Heirlooms in Apex Legends are the game’s rarest cosmetics — weapon or melee skins with unique animations, kill animations, and inspect animations that no other cosmetic tier matches. Every player is guaranteed an Heirloom after opening 500 Apex Packs thanks to the pity system, but most players target one specific legend’s Heirloom rather than waiting for the guaranteed drop. Here’s how the system works and the most efficient path to getting one.
- Highest rarity cosmetic tier in Apex Legends — unique animations and effects
- Obtained via Heirloom Shards (150 shards to craft any Heirloom in the store)
- Guaranteed after opening 500 Apex Packs (pity system — roughly 0.5% chance per pack otherwise)
- Shards can also be purchased via Collection Events (completing the set gives free shards)
- Each Legend has their own unique Heirloom — most are melee weapons, some are other items
How to Get an Heirloom in Apex Legends
There are three paths to an Heirloom in Apex Legends. Each suits different player types.
1. Apex Pack Pity System (Passive)
Every Apex Pack you open has approximately a 0.5% chance to contain Heirloom Shards (150 shards, enough for one Heirloom). Critically, the game guarantees Heirloom Shards within 500 pack openings with no reset — your counter persists across all pack types (Battle Pass, Level-Up, Event packs, etc.).
At the 500-pack guarantee, the expected real-money cost is several hundred dollars in Apex Coins — this is the longest but most passive path.
2. Collection Events (Most Reliable Targeted Path)
Collection Events run periodically and feature 24 exclusive cosmetics. Unlocking all 24 (via purchase or packs) rewards Heirloom Shards directly. Each cosmetic costs Apex Coins individually or comes from event packs. Completing a full collection costs approximately $100–$160 depending on pack luck.
This method guarantees Heirloom Shards for a specific event, making it the most reliable targeted approach for players who want shards soon rather than passively over time.
3. In-Store Heirloom Purchase (Direct)
During specific promotional periods, Apex occasionally offers Heirloom bundles directly for Apex Coins. This bypasses the pack system entirely but is only available when Respawn makes specific Heirlooms purchasable — not all Heirlooms are available this way.
ℹ️ Once you have 150 Heirloom Shards, open the Heirloom Store in the cosmetics menu and select any available Heirloom. You don’t have to use shards on the default available item — choose whichever Heirloom suits your most-played Legend.
Heirloom Shards vs Crafting Metals
Heirloom Shards are a separate currency from Crafting Metals (used for regular Legendary skins). They cannot be converted into each other. Heirlooms cannot be crafted with regular Crafting Metals — only Heirloom Shards work.
| Currency | Source | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Heirloom Shards | Apex Packs (rare), Collection Events | Craft any Heirloom |
| Crafting Metals | Apex Packs (common) | Craft Legendary/Epic skins |
| Apex Coins | Purchase | Buy packs, bundles, store items |
Don’t spend Heirloom Shards on an Heirloom for a Legend you rarely play. Shards are extremely rare — wait until you’re certain of your main Legend choice before crafting.
Apex Heirloom FAQ
Below are the most common questions about obtaining Heirlooms in Apex Legends.
How Many Apex Packs for a Guaranteed Heirloom?
500 Apex Packs guarantee Heirloom Shards. This counter tracks across all pack types and doesn’t reset. At Level-Up packs alone (approximately 1 pack per level, slowing after level 100), reaching 500 packs purely from free play takes a very long time.
Can You Get Duplicate Heirloom Shards?
No — once you receive Heirloom Shards from the pity system or a Collection Event, the counter resets. You can receive shards multiple times (once per 500-pack cycle or per completed collection event), allowing multiple Heirlooms over time.
Is There a Free Way to Get an Heirloom?
Technically yes through the pity system, but it requires opening 500 Apex Packs. Free players earn packs through leveling and Battle Pass rewards — at 2–3 free packs per week from gameplay, reaching 500 takes years of consistent play. Realistically, most free-to-play players won’t reach the guarantee without spending on Battle Passes.
Which Legend’s Heirloom Is the Most Popular?
Community sentiment consistently ranks Wraith’s Kunai and Octane’s Butterfly Knife among the most popular. Both were early Heirlooms with high visual quality and satisfying animations. Ultimately, the best Heirloom is for the Legend you enjoy playing most.
Do Heirlooms Provide Any Gameplay Advantage?
No — Heirlooms are purely cosmetic. They replace melee animations, add inspect animations, and provide unique kill animations but don’t change any gameplay stats, hitboxes, or mechanics. Apex Legends maintains cosmetic-only purchases at the premium tier.
Heirlooms represent the ceiling of Apex’s cosmetic system — rare enough to feel genuinely special but backed by a pity guarantee that ensures every long-term player eventually earns one.