Apex Legends Season 20 Gets Rid of EVO Shields and More

Apex Legends is ushering in its fifth-year anniversary with Season 20, bringing massive changes to the core gameplay experience. Dubbed “Breakout,” this season introduces a new leveling system during matches, overhauls the shield mechanics, and tweaks both the Battle Royale and Ranked modes. Here’s a detailed look at what awaits players in Apex Legends Season 20.

New Leveling System

Season 20 introduces an in-match leveling system that replaces the traditional Evo Shield mechanic. Players now begin each match at Level 1 with a basic shield. As you participate in the match, you’ll earn XP by engaging in combat, performing class-specific actions, and securing kills. Gaining XP unlocks higher levels, leading to improved shields and modified abilities.

• Leveling up unlocks shield upgrades.
• Class actions like Support Legends opening special bins or Controller Legends scanning Ring Consoles also award XP to the whole team.
• Evo harvesters scattered around the map give a burst of XP to your team.

Each level grants a shield upgrade and the choice between two Legend-specific perks, allowing for increased strategic diversity and playstyle customization. Leveling is done via a prompt on-screen or in the inventory.

Shields Overhaul

The days of looting Evo Shields are over. In Season 20, armor progression is tied directly to the new leveling system. As you level up during a match, your shield will automatically upgrade, providing additional health and a distinct visual tier. The act of leveling up immediately regenerates some of the shield’s health.

• Shields are now called Shield Cores.
• Shield Cores are no longer lootable from the environment.
• When an enemy is defeated, you can loot their Shield Core for a potential upgrade.

Swapping to a higher-level Shield Core grants a temporary “overshield,” providing extra protection that degrades over time. While rare items exist that offer instant level boosts, the primary way to enhance your shield is through active participation and leveling within the match.

Battle Royale Changes

Beyond the shield and leveling changes, Season 20 introduces tweaks to core Battle Royale mechanics. The crafting system has been significantly altered, removing the need for crafting materials. However, the Crafter’s weapon and attachment rotation has been removed. Instead, the Crafter focuses on utility items.

• Crafters primarily produce medkits, ammo, and shield batteries.
• Support Legends can use the crafter to create Respawn Banners.
• Crafters have a one-time use limitation.

A new mechanic to prevent extended out-of-bounds play has been implemented. If you linger too long outside the ring, a timer will appear, urging you to return to the safe zone to prevent strategic abuse.

Ranked Changes

Season 20 brings substantial changes to the Ranked experience. Most notably, all players will undergo a complete rank reset, beginning at 1 RP, and needing to climb the ladder. The mid-season split returns, along with the use of Ranked Points, replacing Ladder Points.

• The required level to play Ranked has been lowered to level 20.
• There is a new, more transparent scoring system.
• Players will see how they did in combat, placements, and skilled plays at the end of each match.

Players can view the rank of their opponents during matches, providing enhanced strategic awareness. While promotional trials have been removed, the mid-season rank demotion, dropping players up to six tiers, makes a comeback. Your highest rank achieved across both splits will contribute to the animated badge reward for Season 20.