Apex Legends
How Do Legend Abilities Work in Apex Legends?
Every Apex Legends character has a Passive, a Tactical and an Ultimate ability. Learn the difference and how to use them well.
What are Legend abilities in Apex Legends?
Every Legend in Apex Legends has three abilities: a Passive, which is always active; a Tactical, a short-cooldown skill you use often; and an Ultimate, a powerful skill that charges slowly over time. Using them at the right moment, together with your squad, wins more fights than aim alone.
The three ability types
| Ability | How it works | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Passive | Always on, no button needed. | Pathfinder’s and Wraith’s passives give them extra information or mobility. |
| Tactical | Short cooldown, used several times per fight. | Bangalore’s Smoke Launcher blocks enemy vision. |
| Ultimate | Long charge, big impact when used well. | Gibraltar’s Defensive Bombardment covers an area in airstrikes. |
Legend classes
Legends are grouped into classes, such as Assault, Skirmisher, Recon, Support and Controller. Each class also has a shared perk on top of the Legend’s own abilities, for example opening special loot bins or scanning beacons. A balanced squad usually combines different classes.
Upgrades during a match
Since Season 20, Legends can unlock upgrades during a match as their armour and Evo progress level up, choosing between options that improve their abilities. Which upgrades exist changes from season to season.
Example
Your squad is caught in the open. Your Bangalore throws smokes with her Tactical to block the enemy’s view, you rotate behind a building, and your Gibraltar saves his Ultimate to stop the enemy from pushing while you heal or swap armor.
Using abilities well
- Combine them: abilities are strongest when used together with your squad’s.
- Don’t waste Ultimates: save them for fights that matter or for escaping a third party.
- Use Tacticals often: a short cooldown means it is usually back before the next fight.
If you want help learning when to use each ability, our Apex Legends coaches can review your games.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Tactical and an Ultimate?
A Tactical has a short cooldown and is used often. An Ultimate charges slowly and has a much bigger effect.
Do Legend abilities change between seasons?
Yes. Respawn often adjusts abilities, cooldowns and upgrades, and sometimes reworks Legends entirely.