In the upcoming Season 20 of Apex Legends, dubbed 'Breakout', players are set to experience significant changes that aim to refresh the gameplay experience. As the game celebrates its fifth anniversary, developer Respawn Entertainment introduces a new approach to shields and how they work. Players can no longer find high-level shields scattered across the map—everyone starts with the same shield, leveling up through damage dealt to ensure better balanced matches. The modifications extend to the ranking system where more aggressive plays are better rewarded, and kills on higher-ranked teams yield extra ranked points.

Each legend will now also receive unique upgrades as their shields level up, adding variety and strategic depth to engagements. These custom upgrades cater to the different playstyles and abilities of the legends, and Respawn plans to adjust them every half-season based on player feedback for balancing purposes. Other improvements include better matchmaking, reduced waiting times, a better ranked experience, and a much-requested 120hz mode for consoles. Season 20 also introduces a new, faster-paced game mode, 'Straight Shot', although it's noted to be temporary. Apex Legends Season 20 is set to launch on February 13th, available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

What are some of the major changes coming to Apex Legends in Season 20?

Season 20 of Apex Legends, 'Breakout', is revising the shield system to make gameplay more balanced and fair. Instead of finding high-level shields in game, all players will start with the same base level and upgrade by dealing damage. Character-specific shield upgrades add customization, and the ranking system rewards aggressive play. There's improved matchmaking, faster game-finding, a fun ranked experience without provisional matches, and a new 120hz mode for console players. The addition of the 'Straight Shot' mode offers quicker, action-packed matches, though it is temporary.

Apex Legends is a free-to-play battle royale-hero shooter developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. It has grown significantly since its surprise launch in 2019, integrating a diverse cast of characters known as Legends, each with unique abilities. The game's innovative approach to the genre with features like respawn mechanics and a communication system called 'ping' has made it popular within the gaming community. The title consistently introduces new content through seasonal updates, which often include new Legends, weapons, and significant gameplay changes to maintain its vibrant and engaged player base.