Apex Legends is one of the most popular free-to-play battle royale games from the folks at Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind the Titanfall franchise and Star Wars Jedi games. Since launching back in February 2019, the game has been receiving a consistent number of updates and new content every few months and there’s no sign of stopping anytime soon. Apex Legends Season 18 is coming and alongside it will be a number of key changes that should be interesting to new and old players alike.
Apex Legends Season 18: Resurrection will be released on August 8 at 10:00 AM PT/1:00 PM ET. This will be available for all players for free.
Titled “Resurrection,” Season 18 is bringing in a major revamp for Revenant, weapon tunings, ranked mode changes, game modes, and more. Here’s everything you need to know about Apex Legends’ latest upcoming season.
Everything that’s coming in Apex Legends Season 18
Another Apex Legends season, another round of content to get excited for. Given the lukewarm reception the game received for its Season 17 update, Respawn Entertainment is looking to hit a massive comeback with what they have in store for Resurrection:
- Revenant Reborn (A complete overhaul of Revenant’s abilities)
- Mixtape modes in Broken Moon
- In-game event
- Weapon balancing
- Ranked mode changes
- New Battle Pass
- New Cosmetics
Apex Legends Season 18 Revenant changes
While Apex Legends will not be getting a new Legend in Season 18, Resurrection will bring in substantial changes to Revenant, an Assault character that was introduced all the way back in Season 4.
Revenant will be unlocked for everyone at the start of Season 18. In order to be permanently unlocked as a playable Legend, players will just have to complete a series of quests before the end of Season 18. This is fantastic given how the changes that are coming for the character are pretty significant.
Here are all the changes that are coming to Revenant in Apex Legends Season 18:
- New Passive: Assassin’s Instinct
- Revenant will be keeping his fast crouch and wall climbing ability but this time, he can now move more horizontally on walls. Don’t worry, he doesn’t go all the way to the left and right like how Cal does in the Jedi games. However, he is able to change directions more easily.
- Revenant can also see nearby enemies with low HP as they are highlighted in red. If Revenant is the one who is able to damage the enemy down to low health, then he will be highlighting them for his team to see as well.
- New Tactical: Shadow Pounce
- Revenant’s new ability allows him to charge a long-range jump that propels him forward. This is similar to Octane’s jump pad. You can use this ability to charge jump straight into a wall to begin climbing it as well. The Shadow Pounce alongside Assassin’s Instinct will surely be a fun combination for players who enjoy abusing movement mechanics in games. If there’s anything Apex Legends favors, it’s those who know how to utilize movement to their advantage.
- New Ultimate: Forged Shadows
- Activating Revenant’s Ultimate ability will generate a shroud of shadows that will surround him. This acts as a shield that’s worth 75 HP. This will be able to protect Revenant from bullets, melees, and grenades. However, other factors such as the caustic gas, zone circle, or fire will still damage Revenant normally.
- When Forged Shadows is activated, Revenant’s upper body hitbox will be increased so that enemy players will have a slightly easier time trying to damage the shroud’s HP all the way down.
- The shroud will only last 25 seconds upon activation. If Revenant isn’t receiving damage, the shroud will be able to regenerate back its health. If Revenant is able to knock an enemy down, extra time will be added to the timer, the full 75 shroud HP will be given, and there will be an instant cooldown reset on the Shadow Pounce ability.
As if Revenant’s design was already intimidating enough, to begin with, he’s also getting a brand new look. His new revamp really makes sure that the character lives up to the ‘assassin’ title. Revenant’s new kit looks to be a great improvement and a lot of fun to use. Not so much to go up against, unfortunately.
Death Dynasty Collection Event
Experience the essence of death through the Death Dynasty Collection Event! From August 8 to 15, players will earn double XP in Battle Royale, and from August 15 to 22, the same bonus applies to Mixtape mode. Throughout the event, 24 exclusive themed cosmetics will be available for collection, along with various additional rewards on the rewards track.
For the most dedicated players, the challenge lies in unlocking all 24 cosmetics before the event concludes. Those who achieve this feat will be rewarded with Revenant’s brand-new “Death Grip” Heirloom. Embrace the inevitability of death, as Legends seize the power of eternity for themselves.
Mixtape modes in Broken Moon
Mixtape modes such as Gun Run, Control, and Team Deathmatch were a lot of fun when they were first introduced. They provided a nice change of scenery to the usual battle royale gameplay loop while still keeping the core gameplay philosophies that made Apex Legends so successful.
Once Season 18 begins, you can now play your favorite Mixtape modes on different parts of Broken Moon. You can hop on a match of Gun Run and Team Deathmatch in The Core or play Control in the Production Yard
Apex Legends Ranked Mode changes
For the competitive Apex Legends players out there, a series of changes to the ranked mode are also coming with Season 18. Here’s what you need to know:
- Decreased overall LP gained per match to help prevent the overall shift in the rank distribution.
- Diamond+ players will have increased stakes and losses and decreased rating bonuses and loss mitigations.
- A minimum elimination bonus increase based on the player’s MMR and introducing a buff to the elimination bonus.
- Encouraging more action in the zone by adjusting ring damage.
- Adjusted ring timings to create more mid-game encounters and discourage “pre-finale lulls”
- Updated matchmaking to better handle players that are actively challenging their MMR, for more competitively challenging matches that mirror their ranking.
Weapon changes
EA tweeted the blueprints of what looks to be an updated version of the Charge Rifle. Although the design appears familiar, the blueprint’s notes indicate “redesigned compensator valves” and a “concentrated projectile.”
For internal use only: do not share outside Vinson Dynamics. pic.twitter.com/Z6ETp1wSZR
— Apex Legends (@PlayApex) July 30, 2023
The Charge Rifle is undergoing significant changes as it transitions from a hitscan to a projectile-based weapon, introducing bullet-drop mechanics. Moreover, magazines are reintroduced, with each shot consuming a single bullet. Despite these adjustments, it remains the most effective long-range sniper, dealing higher damage to distant targets. However, players will face increased challenges due to the new bullet drop mechanics.
The much-requested Disruptor Rounds are making a comeback for the Alternator and the Peacekeeper. The base power of the Peacekeeper remains largely unchanged despite this addition. Finally, despite the Nemesis being recognized as a potent weapon, the developers have chosen not to make significant changes, intending to maintain its status as a top-tier weapon.
And last but most definitely not least, the Hemlock is now available as floor loot and Selectfire returns for the Prowler. As part of balancing, all SMGs will experience a reduction in headshot multiplier and a strafe speed nerf, aiming to shift the spotlight to shotguns. For example, the Mastiff’s bullet spread is tightened to enhance its effectiveness.
And there you have it. All the changes coming in Apex Legends Season 18. Is this your sign to come back to the game? Try it out for the first time? Or is it getting you excited as a long-time player? Good luck out there, Legends. Especially for those fighting against Revenants.