How Rare is it to Get 150 Heirloom Shards?

Obtaining 150 Heirloom Shards in Apex Legends, the amount needed to directly purchase an Heirloom Set or a Prestige Skin, is statistically quite rare, but it’s not impossible to achieve. The game’s pity system guarantees you will receive Heirloom Shards within 500 Apex Packs opened. Therefore, the rarity depends heavily on how often you acquire and open packs. For players who rarely purchase Apex Packs or complete battle passes, it can take years. For dedicated players who purchase packs regularly or play consistently enough to earn them through progression, it’s much less rare. It’s essentially a waiting game, albeit a potentially expensive one.

The Apex Pack Pity System and Heirloom Shards

The core of understanding Heirloom Shard rarity lies in Apex Legends’ pity system. This system ensures that you will receive Heirloom Shards after opening a maximum of 500 Apex Packs without receiving them. This means that if you were incredibly unlucky and opened 499 packs without shards, your 500th pack would guaranteed contain them.

Understanding Probability

Each Apex Pack has a less than 1% chance of dropping Heirloom Shards. The specific number cited by Respawn is often around 0.2%. This seems incredibly low, and it is. However, this number doesn’t account for the pity system. The pity system significantly alters the perceived rarity because it prevents infinite bad luck streaks. The system’s existence turns the drop rate into a guaranteed timeframe rather than pure chance.

Factors Affecting Heirloom Shard Acquisition

Several factors influence how quickly you can accumulate Apex Packs and, thus, increase your chances of getting Heirloom Shards:

• Battle Passes: Each season’s battle pass contains a substantial number of Apex Packs. Completing the battle pass is one of the most efficient ways to earn packs without spending money.

• Account Level: As you level up your Apex Legends account, you earn Apex Packs at certain levels. This is a steady, albeit slow, source of free packs.

• Events: Apex Legends often features limited-time events that offer Apex Packs as rewards for completing challenges.

• Purchasing Apex Packs: This is the fastest, but also the most expensive, way to acquire Apex Packs.

The Time and Cost of 150 Heirloom Shards

The time and cost associated with obtaining 150 Heirloom Shards vary significantly based on your playstyle and spending habits.

Free-to-Play Players

For players who primarily rely on free Apex Packs earned through battle passes, account levels, and events, it can take a considerable amount of time – potentially several years – to open 500 Apex Packs. This is because the rate of earning free packs is relatively slow. The exact time will depend on how frequently you play and how consistently you complete battle passes and event challenges.

Players Who Purchase Apex Packs

Players who are willing to spend money on Apex Packs can significantly reduce the time it takes to obtain Heirloom Shards. The cost of purchasing 500 Apex Packs can be substantial. The exact cost fluctuates based on pack bundles, regional pricing, and sales. However, you can expect to spend several hundred dollars (USD) to reach the 500-pack threshold if you’re buying packs outright. This is why it’s very important to only spend what you can afford and to understand that there is still an element of chance. You could get lucky and get Heirloom Shards before 500 packs, but you should be prepared to reach the pity timer.

Optimizing Pack Acquisition

Regardless of whether you are a free-to-play or paying player, there are ways to optimize your pack acquisition:

• Maximize Battle Pass Completion: Prioritize completing the battle pass each season to earn the maximum number of packs.

• Complete Event Challenges: Participate in limited-time events and complete the challenges that offer Apex Packs as rewards.

• Take Advantage of Sales: Keep an eye out for sales on Apex Packs, which can offer better value for your money.

Understanding Heirloom Sets and Prestige Skins

Once you obtain 150 Heirloom Shards, you can redeem them for either an Heirloom Set for a specific legend or a Prestige Skin.

Heirloom Sets

Each Heirloom Set consists of a unique melee weapon (the Heirloom), a matching banner pose, and a quip. These sets are character-specific and offer a cosmetic upgrade to your favorite legend.

Prestige Skins

Prestige Skins are evolving legendary skins that unlock new tiers and visual effects as you complete challenges while using the skin. They are highly sought after due to their unique design and progression system.

Choosing Between an Heirloom Set and a Prestige Skin

The choice between an Heirloom Set and a Prestige Skin is entirely personal. Consider which legend you play most often and whether you prefer a unique melee weapon or an evolving skin.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to Heirloom Shards and Apex Packs:

FAQ 1: What are Heirloom Shards?

Heirloom Shards are a currency in Apex Legends used to purchase Heirloom Sets or Prestige Skins for specific legends. 150 Heirloom Shards are required to obtain one Heirloom Set or Prestige Skin from the Mythic Store.

FAQ 2: How do I get Heirloom Shards?

You obtain Heirloom Shards by opening Apex Packs. There is a very small chance (less than 1%) of receiving them in any given pack.

FAQ 3: Is there a guaranteed way to get Heirloom Shards?

Yes, the pity system guarantees that you will receive Heirloom Shards within 500 Apex Packs opened.

FAQ 4: How many Apex Packs have I opened?

There is no official in-game counter. However, you can use external websites and calculators that estimate your progress based on your account level, battle pass progress, and any Apex Pack purchases you have made.

FAQ 5: Do Apex Packs from the Battle Pass count towards the 500-pack pity system?

Yes, all Apex Packs, regardless of how they were obtained (battle pass, account level, events, or purchase), count towards the 500-pack pity system.

FAQ 6: Do Apex Packs earned during events count toward the pity system?

Yes, Apex Packs acquired through events contribute to the pity system.

FAQ 7: Can I get Heirloom Shards before opening 500 Apex Packs?

Yes! It is entirely possible (though statistically unlikely) to receive Heirloom Shards before reaching the 500-pack threshold. The pity system only guarantees they will drop by the 500th pack.

FAQ 8: How much does it cost to buy 500 Apex Packs?

The cost varies based on pack bundles and regional pricing, but expect to spend several hundred dollars (USD) to purchase 500 Apex Packs.

FAQ 9: Are Heirloom Sets worth it?

Whether Heirloom Sets are “worth it” is subjective and depends on your personal preferences and spending habits. They are purely cosmetic and do not affect gameplay.

FAQ 10: What happens after I get Heirloom Shards?

After you receive Heirloom Shards, they will be added to your account. You can then visit the Mythic Store and redeem them for an available Heirloom Set or Prestige Skin.

FAQ 11: Can I choose which Heirloom Set I want?

Yes, once you have Heirloom Shards, you can choose any available Heirloom Set or Prestige Skin in the Mythic Store.

FAQ 12: Can I trade Heirloom Shards?

No, Heirloom Shards cannot be traded or transferred between accounts.

FAQ 13: Do I have to buy an Heirloom Set if I get the shards?

No, you can save your Heirloom Shards indefinitely and wait for an Heirloom Set or Prestige Skin that you particularly like.

FAQ 14: Are Prestige Skins the same as Heirloom Sets?

No, Prestige Skins are evolving legendary skins that unlock new tiers as you complete challenges. Heirloom Sets consist of a unique melee weapon, a banner pose, and a quip. They both cost 150 Heirloom Shards in the Mythic Store.

FAQ 15: Will new Heirloom Sets and Prestige Skins be added to the game?

Yes, Respawn Entertainment regularly adds new Heirloom Sets and Prestige Skins to Apex Legends. This keeps the cosmetic pool fresh and gives players new options to pursue.