Apex Legends: Cipher overhauls Crypto, adds Akimbo Wingman and Strongholds

Respawn Entertainment has detailed Apex Legends: Cipher, a new update built around a reworked Crypto, the dual Akimbo Wingman, a Strongholds loot system, and balance changes for Revenant and Lifeline. The studio sums up the theme with one line: “The deadliest weapon isn’t a gun, it’s information.”

Crypto gets the biggest redesign in the announcement. Respawn says his new firmware upgrade, delivered by his sister Mila, shifts him from passive scouting to active intel gathering. His Surveillance Drone now runs on batteries instead of a cooldown, can be picked up and redeployed without a long wait, and activates a new Sentry Mode that tags enemies in sight for Crypto and his squad. His EMP Ultimate can also be deployed with the press of a button.

Crypto’s drone turns into a battery-powered scout

The new kit gives Crypto a more direct role in setting up fights. Instead of waiting for a cooldown cycle, players can move the drone between positions more freely and keep pressure on enemy rotations. Respawn says the drone tags enemies on sight, which should make it easier for squads to track movement before committing to a push.

That change is paired with a faster way to use Crypto’s Ultimate. The announcement says the EMP can be triggered immediately, which makes the legend more reactive in fights rather than something a team has to prepare well in advance. Respawn frames the full package as a shift in how Crypto gathers information and turns it into pressure for the squad.

“You’ll know their next move before they do.”

Akimbo Wingman and Strongholds reshape the fight for loot

Cipher also adds the dual Akimbo Wingman. Respawn describes it as “a dangerous combo of precision and firepower,” and the studio says players can “double your firepower” with the new dual-wield setup. That makes the revolver a much louder commitment than the standard version, especially for players willing to take careful shots under pressure.

The other major addition is Strongholds, which Respawn describes as an evolution of Care Packages. These new drops carry high-tier loot, but they also make noise and broadcast danger. Opening one takes time and triggers an alarm that tells nearby squads exactly where you are. Inside, players can pull out crate weapons, corrupted attachments, and EVO for the whole team.

Strongholds are not just a bigger loot box, either. Respawn says they spawn with cover and Hardlight, giving teams a way to hold the area once the alarm goes off. That creates a direct choice: open the Stronghold yourself and defend it, or let another squad ring the alarm and try to contest the rewards after the fact.

• Crypto’s Surveillance Drone now uses batteries instead of a cooldown.
• The drone can be picked up, redeployed, and set to Sentry Mode.
• Crypto’s EMP Ultimate can be used with the press of a button.
• The Akimbo Wingman brings dual-wield revolver firepower.
• Strongholds can award crate weapons, corrupted attachments, and EVO.
• Opening a Stronghold alerts nearby players to your location.

Revenant and Lifeline get new tools

Respawn says Cipher also includes changes for Revenant and Lifeline. Revenant gets a shorter Ultimate cooldown and a quicker Tactical, and new upgrades can extend his Ultimate with every knock, silence nearby enemies after a Shadow Pounce landing, or refresh Shadow Pounce automatically while an enemy is marked. The studio says these changes are meant to let him play more aggressively.

Lifeline’s update leans into her support role. Respawn says her D.O.C. cooldown is reduced and she can self-heal while gliding. Her new upgrades add an Ultimate cooldown reduction, a shield while reviving a teammate, and improved flight mobility. That gives her more ways to stay active during a fight while still backing up teammates who need help surviving it.

The update also changes Arena play in Diamond lobbies and above. Respawn says new Legend Bans will let every player cast one vote to ban a Legend, with the more votes a character gets, the greater the chance they will be banned for that match. That should make draft decisions more important before the round even starts, since teams may need a backup pick if their preferred Legend gets blocked.

Cipher’s announcement also ties into Respawn’s longer-season planning. The studio says its Major Map Update for Season 32 will be Kings Canyon Evolved, described as a completely reworked version of the map with numerous new, remixed, and touched-up points of interest planned for early 2027. That follows the earlier ranked and map roadmap Respawn laid out in GAMER2GO’s coverage of Seasons 31 and 32.

Respawn says Apex Legends: Cipher also includes the new Mythic Volt SMG, Cryptic Core, which is part of Cipher Seasonal Packs all season long. The weapon is described as a hive-mind of nanites in Crypto’s signature colors, with a built-in PALS assistant rendered in low-res pixel art. Exotic Shards can be used to retheme it by swapping in new retro game cartridge-inspired looks and colors. Seasonal skins for Crypto, Wraith, Gibraltar, Revenant, and Horizon are included in the same packs.

On the gameplay side, the announcement presents Cipher as a wide update rather than a single-character pass. Crypto gets a reworked recon kit, the Wingman gets a dual-wield variant, Strongholds add risk to loot runs, and Revenant and Lifeline both receive direct tuning. Respawn closes by saying the update is still subject to change as it continues to listen to community feedback and develop the live service.