The Breach mid-season update has arrived, introducing the Aftershock Event and a sweeping set of balance changes. This update focuses on revitalizing legacy legends like Gibraltar and Wraith, introducing the first Elite-tier Hemlok, and fixing long-standing audio and performance issues. From structural changes on Olympus to a new directional audio system, here is every detail from the latest patch.
TL;DR: Apex Legends Breach Mid-Season Update
The Breach mid-season update focuses on major legend reworks, a new elite weapon, and critical audio improvements. Here are the most important takeaways from the patch notes.
Legend Reworks
- Gibraltar: Receives a new Momentum Boost passive for faster rotations while sprinting unarmed. His dome cooldown is now shorter (13 seconds) and his ultimate has a larger base radius with faster activation.
- Wraith: Her cooldown reduction upgrades are now part of her base kit. New upgrades include a Phase Dome that sends anyone inside to the void and a Phase Jumper ability for double jumping while phasing.
- Wattson: Her fences and ultimate now reinforce and rebuild broken Hardlight meshes. Fence damage has also been significantly increased to 35.
Weapon and Meta Shifts
- Elite Hemlok: The Hemlok Breach AR is now an automatic, silenced powerhouse that can fire explosive breach charges to destroy enemy structures.
- RE-45: Transitioning to a permanent Energy weapon with its burst fire mode becoming the new default.
- Weapon Buffs: The 30-30 Repeater base damage is up to 43, and the Prowler has a reduced burst delay for better close-range performance.
Map and Systems
- Olympus Update: The Elysium POI has moved to the northeast corner near Rift to improve ranked flow.
- New Audio: Enemy footsteps are now louder when they are outside your field of view, particularly when they are directly behind you.
- QoL Change: Vault Keys no longer turn deathboxes red, so you won’t be baited into thinking there is a Kraber inside.
Upcoming Events
- April Friends Day: A special celebration on April 1.
- Ranked Events: Five weekend-long ranked ladders starting April 2 and running through May 3.
End of TLDR 🙂
Audio systems and directional footstep changes
Respawn is adjusting in-match audio to provide a more informative experience. Based on community feedback, the volume of Hardlight mesh shattering has been lowered. The most significant change impacts footstep audio, which now functions as a primary tracking tool for enemies outside your field of view. Enemy footstep volume now increases as the source moves further behind you. This means footsteps are audible when beside you, louder when over your shoulder, and at their highest volume when directly behind your character.
Legend balance: Gibraltar and Wraith reworks
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is receiving significant attention to address his low pick rate. His new passive, Momentum Boost, allows him to gain a speed boost after maintaining a sprint for a couple of seconds while unarmed or using high-speed weapons. Additionally, his melee now deals double damage to Hardlight structures.
- Tactical: Dome of Protection cooldown is reduced to 13 seconds.
- Ultimate: The 20% radius increase is now part of the base kit. The missile call-in time is faster, and the ultimate can be thrown before the equip animation finishes.
- Level 2 Upgrades: Thunder Dome (electrified dome deals 50 damage/slow to the first intruder) or Healing Dome (+4s duration and double small med healing).
- Level 3 Upgrades: Triple Bombardment splits the ult into three smaller, precise charges.
- Removals: The Big Bruddah, Bubble Bunker, and Baby Bubble upgrades have been removed.
Wraith
Wraith’s base kit has been improved to help her compete with newer skirmishers. Her tactical cooldown is now 15 seconds, and her ultimate cooldown is 1.5 minutes. The casting animation for her portal is now faster for quicker activation.
- Tactical: Cooldown reduced from 20s to 15s (base kit)
- Ultimate: Cooldown reduced from 2.5 minutes to 1.5 minutes (base kit)
- Faster casting speed
- Level 2 Upgrades: Phase Dome: creates a Phase Dome during ultimate channel, lasts 30s or until the portal is placed – Entering the dome puts players in the void
- Level 3 Upgrades: Phase Jumper: Tactical duration increased (4s → 6s) & double jump while in the void
Wattson
Wattson now has unique interactions with Hardlight. Placing a fence in front of a Hardlight mesh will reinforce it; if the mesh breaks, the fence will rebuild it. Her ultimate pylon also reinforces and rebuilds all meshes within its zone. Her fence damage is increased to 35, and deployment time is reduced to 0.5 seconds.
- Tactical: Placing a fence in front of a Hardlight mesh will reinforce it.
- Tactical: Increased fence damage (20 → 35)
- Ultimate: Pylon will reinforce Hardlight meshes in its zone, If the mesh is broken, it will rebuild and reinforce.
Weapon meta: Hemlok Breach Elite and balance
The Hemlok Breach AR is the latest Elite Weapon. It features a pre-attached stabilizer, integrated silencer, and a new “Breach Charge” firing mode. This explosive single shot has a 15-second cooldown and deals 38 damage to players with a massive damage multiplier against Hardlight and structures.
| Weapon | Change Details |
| 30-30 Repeater | Base damage increased from 41 to 43. |
| RE-45 Burst | Now a permanent Energy weapon; Elite version is default. |
| Prowler PDW | Burst fire delay reduced and recoil improved. |
| P2020 | Base magazine increased to 9; Hammerpoints cost reduced to 425. |
| EVA-8 | Base reload speed improved. |
Map updates and Mixtape rotations
Olympus has undergone a structural shift. The Elysium POI has been moved to the northeast corner of the map near Rift to eliminate forced contests with Somers University in competitive play. The surrounding terrain has been modified, resulting in the removal of a minor POI in that area.
The map rotation for Pubs and Ranked now includes Olympus, Storm Point, and World’s Edge. Mixtape modes from March 24 to May 5 include:
- TDM: Skull Town, Fragment, Estates.
- Control: Labs, Thunderdome, Lava Siphon.
- Gun Run: Monument, Skull Town, Thunderdome.
Speaking about rotations, The shop update for March 24th is out now!
Wildcard and Ranked event schedule
The Broken Moon Wildcard event returns with two distinct phases. Charged Up runs from March 31 to April 21. A special April Friends Day event will take place on April 1, featuring a “zip in and make new friends” celebration.
The Ranked ladder will feature a series of weekend events throughout the second split:
- Event 6: April 2 to April 5
- Event 7: April 9 to April 12
- Event 8: April 16 to April 19
- Event 9: April 23 to April 26
- Event 10: April 30 to May 3
Quality of life and bug fixes
A major QoL change ensures that Vault Keys no longer affect the color of a deathbox, preventing players from being “baited” by red boxes that don’t contain Mythic loot. Octane can now use the double jump off his Jump Pad while healing. For the Alternator SMG, extra hit markers have been removed from the Double Tap mode to declutter the reticle.
Bug fixes include a fix for Catalyst’s Piercing Spikes dead spots and Octane’s Stim Surge remaining in his hand while using Akimbo weapons. The 30-30 “Long-Distance Agony” iron sight has also been cleaned up for better visibility.
FAQ: Apex Legends Breach mid-season update
What are the main changes to Gibraltar in the mid season update?
Gibraltar has a new passive called Momentum Boost that grants a speed increase after sprinting for a short time while unarmed. His tactical dome cooldown is now 13 seconds and his ultimate radius has been increased by 20 percent.
How has Wraith’s kit been reworked?
Wraith now has her tactical and ultimate cooldown reduction upgrades built into her base kit. She also has access to a new Phase Dome upgrade that allows her to send players into the void while she is setting up her portal.
What is the new Hemlok Breach Elite weapon?
The Hemlok Breach AR is a slow automatic rifle that features a built-in silencer and stabilizer. It fires a special Breach Charge that deals explosive damage and is highly effective at destroying Hardlight meshes and enemy structures.
How does the new directional footstep audio work?
Enemy footsteps are now louder when a player is outside your field of view. The volume increases as the enemy gets closer to being directly behind you to help with tracking targets that are flanking your position.
