Apex Legends new season brings new permanent mode Wildcard

Apex Legends has revealed a new permanent game mode called Wildcard which is launching alongside Season 26: Showdown.

Described as a fast-paced mode within the battle royale title, Wildcard features Legend stacking, thirty-player lobbies, streamlined looting and more.

According to a blog post online, Wildcard introduces multiple new mechanics that aim to stand out from other traditional modes. The game will take place within Kings Canyon, which has been altered to feature gravity cannons, zip-lines, towers and more.

It is a 30-player mode with a shortened match length (~15 mins) and a smaller ring size. Players will enter in squads of three, with each player possessing a self-revive kit. If eliminated, players can return to the fight so long as a single member of the squad remains alive.

Legend stacking is enabled, meaning multiple players within a squad can play as the same character. However, class perks and Legend upgrades are disabled.

Looting has also seen changes with Wildcard, as items in bins or on the floor will automatically be picked and funnelled into a categorised inventory. The loot pool has also been reduced, forgoing backpacks, knockdown shields, Hop-Ups, and more.

In Wildcard, weapons will come equipped with attachments. These can be upgraded by collecting EVO Orbs, which are earned through eliminations, completing in-game actions, or being lucky when opening a loot bin.

There have been several developments within the Apex Legends esports scene ahead of Season 26: Showdown.

The ALGS Midseason Playoffs concluded during the 2025 Esports World Cup, crowning VK Gaming as its champions. The organisation secured $600,000 (~£444,963) in prize money and 3,000 Championship Points.

Following the end of the Mid-Season Playoffs, ALGS now enters Split 2. Teams from various regions will compete in the Pro League to qualify for the ALGS Championship. The second split is scheduled to take place from August 31st to October 12th, taking place in Europe, the Americas, APAC North and APAC South.

Furthermore, in-game changes will take place as Broken Moon is removed from the ALGS map pool. The developers, Respawn Entertainment, have also released several balance patches to shake up the in-game meta, taming some of the most dominant Legends such as Ash.