Apex Legends – All Legend Upgrades And Shield Cores Explained

Shield Cores represent the new progression system, completely replacing traditional EVO Shields in the loot economy.

EVO Caches provide immediate Shield Core progression boosts.

Shared EVO Points reward team coordination and strategic gameplay.

Lifeline’s advanced upgrades introduce game-changing tactical possibilities.

Every Legend now possesses four distinct Legend Upgrades for selection, meaning the updated system introduces precisely 100 new enhancements and improvements for player experimentation. Each character’s specific Legend Upgrades are detailed below:

Bangalore

Bangalore Level 2: Big Bang: See nearby ordnance through walls and on deathboxes OR Ultimate Cooldown+: Reduce ultimate cooldown by 60 seconds.

Bangalore Level 3: Cover Me: Auto-Ping enemies who trigger Double Time OR Refuge: Regenerate HP while inside Smoke.

Fuse Level 2: Big Bang: See nearby ordnance through walls and on deathboxes OR Scar Tissue: Take 50% less damage and no slow effects from The Motherlode.

Fuse Level 3: Knuckle Hustler: Short speed boost on successful Knuckle Cluster hit OR Wreckless: Take 25% less explosive damage.

Ash

Ash Level 2: Murder Machine: Call out the number of squads within 150 meters after a squad wipe OR One Minute to Live: Using Passive ability tracks enemy position on map for 60 seconds.

Ash Level 3: Greedy Snare: Arc Snare remains in play for 24 seconds and can catch multiple enemies OR Twin Snares: Gain an Arc Snare charge.

Mad Maggie

Mad Maggie Level 2: Fire Ball: Wrecking Ball catches fire and explodes in thermite OR Shots Shots Shots: Auto-Reload shotguns on knock.

Mad Maggie Level 3: Big Drill: Increase depth and width of tactical ability by 50% OR Drillslinger: Gain a Riot Drill charge; reduce active duration by 25%.

Ballistic

Ballistic Level 2: Ammuvision: See relevant ammo types in deathboxes OR Care Package Insight: Reveal the most valuable item in Care Packages.

Ballistic Level 3: Extra Bullet: Gain a Smart Bullet charge OR Lasting Bullet: Smart Bullet duration is tripled.

Pathfinder

Pathfinder Level 2: Field Research: Gain access to Survey Beacons OR Ringmaster: Gain access to Ring Consoles.

Pathfinder Level 3: Down and Away: Grapple cooldown reset on knock OR Zipline Zen: Take 25% less damage while riding energized Ziplines.

Wraith

Wraith Level 2: Sixth Sense: Passive warns when nearby squad count increases OR Tactical Cooldown: Reduce tactical ability cooldown by 5 seconds.

Wraith Level 3: Fast Phase: Reduce tactical wind-up by 20% OR Ultimate Cooldown+: Reduce ultimate ability cooldown by 60 seconds.

Octane

Octane Level 2: Thick Skin: Take 25% less Stim damage OR Wreckless: Take 25% less explosive damage.

Octane Level 3: Airborne Agility: Change directions with the Launch Pad double-jump OR Mad Hops: Gain an extra Launch Pad charge.

Revenant

Revenant Level 2: Murder Machine: Call out the number of squads within 150 meters after a squad wipe OR Tactical Cooldown: Reduce tactical cooldown by 5 seconds.

Revenant Level 3: Agile Assassin: Total Shadow Pounce charge time reduced by 20% OR Grim Leaper: Shadow Pounce cooldown reset on knock.

Horizon

Horizon Level 2: Battery Collection: Shield Battery count shown above deathboxes OR Big Bang: See nearby ordnance through walls and on deathboxes.

Horizon Level 3: Tactical Cooldown: Reduce tactical cooldown by 5 seconds OR ultimate Cooldown: Reduce ultimate cooldown by 30 seconds.

Valkyrie

Valkyrie Level 2: Aerial Expert: Increased horizontal Jetpack speed and acceleration OR Afterburners: Launch 15% higher with Skyward Dive.

Valkyrie Level 3: Full Coverage: Widen Missile Swarm pattern from 4×3 to 3×5 OR Full Tank: Increase Jetpack fuel by 25%.

Bloodhound

Bloodhound Level 2: Raven’s Blessing: White Ravens charge ultimate ability by 25% when activated OR Tactical Cooldown: Reduce tactical cooldown by 5 seconds.

Bloodhound Level 3: Odin’s Glare: Double the duration of tactical’s full-body highlight OR Taste of Blood: Gain 25 HP on knocks while ultimate is active.

Crypto

Crypto Level 2: Tactical Cooldown+: Reduce tactical cooldown by 10 seconds OR Ultimate Cooldown: Reduce Ultimate cooldown by 30 seconds.

Crypto Level 3: Network Expansion: Increase Neurolink and EMP range by 25% OR Network Traffic: Deploying Crypto’s drone calls out squads in the area.

Seer

Seer Level 2: Long View: Increase passive and tactical ability range to 75m OR Racing Hearts: Faster movement when using passive ability.

Seer Level 3: Artist’s Reach: Increase the throw range of ultimate ability by 20 meters OR Focus Scan: Increase tactical ability scan duration by 1.5 seconds.

Vantage

Vantage Level 2: Ringmaster: Gain access to Ring Consoles OR Ultimate Reload: Ultimate Accelerants grant +2 bullets.

Vantage Level 3: Bat Bounce: Improved tactical ability’s double-jump OR Sharpshooter: Refresh tactical on hits with ultimate ability.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar Level 2: Fresh Start: Allies are revived with 50 HP OR Shots Shots Shots: Auto-Reload shotguns on knocks.

Gibraltar Level 3: Baby Bubble: Reduce tactical size and cooldown by 25% OR Bubble Bunker: Increase tactical ability’s lifetime by 4 seconds.

Lifeline’s advanced tactical options significantly impact team survivability.

Lifeline

Lifeline Level 2: Rapid Response: Increase Revive speed by 20% OR Tactical Cooldown+: Reduce tactical ability’s cooldown by 10 seconds.

Lifeline Level 3: Gift Wrapped: Next Lifeline Care Package is a Supply Drop OR Last Stand: Gain a one-time use self-revive ability.

Mirage

Mirage Level 2: Miracle Worker: Allies are revived with health regen up to 75 HP OR More Me: Gain an additional ultimate ability decoy; reduce ultimate cooldown by 30 seconds.

Mirage Level 3: Bamboozle Bonus: Refresh tactical ability on successful Bamboozles OR Me Two: Gain a tactical decoy charge.

Newcastle

Newcastle Level 2: Swift Shield: Increase Mobile Shield speed to weapon sprint speed OR Thick Shield: Mobile Shield segments gain 250 HP.

Newcastle Level 3: Miracle Worker: Allies are revived with health regen up to 75 HP OR Stronghold: Gain +250 Castle Wall HP; extend energized barrier duration to 2 minutes.

Conduit

Conduit Level 2: Battery Collection: Shield Battery count shown above deathboxes OR Radiant Transfer: Increase tactical range by 10 meters.

Conduit Level 3: Bigger Jam: Each Jammer’s damage radius increased by 10% OR Split Charge: Gain a tactical charge but halve shield regen duration.

Loba

Loba Level 2: High Value: Increase tactical’s height and range OR Market Expansion: Increase Black Market Boutique’s range by 25%.

Loba Level 3: Shopping Spree: Loba can take an extra item from her Black Market OR Tactical Cooldown: Reduce tactical cooldown by 5 seconds.

Loba’s enhanced looting capabilities provide significant team advantages.

Caustic

Caustic Level 2: Parabolic Force: Increase Tactical throw range by 75% OR Particle Diffuser: Increase ultimate ability’s area of effect by 50%.

Caustic Level 3: Breathe It In: Regenerate HP while enveloped in Nox Gas OR Residual Toxins: Nox Vision persists for longer.

Wattson

Wattson Level 2: Falling Stars: Pylon interceptions spawn Arc Stars at its base OR Fresh Start: Allies are revived with 50 HP.

Wattson Level 3: Power Pylon: Double ultimate ability’s HP and shield regeneration capacity OR Split Circuit: Place up to 2 Pylons with half the shield regeneration capacity and use Ultimate Accelerants twice as fast.

Rampart

Rampart Level 2: Bandolier: Carry extra ammo per stack OR Ultimate Cooldown: Reduce ultimate ability cooldown by 30 seconds.

Rampart Level 3: Amped Reloads: Reload faster with Sheila or when behind Amped Cover OR Ramped Up: Improves mobile Sheila handling and spin-up time by 20%.

Catalyst

Catalyst Level 2: Long Cast: Increase Spike throw range by 40% OR Sister Spikes: Increase max number of active Spikes by one.

Catalyst Level 3: Long Veil: Increase ultimate ability length by 15 meters OR Resilient Veil: Increase ultimate ability lifetime by 5 seconds.

The essential components for mastering the updated Shield Core framework and comprehensive Legend Upgrades involve dedicated practice and systematic experimentation. We strongly advise conducting trial sessions within the recently updated Firing Range to develop understanding of which enhancements complement each other effectively, and which options align optimally with your individual gameplay approach.

For additional Season 20 insights, explore our exclusive interview with lead Apex Legends narrative designer Ashley Reed providing behind-the-scenes perspectives on Legend development, examine all complimentary rewards included in the new 5th Anniversary Collection Event and Breakout battle pass progression system, and remain informed about ongoing Apex Legends developments throughout the season.

The traditional EVO Shield system has undergone a complete overhaul in Apex Legends’ battle royale mode, though they maintain similar functionality in Mixtape Mode. This fundamental change eliminates previous tactics like spotting colored shields through walls using Loba’s Black Market ability, manually upgrading shields for teammates, or quickly grabbing fresh shields during intense firefights.

Players now begin each match with an integrated Level 1 white shield providing two damage protection pips. Your shield evolves as you accumulate EVO Points through various combat and support activities. Once you reach sufficient EVO Points, your shield automatically upgrades to a blue Level 2 shield with three protection pips. Unlike the old EVO Shield system that required manual recharging after leveling up, the new system automatically refills the additional pip over several seconds. While developers call this “Legend leveling” due to the permanent attachment, it’s actually the Shield Core that progresses.

When eliminated and subsequently respawned, players return with their previous shield level intact. However, they now leave behind a crucial item in their deathbox: a Shield Core.

Shield Cores have completely replaced EVO Shields in the core gameplay loop, though they don’t appear in standard loot pools except within the Firing Range training environment.

When you eliminate an opponent and access their deathbox, you’ll discover a Shield Core positioned where EVO Shields previously resided. Defeating an enemy with a maximum-level red EVO Shield yields a corresponding Level 4 red Shield Core. However, if you’re currently using a blue Level 2 shield and acquire a higher-tier core, the extra protection pips gradually diminish over 30 seconds, functioning similarly to Conduit’s temporary shield enhancement ability. Monitor your temporary overshield status by observing the shield indicator that appears above your selected healing item in the HUD after equipping the Shield Core.

Shield swapping remains a valid tactical approach, though it now carries significantly higher risks—particularly during active combat situations. You must pause movement, open the deathbox interface, locate the Shield Core, and equip it while ideally avoiding incoming fire. This presents substantial danger for what amounts to temporary defensive benefits. However, if you loot a Shield Core matching your current damaged shield level, your protection permanently restores to maximum capacity.

You can still detach your Shield Core and transfer it to teammates, though this offers limited utility since it only provides 30 seconds of enhanced protection before reverting to their Legend’s base shield level. The era of upgrading body shields through Replicators or distributing enhanced shields to less experienced teammates has concluded.

EVO Caches provide immediate Shield Core level advancement when discovered.

Dealing damage to opponents represents the most straightforward method for earning EVO Points (EP), and engaging PvE enemies like Prowlers also contributes to your progression. For players who typically select Support-class Legends or adopt less aggressive tactical approaches, numerous alternative EP acquisition methods exist—some of which can be collectively shared among squad members, reminiscent of the previous Crafting Materials distribution system.

Individual EVO Points accumulate through these primary channels:

Combat Performance: Every point of damage dealt to enemies (including PvE creatures) contributes to your EP total. Headshots and knockdowns provide bonus point multipliers.

Support Actions: Reviving teammates, respawning allies, and providing defensive cover all generate substantial EVO Points.

Objective Play: Capturing survey beacons, securing ring consoles, and completing team-based objectives reward consistent EP gains.

Survival Time: Remaining alive during later game phases automatically grants passive EP accumulation.

Mastering the new Shield Core system requires understanding several critical strategic nuances. The 30-second temporary shield duration creates narrow windows for aggressive pushes, requiring precise timing coordination with your squad. Many players mistakenly prioritize shield swapping over maintaining positional advantage, often resulting in preventable eliminations.

Optimal Shield Swap Timing: Only attempt shield swaps when you have clear cover or teammate protection. The animation time leaves you completely vulnerable.

Team Coordination: Designate one player as the primary shield swapper during engagements while others provide covering fire.

Progression Prioritization: Focus on dealing consistent damage early game rather than seeking eliminations, as damage alone sufficiently progresses your shield. For comprehensive team strategies, consult our Class Selection Guide to optimize your squad composition.

Advanced players should note that shield levels directly influence engagement decisions. A Level 3 shield against Level 2 opponents provides approximately 25% more effective health, fundamentally changing fight selection calculus.

Battlefield 6 introduces a revolutionary progression system where each Legend character gains access to four distinct enhancement tiers called Legend Upgrades. These specialized abilities unlock as your Shield Core accumulates EVO points through combat performance and objective completion.

At the maximum Level 4 progression (designated as red/Mythic tier), no further Legend Upgrades become available. This intentional design limitation prevents ability stacking from creating overpowered combinations that could disrupt game balance. The development team carefully calibrated this cap to maintain competitive integrity while still rewarding player progression.

The Mythic Shield Core itself delivers substantial combat advantages with five damage absorption pips, complementing previously acquired upgrades to create a formidable battlefield presence. This tier represents the culmination of your character’s evolution throughout the match.

Each Battlefield 6 character now possesses four Legend Upgrades, creating a total of 100 new tactical options across the roster. This expansion dramatically increases build diversity and allows for highly specialized combat roles within your squad composition.

Bangalore Level 2: Big Bang: Detect nearby explosive ordnance through solid surfaces and within deathboxes OR Ultimate Cooldown+: Decrease ultimate ability recharge timer by 60 seconds for more frequent tactical strikes.

Bangalore Level 3: Cover Me: Automatically mark enemies who activate your Double Time ability OR Refuge: Gradually restore health points while concealed within smoke screen coverage.

Fuse Level 2: Big Bang: Identify adjacent explosives through walls and loot containers OR Scar Tissue: Suffer 50% reduced damage and avoid movement impairment from The Motherlode ultimate.

Fuse Level 3: Knuckle Hustler: Receive temporary movement speed increase upon successful Knuckle Cluster impact OR Wreckless: Experience 25% decreased explosive damage from all sources.

Ash Level 2: Murder Machine: Automatically announce squad count within 150-meter radius after eliminating an enemy team OR One Minute to Live: Utilizing your passive capability marks adversary positions on the tactical map for one minute duration.

Ash Level 3: Greedy Snare: Arc Snare persists for 24 seconds with multi-target capture potential OR Twin Snares: Obtain an additional Arc Snare charge for increased crowd control.

Mad Maggie Level 2: Fire Ball: Wrecking Ball ignites and detonates in thermite upon impact OR Shots Shots Shots: Automatically reload all shotgun weapons after knocking down opponents.

Mastering Legend Upgrades requires understanding how each ability interacts with your preferred playstyle and team dynamics. For aggressive players, upgrades like Knuckle Hustler provide crucial mobility advantages during engagements, while defensive specialists benefit more from damage reduction perks such as Wreckless.

Avoid these common mistakes: Don’t prioritize ultimate cooldown reductions if you rarely use your character’s ultimate ability. Similarly, area denial upgrades like Greedy Snare lose value on highly mobile compositions that rarely hold positions.

Advanced players should coordinate upgrade selections with their squad’s overall class composition to create complementary ability combinations. A team with multiple area control Legends benefits significantly from coordinated upgrade paths that enhance their collective zone dominance.

Time investment for mastering upgrade combinations varies significantly. Basic competency with 2-3 preferred Legends requires approximately 15-20 hours, while comprehensive understanding of all 100 upgrades typically demands 40+ hours of gameplay experimentation.

For deeper strategic insights, consult our comprehensive Battlefield 6 guide covering advanced tactics and meta strategies.

The Battlefield 6 perk system introduces strategic depth through tiered upgrades that fundamentally alter how each class operates on the battlefield. Understanding these progression paths is crucial for maximizing your effectiveness in various Conquest scenarios and completing challenging Assignments efficiently.

Each character receives meaningful choices at Levels 2 and 3, forcing players to make strategic decisions based on team composition, map layout, and current match conditions. This system replaces traditional linear progression with meaningful build diversity.

Common mistake: Many players automatically choose the first option without considering team needs. Always assess your squad’s composition before selecting perks to ensure balanced capabilities across your NATO team.

Newcastle Level 3: Miracle Worker transforms you into a combat medic specialist, allowing revived teammates to regenerate health up to 75 HP – perfect for aggressive pushes where sustained firepower matters. Alternatively, Stronghold provides +250 Castle Wall HP and extends energized barrier duration to 2 minutes, creating nearly impenetrable defensive positions during Pax Armata events.

Strategic insight: Choose Miracle Worker when your team lacks medics, but opt for Stronghold when defending objectives in tight urban environments. The barrier extension proves invaluable for holding capture points against overwhelming enemy forces.

Advanced tip: Coordinate with support players who can replenish your defensive structures faster. The extended barrier duration allows for more aggressive positioning during final objective defenses in BF6 game modes.

Conduit Level 2: Battery Collection displays Shield Battery counts above deathboxes, providing crucial intelligence for resource management in prolonged engagements. The alternative Radiant Transfer increases tactical range by 10 meters, significantly improving your area denial capabilities.

Conduit Level 3: Bigger Jam expands each Jammer’s damage radius by 10%, creating larger area denial zones. Split Charge provides an additional tactical charge but halves shield regeneration duration – a high-risk, high-reward option for aggressive players.

Optimization advice: Battery Collection excels in squad play where resource sharing is coordinated, while Radiant Transfer benefits solo players focusing on area control. At Level 3, consider your playstyle: consistent area denial versus burst tactical capability.

Common pitfall: Players often underestimate the value of Battery Collection’s intelligence gathering. Knowing enemy shield resources can determine engagement outcomes in Battlefield 6 firefights.

Loba Level 2: High Value increases your tactical’s height and range, improving mobility and positioning options. Market Expansion boosts Black Market Boutique’s range by 25%, allowing safer looting from covered positions.

Loba Level 3: Shopping Spree enables taking an extra item from her Black Market (total of 3 items), while Tactical Cooldown reduces bracelet cooldown by 5 seconds for enhanced mobility.

Strategic decision: High Value synergizes with Tactical Cooldown for mobility-focused builds, while Market Expansion pairs perfectly with Shopping Spree for maximum team resource generation. The third item acquisition fundamentally changes how you approach loot distribution in squad play.

Advanced tactic: Use Shopping Spree to quickly equip your entire squad with optimal loadouts from a single Black Market deployment, dramatically reducing time spent on resource gathering during Assignments.

Time estimate: Proper perk selection can reduce loot gathering time by 30-45 seconds per engagement, providing significant tempo advantages in fast-paced Conquest matches.

Caustic Level 2: Parabolic Force increases Tactical throw range by 75%, enabling gas trap placement in previously inaccessible areas. Particle Diffuser expands ultimate ability’s area of effect by 50%, creating massive denial zones.

Caustic Level 3: Breathe It In provides HP regeneration while in Nox Gas, offering sustained combat capability. Residual Toxins extends Nox Vision duration for improved situational awareness.

Selection strategy: Parabolic Force excels on maps with verticality and hard-to-reach positions, while Particle Diffuser dominates in close-quarters indoor environments. The Level 3 choice depends on whether you prioritize survivability or intelligence gathering.

Common mistake: Players often choose Breathe It In but fail to utilize the regeneration effectively. Position yourself at gas trap edges to maintain line of sight while benefiting from healing effects.

Wattson Level 2: Falling Stars causes Pylon interceptions to spawn Arc Stars at its base, creating additional defensive measures. Fresh Start revives allies with 50 HP, providing immediate combat readiness after revival.

Wattson Level 3: Power Pylon doubles ultimate ability’s HP and shield regeneration capacity for fortified positions. Split Circuit allows placing up to 2 Pylons with half shield regeneration each while using Ultimate Accelerants twice as fast.

Strategic analysis: Falling Stars provides area denial synergy with your fences, while Fresh Start offers superior team sustainability. At Level 3, Power Pylon creates an nearly indestructible defensive point, while Split Circuit offers tactical flexibility across multiple areas.

Advanced optimization: With Split Circuit, position Pylons to cover different approach angles rather than clustering them. The accelerated Ultimate Accelerant usage enables more frequent Pylon deployment throughout BF6 matches.

Team composition tip: Fresh Start becomes exponentially more valuable when paired with multiple assault players who frequently push aggressively and take heavy damage.

Mastering Battlefield 6‘s perk system requires understanding how your choices impact not just your performance but your entire squad’s effectiveness in Conquest operations. Each decision should align with your team’s overall strategy and the specific demands of each match scenario within the Pax Armata conflict.

Pro recommendation: Create multiple loadouts for each character tailored to different map types and team roles. Urban environments often benefit from different perk combinations than open-field engagements.

For comprehensive strategies covering all aspects of BF6 gameplay, consult our Complete Guide which includes detailed weapon and class synergies.

Remember that perk effectiveness varies significantly based on your NATO team composition. Coordinate with squadmates to ensure balanced capabilities across your entire team.