Conditions, limitations, and exclusions apply. See EA Play terms for details. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]
Apex Legends: Audio Customization Coming Soon!
[p]VOLUME UP! We're adding more advanced audio customization options and giving you the ability to further customize your in-game experience! Starting in Season 28: Breach you will have more granular customization options surrounding Legend Dialogue, Ping Dialogue, and Announcer Dialogue.
[p align="start"]Brace yourself: Close-quarters combat just got way more intense. Destructible Hardlight Mesh windows have hit the Outlands—smash through to open up devastating new entry points, or reinforce to hold the line. Crush enemy defenses with fresh updates to Fuse and Bloodhound, or become unbreakable with Catalyst and Controller Legend updates.[p align="start"]Plus, the dropship in Ranked makes a triumphant return, we have new advanced audio options for you to customize your in-game experience, Bot Royale gets a facelift, AND we’re giving you a rewards track to celebrate Apex Legends’ 7 year anniversary!
NEW HARDLIGHT MESH
[p align="start"]Hardlight is the newest tactical mechanic in Apex Legends. Starting in Breach, Hardlight will appear on Broken Moon, World's Edge, and E-District, plus Firing Range.[p align="start"][img src="https://drop-assets.ea.com/images/5j3trc3Rr1a0uwBBJDs3EV/b54ddc11bdd7adc3e487394124d6fe48/Controller_Updates.png?im=AspectCrop=%2816,9%29,xPosition=0.6114583333333333,yPosition=0.47453703703703703"][p align="start"]Hardlight acts as destructible windows that replace many of the open window spaces in existing structures. Players hiding behind Hardlight are safe from enemy attacks, but Hardlight can be broken and takes increased damage from specific weapon classes and Legend abilities.[p align="start"]Controller class Legends will be able to rebuild and reinforce Hardlight and can have a total of 4 Reinforced Hardlights active at any given time.[p align="start"]We’re excited to see you all explore and master Hardlight. Will you use Hardlight to lock down a building, or strategize the most effective way to dig your enemies out of their little hidey hole?
BREACH’S LEGENDS
[p align="start"]Choose your side: unstoppable aggressors or unbreakable defenders with new Legend updates.[p align="start"][img src="https://drop-assets.ea.com/images/fGiWdmuodIIjCUTPRhIc0/f77d40be76d891a26402d05ab2a18e37/Legend_Updates.png?im=AspectCrop=%2816,9%29,xPosition=0.26276041666666666,yPosition=0.44907407407407407"][p align="start"]In Apex Legends: Breach, Fuse takes center stage with a juicy Legend Rework which includes a new version of his ultimate, changes to his tactical and new upgrades! But he isn’t alone. Bloodhound and Catalyst both join the party with their own updated kits - and that’s just the start for these two![p align="start"]Learn about the Dev team’s design process when Designer’s Notes land on February 6th, 2026 and get all the details on Legend changes and more in the Patch Notes on February 9th.
DROPSHIP RETURNS TO RANKED
[p align="start"][img src="https://drop-assets.ea.com/images/3pnwTkQMBNlrlr5bTRTS86/5e483cef767c82e950dcadf43fe80992/04._Dropship_Returns_to_Ranked.png?im=AspectCrop=%2816,9%29,xPosition=0.6203007518796992,yPosition=0.34743875278396436"][TAG-50][p align="start"]After a few seasons of experimentation, in alignment with player feedback, we have decided to do away with the controlled drop zones in Ranked! The initial intention was to bring the mode into closer parity with the ALGS competitive experience. However, we understand that Ranked, in this state, resulted in some players feeling like a lot was left to random chance dictated by your starting position - time pressure from the ring, starting loot pool, proximity to other teams, and optimal rotations. It also removed aspects of agency over your playstyle and, in that regard, the feature wasn’t a universal win for all players. By bringing everyone back into the dropship to start the match, we’re hoping to give you back full control and put your fate in your own hands! In the meantime, our team will continue to evaluate potential solutions to more seamlessly implement this staple from the ALGS experience.
NEW ADVANCED AUDIO OPTIONS
[p align="start"]Legends, we have heard you. We have new advanced audio options incoming.[p align="start"][img src="https://drop-assets.ea.com/images/7GyFXduf0p40O61LimBPuK/ccb9eb725ee205fc220a5c4c846e0e43/all.png?im=AspectCrop=%2816,9%29,xPosition=0.14567669172932332,yPosition=0.7272727272727273"][p align="start"]In Season 28, in response to community feedback, we’re taking it a step further by adding more audio customization options and giving you control. You can look forward to more granular customization options surrounding: Legend Dialogue, Ping Dialogue, and Announcer Dialogue. In Season 27 we added the Focused Mix to provide a more robust contextual in-game soundscape - we’re excited to continue down this path, providing you with even more options to use to customize your experience.
BOT ROYALE EVOLVED
[p align="start"]Love Apex Legends but want to sidestep the sweat? Boy golly, do we have something cooking for you! [p align="start"][img src="https://drop-assets.ea.com/images/3iUGgwZkywQUjPfE3ZGSmH/5ebc80ec9313d8146a95e4971b76c6be/03._Bot_Royale_Evolved.png?im=AspectCrop=%2816,9%29,xPosition=0.5,yPosition=0.5"][p align="start"]In Apex Legends: Breach, Bot Royale Evolved lobbies will consist of 1-5 full human squads and a sea of our newly updated Apex Bots. We are removing the cap on earning XP and the restriction to Challenge progression. (Earning Badges is still restricted, and no stats will advance while playing this mode.) Bot Royale has evolved to be slightly more challenging for low- and mid-skill players, and more rewarding for all players. Whether you are new to Apex Legends and want to better understand the game or are a veteran who wants to take a step back and relax a bit with a friend or two, Bot Royale Evolved has something for everyone.
7 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
[p align="start"]It's Apex Legends’ seven year anniversary![p align="start"][img src="https://drop-assets.ea.com/images/2l7IvCDnE6zlcU1L0FIhxp/e77729f96e35dbef58493c19d30438ff/06._7_Year_Anniversary.jpg?im=AspectCrop=%2816,9%29,xPosition=0.5028645833333333,yPosition=0.1597222222222222"][p align="start"]To celebrate this incredible journey with you, our community, we have a FREE anniversary rewards track, bursting at the seams, filled with goodies created by our tremendously talented community artists, inspired by long-time Apex content creators. Log in and dive into matches from February 10th, 2026 to March 10th, 2026 and celebrate this anniversary!
SEE YOU ON THE DROPSHIP
[p align="start"]New lockdown vs. breach-and-clear gameplay, beloved characters getting new buffs, enhanced game modes and features, new advanced audio options, AND MORE! (it’s always the ‘and more’ that’s most exciting. Because it could be anything, y’know?) Apex Legends: Breach is going to be a good, good time and we’re looking forward to seeing you on the dropship, legends.[TAG-103]
Apex Legends: Latest Update 01/29/26
[p]Hey legends,
We just pushed an update for the following:[/p]
[p]Octane's Stim Surge will no longer auto-activate during various interactions[/p]
[p]Reduced Crypto's Ult charge gain from 10 to 5 to avoid the ability to consistently chain together Ults. Crypto will not be able to gain Ult Charge from Power Coupling for 5s after EMP.[/p]
APEX LEGENDS UPDATE 01/27/2026
[p]We recently resolved an issue that affected a small number of Apex Legends accounts after it was brought to our attention by a third party. We reviewed the information, took action, and our response process worked as intended. [/p][p align="start"]The issue involved how certain authentication tokens were being validated on our servers, which allowed some active game sessions to be disrupted for targeted players. As a result, affected players were disconnected from matches and experienced temporary in-game session interruptions. [/p][p align="start"]Once identified, our security and engineering teams immediately began an investigation. Input from an external source helped us more quickly identify the root cause, and the issue was fully resolved within six hours. The fix closed the exploit and prevented any further impact. The issue is now fully mitigated, and there is no ongoing risk to players. No account passwords, personal information, or other personally identifiable information (PII) were accessed or exposed at any time. [p align="start"]We take uninterrupted gameplay extremely seriously. Protecting player trust and fair competition is a top priority for Apex Legends. As always, our teams remain focused on strengthening our validation and monitoring processes. We also want to emphasize that we welcome responsible disclosures from members of the community and will work constructively with those who share information in good faith. These partnerships help us identify and resolve issues faster, and ultimately make the game more fun for everyone. [p]
New Official Apex Social Channels for Updates, Bugs, News, & More
[p]Hey legends,
We are happy to announce we are launching new social media accounts dedicated to providing the latest and greatest in news and live updates for Apex Legends.
Make sure to follow for status updates, bugs and patch news, dev insights, and more!
For all other Apex news, trailers, and community content, follow PlayApex. For studio-related news, follow Respawn. Live updates will continue to be posted here as well.[/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/38098458/f184e7b60ff4e03efa40a896d20479c7a9a653e6.png"][/p]
Apex Legends: Latest Update 01/23/2026
[p]We just pushed a patch that includes the following adjustments and fixes:
Octane: We have seen an organic drop in his pick rate since the mid season patch went live, which we expected, but that didn't fall enough to a level we felt was healthy so that indicated some of the interactions of his new kit are unhealthy.[/p]
[p]Reduced Swift Mend max healing from 9 to 6[/p]
[p]Reduced Swift Mend min healing from 3 to 2[/p]
[p]Horizon: Horizon landed at a comfortable pick rate after her recent buffs, but when combined with Octane, the team comp has proven to be a bit squirrely.[/p]
[p]Reduced max Newt Scoot time from 5 to 2.5[/p]
[p]Reduced New Scoot max speed from 700 to 550[/p]
[p]Thank you for your continued feedback. See you on the Dropship![/p]
Apex Legends: Matchmaking Update 01/22/2026
[p]Hey legends! Based on previous matchmaking tests, we've made some adjustments to Ranked lobbies as we approach the end of the season.
The new changes include increasing the maximum matchmaking wait time for Masters players. With this season's player populations, Masters players will be restricted to matching only down to Diamond 3.
Note: if you're in a premade squad, matchmaking will continue to take into account the member with the highest Ranked tier on your team.
Let us know how your games feel![/p]
Apex Legends: Latest Update - 01/14/2026
[p]Hey legends, the team has pushed a number of fixes as a follow up to the start of 27.1![/p]
[p]Crypto:[/p]
[p]Crypto's drone is no longer displayed for a fraction of a second when deploying the drone on a zipline, balloon or Evac Tower.[/p]
[p]The appropriate ultimate icon is now displayed while in Crypto's drone view after selecting the Power Coupling upgrade.[/p]
[p]Crypto's hands no longer remain stuck in front of the camera after taking damage from a Caustic trap while in Drone view.[/p]
[p]Players are no longer able to spam the drone entering animation.[/p]
[p]Crypto's Ult now appropriately charges from scanning enemies, even if they remain within the scan.[/p]
[p]Octane:[/p]
[p]Stim Surge's animation now ends in alignment with the end of its effects - previously was misaligned when at low health with the Daredevil upgrade.[/p]
[p]Stim Surge's animation now ends in alignment with the end of its effects when taking damage in the ring.[/p]
[p]Base Stim model no longer overlaps with the Stim Surge Syringe.[/p]
[p]Players are no longer able to spam Octane's tactical when riding ziplines or ziprails with akimbo weapons equipped.[/p]
[p]Removed ghostly green bar that appeared when Octane performed two-handed actions while using Stim Surge.[/p]
[p]When activating Stim Surge while climbing, the correct model is displayed and players will no longer be locked out of using Stim Surge.[/p]
[p]Trident:[/p]
[p]Increased the volume of approaching Trident - it should be much more difficult to be caught by surprise.[/p]
[p]Caustics traps no longer attach to the Trident - it was way too deadly.[/p]
[p]Valkyrie no longer gets stuck in ultimate animation when interrupted by a Trident.[/p]
[p]New Player Pass:[/p]
[p]Level up animation now display the correct level.[/p]
[p]Various[/p]
[p]The post-game progress screen no longer displays old challenges.[/p]
[p]Various fixes/adjustments to Switch 2 shadow/lighting.[/p]
[p]Fixed a boot crash on some Nvidia machines.[/p]