Apex Legends: How Many Apex Packs to Guarantee an Heirloom?
The burning question on every Apex Legends player’s mind: How many Apex Packs do I need to crack open to snag a coveted Heirloom? The answer, in plain and simple terms, is 500. Respawn Entertainment has implemented a “bad luck protection” system that guarantees you’ll receive Heirloom Shards (the currency needed to buy an Heirloom) within your first 500 Apex Packs. This means, if you’ve diligently opened packs without ever seeing those shiny shards, your 500th pack will absolutely contain them.
Let’s dive deeper into this system, explore the mechanics, and answer some of the most common questions players have about the Heirloom system. Understanding how it works can help you manage your expectations, track your progress, and maybe even plan your Apex Pack opening strategy!
Understanding the Heirloom System in Apex Legends
The Heirloom system is designed to provide players with a rare and prestigious cosmetic item for their favorite Legends. These items are not only visually stunning but also often come with unique animations and lore implications, making them highly sought after by the Apex community. However, getting your hands on one requires a bit of luck (and potentially a lot of Apex Packs!).
The 500 Pack Guarantee: Bad Luck Protection
The core of the Heirloom system revolves around the 500 Apex Pack guarantee. Respawn Entertainment recognized that relying solely on random chance could leave some players feeling disheartened, especially those who have been playing since the game’s launch. This is why they introduced the “bad luck protection” system, which ensures that no player will go beyond 500 Apex Packs without receiving Heirloom Shards.
It’s important to understand what constitutes an Apex Pack for this guarantee. Only packs obtained through normal gameplay mechanics (leveling up, Battle Pass rewards, or purchased with Apex Coins) count toward the 500 Pack guarantee.
How Heirloom Shards Work
Instead of directly dropping an Heirloom item, Apex Packs contain Heirloom Shards. Once you accumulate 150 Heirloom Shards, you can redeem them in the Heirloom Store for the Heirloom of your choice (provided you have the necessary Legend unlocked, of course!). This system allows players to choose the Heirloom they want, rather than being stuck with a random one.
Resetting the Heirloom Counter
The Heirloom counter resets only when you open an Apex Pack and receive Heirloom Shards. This means that unlocking an Heirloom through collection events does not reset your counter. So, you can participate in those events without worrying about affecting your progress towards the guaranteed Heirloom Shards from Apex Packs.
Maximizing Your Chances and Tracking Your Progress
While the 500 Pack guarantee is a safety net, most players hope to get Heirloom Shards long before reaching that milestone. Here are a few strategies for maximizing your chances and tracking your progress:
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Consistent Play: The more you play, the more you level up, and the more Apex Packs you earn through leveling.
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Battle Pass Completion: Completing the Battle Pass each season is a reliable way to earn a significant number of Apex Packs.
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Tracking Your Apex Packs: Keep a record of how many Apex Packs you’ve opened. This can be done manually or by using online trackers or calculators.
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Budgeting and Planning: If you’re willing to spend money, plan your purchases carefully. Consider buying Apex Packs during sales or events that offer bonus rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 of the most frequently asked questions about obtaining Heirlooms in Apex Legends:
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Are Heirlooms guaranteed at 500 packs? Yes, you are guaranteed to receive Heirloom Shards within your first 500 Apex Packs due to the game’s bad luck protection system.
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Does opening an Heirloom from an event reset the 500-pack counter? No. Unlocking an Heirloom through a collection event does not reset your Heirloom counter for the guaranteed Heirloom Shards.
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Can I buy Heirloom Shards directly? No, you cannot buy Heirloom Shards directly. They can only be obtained through Apex Packs.
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What are the odds of getting Heirloom Shards before 500 packs? The approximate drop rate for Heirloom Shards in Apex Packs is less than 1%.
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How many Apex Packs do you get from leveling to 500? By the time you reach level 500, you’ll receive 199 Apex Packs.
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Do Apex Packs earned through the Battle Pass count towards the 500-pack guarantee? Yes, Apex Packs earned through the Battle Pass count toward the 500-pack guarantee.
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What happens after I get my Heirloom? After you redeem your Heirloom Shards for an Heirloom, the counter resets, and you start again towards the next set of guaranteed Heirloom Shards.
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Is there a way to track how many Apex Packs I’ve opened? There are online tools and trackers created by the Apex Legends community to help you track your Apex Pack openings. Some require manual input, while others may integrate with your account (use caution and only use trusted sources).
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If I already have one Heirloom, will that affect my chances of getting another? No, owning an Heirloom does not affect your chances of getting another. The Heirloom counter resets each time you receive Heirloom Shards.
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Can I gift Heirloom Shards to other players? No, Heirloom Shards cannot be gifted to other players.
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Are Heirlooms character-specific? Yes, Heirlooms are character-specific. Each Legend has their own unique Heirloom.
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Can I choose which Heirloom I get when I receive Heirloom Shards? Yes, you can choose which Heirloom you want to purchase with your Heirloom Shards.
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Will new Heirlooms be added to the game in the future? Yes, Respawn Entertainment regularly releases new Heirlooms for different Legends.
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Is there a level requirement to get Heirloom Shards? No, there is no level requirement. You can receive Heirloom Shards at any level, as long as you’re opening Apex Packs.
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Do promotional Apex Packs (like those from Prime Gaming) count towards the 500-pack guarantee? Yes, promotional Apex Packs generally count towards the 500-pack guarantee, provided they are standard Apex Packs and not event-specific packs.
Conclusion
While obtaining an Heirloom in Apex Legends can feel like a daunting task, understanding the 500 Pack guarantee and the mechanics behind the Heirloom system can make the process more manageable. Remember to track your progress, participate in events, and most importantly, enjoy the game! After all, the journey to unlocking an Heirloom is just one part of the overall Apex Legends experience.
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