Respawn Entertainment has launched Season 26 of Apex Legends, titled Showdown, introducing sweeping changes to core gameplay, new mechanics, and a permanent game mode that significantly shifts the flow of battle royale matches. The season officially went live on August 5 across all platforms, including support for the newly released Nintendo Switch 2.
Watch the season trailer here:
A New Era: The Wildcard Mode
The centerpiece of this update is Wildcard, a brand-new permanent game mode designed to deliver quicker, more chaotic gameplay. Unlike traditional 60-player battle royale matches, Wildcard features 30 players dropping into a remixed version of Kings Canyon with a smaller starting ring to encourage early encounters.
Wildcard also introduces rule-breaking mechanics that shake up Apex’s traditional systems. Players can now stack Legends within a squad, allowing multiple teammates to choose the same character. Self-revive is available throughout the match until the final ring, further extending combat potential. Additionally, EVO Orbs—earned by eliminating enemies—are now used to power up both weapons and Legend abilities. Unique “Wildcard” upgrades like wall-running or double-jumping can be crafted mid-match, enabling players to dramatically alter their approach to combat.
Legend Overhauls and Upgrade Systems
Two Legends receive major updates in Showdown. Caustic’s new passive, Field Research, rewards players for poisoning enemies or looting death boxes by unlocking tiered upgrades during a match. His Nox Gas also now inflicts aim punch, further disrupting enemy aim. Bangalore, on the other hand, gains increased speed on her passive, faster cooldowns, and the ability for her smoke to break doors. Both characters now benefit from a new mid-match upgrade system that offers players more tactical choices.
Weapon and Item Innovations
Apex Legends’ loot pool has undergone another major overhaul. The RE-45 returns in a completely redesigned form: an energy-based burst-fire pistol that comes fully kitted out. Hop-Ups, previously randomized loot items, are now weapon-bound and upgrade gradually through in-match performance. Among the new Hop-Ups is the “Graffiti Mod,” adding fresh tactical utility to select weapons.
Another major addition is the Amp system. Amps are single-use power-ups that grant unique passive bonuses, such as health regeneration, infinite ammo, or faster cooldowns. Players can only carry one Amp at a time, forcing difficult decisions in high-stakes moments.
Ranked Mode Adjustments
Season 26 also introduces several Ranked changes aimed at improving match balance and pacing. Entry costs have increased across the board, including a 10 RP cost now applied even to Bronze players. Squad deployment across the map has been adjusted to ensure even spacing between teams, while loot is now more evenly distributed among Points of Interest to avoid high-loot zone clustering.
See the changes by reading the seasons patch notes at : https://www.ea.com/en/games/apex-legends/apex-legends/news/showdown-patch-notes
