EA and Respawn Entertainment’s Free-to-Play Battle Royale Apex Legend is a getting a big update on May 4th. The Legacy Update adds a new playable Legend called Valkyrie, as well as a new permanent game mode with Arenas. See the full patch notes here.
Arenas takes the usual 60-person Battle Royale survival into a much smaller 3v3 scenario. One squad versus another, without any other distractions. Both teams get a chance to fully gear up in the spawn point before being let loose in the smaller combat zones based on existing locations from Kings Canyon, World’s Edge, and Olympus. Squad revivals aren’t allowed, but rounds should fly by quickly. Between rounds players can heal and resupply.
A team must win three rounds and be ahead of the enemy team by two points to win the match. You could win as quickly as 3-0 or 3-1, but if the rounds go all the way to the 9th (such as a 4-4 split), then they enter sudden death mode, with a winner takes all ninth round.
Kairi Imahara, aka Valkyrie, is the newest Legend to join the roster. Armed with a flight suit salvaged from her father’s titan, Valkyrie comes equipped with VTOL jets for high maneuverability tactical mini-rockets, and the ability to scan for the next circle. Valkryie’s ultimate, Skyward Dive, lets her and her team fly into the air to reach long distances, as if leaping onto the map again.
The Legacy update also adds a new weapon, the compound bow, the Bocek, which fires actual arrows. Arrows can be looted on the battlefield and can be reused after firing. Skilled players can take advantage of the bow’s increased power by holding down the draw for maximum damage and projectile speed.
And of course, the update adds a new premium Battle Pass with unlockable goodies should you choose to purchase it.
Apex Legends is free to play on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4, Switch, PC (Origin, Steam), Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It’s rated T for Teen.
