Patchnoter

Apex Legends Season 12 Defiance patch notes

Released

  • 15documented changes
  • 2buffs
  • 3nerfs
  • 10other
Open this patch in the reviewAll Apex Legends patches

What changed

  • ROTATION

    Fully Kitted Rotation

    The Fully Kitted rotation now has the RE-45, Triple Take, Peacekeeper, Prowler and Havoc, replacing the Mastiff, 30-30 Repeater, R-301, CAR and Longbow.

    • Added: RE-45, Triple Take, Peacekeeper, Prowler, Havoc
    • Removed: Mastiff, 30-30 Repeater, R-301, CAR, Longbow

    TipThe five that left the rotation need looting and kitting by hand again, so make attachment pickups a priority when you plan to run one of them.

    Official source
  • CHANGE

    Olympus Map Update

    Olympus is bigger, with more routes out of chokepoints and new play areas, meant to spread squads away from Labs and Estates and cut down on surprise third parties.

    • Expanded map; spreading squads out more so the map’s center area (Labs/Estates) isn’t the only go-to combat zone each game and reducing the frequency of spontaneous 3rd-parties.
    • Better rotational options to help players get around and out of dangerous chokepoints
    • New interactive map toy and play spaces to help attract players into the new areas, creating fresh new experiences for Olympus
    Official source
  • REWORK

    Surveillance Drone

    Crypto's drone now flies straight ahead when deployed without putting you in Drone View unless you hold the button; it has less health, and its HUD marker is easier to see and always shown.

    The deployment of the Drone has received a rework: Pressing the Tactical button causes Crypto to send the Drone flying in a straight line in the direction of Crypto's view for a few seconds.

    • The deployment of the Drone has received a rework
    • Pressing the Tactical button causes Crypto to send the Drone flying in a straight line in the direction of Crypto's view for a few seconds.
    • If thrown to a wall (or other geo), the Drone will hit the wall and re-orient itself so that it's facing away from the wall.
    • Crypto no longer immediately accesses Drone View after deploying his Drone in this way.
    • Pressing and holding the [Tactical] button will launch the Drone forward in the same way, but then Crypto will immediately access Drone View.
    • Drone health 60 → 50
    • The HUD marker for the Drone has been tweaked to increase visibility.
    • The HUD marker for the Drone is now always displayed on-screen while the Drone is deployed (instead of only when the Drone was off-screen.

    TipYou no longer auto-enter drone view on deploy - hold tactical to launch and instantly peek, or tap and reposition manually.

    Official source
  • CHANGE

    Weapons in Crafting

    The VK-47 Flatline and Longbow DMR can no longer be found on the ground and are crafted instead, arriving with no attachments and two boxes of ammo.

    • VK-47 Flatline and Longbow DMR are now craftable for 30 mats at any crafting station.
    • Weapons in crafting can not be found on the ground.
    • Crafted weapons come with no attachments and two boxes of ammo
    Official source
  • REWORKStorm Point Updates

    Wildlife Update

    Storm Point wildlife now targets mainly whoever damages it, and Prowlers hit softer, no more than 3 can target you at once, they stay neutral outside the ring and nests give more crafting materials.

    Overhauled wildlife targeting rules to use damage as the primary factor which should help wildlife targeting feel more fair and less random.

    • Prowler damage reduced from 30 to 20 and reduced knockback force.
    • Increased Prowler Nest completion reward from 90 to 150 crafting materials (250 total for the large Prowler Nest in the center of the map).Note: Crafting rewards are divided eveningly to all squadmates nearby at time of clearing the nest. All players (regardless of squad) in the area get a share of the 250 crafting material reward when the large Prowler Nest is cleared.
    • Overhauled wildlife targeting rules to use damage as the primary factor which should help wildlife targeting feel more fair and less random.
    • Introduced a targeting cap for Prowlers, so only 3 Prowlers will be able to target a player at any time.
    • Prowler Den spawns are now disabled when there are two teams inside of the same Nest (except for the massive Prowler Nest at the center of the map).
    • Prowlers are now neutral when outside the ring unless engaged in combat.
    • Prowler Dens are now disabled outside the ring if the Prowler Camp is passive.
    • Wandering Prowlers in the small Wildlife Nests have been reduced from 3 down to 2 and their wander radius is reduced by half until they are engaged in combat.
    • Made some tweaks that should help squads clear Prowler Nests quicker.
    • Gave a slight increase to high tier consumable drops on all wildlife.

    TipNests are now safer to contest with multiple squads - only 3 prowlers target you at once, and clearing them rewards more crafting.

    Official source
  • NERFSupply Drop Rotation

    Alternator SMG

    The supply drop Alternator no longer comes with the Disruptor Rounds hop-up.

    Removed disruptor rounds hop-up

    TipThe gun cannot take Disruptor Rounds at all now, so stop holding the hop-up for it and judge the Alternator on its stock profile before you spend a weapon slot.

    Official source
  • BUFF

    Crafting

    Medkits are cheaper to craft, and the Kinetic Feeder joins the crafting rotation.

    • Medkit price 20 → 15
    • Kinetic Feeder added to crafting rotation

    TipCheaper medkits mean more healing resource availability mid-match from crafting stations.

    Official source
  • CHANGEStorm Point Updates

    Drop Ship Pathing.

    Wildlife now attack an occupied vehicle instead of the players riding in it, and Wattson's fences and Ash's tactical stun wildlife more reliably.

    Finally, a few miscellaneous changes: Improved wildlife combat versus vehicles. Targeting and damage now focuses on an occupied vehicle opposed to individual players in the vehicle

    • Finally, a few miscellaneous changes
    • Improved wildlife combat versus vehicles. Targeting and damage now focuses on an occupied vehicle opposed to individual players in the vehicle
    • Improved wildlife interactions versus electrical abilities making stunning wildlife with Wattson’s fences and Ash’s tactical more reliable
    Official source
  • CHANGE

    Neurolink

    Crypto's Neurolink detects enemies across a much wider angle, but it no longer works while the drone is being recalled.

    • Neurolink detection FOV 160 → 240 degrees
    • Neurolink detection is now disabled while the Drone is being recalled.

    TipWatch your drone recall timing - it loses detection coverage during retrieval, so plan engagements accordingly.

    Official source
  • NERF

    Rampage LMG (Hotfix)

    The Rampage does less damage per bullet and fires fewer shots while revved.

    • Rampage damage 28 → 26
    • Reduced number of shots during the Revved state from ~40 to ~34

    TipBoth halves of a revved push shrank, the damage per shot and the number of shots the rev gives you, so the window is worth less than it looks. Spend it on one committed fight, not chip damage across cover.

    Official source
  • CHANGEHop Ups

    Shatter Caps - 30-30 Repeater & Bocek Bow

    Shatter Caps on the 30-30 Repeater and Bocek can no longer be toggled; they always affect hipfire while aiming stays a precision shot, and pellets do slightly less damage on both.

    No longer able to toggle on/off

    • Passively affects hip-fire for both weapons: ADS remains precision shot
    • No longer able to toggle on/off
    • 30-30 pellet damage 8 → 7
    • Bow pellet damage 12 → 11

    TipYour aim is the selector now: hip-fire throws pellets, ADS is the precision shot. That means you change modes mid-fight with nothing to press, and no wrong state to be caught in.

    Official source
  • CHANGE

    Triple Take

    The Triple Take's bullets no longer grow in size as they travel and do less damage, so shots need to be more precise and hurt less.

    • Removing projectile growth from bullets
    • Damage reduced from 23 to 21 per bullet
    Official source
  • BUFFSupply Drop Rotation

    Volt SMG

    The Volt does more damage per bullet and its largest magazine holds more rounds.

    • Damage 15 → 17
    • Max mag size 28 → 30

    TipDamage and capacity moved together, so a full magazine now carries a lot more total damage than either bump suggests on its own. Stay in the fight through the whole mag instead of breaking off to reload early.

    Official source
  • CHANGE

    Nox Gas Traps

    Detonated Nox Gas Traps run out sooner, and the gas effect now lingers for two seconds after a barrel is destroyed or expires.

    • Detonated traps will expire at 11s (instead of 12.5s)
    • Gas effects linger for two seconds after barrel destruction or expiration (gas particles still linger a bit longer as they dissipate)
    Official source
  • NERF

    VK-47 Flatline

    The VK-47 Flatline does slightly less damage per bullet.

    Damage reduced from 19 to 18 per bullet

    TipA trim this small only shows up across a full magazine, so it bites at the end of a long spray and barely registers in a short burst. Break off and reset after a short trade rather than emptying the mag at range.

    Official source

Full patch notes from EA

Read it on the official page

OLYMPUS MAP UPDATE

  • Expanded map; spreading squads out more so the map’s center area (Labs/Estates) isn’t the only go-to combat zone each game and reducing the frequency of spontaneous 3rd-parties.
  • Better rotational options to help players get around and out of dangerous chokepoints
  • New interactive map toy and play spaces to help attract players into the new areas, creating fresh new experiences for Olympus

STORM POINT UPDATES › Wildlife Update

  • Prowler damage reduced from 30 to 20 and reduced knockback force.
  • Increased Prowler Nest completion reward from 90 to 150 crafting materials (250 total for the large Prowler Nest in the center of the map).Note: Crafting rewards are divided eveningly to all squadmates nearby at time of clearing the nest. All players (regardless of squad) in the area get a share of the 250 crafting material reward when the large Prowler Nest is cleared.
  • Overhauled wildlife targeting rules to use damage as the primary factor which should help wildlife targeting feel more fair and less random.
  • Introduced a targeting cap for Prowlers, so only 3 Prowlers will be able to target a player at any time.
  • Prowler Den spawns are now disabled when there are two teams inside of the same Nest (except for the massive Prowler Nest at the center of the map).
  • Prowlers are now neutral when outside the ring unless engaged in combat.
  • Prowler Dens are now disabled outside the ring if the Prowler Camp is passive.
  • Wandering Prowlers in the small Wildlife Nests have been reduced from 3 down to 2 and their wander radius is reduced by half until they are engaged in combat.
  • Made some tweaks that should help squads clear Prowler Nests quicker.
  • Gave a slight increase to high tier consumable drops on all wildlife.

STORM POINT UPDATES › Drop Ship Pathing.

  • Finally, a few miscellaneous changes:
  • Improved wildlife combat versus vehicles. Targeting and damage now focuses on an occupied vehicle opposed to individual players in the vehicle
  • Improved wildlife interactions versus electrical abilities making stunning wildlife with Wattson’s fences and Ash’s tactical more reliable

RANKED UPDATE › COMMUNICATION FILTER

  • Everyone = You see and hear all Text / voice chat from all players.
  • Friends Only = You only see and hear friends text / voice chat.
  • Off = You do not see or hear any voice or text chat.

PATCH NOTES › Crypto

  • Drone View HUD and other Quality of Life updates:
  • Added gamestate (e.g. Ring information, round timers), minimap, killfeed, team status, , and ping information to the Drone's HUD.
  • Repurposed the Drone HUD's old Crypto health/shield presentation into displaying the health of the Drone itself.
  • Survey Beacon markers are now displayed in-world while piloting the Drone (same as when controlling Crypto himself).

PATCH NOTES › Neurolink

  • Increased the Neurolink detection FOV from 160 -> 240 degrees.
  • Neurolink detection is now disabled while the Drone is being recalled.

PATCH NOTES › Surveillance Drone

  • The deployment of the Drone has received a rework:
  • Pressing the Tactical button causes Crypto to send the Drone flying in a straight line in the direction of Crypto's view for a few seconds.
  • If thrown to a wall (or other geo), the Drone will hit the wall and re-orient itself so that it's facing away from the wall.
  • Crypto no longer immediately accesses Drone View after deploying his Drone in this way.
  • Pressing and holding the [Tactical] button will launch the Drone forward in the same way, but then Crypto will immediately access Drone View.
  • Reduced Drone health from 60 -> 50.
  • The HUD marker for the Drone has been tweaked to increase visibility.
  • The HUD marker for the Drone is now always displayed on-screen while the Drone is deployed (instead of only when the Drone was off-screen.

PATCH NOTES › Nox Gas Traps

  • Detonated traps will expire at 11s (instead of 12.5s)
  • Gas effects linger for two seconds after barrel destruction or expiration (gas particles still linger a bit longer as they dissipate)

Supply Drop Rotation › Alternator SMG

  • Removed disruptor rounds hop-up

Supply Drop Rotation › Volt SMG

  • Damage increased from 15 to 17
  • Max mag size increased from 28 to 30

Hop Ups › Hammerpoint Rounds - P2020, Mozambique & RE-45

Hop Ups › Shatter Caps - 30-30 Repeater & Bocek Bow

  • Passively affects hip-fire for both weapons: ADS remains precision shot
  • No longer able to toggle on/off
  • 30-30 pellet damage reduced from 8 to 7
  • Bow pellet damage reduced 12 to 11

Triple Take

  • Removing projectile growth from bullets
  • Damage reduced from 23 to 21 per bullet

VK-47 Flatline

  • Damage reduced from 19 to 18 per bullet

Rampage LMG (Hotfix)

  • Rampage damage reduced from 28 to 26
  • Reduced number of shots during the Revved state from ~40 to ~34

Fully Kitted Rotation

Weapons in Crafting

  • VK-47 Flatline and Longbow DMR are now craftable for 30 mats at any crafting station.
  • Weapons in crafting can not be found on the ground.
  • Crafted weapons come with no attachments and two boxes of ammo

Crafting

  • Medkit price lowered from 20 to 15
  • Kinetic Feeder added to crafting rotation

Crafting › BUG FIXES AND QUALITY OF LIFE

  • Fixed issue where multiple Legends were missing voice lines when pinging a caged flyer.
  • Fix for Booster Loader where ammo counter would remain highlighted when switching from a low ammo Hemlok or Wingman to another weapon.
  • Replicator fix for cases where an item could become stuck inside after crafting with a full inventory.
  • Fixed an error that would tell players to come back in a decade when matchmaking.
  • Fix for cases of lighting issues in some areas on Olympus.
  • Fix for cases where Mirage Ultimate Decoys could get stuck on surfaces raised slightly off the ground.
  • Arenas: Fix for cases where Crypto’s Drone charges could be used multiple times with single Drone.
  • Arenas: Fix for cases where trying to charge a Rampage or Sentinel Rifle as the round starts results in the charge being cancelled when the round starts.
  • Crypto’s Drone fix for cases where it wouldn’t show friendly nameplates.
  • Fix for cases where players were able to use melee on incline surfaces to get speed boost while sliding.
  • Fix for cases where revving up a Rampage LMG while removing extended mag causes the revved up bar to appear forever.
  • Fix for cases where the timer for charging the Sentinel and Rampage was not showing the correct time left for animation.
  • Fixed cases when specific Legendary Horizon skins would block part of screen when ADSing with a Prowler + 1x holo scope.
  • Fixed issue where weapon challenges would not show progress in the after match summary.
  • Fixed a bug where Charging up the Sentinel required 2 cells instead of 1 when wearing a golden armor.
  • Reduced L-STAR impact vfx.
  • Fixed a bug for cases where players could get a jump boost from deathboxes that are in the vicinity of Horizon’s Gravity Lift after it’s been used.
  • Reticle Color Customization - Limiting values to 0-255 to avoid exploits.
  • Reticle Color Customization - improved inconsistency in UI color when ADSing with different sniper scopes.
  • Reticle Customization fix for cases where rapidly adjusting the lighting bar can result in a performance drop on other platforms and a crash on Switch.
  • Based on feedback, we’ve adjusted the in-world icon for Ash's passive to be smaller and closer to the ground.
  • When Ash’s tactical hits an object it cannot stick to, it should now bounce off instead of destroying itself (tactical cooldown will not be refunded anymore)
  • Improved the targeting experience for Ash’s ultimate by preferring locations that are farther away
  • Audio Fix for cases where R-99 gun fire SFX persists when spectator changes to another player while R-99 is fired.
  • Storm Point: Fixed cases where players were unable to shoot through the chain-link fences at Antenna.
  • Storm Point: Fix for cases where players could get stuck inside the map by using Valk’s Ultimate on Command Center.
  • Storm Point: Based feedback we’ve adjusted Final Round Rings so they don’t end in areas with no cover or populated by Prowler Dens.
  • Storm Point: Fix for cases where a player could be launched by a Gravity Cannon while below it.
  • World’s Edge: Changed Fragment from high-tier to mid-tier loot. This happened in the 11.1 update, but was inadvertently omitted from those patch notes.
  • World’s Edge: Fixed an issue with Loba’s ultimate where it would not tell you items inside the panels at Trials were locked (though the alarm got triggered as normal).
  • Fix for cases where Gibby's arm would be missing during Pathfinder’s "Iron Haymaker" finisher.
  • Fix for cases where the Entire map hears audio if a player cancels beacon scan.
  • Fixed issue where Valk’s "Cloud Marauder" Legend skin had darker hands in 1P versus what's shown in the Lobby and in other 1P skins.
  • Fix for cases where Players hit by Seer tactical just as they enter crafting could lose certain functionality.
  • Fixed issue where Caustic barrels that are still being deployed (mid-throw) were not being deleted after Caustic dies.
  • Fixed issue where sometimes Wattson's Interceptor Pylon would heal for less than intended.
  • Fix for cases where a crash could occur when players accept join club requests by clicking the approval button twice.
  • Fixed a bug where moving through Wraith's portal could feel choppy when placed in the air via Gravity Cannons.
  • Fixed a bug where stocks didn’t drop from wildlife on Storm Point
  • Improved wildlife combat versus vehicles.
  • Improved wildlife interactions versus electrical abilities making stunning wildlife with Wattson’s fences and Ash’s tactical more reliable
  • Gave a slight increase to high tier consumable drops on all wildlife.
  • Added the ability to see your teammate survival item while the inventory is open.
  • Quitting players can no longer deny kills & assists
  • Reviving no longer resets damage history

Crafting › PRIVATE MATCH UPDATES

  • Observer: Added a toggle to disable kill feed while in free cam.
  • Observer: Fixed ring visibility on mini map.
  • Observer: Fixed kill calculations for the Status & Stats screen.
  • Fixed Stats Summary generation for team slots with default names.
  • Disabled Club features in Private Match.
  • Added unique player ID’s to Post-Game API (same ID’s seen in the Real-Time API).
  • Real-Time API changes:
  • Added “weaponSwitched” event. Shows the current item equipped by the player.
  • Added player names for events squadEliminated and matchStateEnd.
  • Added teammate names for observerSwitched event.
  • Fix for items appearing as “Unrecognized”.
  • Fix for characterSelected event not populating with all players.