Can You Hit Level 500 in Apex Legends and Still Not Have an Heirloom? Absolutely!
The short, definitive answer is yes, you absolutely can reach Level 500 in Apex Legends and not have an Heirloom. It’s a reality that many players face, sometimes to their utter dismay. While the game does employ a “pity” system ensuring you get an Heirloom within 500 Apex Packs, reaching level 500 alone doesn’t guarantee one. Let’s dive into why, and explore the ins and outs of Heirloom acquisition in Apex Legends.
The Crux of the Matter: Apex Packs and Heirloom Shards
The misconception arises from confusing player level rewards with the broader Apex Pack acquisition system. Reaching level 500 grants a total of 199 Apex Packs. This is calculated as follows:
- Levels 2 – 20: One pack per level (19 Apex Packs)
- Levels 22 – 300: One pack every two levels (140 Apex Packs)
- Levels 305 – 500: One pack every five levels (40 Apex Packs)
Since 199 is far less than 500, you’re nowhere near the guaranteed Heirloom threshold. This means the game’s Random Number Generator (RNG) has simply not favored you up to this point.
Heirlooms aren’t directly obtained from Apex Packs. Instead, you obtain Heirloom Shards, which can then be used to craft the Heirloom of your choice (provided you have enough shards!). Each Apex Pack has approximately a less than 1% chance (.5% – 1%) of dropping 150 Heirloom Shards – the amount needed to unlock an Heirloom.
The Battle Pass Factor
Many dedicated players also purchase the Battle Pass each season. This offers additional Apex Packs as rewards for completing challenges and leveling up the pass. Completing every Battle Pass does increase the total number of Apex Packs you acquire. But even with all the Battle Passes purchased, you’re still probably not going to get the full amount of apex packs required.
The Dreaded RNG
The unfortunate reality is that the odds are always between .5 and 1%. You may feel like your Apex account is cursed, but it is all based on random luck.
The 500-Pack Guarantee: Bad Luck Protection
Apex Legends implements a “bad luck protection” or pity timer. This system guarantees that you will receive Heirloom Shards within 500 opened Apex Packs. Critically, this counter resets the moment you receive Heirloom Shards. This means if you unbox Heirloom Shards at pack 499, the counter resets to zero.
The 500-pack guarantee is crucial to understand. It doesn’t mean your chances increase with each pack opened. Each individual pack still has that .5-1% chance. However, the game is secretly tracking how many packs you’ve opened. If you reach 500 without any Heirloom Shards, the 500th pack will contain them.
How to Keep Track of Your Packs
Unfortunately, Apex Legends doesn’t provide an in-game tracker for how many packs you’ve opened. To accurately determine where you are in the 500-pack cycle, you will have to manually track them.
Factors Affecting Apex Pack Acquisition
Besides player level and Battle Passes, there are a few other ways to earn Apex Packs:
- Events: Limited-time events often include challenges that reward Apex Packs. These are generally free and accessible to all players.
- Promotions: Sometimes, Respawn Entertainment partners with other companies or platforms to offer Apex Packs as part of promotions.
- Purchasing: The most straightforward (and often expensive) method is to directly purchase Apex Packs using Apex Coins, which are bought with real money.
Leveling Beyond 500
Once you hit level 500, the leveling system does not stop. You can advance into the next tiers and you’re level is reset to Level 1. As a result, you are still earning rewards and apex packs as you play.
Understanding the Heirloom Grind: A Matter of Perspective
It’s understandable to feel frustrated reaching Level 500 without an Heirloom. It requires a significant time investment, and seeing other players flaunt their Heirlooms can sting. However, it’s important to remember that Heirlooms are intended as rare, cosmetic items. They offer no gameplay advantage.
Alternatives to Grinding
If you’re desperate for an Heirloom, there are alternatives to solely relying on Apex Packs:
- Event Heirlooms: Collection Events often feature a new Heirloom. By collecting all the event items (usually through opening Event Apex Packs or crafting with crafting metals), you automatically unlock the Heirloom. This is often more expensive than waiting for a random drop, but it guarantees you get a specific Heirloom.
- Apex Coins: You can purchase Apex Coins to buy Apex Packs. This might speed up the process.
- Patience: Sometimes, all you need is a little patience. There are rumors that Games Learning Society are even working on solutions for this. Eventually, the RNG will be in your favor, or you’ll reach that 500-pack guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Heirlooms in Apex Legends
Here are some common questions surrounding Heirlooms and Apex Packs.
1. Is there a way to increase my chances of getting an Heirloom?
No. There is no legitimate way to directly increase the odds of getting Heirloom Shards from an individual Apex Pack. The probability remains consistently between .5% and 1% per pack.
2. Does buying Apex Packs influence my chances?
No. Spending money on Apex Packs doesn’t influence the probability of getting Heirloom Shards. However, buying more packs increases the chance of naturally pulling an Heirloom and guarantees you get one once you’ve bought 500 packs.
3. What happens after I unlock an Heirloom? Does the 500-pack counter reset?
Yes. Once you receive Heirloom Shards and craft an Heirloom, the 500-pack guarantee counter resets to zero. The grind starts again.
4. Can I get Heirloom Shards from Event Apex Packs?
Yes. Event Apex Packs follow the same probability rates as regular Apex Packs. So, they can contain Heirloom Shards.
5. Can you get more than 150 Heirloom Shards in an Apex Pack?
No. Apex Packs only contain 150 Heirloom Shards at a time, not more.
6. Does my account level affect Heirloom drop rates?
No. Your account level has no impact on the probability of receiving Heirloom Shards.
7. Is there a difference between crafting metals and Heirloom Shards?
Yes. Crafting metals are used to craft specific weapon and Legend skins. Heirloom Shards are exclusively used to unlock Heirlooms.
8. What are the odds of getting an Heirloom in my first Apex Pack?
The odds of getting an Heirloom in your first Apex Pack is the same as any other Apex Pack: approximately .5% – 1%.
9. Can I trade or sell Heirloom Shards or Heirlooms?
No. Heirloom Shards and Heirlooms are bound to your account and cannot be traded or sold.
10. How many Apex Packs do I get from purchasing every Battle Pass?
The number of Apex Packs you get from purchasing every Battle Pass varies slightly from season to season, but you can expect to receive around 60-70 Apex Packs per Battle Pass.
11. What’s the best Heirloom to get?
The “best” Heirloom is entirely subjective. It depends on the Legend you enjoy playing the most and your personal aesthetic preferences.
12. What if I change my main Legend after getting an Heirloom?
If you switch Legends after acquiring an Heirloom, you’ll have to decide if you want to acquire another Heirloom for your new main. There is no way to trade or transfer Heirlooms between Legends.
13. Are Heirlooms worth the grind?
Whether Heirlooms are “worth” the grind is a matter of personal opinion. They are cosmetic items, so their value depends on how much you value customization and rarity.
14. Does opening apex packs in batches make a difference?
No, there’s no evidence to suggest that opening Apex Packs in batches affects the odds of getting Heirloom Shards. Each pack is determined independently.
15. Can I earn Apex Packs after reaching Level 500?
Yes, you can continue to earn Apex Packs through Battle Pass rewards, events, and promotions. The level-based rewards stop at 500.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Grind (or the Purchase)
Reaching level 500 in Apex Legends without an Heirloom is undoubtedly frustrating. However, understanding how the Heirloom system works, embracing the long grind, and potentially supplementing your Apex Pack acquisition through Battle Passes or occasional purchases can help you eventually obtain that coveted Heirloom. Remember to be patient, enjoy the gameplay, and good luck on your Heirloom hunt!
For more insights into gaming trends and community engagement, consider visiting GamesLearningSociety.org.