Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. News

Game-changing sidegrade for Apex Legends’ Lifeline confirmed by Respawn

Aaron Mamiit
By

Respawn Entertainment confirmed that Lifeline, the only classified healer in Apex Legends, will receive a so-called “sidegrade” once the battle royale shooter’s next event kicks in.

At EA Play Live 2020, among Electronic Arts’ major announcements was the cross-play feature for Apex Legends, as well as its upcoming Nintendo Switch port. The publisher also revealed the Lost Treasures collection event, which features the Armed and Dangerous: Evolved limited time mode, the debut of the Mobile Respawn Beacon, and a collection of new cosmetics.

Apex Legends Lost Treasures Collection Event Trailer

However, eagle-eyed players spotted something new at the 1:00 mark of the Lost Treasures trailer. Lifeline used her tactical ability, the D.O.C. Heal Drone, to protect and revive a fallen Bangalore, while she was able to fire back at an incoming opponent. The drone has so far only been able to heal teammates, not revive them.

Recommended Videos

On Twitter, Respawn design director Jason McCord was asked whether the new ability would allow Lifeline to revive two fallen allies — one through her drone and the other by her own hands. McCord’s response not only confirms the upcoming change to the drone, but also a new move for Lifeline players that will come in handy in many situations.

Related

Yup!

— Jason McCord (@MonsterclipRSPN) June 19, 2020

Players on the Apex Legends subreddit have mostly positive reactions to the change to Lifeline’s drone, as the new strategy will provide a new dimension to the healer’s capabilities. She will be able to get her allies back to their feet quickly, compared to using up precious time to revive teammates one after another.

While players have been calling it a bluff, Apex Legends’ lead game designer Carlos Pineda previously flagged that Lifeline needs a “sidegrade” instead — a change that will not necessarily add power, but will differentiate her from the other characters in the battle royale shooter. The new drone ability certainly does that, as it gives players a good reason to pick Lifeline over other Legends.

Digital Trends has reached out to Electronic Arts to confirm if there are other changes planned for Lifeline in the near future. We will update this article as soon as we hear back.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Aaron Mamiit
Aaron Mamiit
Contributor
Aaron received a NES and a copy of Super Mario Bros. for Christmas when he was 4 years old, and he has been fascinated with…
The best settings for Apex Legends Mobile
One legend kicks another in the face.

Apex Legends Mobile is a fully-fledged and featured version of the hit battle royale game built for playing on the go. Aside from the game being of great quality, the developers also wanted to make sure that this version was just as accessible and customizable as the console and PC versions.

Apex Legends Mobile offers a suite of settings that make most mobile games' settings menus look like a joke. You have way more options here than just adjusting volume settings, and in fact, you can do a ton to make this version of the game just as comfortable and fun to play as it would be on a console or PC. But unless you're comfortable tweaking these settings and you know what you're doing under the hood, it can also be a challenge to get the game running the best that it can. If you're a little lost but want to get the most out of Apex Legends Mobile, here are the best settings to change.

Read more
The best legends in Apex Legends Mobile
A party of Legends prepares for battle.

Taking elements from hero shooters, Apex Legends introduced a cast of unique characters that filled different roles, with their own set of skills to make your knowledge of the roster and team compositions just as much a factor as your ability to pop heads. Apex Legends Mobile starts off with a smaller starting roster of Legends than the main title, but it's just as complex a battle royale.

However, just like in any shooter where each character has their own suite of abilities and situational strengths and weaknesses, nothing can be perfectly balanced. Some Legends, intentionally or not, are just plain better than others. Looking at every Legend in Apex Legends Mobile so far, assuming you're playing in a squad, we've come up with what are the top-tier Legends in the game.

Read more
The best weapons in Apex Legends Mobile
A party of Legends prepares for battle.

It may be the little brother to the console and PC versions, but Apex Legends Mobile is just as action packed and skill dependent as the best battle royale games out there. It retains all the core features that made the original so special in a genre that was getting flooded with copycats thanks to a smart blending of unique Legends, squad-focused matches, and the fast and fluid gameplay. While your chosen Legend is a key component to playing, the real battles almost always come down to who has the best gun and skill to use it.

Apex Legends Mobile doesn't hold back in terms of the weapons it offers. All of them will be familiar to fans who have poured hours into the original Apex Legends, but since this isn't just a straight up port of that game, not all guns will be as useful, or as bad, as they once were. Of course, balance changes will be a thing in Apex Legends Mobile, but for right now, these are the best weapons in the game you should seek out when looting.

Read more