What Should I Use My Heirloom Shards On? The Ultimate Apex Legends Heirloom Guide
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So, you’ve finally got your hands on the coveted Heirloom Shards in Apex Legends. Congratulations! This is a monumental moment, one that many players spend countless hours and a small fortune trying to achieve. But now comes the crucial question: what should you use them on? The short answer is: the Heirloom for the Legend you play the most and genuinely enjoy. However, the decision is far more nuanced than that. Let’s dive deep into factors to consider, offering a comprehensive guide to help you make the best choice and avoid any potential regret.
Understanding Heirloom Value and Rarity
Before we dissect the individual Heirlooms, let’s establish the fundamental value they hold within Apex Legends. Heirloom Shards are incredibly rare. As the provided text confirms, you’re guaranteed to receive them only after opening a staggering 500 Apex Packs. That’s a significant investment of time, in-game currency, or real-world money. This inherent scarcity makes each decision about how to spend them incredibly important. Heirlooms aren’t just cosmetic items; they’re symbols of dedication and a representation of your connection to a specific Legend. They come with:
- Unique Melee Weapon Skin: The visual centerpiece of the Heirloom set.
- Bespoke Emote: An exclusive animation tailored to the Legend and their Heirloom.
- Banner Pose: A special pose for your Legend’s banner card.
- (Sometimes) Unique Dialogue: Some heirlooms trigger special voice lines.
Factors to Consider Before Spending Your Shards
Main Legend and Playstyle
This is the most important factor. If you consistently play a specific Legend and find their abilities and personality resonate with you, their Heirloom is likely the best choice. Consider:
- Usage Frequency: How often do you play this Legend compared to others?
- Enjoyment Factor: Do you genuinely enjoy playing this Legend, even when you’re not winning?
- Visual Appeal: Do you like the overall aesthetic of the Heirloom?
Heirloom Design and Animations
Not all Heirlooms are created equal. Some have more intricate designs, smoother animations, or more impactful sound effects. Watch videos of the Heirloom in action, paying attention to the following:
- Inspect Animations: How does the Legend interact with the Heirloom when inspecting it?
- Melee Animations: How does the Heirloom look when used in melee combat? Are they satisfying?
- Emote Quality: Is the emote unique and engaging, or does it feel generic?
Potential Future Heirlooms
Respawn Entertainment is constantly releasing new Heirlooms for different Legends. If your main Legend doesn’t currently have an Heirloom, or you are unimpressed with their existing one, it might be worth waiting. Horizon, Fuse, Ash, Mad Maggie, Newcastle, Vantage and Catalyst are all mentioned as legends without heirlooms. Keep an eye on Apex Legends news and leaks to get an idea of upcoming Heirloom releases.
Event vs. Store Availability
Heirlooms are initially released as part of limited-time events. During these events, you can directly purchase the entire collection to unlock the Heirloom. Once the event ends, the Heirloom is added to the general Heirloom pool, and you can only obtain it using Heirloom Shards. Keep in mind:
- Event Collections: Unlocking through an event can be more expensive overall.
- Shard Redemption: Redeeming with shards after the event allows you to choose exactly which Heirloom you want.
Ranking the Existing Heirlooms (Subjective!)
The “best” Heirloom is subjective, but based on community consensus and overall design quality, here’s a general ranking, drawing on information from the original text, with considerations for visual appeal and animation quality:
- Loba – Garra De Alanza: Praised for its elegance and style, perfectly mirroring Loba’s personality.
- Seer – Showstoppers: Known for its unique design and captivating animations.
- Wraith – Hope’s Dusk: A classic choice with a sleek design and smooth animations.
- Crypto – Biwon Blade: Offers a unique and tactical feel, fitting for Crypto’s hacking persona.
- Wattson – Energy Reader: A more subtle Heirloom, but appealing for its tech-focused design.
- Valkyrie – Suzaku: A blend of tradition and futuristic design, reflecting Valkyrie’s heritage.
- Octane – Butterfly Knife: A fun and energetic choice, perfect for Octane’s personality.
- Gibraltar – War Club: A powerful and imposing Heirloom, befitting Gibraltar’s tank role.
This is a starting point. Do your research and watch gameplay videos before making a final decision.
Avoiding Regret: Tips for Making the Right Choice
- Don’t Rush: You have no time limit. Don’t feel pressured to spend your shards immediately.
- Playtest Legends: Try out different Legends in the Firing Range and in regular matches to see which ones you truly enjoy.
- Watch Gameplay: Watch videos of other players using the Heirlooms you’re considering.
- Consider Rarity: Think about how often you’ll actually see the Heirloom in action.
- Trust Your Gut: Ultimately, choose the Heirloom that makes you the most excited to play Apex Legends.
Spending your Heirloom Shards is a big decision. Take your time, consider your options, and choose the Heirloom that you’ll genuinely enjoy for years to come. Good luck, Legends!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Heirloom Shards
1. Should I save Heirloom Shards?
Yes! Heirloom Shards do not expire. There’s no rush to spend them. Saving them allows you to wait for a Heirloom that perfectly matches your favorite Legend or playing style. It also gives you time to see future Heirloom releases and consider their designs.
2. Is 500 apex packs a guaranteed heirloom?
Yes, you are guaranteed to receive Heirloom Shards within 500 Apex Packs. This is known as the “pity timer.” Once you receive Heirloom Shards, the counter resets, and you’ll have another 500 pack pity timer until the next guaranteed drop.
3. Does buying an heirloom reset the counter?
Buying an Heirloom during an event collection does NOT reset your Apex Pack counter towards the guaranteed Heirloom Shard drop. Only receiving Heirloom Shards from an Apex Pack resets the counter.
4. Will I get a heirloom on my 500th pack?
Yes, you are guaranteed to get Heirloom Shards on or before your 500th Apex Pack. It’s possible to get them earlier due to random chance, but 500 is the maximum number of packs you’ll have to open.
5. Will I get a heirloom if I buy 100 packs?
No, there is no guarantee of getting Heirloom Shards within 100 Apex Packs. While it’s possible due to the roughly 1% drop rate, it’s highly unlikely. You’re only guaranteed to get them within 500 packs.
6. Will Heirloom Shards expire?
No, Heirloom Shards do not expire. You can hold onto them indefinitely until a Heirloom you love becomes available.
7. Do you need 150 Heirloom Shards?
Yes, Heirlooms cost 150 Heirloom Shards to craft. This is the standard cost for any Heirloom available through the Heirloom store after its initial event release.
8. What are the odds of getting Heirloom Shards in 100 packs?
The approximate odds of getting Heirloom Shards in any given Apex Pack are around 1% or 1 in 100, however you are not guaranteed this drop at any point before your 500th apex pack.
9. What legend does not have a heirloom?
As of now, Legends without Heirlooms include Horizon, Fuse, Ash, Mad Maggie, Newcastle, Vantage, and Catalyst. Respawn regularly releases new Heirlooms, so this list will change over time.
10. Why are heirlooms so rare in Apex?
Heirlooms are rare because they are intended to be prestigious and desirable items. Their rarity is part of what makes them valuable and rewarding to obtain, acting as a goal for committed players. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) could offer some really interesting insights into the psychology behind this type of reward system in games.
11. Can I sell my heirloom apex?
No, you cannot sell your Heirloom in Apex Legends. Heirlooms are account-bound and cannot be transferred or sold to other players.
12. What is the coolest heirloom?
“Coolest” is subjective, but Loba’s Garra De Alanza is consistently ranked highly for its elegant design and stylish animations. However, the best Heirloom for you depends on your personal preferences and which Legend you enjoy playing the most.
13. Is there a heirloom pity?
Yes, there is a “pity timer” for Heirloom Shards. You are guaranteed to receive Heirloom Shards within 500 Apex Packs. This ensures that even with bad luck, you will eventually get the chance to unlock an Heirloom.
14. How many heirloom shards do you need to unlock a heirloom?
You need 150 Heirloom Shards to unlock any Heirloom that is available through the Heirloom store.
15. What were the first 8 legends in Apex?
The original eight Legends available at the launch of Apex Legends were Bangalore, Bloodhound, Caustic, Gibraltar, Lifeline, Mirage, Pathfinder, and Wraith. Caustic and Mirage required unlocking through in-game currency or real money purchase.