Apex Legends Season 31 (Nov 4, 2026): Legend Bans, Crypto Rework and Ranked Changes
Apex Legends Season 31 goes live on November 4, 2026, and the headline change is a Legend ban system in Ranked for Diamond and above. There is no new Legend this season. Instead, Crypto gets a rework, Lifeline and Revenant get buffs, and two new things hit the map: Strongholds and an akimbo Wingman.
Here is the quick version of what is confirmed so far:
Season 31 start: November 4, 2026.
Ranked: Legend bans for Diamond and above.
Legends: Crypto reworked, Lifeline and Revenant buffed.
Loot: new Stronghold loot caches.
Weapons: an akimbo Wingman with a burst-fire option.
Season 32: a split into Open League and Pro-Am League, with new ranks.
How the new Legend ban system works
From Season 31, players in Diamond and above get a short ban phase at the start of every Ranked match. Every player votes for one Legend, and two Legends are then picked from the pool of voted ones. A Legend's chance of being banned depends on how many votes it got, and that percentage is shown to everyone before the match.
This matters because a single unpopular Legend will not be removed from every lobby by popular vote. Respawn says it wants to avoid a "ban meta", so a wider range of Legends will feel the ban hammer. If you main one Legend, plan a second and third pick before you queue. Our Apex Legends rank boosting guide covers how ranks and RP work if you want a refresher before the season starts.
The roadmap also adds Lobby Tiers. These are based on the players entering a match and change the entry cost for each of them. A player rated far above the lobby pays more to enter, because they are expected to gain RP from weaker opponents, and lower rated players pay less. Respawn did not give a Season 31 date for this in the coverage I could verify, so treat the timing as unconfirmed.
What changes for Crypto, Lifeline and Revenant
Season 31 has no new Legend. The last one was Sparrow in Season 25. Three existing Legends get changes instead.
| Legend | What changes |
|---|---|
| Crypto | Rework: the Hack drone can be picked up and redeployed with less downtime, and gains a Sentry Mode that scans enemies who get too close |
| Lifeline | Revive shield for allies returns, shorter ultimate cooldown, more mobility |
| Revenant | Shorter ultimate and tactical cooldowns, plus upgrades aimed at silencing enemies and refreshing abilities |
Respawn describes the Crypto rework as a shift from passive drone camping to more active intel gathering. In practice, you can scout with the drone, pick it back up fast and join the fight with your squad. Lifeline's shield is the change to watch: it is a small line in patch notes but a big deal for revives in the middle of a fight. Revenant moves back toward his old, aggressive playstyle.
Exact numbers for cooldowns were not part of the coverage I verified, so check the official patch notes on launch day.
Strongholds and the akimbo Wingman
Strongholds are a new loot cache. Each one is a single spot on the map that holds weapons, corrupted attachments, EVO and other high value loot for any squad brave enough to take it. Like Mythic Bins, they take a while to open and trigger an audio alarm for nearby teams. To balance the risk, a Stronghold spawns cover and hardlight elements so your squad can hold the position.
Respawn's BR Systems Lead says the goal is to address loot inflation by turning mid game clutter into one contested focal point. Expect more third parties around every Stronghold.
The second addition is an akimbo Wingman. Dual wielding has been a trend since the P2020 and Mozambique upgrades, and the Wingman now joins them. It gets a burst-fire option that makes it harder to aim, which Respawn says lets casual players enjoy its power while keeping the skill floor of the original.
Season 32 preview: Open League and Pro-Am League
Respawn also announced a bigger Ranked rework that arrives with Season 32. The ladder splits into two groups.
| Ranked group | Ranks | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Open League | Iron (replaces Rookie) to Emerald | No Legend bans, matches start from the Dropship, kills count for more RP |
| Pro-Am League | Diamond, Master, Grandmaster | Legend bans, Drop Zone drafts, placement counts for more RP |
Emerald is the new top rank of the Open League with four divisions. Respawn says it should ease the bottleneck many players feel when they climb into Diamond. Grandmaster is the new top of the Pro-Am League, and Predator status goes to the top 750 of all Grandmasters at the end of a season.
New Ranked rewards are also planned, including seasonal auras, dive trails and packs. They will be given at promotion between ranks, so you get them right away instead of weeks later.
How to get ready for Season 31
The ban system rewards players who can play more than one Legend well. If you are stuck below Diamond, work on that before the season, and consider whether paid coaching is worth it for your goal. If you would rather learn by playing next to someone better, read what Fast Games are and when they beat boosting.
You can browse everything we offer for the game on the Apex Legends page, and our coaching section lists the available coaches. Be honest about the risk: buying or boosting accounts can go against the publisher's terms, so read the rules before you decide.
Where to get Apex Legends accounts and top-ups
If you are starting fresh for the new season, see the accounts marketplace. For currency and packs, check top-ups. If you want help with rank, boosting lists the supported games.
FAQ
When does Apex Legends Season 31 start?
Season 31 goes live on November 4, 2026.
Is there a new Legend in Season 31?
No. Crypto is reworked and Lifeline and Revenant are buffed. The last new Legend was Sparrow in Season 25.
Which ranks have Legend bans?
Players in Diamond and above get the ban phase in Season 31. In Season 32 bans belong to the Pro-Am League only.
What are the new Apex ranks?
Season 32 adds Iron (replacing Rookie), Emerald and Grandmaster.
What is a Stronghold in Apex Legends?
A new loot cache with weapons, corrupted attachments and EVO. It takes time to open and sets off an alarm.
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