Apex Legends season 25; or Prodigy, brings a new legend into the mix called Sparrow who is the first Archer added into the game. The Bocek compound bow also returns after a little time out and goes back into ground loot, and arenas come back fighting, along with some ranked updates. I’ve had a chance to play it ahead of release, and it’s very good so far.
Sparrow is available for the first two weeks of his release, and then will go back to being locked unless you can either complete the challenges which will be available to keep him on your legend roster. Conversely you can just buy him with either Legend Coins (which you get via levelling up) or Apex Coins (micro-transaction or can be earnt in game)
As the first archer in Apex, you’d expect his kit to be unique, and whilst he is different to the cast of Legends we have now, he is alike to other Archers in other games which makes me wonder what else can be done with this kind of design. But that, of course, doesn’t mean he isn’t fun to play with. With his passive being a double jump which can also propel you up walls you’re climbing, it allows for some really cool vantage points.
I found his verticality useful just to scout enemies out whilst I played some solo squads testing him out. Sparrow’s tactical ability is a Tracker Dart (sound familiar yet?) which highlights any enemies who may be nearby to the scan, or just passing by. His ultimate is called Stinger Bolt which lets you hit multiple enemies at once with a shot from his trusty bow. I enjoy using it to engage in fights as it allows for an easy knock. I tried Sparrow out in solo squads so this was the best way to use it for me.
The Bocek is back as ground loot though, moving through the theme of archery with Sparrow’s addition. However, there is a catch to using it, as there is no ammo for it on the floor. You’ll have to grab it from death boxes or arrows from another player using one. There are changes to the Bocek in general, though, it has been given the ability to have Explosive Arrows which, as you might expect, explode on contact with anything. This is made possible through upgrading it with frag grenades (just like the Rampage and Thermite nades).
Moving back to the legends themselves, Pathfinder has had some much-needed changes. The ziplining robot has had his Grapple Hook given a 15-30 second cooldown. One of his perks, Zipline Zen, has had a buff too, with a 50% increase on damage reduction. You may also now trade the double tactical charge for a variable grapple cooldown, and a double ultimate charge has also been given to our robot friend.
In season 25 of Apex Legends, Arenas are also back. Here, it’s still the fast paced 3v3 mode we know and love so no changes there. However, what is new is its 1v1 mode. Something I’ve wanted in Apex for quite some time is a way to duel people, because simply, that’s a whole heap of fun. The same rules do still apply here: first to three, just like the original mode.
Finally, those who do play ranked, you will get to see a brand new ranked ladder in Season 25: Prodigy. Climbing through this won’t affect regular ranked progression, but it will give rewards for doing so, and all by just playing in normal ranked matches.
Season 25 has brought me back into Apex Legends at a time I thought it wasn’t going to happen, and I’m ready to play some Sparrow, or to defend myself against him.
Apex Legends season 25, Prodigy starts on May 6th.
