Season 4 of Apex Legends started on the one-year anniversary of the game and fans have enjoyed all the new season has to offer. While Season 4: Assimilation brought many new changes, including a new weapon, alterations to World’s Edge, and a deadly Legend, Respawn also has periodically added small limited-time modes or updates to keep the player base coming back for more.
In a surprise announcement, Respawn recently revealed that another limited-time event is on the way for the fast-paced battle royale, and this one comes with way more content, a new mode, a new heirloom, and game-altering updates that change the flow of gameplay for Apex Legends.
The System Override Collection Event will take place on March 3, 2020, and will last through March 17, 2020. Many aspects of this event are similar to the Grand Soiree Arcade Event that took place in Season 3. One of the key elements to that event that has been carried over is the prize tracking system. There will be frequent challenges to complete with various rewards throughout the two-week event.
When it comes to standard and ranked modes, Apex Legends relies on the typical battle royale experience with random loot drops and chaotic circle closings. Meanwhile, Respawn seems to take advantage of limited-time events to toy around with fun and unique game modes. For the System Override Collection Event, there will be a very unique two-week mode named Deja Loot. This mode will take place for one week on World’s Edge, and for the second week on Kings Canyon, the fan-favorite map will also be returning for ranked mode.
Deja Loot will see loot spawn at the same exact location for the duration of the event, meaning that coveted purple shield will always be in that same exact supply crate. And likewise, the circle will close in the same fixed location every day (it will change each day), so it could end up in crazy Skull Town non-stop for intense finishes for an entire Saturday of gaming.
Respawn recently talked about something it isn’t adding to Apex Legends. But, perhaps the most exciting addition from the announcement is the Evo Shield. Right now the lowest level shield is the Level 1 shield (White/Common) and it gives 50 additional shield to the player, while the highest (Purple/Epic and Gold/Legendary) give 100 additional shield. The Evo Shield only gives 25 shield at first, so at first blush, it seems like the inferior item. However, the more the player damages non-downed enemies the stronger the Evo Shield becomes.
In time, the Evo shield levels up and can even become stronger than the Epic Body Shield, meaning it gives an additional 125 shield. It also glows with a colorful aura so other players will be able to notice if the Evo Shield is equipped. Respawn has noted that the Evo Shield will be exclusive to Deja Loot for now, but if players like the equipment, it may end up being a part of the standard loot pool in time.
During each limited-time event, a premium store becomes available with limited-time cosmetics. This set-up was tweaked for the better after the now former lead-producer of Apex Legends got in an online tussle with fans who were unhappy about the pricepoint and roll-of-the-dice nature of the former premium store. With the System Override Collection Event there will be 24 items available to purchase directly with either Apex coins or with Crafting Metals. Event Apex Packs are also available for purchase and will have a random event item inside.
When Apex Legends launched there was only one Legend who had an heirloom item: Wraith. An heirloom is an extremely rare item that a Legend holds, instead of their “fists” when in the standard standing and punching animation. In time, other Legends started to gain their own heirlooms as well. With this most recent event, Octane finally joins the heirloom party and gets to wield a butterfly knife/syringe combo that only he could pull off. As exciting as his heirloom is, the way that heirlooms are now unlocked is even more encouraging.
Currently, there is a 1 in 500 chance to unlock an heirloom in an Apex Pack, and a guarantee to receive one after 500 packs. However, that heirloom could be completely random. For example, a player may be a Pathfinder main and may be thrilled to finally receive an heirloom, but end up disappointed when they receive the Lifeline heirloom because they never play as that character. However, that process is changing moving forward.
The 1 in 500 is staying the same, as well as the guarantee after 500 packs and existing progress towards that 500. However, when a player now is lucky enough to open up an Apex Pack and receive an heirloom they will now receive Heirloom Shards. Players can then use the Heirloom Shards to obtain whichever heirloom they would like in the Heirloom Shop. This is a change that the community has been asking for for a very long time. This also means that players will be able to hold onto their Heirloom Shards for as long as they need to, meaning if someone is a Mirage main and is still waiting for his heirloom to become available one day, they can save it for him.
All in all the System Override Collection Event is more than the Apex Legends fanbase could have expected. Not only does it look to be a fun couple weeks, but it also sets the stage for positive changes moving forward, which is something that limited-time events haven’t yet done for Apex Legends.
Apex Legends is free-to-play on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
