Apex Legends Wildcard was released in July 2025 as a more chaotic and fast-paced game of Apex with only 30 players and no limit on hero stacking allowing for funny comps. The main feature and namesake of the mode are Wildcards, consumables that grant a wide range of abilities and can shift a fight in an instant.
The most recent update for Apex Legends is the Aftershock event which mainly focused on new Wildcards updates as well as some hero buffs. The biggest updates are two abilities that all legends have by default now in Wildcard matches, a vortex shield and an EMP blast.
The vortex shield can be raised to absorb incoming projectiles and lowered to launch them back at your adversaries but watch out because it has a limited battery that can only be recharged by gaining EVO. The EMP can be released to stun enemies and damage placeables and is recharged by using the vortex shield, collecting EVO or with certain Wildcards.
There are nine new Wild cards added in this update all tailored towards buffing the EMP and vortex shield or using them in a different way with one even letting you use EMP charge to get temporary wallhacks. Another Wildcard only edition is an elite version of the Hemlock burst AR which makes it fully automatic with a silencer and a breach charge launcher.
The final major change is a number of buffs for older legends that had low pick rates, those being Gibraltar, Wraith and Watson with the goal of modernizing their kits to fit with the newer characters including reduced cooldowns and new passives.
I would say that this event will breathe new life into the Wildcard gamemode and help keep it interesting for the foreseeable future so it’s worth giving a shot especially if you’re already an Apex player but have had reservations about the mode before.
If you’re just getting started on the game, then see PCGamesN for the Apex Legends requirements and a list of all the Apex Legends characters.
