Mid-Season 23 Update Patch Notes for Apex Legends Unveiled

Overview of the Apex Legends Mid-Season Update

• The latest mid-season update for Apex Legends introduces buffs for Mirage, Loba, and Alter, along with adjustments to weapons and equipment.
• Key enhancements include Mirage’s new ability to heal while cloaked and Loba kicking off matches with a 99% Ultimate charge.
• The upcoming Astral Anomaly event reintroduces the launch royale LTM across various maps, featuring exciting new cosmetic rewards.

As Season 23 of Apex Legends progresses, Respawn Entertainment has prepared a comprehensive mid-season update set to launch on January 7. This update promises substantial changes including character buffs for popular Legends like Mirage, Loba, and Alter, among other crucial updates.

Throughout Season 23, Apex Legends has showcased a variety of limited-time events, including the recently announced Astral Anomaly. Players can expect a nostalgic return to the launch royale LTM, where they can explore diverse maps such as World’s Edge, Olympus, Storm Point, Broken Moon, and the classic Kings Canyon. This update accompanies a series of critical balance changes intended to enhance gameplay and player experience.

The newly released patch notes detail significant adjustments that could greatly influence the game dynamics, particularly with the buffs designated for various Legends. For instance, Mirage will now have the ability to cloak while healing, a strategic advancement that increases his evasion capabilities. Moreover, his level 2 upgrades now include Boozle-Eye, which enables scanning targets that shoot his decoys, and Renaissance Man, allowing interaction with world elements typically reserved for other classes.

Loba’s updates are equally impactful, allowing her to begin matches with a 99% Ultimate charge, a significant increase from the previous 50%. This enhancement enables her team to utilize her Black Market ability almost immediately after landing, fostering strategic advantages right from the outset. Additionally, Loba now possesses two charges for her Tactical ability and experiences decreased toss and recovery times, enhancing her mobility. Alter also benefits from improved capabilities, including dual Void Nexus use with her Ultimate upgrade.

Weapon adjustments in the mid-season update include buffs for the Peacekeeper and enhancements to the Charge Rifle, which will enjoy increased magazine size, projectile speed, and the ability to use Select Fire attachments. Meanwhile, the RE-45 has also seen its damage increased from 12 to 13. The gold weapon rotation showcases a selection that includes the Charge Rifle, Prowler PDW, Nemesis Burst AR, G7 Scout, and CAR SMG.

Beyond the major refinements, the update also incorporates vital balance modifications such as the added team-wide EVO benefits when opening Care Packages and adjustments to ring lethality. Additionally, a fresh Accelerator attachment will boost both EVO and Ultimate charges based on damage dealt, further enhancing gameplay strategy.

Patch Notes Highlights: Apex Legends Mid-Season Update

BALANCE UPDATES

Care Package

• Opening a Care Package now grants EVO to the entire team instead of just the opener.

Gold Weapon Rotation

• Charge Rifle, Prowler PDW, Nemesis Burst AR, G7 Scout, CAR SMG.

Ring Lethality

• Support Perk benefits will cease once a player reaches the Ring Lethality Warning time limit.
  • Revive Expert benefits will still experience a cooldown before re-use after being activated inside the ring.

ATTACHMENTS & ORDINANCE

New Accelerator Attachment:

• Available for the Nemesis Burst AR, G7 Scout, and CAR SMG.
• Boosts EVO and Ultimate charges based on damage provided.
• Grants 30% ultimate charge for knockouts if an Accelerator weapon is equipped.

Dev Note: We aim to deliver an innovative gameplay experience with this new Hop-Up option added to the base of these weapons. Early access to increased EVO and Ultimate charge generates significant impact during matches.

Arc Star Update:

• Players will now receive a “STUCK” message upon being hit by an Arc Star.

Dev Note: This feature alleviates confusion during frantic combat scenarios, providing clarity on in-game events.

Hop Ups

• Introduced Select Fire:
  • Equippable on the Prowler PDW and Charge Rifle.
  • Adds a toggleable automatic firing mode.

WEAPONS

Charge Rifle

• Increased ammo capacity:
  • Base Ammo: 6
  • White Mag: 7
  • Blue Mag: 8
  • Purple Mag: 9
• Enhanced projectile size at closer distances.
• Improved projectile speed and reduced recoil.
• Maximum damage range reduced to 200m (formerly 300m).
• Reduced projectile gravity.
• Now compatible with Select Fire Hop-Up:
  • Alternate firing mode set to automatic.
  • Damage reduced by 25% but fire rate increased.
  • Improved recoil in automatic mode.

Dev Note: The Charge Rifle can be tricky to handle; these enhancements aim to make it more user-friendly while amplifying its firepower.

Mastiff

• Aim down sights blast pattern tightening has been reduced.
• Blast pattern enlarged for greater dispersion.
• Delay before firing from a raised position increased.
• Raising and lowering times slightly extended.

Dev Note: The Mastiff’s dominance in the current season necessitated adjustments, targeting both timing issues and blast pattern inconsistencies.

Peacekeeper

• Choke speed significantly enhanced.
• Projectile speed increased for better long-range efficiency.

Dev Note: We want the Peacekeeper’s choked shots to shine as a key feature, enhancing its long-range effectiveness against agile targets.

RE-45

• Damage adjusted to 13 (previously 12).

Dev Note: This boost aims to re-establish the RE-45 in the current meta following the emergence of Akimbo weapons.

LEGENDS UPDATES

Alter

• Void Nexus:
  • Cooldown reduced to 120 seconds (was 180 seconds).
  • No longer times out by default.
  • Range increased to 300 meters (was 200 meters).
• Level 3 Upgrades:
  • Eternal Nexus feature moved into the base kit.
  • NEW Multidimensional upgrade allows a second Void Nexus that can coexist simultaneously.

Dev Note: Minor changes expand Alter’s strategic options. Further enhancements for her character are planned for the future.

Horizon

• Gravity Lift:
  • Updated visual effects to lessen battlefield clutter.
  • Improved audio for better identification of players in the lift.

many

• Black Market:
  • Ultimate now starts at 99% charge (was 50%).
  • New griefing protection added.
  • Can be remotely retrieved.
  • Can now collect banners without using a Black Market charge.
  • Can access vaults without a key, albeit without EVO awarded.
  • Loot stealing from vaults activates an alarm but permits safe extraction without triggering the Black Market.
  • Gained ability to retrieve loot from Explosive Holds without limitations.
  • Elimination of delay after placing Black Market before it becomes operational.
  • Small healing items (shield cells and syringes) now don’t consume a Black Market usage.
  • Exclusion of loot from Trials, Big Maude, and Caustic Labs from Black Market offerings.
• Burglar’s Best Friend:
  • Equipped with two charges.
  • Improved toss time and significantly reduced recovery time.
  • Reduction in sound effects and visual effects associated with the thrown bracelet.
• Eye for Quality: Allows Loba to use ADS while unarmed to access a quick view of items highlighted by her passive ability.
• Level 2 Upgrades:
  • High Value upgrade removed.
  • Market Expansion feature removed.
  • Shopping Spree moved to Level 2 and redesigned for the squad to claim three items from a teammate’s Black Market.
  • NEW Wolf’s Claws: provides a speed boost and greatly improved weapon draw time post-teleportation.
• Level 3 Upgrades:
  • Tactical Upgrade feature removed.
  • NEW Brand New Bag: allocates gold backpacks to the entire squad upon selection.
  • NEW Escape Artist: recover 50 shield HP following a teleport, damage interrupts this regeneration.

Dev Note: Loba’s revamps are designed to smoothen some of the more cumbersome aspects of her abilities, enhancing responsiveness. With quicker utility and supporting features, Loba’s character will now shine as both a support agent and an evasive opportunist, reflecting her master thief persona. Players can explore two distinctive play styles, adapting to their team’s needs.

Mirage

• Now You See Me…:
  • Now cloaks while using healing consumables:
    • The cloak dissipates when damaged, the ability is used, or the healing action is dropped.
    • A 5-second cooldown on the cloak starts when transitioning out of the cloaked state.
  • Entering cloak takes only 1 second (reduced from 1.5 seconds).
  • Mirage gains a speed bonus while cloaked after being revived.

• Level 2 Upgrades:
  • Battpack feature removed.
  • More Me upgrade removed.
  • NEW Boozle-Eye: Bamboozles now allow scanning of the enemy who fired at the clone.
  • NEW Renaissance Man: Facilitates access to all other classes’ world interactions: Assault Bins, Care Package scans, Survey Beacons, and Ring Consoles, but only grants EVO if a team member of that class exists.

Dev Note: Enhancements to Mirage aim to elevate his utility and increase stealth capabilities, reinforcing his role as a strategic support character. These updates usher in new paths for creativity in combat, allowing players to explore innovative escape tactics.

Pathfinder

• Grappling Hook: cooldown increased to a fixed 30 seconds (formerly variable).
• Insider Knowledge:
  • Max cooldown earned through scanning care packages has been reduced.
  • Reduced zoom change benefit from scanning care packages.
• Upgrade – Zipline Zen: damage reduction decreased to 25% (previously 50%).

Dev Note: Adjustments to Pathfinder’s capabilities were essential due to his prominence in gameplay as a flexible pick; thus, the cooldown adjustments aim to influence strategic interaction and encourage gameplay diversity.

Vantage

• Sniper’s Mark: updated animations for reloading with an Ultimate Accelerant will now keep the weapon active.

MODES

Launch Royale:

• Replicator spawns are activated:
  • Each Legend is capable of crafting teammate banners.
  • Level 1 Armor can also be crafted at a Replicator.
• Opening a bin guarantees a weapon if none is equipped.
• Ring Timings Adjusted:
  • Wait times between rounds now synchronize better with current parameters.
  • The closing speed of the ring has been expedited.
• Map Rotation: Kings Canyon, World’s Edge, Olympus, Storm Point, Broken Moon, and E-District.

Ongoing Rift Relics: The selection in Rift Relics will receive regular updates, incorporating additional weapons and rotating Boost Kits graciously.

• Boost Kits:
  • New Additions:
    • Upgraded: Activates all Legend Upgrades while onboard.
    • Emergency Smoke: Triggers a vision-blocking smoke cloud upon sustaining damage.
    • Map Hack: Occasionally pings enemies on the minimap for allies.
    • Phase Rewind: Returns the player to a previous location upon activation.
  • Returns:
    • Hover: Hold ADS while airborne to maintain steady aim.
    • Void Reflex: Damage that would knock a player sends them instead into the Void for a few seconds, returning at critical health.
    • Reactive Regen: Gradual health and shield regeneration over time.
    • Squad Heal: Utilizing consumables also heals nearby teammates.
    • Nessies: Summon Nessie companions to assist in battle.
• Relic Weapons:
  • New Additions:
    • Relic Pulse Blade: Enhanced throwing knife with impact scanning and increased damage.
    • Relic Charged Sentinel: Always starts charged without needing shield cells.
    • Relic Charged Rampage: Always prepped for fire without needing Thermite Grenades.
    • Relic EVA-8 + Double Tap.
    • Relic Devotion + EMP: Damage to shields produces a powerful EMP effect.
    • Relic Charge Rifle: Reverts to its original release form.
  • Returning Weapons:
    • Relic Alternator: Modified variant of the Launch Royale using Disruptor Rounds.
    • Relic Mastiff: Launch Royale variant.
    • Relic L-Star: Fast-firing variant with low magazine capacity.
    • Relic Spitfire: Launch Royale variant, fast reload, improved hipfire capabilities.
    • Relic Wingman: Launch Royale variant equipped with Skull Piercer.
    • Relic Prowler: Launch Royale Select Fire (automatic) variant featuring a high-power scope.
    • Relic G7 Scout: Launch Royale variant designed for sniper scopes.
    • Relic 30-30 Repeater: Heals a percentage of damage dealt; rewards significantly for headshots.
    • EPG-1: A unique single-fire energy launcher.

MAP ROTATIONS

Pubs & Ranked Modes:

• E-District
• Olympus
• World’s Edge

Mixtape Schedule:

• January 7 – January 20, 2025:
  • TDM: Skull Town, Monument, Zeus Station
  • Control: Production Yard, Thunderdome, Lava Siphon
  • Gun Run: Wattson, Fragment, The Core
• January 21 – February 10, 2025:
  • Big TDM: Thunderdome, Skull Town
  • Control: Production Yard, Lava Siphon
  • Gun Run: Skull Town, Fragment
  • Lockdown: Zeus Station, The Core

RANKED MODE UPDATES

RP Value Adjustments: Addressing persistent issues where RP buckets and matchmaking alignment were inconsistent, leading to confusion between ranks.

• Rookie IV to Silver IV: No changes in RP value.
• Silver IV to Silver III: Adjustment to 500 RP (was 600 RP).
• Silver III to Silver II: Adjustment to 500 RP (was 600 RP).
• Silver II to Silver I: Adjustment to 500 RP (was 600 RP).
• Silver I to Gold IV: Increases to 750 RP (was 600 RP).
• Gold IV to Gold III: Increased to 750 RP (was 700 RP).
• Gold III to Gold II: Increased to 750 RP (was 700 RP).
• Gold II to Gold I: Increased to 750 RP (was 700 RP).
• Gold I to Platinum IV: Increased to 750 RP (was 700 RP).
• Platinum IV to Platinum III: Holding at 750 RP (was 800 RP).
• Platinum III to Platinum II: Holding at 750 RP (was 800 RP).
• Platinum II to Platinum I: Increased to 1000 RP (was 800 RP).
• Platinum I to Diamond IV: Increased to 1000 RP (was 800 RP).
• Diamond IV to Diamond III: Increased to 1000 RP (was 900 RP).
• Diamond III to Diamond II: Increased to 1000 RP (was 900 RP).
• Diamond II to Diamond I: Increased to 1000 RP (was 900 RP).
• Diamond I to Master: Increased to 1000 RP (was 900 RP).

BUG FIXES

• Improvement of tap strafes to counteract automated movement tech at high framerates.
• Charge Rifle UI no longer appears inconsistently while aiming down sights with high-power optics.
• First draw animations now avoid playback issues with Akimbos after respawns in Mixtape mode.
• Fixed problem of hiding inside a rock wall on Broken Moon.
• No longer triggers low shield voicelines without Shield Core equipped.
• Out-of-bounds timers for Sheila on a mounted Rampart should now trigger appropriately.
• UI icons should also align properly across ultrawide displays.
• Weapon mastery XP will accumulate correctly when holding Akimbo weapons.

QUALITY OF LIFE ENHANCEMENTS

• Revisions to EVO points awarded for consecutive revives.
• Loot dropped on World’s Edge rising walls will now pop off after raising rather than sticking.
• Default healing selection modified to prioritize cells instead of syringes.
• “Incoming Voice Chat Volume” menu option now available on consoles, allowing volume maximization up to 200% for quieter players.

GRAPHICS IMPROVEMENTS

• This patch includes improvements and fixes for DX12 functionality:
  • New AMD Anti-Lag 2 support: Enabled by default for compatible GPUs, improving input latency by approximately 25% under GPU bottleneck situations.
  • Resolved black border issues with visual artifacts when using non-native aspect ratios.
  • Game cursor is now centered when a menu opens while utilizing a resolution differing from the monitor’s native resolution.
  • Inventory menu maintains stability when using a controller.
  • The “Dynamic Streaming Budget” toggle has been removed from Video Settings: this setting is generally unnecessary unless GPU VRAM runs low, in which case performance improvement may occur.
  • Geometry streaming performance significantly enhanced, reducing stutters and missing models, especially on low-end systems.

For comprehensive details regarding the update, please refer to the official patch notes and stay informed about how these adjustments will shape the gameplay experience for the remainder of Season 23.

Source & Images

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