Apex Legends Season 30 Overview: Marked Update Guide

Apex Legends Season 30, known as the Marked update, officially launches on August 4, 2026. This season is dedicated to transforming Bloodhound from a tracker into an aggressive hunter and implementing fundamental changes to loot systems and energy weapons.

This guide breaks down confirmed mechanics for the Marked update: from Bloodhound's new ability to changes on World's Edge. We also cover weapon balance, including the move of the 30-30 Repeater into Care Packages and the removal of Energy Ammo from ground loot. Note that exact numerical balance values will be published in patch notes on August 3.

New Legend and Bloodhound Rework

Season Marked does not introduce a new Legend. The character slot is filled by a complete rework of the existing hero, Bloodhound. His Ultimate transforms from a passive effect into an active item called Allfather's Cloak.

New Ability: Allfather's Cloak

Instead of the old 'Beast of the Hunt', Bloodhound now deploys a cloaking zone. This ability allows Bloodhound and nearby squadmates to become invisible.

Duration: The effect lasts until firing, taking damage, or spending 12 seconds outside the zone.
Passive Tracking: Moving enemies now leave a brighter glowing trail for easier detection.

Buffs for Loba and Rampart

In addition to Bloodhound, Loba and Rampart receive improvements:

Loba: The Ultimate 'Black Market Boutique' receives a shorter cooldown. The bracelet 'Burglar's Best Friend' travels faster and covers more distance.
Rampart: The mobile minigun 'Sheila' allows for faster movement while firing. The ability 'Amped Cover' is improved: walls build faster and can absorb more damage.

Energy Weapon System Overhaul

A major change involves the complete overhaul of Energy Weapons. In Season 30, Energy Ammo is removed from normal ground loot. Instead, weapons use a system of regenerating internal batteries.

Mechanic: The battery charges only when the weapon is idle. Charging stops upon firing, reloading, or taking damage.
Charge Time: Preview builds showed a full recharge time of approximately 18 seconds (specific values may change).

The following weapons have confirmed changes to their energy systems:

Devotion LMG: Receives a battery providing reserve for roughly three extra magazines.
HAVOC Rifle: Switches from carried Energy Ammo to a regenerating reserve (exact capacity unknown).
Nemesis Burst AR: Uses the new internal battery system while retaining its charging burst mechanic.
Triple Take: Receives a battery with reserve covering roughly two additional magazines.
Volt SMG: Moves to the internal battery system as part of the wider rework.
RE-45 Burst: Receives the battery system but also suffers a direct damage nerf (exact new value not announced).

30-30 Repeater in Care Package

The weapon 30-30 Repeater moves from floor loot into the Care Package. This is the only weapon receiving a clear power increase in Season 30. It will be supplied with upgraded stats and a limited ammunition supply. Exact characteristics (damage, magazine size) are currently unknown.

World's Edge Map Changes

The map World's Edge receives a nighttime theme with a bright aurora and three new or rebuilt Points of Interest (POIs):

Climatizer / East Village: A Bloodhound tribe settlement built around a massive Longhouse appears.
Survey Camp: Replaced by War Camp, creating a tighter, arena-style combat space in the northern zone.
Lava Siphon Area: Returns as Sorting Factory with updated paths and cover.
Fragment: Construction Stacks return.
Landslide: A new location, Big Maude, appears on top of the landslide area.

New vertical routes are also added in Tree Settlement. The map is fully rebuilt to improve visibility and distribute players beyond standard spawn points.

Corrupted Attachments

Instead of standard gold upgrades, Corrupted Attachments appear in the loot pool. These items come with tradeoffs: they provide a significant bonus to one stat while reducing another.

Tactical Laser: Faster reloads, but worse recoil while aiming down sights (ADS).
Rapid Sniper Stock: Increased fire rate and handling speed, but smaller magazine size.
Agile Standard Stock: Better movement and ADS strafe speed, but smaller magazine size.
Overflowing Magazine: Huge magazine capacity, but slower reload speed.
Headseeker Barrel: Higher headshot damage, but weaker hipfire accuracy.

Each weapon can equip only one such attachment. Compatibility lists and exact values will be revealed in patch notes.

Loot Source Removals

To shift the meta, several reliable methods for quick equipment acquisition have been removed:

Support Bins / Assault Bins: Extended compartments and their class-specific benefits disappear.
Explosive Holds: Rooms opened by grenades no longer drop loot.
Loot Resets: Opened bins no longer refresh mid-match.
Wildlife Loot: Prowlers, spiders, and other creatures stop dropping smart loot.

Wildcard Events

Season 30 includes two Wildcard events: one planned for the first split and a second for the second. The mode differs from Battle Royale and Ranked in format, allowing Respawn to test new mechanics without including them in official competitive matches.

Important Dates

August 4, 2026: Season launch (10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM UTC).
August 3, 2026: Publication of patch notes with exact balance values and the list of maps for Ranked rotation.

Nintendo Switch Support

The original Nintendo Switch is no longer supported at the time of the Marked update launch. Only Nintendo Switch 2 remains supported. EA account progress is carried over.