Does Buying an Heirloom Reset Your Apex Pack Progress? Unveiling the Truth

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No, acquiring an Heirloom through direct purchase, such as during a special in-game event, does not reset your progress towards the guaranteed Heirloom Shards within the standard Apex Pack system. Your “bad luck protection” counter, which guarantees an Heirloom Shard drop within 500 Apex Packs, only resets when you actually receive Heirloom Shards from a standard Apex Pack acquired through leveling, Battle Pass rewards, or direct purchase of Apex Packs. Think of it as two separate systems: event Heirlooms and the standard Apex Pack Heirloom guarantee. Let’s dive deep into the mechanics.

Understanding Apex Pack Heirloom Mechanics

The hunt for an Heirloom in Apex Legends can feel like a quest of epic proportions. The tantalizing prospect of wielding a Legend’s signature melee weapon is enough to drive players to open countless Apex Packs. However, the system isn’t entirely random. To prevent players from suffering endless disappointment, Respawn Entertainment implemented a “bad luck protection” mechanic.

The 500 Pack Guarantee: Your Safety Net

This is the cornerstone of Heirloom acquisition. The system guarantees that you will receive Heirloom Shards within your first 500 Apex Packs. Note that this refers to standard Apex Packs, not event-specific packs. These shards can then be redeemed for the Heirloom of your choice from the Heirloom store. The key takeaway here is that the counter tracks how many Apex Packs you’ve opened without receiving Heirloom Shards. When you finally receive those shards, the counter resets. This means you’re fresh, and the journey to your next guaranteed heirloom begins again!

Event Heirlooms: A Separate Pathway

Throughout Apex Legends’ seasons, special events often feature unique themed Apex Packs. Sometimes, completing the event challenges or purchasing all event items will unlock a guaranteed Heirloom. This is a shortcut, essentially bypassing the standard Apex Pack system. This event Heirloom does not affect your 500-pack counter at all. It’s a completely isolated transaction.

Why This Distinction Matters

Understanding the separation between event Heirlooms and the Apex Pack guarantee is crucial for managing your expectations and resources. If you were to spend money on an event Heirloom, thinking that it will reset your count, you may be unpleasantly surprised to discover that you are still a ways off from the pity drop.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Heirloom Acquisition

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Heirlooms in Apex Legends, answered in detail:

1. What exactly are Heirloom Shards? Heirloom Shards are the currency used to purchase Heirlooms in the Apex Legends store. Each Heirloom costs 150 Heirloom Shards. These shards drop from Apex Packs, and are not tied to a specific Legend.

2. How do I get Heirloom Shards? Heirloom Shards can be obtained as rare drops from Apex Packs. They’re guaranteed to drop within 500 Apex Packs opened (the “bad luck protection” system).

3. Does the Battle Pass give me Apex Packs that count towards the 500-pack guarantee? Yes, Apex Packs earned through the Battle Pass do count towards your 500-pack guarantee. Any standard Apex Pack you acquire contributes to the counter.

4. If I buy Apex Packs, do they count towards the 500-pack guarantee? Yes, Apex Packs purchased directly from the in-game store count towards the 500-pack guarantee.

5. Do event Apex Packs count towards the 500-pack guarantee? No, event Apex Packs do not count towards the 500-pack guarantee. They operate on a separate system.

6. How can I track how many Apex Packs I’ve opened? Unfortunately, Apex Legends doesn’t provide an in-game tracker. However, external tools and websites, as well as carefully tracking your level, Battle Pass progress, and purchases, can help you estimate your Apex Pack count. Remember that the higher your level, the more Apex Packs are required to obtain the next level.

7. Is there a way to increase my chances of getting Heirloom Shards? There’s no way to directly increase your chance beyond opening Apex Packs. The drop rate remains consistent (.5%) for each pack, with the guarantee kicking in after 500 packs.

8. What happens if I get Heirloom Shards before opening 500 packs? If you’re lucky enough to get Heirloom Shards before opening 500 packs, congratulations! Your counter resets to zero, and the journey to your next guaranteed set of shards begins.

9. Can I get duplicate Heirlooms? No, you cannot get duplicate Heirlooms. Once you unlock an Heirloom, it is permanently added to your collection.

10. Are Heirlooms tradable or refundable? No, Heirlooms are not tradable or refundable. Once you purchase an Heirloom, it’s yours to keep.

11. What is the difference between a “Collection Event” and a regular event in Apex Legends? Collection Events are those that contain a set of 24 items which are needed to collect to earn a free Heirloom. Each item can be purchased with Apex Coins and Crafting Metals, but it is much cheaper to buy the packs. A regular event does not mean the player is promised a free Heirloom.

12. What happens if I already own all the Heirlooms? If you own every Heirloom in the game and you receive Heirloom Shards from an Apex Pack, you can save the shards to purchase any future Heirlooms that are released.

13. Does leveling up faster help me get Heirlooms more quickly? Leveling up faster means you earn Apex Packs faster. But there are a specific number of Apex Packs available based on level. It just means you will level faster with that many Apex Packs faster.

14. Is it possible to get Heirloom Shards from crafting metals or Apex Coins? No. The only method to obtaining Heirloom Shards is by acquiring Apex Packs through purchases, rewards, or the Battle Pass.

15. What is the maximum level you can reach in Apex Legends? The maximum account level in Apex Legends is effectively 2000. After reaching level 500, players loop through levels 1-500 three additional times.

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Understanding the Heirloom system in Apex Legends involves recognizing the distinction between the standard Apex Pack guarantee and event-specific acquisitions. By grasping these mechanics, you can make informed decisions about your spending and resource allocation, ultimately increasing your chances of acquiring the Heirloom you desire without unnecessary frustration. Now, go out there and conquer the Apex Games with style!