Respawn has now revealed their first Collection Event of Apex Legends‘ Season 4; the Apex Legends System Override event. Starting on the 3rd of March, this fortnight-long event will give players a chance to get new cosmetics and play an all-new limited time game mode. Plus, the event introduces a new type of shield item called Evo Shields which could have a big impact on the game’s future if they return after the event.
What’s Coming in the Apex Legends System Override Collection Event
The Apex Legends System Override event is the first Collection Event of Season 4, and also the first of 2020, following the first-ever Arcade Event in January. Long-term players should be familiar with the format of Collection Events by now, but Respawn are making a few changes to the norm. The most notable is that System Override will feature an Event Prize Track like the one that featured in the Grand Soiree. There are 24 premium event cosmetics available, both through Event Packs and in the store, and the Prize Track gives players a chance to unlock some directly.
System Override also features an all-new game mode which will only be playable throughout the event; Deja Loot. “Ever spent the whole match looking for a Spitfire only to come up with Mozambiques?” writes Respawn; “Wish you could just plot a reliable path to a 301 and purple armour? Well, this next mode is really going to speak to you.”
Essentially, Deja Loot is a standard battle royale match, but all loot spawns are fixed. That means that the loot will always be the same every time you play the mode, allowing you to learn and plan where to find the best things. For the first week of the event, Deja Loot will be playable on World’s Edge, while it will be on Kings Canyon for the second week.
Evo Shields and Heirloom Set Changes
The other major addition to feature in System Override is a new type of item; the Evo Shield. This new shield type starts with a weaker shield than that which you get from a Common Body Shield (White). However, the more damage you to other players, the stronger the Evo Shield becomes. Eventually, it can become stronger than an Epic Body Shield (Purple). Interestingly, progress on an Evo Shield remains after death, so you can pick up powerful Evo Shields from fallen Legends. Evo Shields will only be available in the Deja Loot game mode during the event. However, this seems to be a testing period for Respawn. Based on how they perform, the studio has said that they may consider making the shields available in all matches after the event concludes.
Respawn is also changing up their system for Heirloom Sets. If you can unlock all 24 of the event cosmetics (all the System Override Collection Pack Items), then you can get the Octane Heirloom set for free. After the event, the set will be available with Apex Packs. However, Respawn is changing the way that you unlock Heirloom Sets this way, with the introduction of “Heirloom Shards.”
Essentially, you will no longer get a whole Heirloom Set drop in an Apex Pack. Instead, you’ll get an amount of Heirloom Shards. These Shards can then be used to make any of the Heirloom Sets. This means that you’ll be able to choose the one you want, rather than having to hope to chance. Heirloom Shards will drop at the same rate. According to Respawn, players should be able to obtain an Heirloom Set from the Heirloom Shop after 500 packs. Note that progress towards the 500 count won’t be reset after the system switches to Shards.
The Apex Legends System Override event is due to start next week, on the 3rd of March. It will then be live for two weeks’ time, coming to an end on the 17th. The Deja Loot game mode, event cosmetics, and Evo Shields will only be available during that time. (Although as stated, Evo Shields could return to the game after the event.)