Apex Legends Reveals Patch Notes for January 2026 Replace

Respawn Leisure has revealed the patch notes for the upcoming January 2026 replace for Apex Legends. In addition to launching the Winter Wipeout Occasion, the developer is making important adjustments to Octane, Newcastle, and Crypto. Whereas it stays to be seen what the reception to those alterations will likely be, they’ll seemingly have an effect on the Apex Legends meta.

Apex Legends is currently in Season 27, which was launched on November 4 of final yr. Whereas the seasonal replace didn’t introduce a brand new Legend, a number of characters acquired notable alterations. Particularly, Horizon, Valkyrie, and Rampart have been buffed to make them extra viable within the meta. As well as, Respawn made substantial adjustments to Olympus, including new POIs and altering the structure of some areas. Whereas Season 28 is prone to launch someday in February, the developer has unveiled some massive adjustments coming to the present season, together with buffs to a number of characters.

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Octane Buffs Defined

Respawn has shared the patch notes for its upcoming January 6 replace for Apex Legends, revealing some massive alterations for Octane, Newcastle, and Crypto. Whereas all of the adjustments look to buff the characters, Octane’s rework may trigger the most important change to the sport’s decide charges. In accordance with the patch notes, the Skirmisher is receiving a brand new Tactical: Stim Surge. This new potential can be utilized after a participant prompts Stim. Through the use of Stim Surge, gamers achieve Fortified, provoke Swift Mend, and proceed to heal by way of injury. Past this, the common Stim is being buffed, and Octane’s JumpPad is being improved by incorporating the Mad Hops and Aerial Agility upgrades into the bottom equipment. Gamers may also have the ability to retailer two JumpPads at one time, making it simpler to flee from or push right into a battle. With these adjustments to the bottom Final, Respawn has launched new upgrades for the Legend, with a pair specializing in enhancing his teamplay in Apex Legends.

Crypto Buffs Defined

In addition to Octane, Crypto will see adjustments to his equipment to make it faster for him to begin piloting his drone. The Recon-class Legend may also have his Off the Grid improve delivered to the bottom equipment, permitting him to cloak every time controlling the drone. Moreover, the event crew is including long-range Menace Imaginative and prescient to drone view and is bringing Satellite tv for pc Imagery to the bottom equipment, making it simpler to identify enemies. Among the different adjustments for the character embrace new upgrades and the power to gather EVO Harvesters with the drone. In accordance with Apex Legends Status, Crypto has one of many lowest decide charges within the battle royale at 0.6%, so will probably be fascinating to see if these adjustments will make him extra enjoyable to play.

Newcastle Buffs Defined

The final Legend seeing some buffs within the January replace is Newcastle. Whereas Respawn acknowledged that the character was “top tier” in ALGS, his recognition falls off in common matchmaking. With this in thoughts, the builders have regarded to enhance his skills to be a “pub savior” in response to Octane’s newly energized equipment. Particularly, the replace is incorporating his Heroes Hustle and Swift Protect upgrades into his base equipment. This can let him transfer sooner when utilizing the Revive Protect. The adjustments additionally enhance the motion pace of his Cell Protect. With these upgrades now within the base equipment, he’s getting a few new ones that enhance the effectiveness of his Revive Protect.

Whereas it stays to be seen how these respective adjustments will play out within the battle royale, they may make these Legends extra interesting to some gamers. It ought to be famous that Respawn is barely nerfing Revenant on this upcoming replace as nicely. The patch notes reveal that the utmost cost length for his Tactical will likely be elevated from 1.3 to 1.7 seconds, and his Final will take 10% longer to deploy.

The January 2026 replace for Apex Legends can also be making another notable adjustments to the battle royale. Some extra highlights embrace slight injury buffs to the R-301 and Flatline, together with enhancements to the Rampage, L-STAR, RE-45 Burst, Mozambique, and Prowler. Respawn can also be adjusting Respawn Beacons, permitting every crew to make use of every beacon as soon as, no matter whether or not one other squad has used it beforehand. The spawn charges of prolonged and weapon provide bins have been decreased, whereas some tweaks have been made to the Olympus map in Apex Legends based mostly on fan suggestions.

Winter Wipeout Occasion is Coming to Apex Legends

All of those adjustments come as Apex Legends begins the Winter Wipeout Occasion. The festivities run from January 6 till January 27 and have some massive adjustments to the Wildcard mode in Apex Legends, together with HoverBoards and new Wildcards. Moreover, new cosmetics are being added to the store, with the highlight on the brand new Apex Stellaris Status Pores and skin for Horizon. Time will inform if these newest adjustments and new additions can appeal to extra gamers again to the battle royale forward of Season 28.

Apex Legends January 2026 Replace – Patch Notes

BALANCE UPDATES

Lively Gold Weapon Rotation

We cycle our gold weapons between releases to maintain the loot pool feeling contemporary and to showcase weapon adjustments. This season the rotation consists of the R-301 and Rampage to spotlight their stability updates and the Triple Take to have a good time its return to flooring loot in the beginning of the season.

• R-99 SMG, R-301 Carbine, Mastiff Shotgun, Triple Take, and Rampage LMG

GAME UPDATES

Respawn Beacons

Dev Word: Through the years we’ve labored in the direction of making respawning extra accessible within the BR. We really feel like this variation will tackle a serious ache level that has been felt within the respawning loop, “Why is the closest respawn beacon on the other side of the map?” Cell Respawn Beacons stay unchanged (single use).

• Map positioned Respawn Beacons can now be used as soon as per crew (beforehand as soon as per sport).

Prolonged Provide Bins & Weapon Provide Bins

Dev Word: We beforehand elevated the spawn price of prolonged & weapon provide bins once we eliminated the icons from the map in order that they nonetheless felt constant. Now that the icons have returned, we’re seeing a couple of too many, so we’re bringing that quantity again down.

• Diminished the spawn price of prolonged and weapon provide bins.

LEGENDS

OCTANE

We didn’t overlook! Since his launch, motion in Apex Legends has change into extra dynamic with dashes, jumps, glides and jets. Octane wanted one thing particular to be the “run and gun” icon that he’s meant to be. As Octane is a threat taking adrenaline chaser, we didn’t need to simply throw away his well being price both. As an alternative we needed so as to add a payoff by enabling his skills to be stronger the much less well being he has. Octane is all about going quick and dwelling dangerously – so go get ’em Octane mains!

Passive

• Swift Mend now heals extra the much less HP you’ve gotten.
  • Swift Mend base therapeutic elevated from 1.5 HPS to three.0 HPS
  • Swift Mend max therapeutic heals for 9 HPS

TACTICAL – STIM SURGE

• Added a brand new potential for Octane Stim Surge: If Octane makes use of his tactical once more, whereas stim is already energetic, he makes use of a brand new combination which grants him Fortified, triggers Swift Mend, and permits Swift Mend to proceed therapeutic by way of injury.

• Stim Surge lasts 6s

• Prices 0 HP to make use of

• Reapplies Stim impact for whole length

• Has a 20s cooldown however doesn’t put Stim on cooldown

• Fortified reduces injury by 15% and grants immunity to bullet gradual

• Gamers can maintain tac button to routinely buffer Stim Surge

Dev Word: It’s totally straightforward for Octane to run into hazard sooner than he ought to. Stim Surge offers Octane extra company to outlive in these conditions so he can maintain W confidently.

TACTICAL – STIM

• Whereas stimmed, Octane can dash and use consumables.
• Cut back the time earlier than Octane can reuse his Stim from 1.8s to 0.7s
• Stim pace elevated by 5%

Dev Word: Going gradual is for everybody else, not Octane. Therapeutic whereas sprinting lets Octane preserve his tempo at the price of consumables and offers him elusiveness in shut quarter fights.

ULTIMATE

• Included Mad Hops and Aerial Agility into the bottom equipment.
  • JumpPad now has two fees
  • JumpPad has improved dealing with when double leaping
• JumpPads are useable instantly after hitting the bottom

UPGRADES

4 new upgrades to interchange all the bottom upgrades

• Thick Pores and skin: Stim prices 10 much less well being to make use of
• Squad Rush: Everybody who makes use of your JumpPad features Stim on land
• Daredevil: Achieve quick reload on defend cracks and enhance Stim Surge length the much less HP you’ve gotten
• Triple Leap: Achieve a 3rd bounce from JumpPads

Dev Notes: Octane was beforehand a reasonably egocentric decide. With the Final adjustments, Squad Rush and Triple Leap, Octane can flex into sturdy team-wide mobility for coordinated groups comps.

NEWCASTLE

Newcastle is in an fascinating spot proper now. He is chosen not often in matchmaking however in ALGS, he’s a prime tier Legend. We needed to make him extra engaging with out making him over powered in coordinated play. By incorporating all his pace upgrades into his base equipment, it opened up house to create new upgrades that give him stronger rez performs. It felt proper that in a season the place the OG pub stomper Octane is coming again {that a} “pub savior” be round to guard the crew.

PASSIVE

• Incorporate Heroes Hustle into base equipment
  • Motion pace penalty decreased from 25% to 75%

TACTICAL

• Incorporate Swift Protect into base equipment
  • Motion pace elevated from 160 to 250

UPGRADES

Two new upgrades to interchange Swift Protect and Heroes Hustle

• Stronghold strikes down to interchange Heroes Hustle
• Prepared To Rumble: Reviving a participant auto masses Newcastle’s weapons and triggers full regen. (Replaces Swift Protect)
• Defensive Line: Tactical and Revive Protect knocks again enemies as soon as (Replaces Stronghold)

CRYPTO

Crypto’s decide price tells us he is in a spot the place he wants our consideration. There have been many high quality of life buffs we discovered to make him really feel higher, assist him catch as much as his squad, and provides him extra play potential.

PASSIVE

• Crypto features lengthy vary Menace Imaginative and prescient whereas piloting his drone
• Satellite tv for pc Imagery included into base equipment
  • Enhance length of scan by 1.5s
  • Obtain a brief scan on EMP

Dev Word: We needed to emphasise Crypto’s recon class whereas actively piloting his drone. Info may be very worthwhile so with extra scans and callouts, we hope your crew will respect you being within the drone extra.

TACTICAL

• Diminished time to launch drone from 1.3 to 0.7s
• Diminished time to renter drone from 0.4 to 0.2s
• Diminished animation body that Crypto renters drone from 7 to 2
• Drone can gather EVO Harvesters
• Crypto can now enter and exit drone whereas utilizing Ziplines
• Off the Grid Included into base equipment
  • Crypto cloaks whereas piloting his drone

Dev Word: With these adjustments Crypto ought to have much less “useless time” the place he’s both locked out of his drone or caught in it. It ought to really feel extra seamless to enter and exit your drone making it much less cumbersome total. Lastly, giving Crypto extra freedom to enter the drone, and incorporating Off the Grid into the bottom equipment, unlocks some fairly sneaky tech for him!

UPGRADES

Two new upgrades to interchange Off the Grid and Satellite tv for pc Imagery.

• Ally.MoveTo(): Crypto can Trailblaze to all allies. (Replaces Off the Grid)
• Energy Coupling: Crypto features Final cost from utilizing scan beacons and scanning enemies together with his drone (Replaces Satellite tv for pc Imagery)

REVENANT

Small adjustment to Revenant in order that victims have a bit extra time to react to being cracked earlier than an ulted up Rev lands them.

TACTICAL

• Elevated max cost length from 1.3 to 1.7s

ULTIMATE

• Elevated Ult time 2.0 to 2.2s (10% slower to deploy)

LOOT & ATTACHMENTS

AMPS

Infinite Ammo

Dev Word: Infinite Ammo was underused in comparison with its counterparts, so we’re giving it some like to carry it into the dialog.

• Infinite Ammo Amp now applies to Care Package deal weapons

WEAPONS

AR

The R-301 and the Flatline are the bread and butter of Apex weaponry. And for a very long time, that was all anybody ordered. After some time, although, all of us need some spice. So whereas R-301 and Flatine have remained classics, different weapons have change into extra highly effective and eclipsed them. These adjustments to the R-301 and Flatine, whereas small, ought to get them again on the menu.

VK-47 Flatline

• Harm elevated to twenty (was 19)

R-301 Carbine

• Harm elevated to fifteen (was 14)

LMG

Rampage

The Rampage Revved state drained a tad quick when not firing. This variation ought to mean you can maintain that cost a bit longer whilst you get to the battle.

• Elevated energize length to 120 seconds (was 90 seconds)
• Whole variety of pictures whereas Revved barely elevated

LSTAR

• Elevated preliminary projectile dimension
• Elevated projectile dimension over distance

PISTOL

RE-45 Burst

• Improved recoil
• Elevated projectile dimension at shut vary

SHOTGUN

Mozambique

• Elevated projectile dimension at shut vary

SMG

The adjustment to the burst delay final season hit the Prowler a bit more durable than supposed, so we’re rolling that again. Moreover, we really feel the reward for unlocking the Selectfire Receiver simply doesn’t hit fairly onerous sufficient, so we’re boosting the weapon’s energy whereas utilizing Selectfire.

Prowler PDW

• Decreased burst delay
• Harm elevated to 17 whereas utilizing Selectfire (was 16)

MAPS

Olympus

We’ve been monitoring your suggestions on Olympus, and have discovered a number of alternatives for focused QOL enhancements. Gamers experiencing FPS drops on Olympus ought to see enhancements on this replace. We’ve additionally heard your suggestions round Elysium’s new location making a compelled contest with Somers College, and are investigating an answer for a future launch.

• Adjusted collision on pipes at Gravity Engine for smoother motion
• Adjusted arsenal placement at Somers College
• Adjusted arsenal placement at Gravity Engine and added further arsenal
• Added arsenal to Elysium
• Adjusted ramps on the MAZE zipline exits for smoother interactions with motion tech
• Elevated quantity of loot at heart of Somers College
• Added further cowl and loot on the higher platforms at Dockyard
• Added further ziplines to succeed in the higher platforms at Dockyard
• Added beacon and ring console to Stabilizer
• Mounted inaccurate flooring collision on the outer bridge at Stabilizer
• Optimized efficiency in a number of areas of the map
• Added and adjusted cowl in a number of areas of the map
• Adjusted the Ranked drop zone location for Turbine to drop gamers contained in the POI as a substitute of the outside

Pubs

• Olympus
• Storm Level
• Kings Canyon

Ranked

• Olympus
• Storm Level
• E-District

Mixtape

• 1/6/26 – 2/9/26
  • TDM: Cranium City, Thunderdome, Fragment, Estates
  • Management: Barometer, Labs, Thunderdome, Lava Siphon
  • Gun Run: Wattson Pylon, Cranium City, Zeus, Thunderdome

WILDCARD

January twenty seventh, 2026 – February ninth, 2026

• Olympus Wildcard Winter
• Lively Wild Playing cards
  • Further Ordnance
  • Drone Help
  • Smoke Out
  • Excessive Velocity
  • Standing Report
  • Speedy Cost
  • Recharger
  • Quick Draw
  • Monstrous Power

RANKED

Ranked Ladders (coming later this break up)

BUG FIXES

• Mounted a difficulty the place weapons and not using a Gun Protect Generator hop-up may get a defend
• Mounted some inconsistencies with Heirloom holster speeds
• Mounted helps having to undergo a cellular respawn pickup animation earlier than coming into their teammates deathbox

LEGENDS

• Mad Maggie
  • The Fortified buff from Mad Maggie’s Wrecking Ball repulsors now reduces another sorts of injury (like explosive injury) to match the way it works on characters who naturally have Fortified.
  • When utilizing the Wrecking Ball’s repulsors, we not present a “Fortified” trace when characters who’re naturally Fortified (since they weren’t given further injury discount).
• Valkyrie
  • Mounted difficulty the place tactical may very well be interrupted by melee
• Vantage:
  • Mounted the tactical vary finder (blue dot surrounding the crosshair) not working

QUALITY OF LIFE

• Inbox Replace
  • We’re including to the same old gifting messages in your Inbox
  • Inbox will now embrace:
    • Anti-cheat replace messages
    • Messages for login rewards or grants
    • Pressing message communication on bugs / updates for impacted gamers
  • Sooner or later we’ll be shifting different pop-up reward messages to the inbox as nicely (e.g., EA Play rewards, Twitch Drops, and many others.)
  • With the improved Inbox
    • There will likely be extra context on why sure gadgets have been acquired
    • Objects acquired might be considered and geared up from the Inbox
    • Messages routinely delete after 30 days

AUDIO

• Mounted a bug that prevented the devoted ‘landing’ sound from taking part in when an enemy hits the bottom after utilizing an Octane Jumppad.
• Mounted a excessive pitch ringing sound that may very well be heard round Section Driver on Olympus

Launched

February 4, 2019

ESRB

T for Teen: Blood, Violence

Writer(s)

Digital Arts