Respawn has officially revealed the first details for Apex Legends Season 26, titled Showdown. The new season launches August 5, and while full patch notes will drop the day before, we already have a clear picture of what to expect when the update goes live.
The headline addition is the new mode, Wildcard, which is being added permanently, as well as reworks to Bangalore and Caustic. There is no new Legend this season, but there is a new weapon – sort of – thanks to a reworked RE-45.
Here are all the changes we know of so far, ahead of the Season 26 update.
Apex Season 26 early patch notes
Wildcard mode
Season 26 introduces Wildcard, a new permanent mode focused on faster matches and chaotic fun. It features streamlined loot, explosive supply drops, and second-chance mechanics.
Players can now queue with three of the same Legend on a remixed Kings Canyon filled with gravity cannons, ziplines, and other movement tools.
Respawn EntertainmentLegend Reworks: Caustic and Bangalore
Caustic gains a new Field Research ability, plus more lethal gas with improved damage and enhanced visuals.
Bangalore’s smoke is now more offensive, with the ability to breach doors and an EMP upgrade that disables traps and shocks enemies.
Respawn EntertainmentNew Passive Gear: Amps
Mid-to-late game, players can now find Amps, which offer passive power boosts. These include infinite ammo, stronger healing, bonus armor, and more.
Weapon Changes: Locked Hop-Ups & Elite RE-45
Hop-Ups are now built directly into weapons and must be unlocked during matches through in-game actions. Once activated, they stay equipped for the rest of the game.
The RE-45 has also been upgraded into an Elite Weapon, now firing 3-round energy bursts from Ballistic’s arsenal.
Respawn EntertainmentMap Update: Daytime E-District
The E-District map has undergone a daylight overhaul with a brighter skybox and improved visibility.
Ranked Overhaul
Key ranked changes include:
- No more Jumpmaster: Each squad is assigned a POI Drop Zone to ensure balanced starts.
- Ranked Auras: Players now show a visible aura based on their current rank. The aura color reflects your tier and is viewable in-game.
Accolades System
A new Accolades system tracks standout plays and milestones. Players earn bonus XP post-match for feats like mid-slide kills or opening tons of loot bins.
More info, including detailed balancing changes and patch notes, will be released August 4 ahead of the full launch.
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