Does Buying an Heirloom from an Event Reset Your Apex Legends Counter?
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The short answer is no, buying an heirloom directly from a Collection Event does not reset your Apex Pack counter towards the guaranteed Heirloom Shards after opening 500 packs. The 500 pack counter is specifically tied to opening Apex Packs, and purchasing an heirloom through a Collection Event is a separate transaction. This means you can snag that shiny new heirloom without jeopardizing your progress towards the guaranteed heirloom.
Understanding the Heirloom System in Apex Legends
Apex Legends features a highly sought-after cosmetic item: the Heirloom set. These unique items are character-specific melee weapons (or other equally cool replacements) that add flair to your Legend’s appearance and gameplay. Obtaining an heirloom, however, isn’t as simple as buying it from the store.
The primary way to acquire an heirloom is through Heirloom Shards. These shards are rare drops from Apex Packs, with an approximate drop rate of less than 1%. To prevent players from experiencing endless frustration, Respawn Entertainment implemented a pity system. This system guarantees that you will receive Heirloom Shards within your first 500 Apex Packs opened, if you haven’t already received them.
However, there’s another way to get your hands on an Heirloom without relying solely on luck. During special Collection Events, a specific heirloom is featured as the grand prize. These events typically require players to purchase all 24 event-exclusive items through Apex Packs or crafting with materials, effectively guaranteeing the heirloom upon completion of the collection. This method involves a significant investment but provides a direct path to acquiring a desired heirloom.
The 500 Apex Pack Counter: Your Safety Net
The 500 Apex Pack counter is the cornerstone of the Heirloom Shard guarantee. Every Apex Pack you open (excluding event packs) contributes to this counter. The counter starts at 0, and each pack increases it by one. Once you reach 500 without receiving Heirloom Shards, the 500th pack will automatically contain the shards. When you receive your Heirloom Shards, the counter resets to 0, and the process begins anew. This system is designed to prevent extreme cases of bad luck and provide a guaranteed reward for dedicated players.
Collection Events vs. Apex Pack Counter
It’s crucial to understand the distinction between obtaining an heirloom through a Collection Event and the 500 Apex Pack counter. When you purchase all the items in a Collection Event, you are essentially buying the featured heirloom directly. This purchase doesn’t affect the number of Apex Packs you have opened towards the 500 pack guarantee. Your Apex Pack counter will remain untouched, so you are still on track to get your Heirloom Shards if you haven’t reached the 500 pack limit yet.
FAQs: Heirloom Shards and Apex Packs
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the Heirloom Shard system and Apex Pack counter.
What happens if I get an heirloom before 500 packs?
If you’re lucky enough to receive Heirloom Shards before opening 500 Apex Packs, congratulations! The 500 Apex Pack counter will immediately reset to 0. This means that you’ll need to open another 500 packs to be guaranteed your next set of Heirloom Shards.
Will buying Apex Packs guarantee an heirloom?
No, buying Apex Packs does not guarantee an heirloom unless you open 500 of them without receiving Heirloom Shards first. Each pack has a small chance of containing the shards, but it’s not a certainty until the 500-pack pity timer kicks in.
How do I track my Apex Pack counter?
Unfortunately, there is no official in-game tracker for your Apex Pack counter. Players often resort to estimating based on their account level, battle pass progress, and purchases. Third-party websites and trackers exist but should be used with caution, as they may not be entirely accurate.
What Apex Packs count towards the 500 counter?
Only regular Apex Packs that you acquire through leveling up, battle pass rewards, or direct purchase count towards the 500 pack counter. Event Packs, such as those obtained during Collection Events, do not contribute to this counter.
Is there a way to increase my chances of getting Heirloom Shards?
There’s no way to directly increase the drop rate of Heirloom Shards in Apex Packs. The rate remains consistent for all players. However, you can effectively increase your chances by opening more packs. The more packs you open, the closer you get to the 500 pack guarantee.
How many heirlooms are currently available in Apex Legends?
The number of heirlooms in Apex Legends is constantly growing as Respawn adds new ones with each Collection Event. Currently, there’s an heirloom for most of the Legends in the game, and new ones are consistently released.
Can I choose which heirloom I get when I receive Heirloom Shards?
Yes! Once you receive Heirloom Shards, you can use them to purchase any available heirloom in the Mythic Store. You are not limited to the heirloom associated with a particular Collection Event.
What is the maximum level cap in Apex Legends?
The level cap in Apex Legends is currently 2000. This is achieved by progressing through levels 1-500 four times.
How many Apex Packs do you get from leveling up to level 500?
By reaching level 500, you receive a total of 199 Apex Packs. This number contributes to the 500 pack counter.
What happens if I already own all the heirlooms?
If you own all available heirlooms and receive Heirloom Shards, you can hold onto them until a new heirloom is released. You won’t be forced to spend them immediately. Or, you can purchase a Prestige skin from the Mythic Store.
Why haven’t I received Heirloom Shards after opening a significant number of packs?
If you’ve opened what you believe to be close to 500 Apex Packs and haven’t received Heirloom Shards, it’s essential to accurately track your pack openings. Remember, only regular Apex Packs count towards the 500 pack counter, and event packs are excluded. While the guaranteed heirloom comes at 500 packs (if you have not received it earlier), it could be a few packs off, and you must open more packs to guarantee the heirloom.
Is it possible to get two sets of Heirloom Shards back-to-back?
While extremely unlikely, it is technically possible to receive Heirloom Shards in consecutive Apex Packs. This is due to the small chance of obtaining shards from any given pack. However, the odds of this happening are incredibly low.
Are heirloom drop rates different on console versus PC?
No, the drop rates for Heirloom Shards are the same across all platforms. There is no difference in the drop rate on console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) versus PC.
Where can I learn more about game design and mechanics?
For those interested in understanding the intricacies of game design and mechanics, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society. Their website, GamesLearningSociety.org, offers valuable insights into the field. The Games Learning Society is a great resource for understanding how games can be used for learning.
What’s better, crafting or waiting for Heirloom Shards?
Crafting a new Heirloom Shard item depends on several factors, including the number of crafting metals you currently have, how much money you are willing to spend on Apex Packs, and the Apex Pack counter. Some players have a lot of crafting metals, which is more affordable, while others depend on the 500 Apex Pack guarantee.
Conclusion
In conclusion, purchasing an heirloom during a Collection Event is a separate transaction that does not impact your Apex Pack counter. Your progress toward the guaranteed Heirloom Shards after opening 500 packs remains intact. Understanding the mechanics of the heirloom system can help you make informed decisions about how to best acquire these coveted cosmetic items. Happy hunting, Legends!