The Apex Legends Winter Wipeout 2026 event functions as the primary mid-season systems update for Season 27 (Amped), introducing a temporary ruleset that meaningfully alters movement, combat pacing, and squad sustain. More than a cosmetic event, Winter Wipeout acts as a live testbed for experimental traversal mechanics, legend power redistribution, and economy-driven progression.
Running from January 6 to January 27, with select cosmetics available until February 10, the event reshapes how players approach Olympus through Wild Card modifiers, hoverboard-based rotations, and targeted legend reworks. Understanding these systems is critical for adapting to the faster tempo and avoiding inefficient resource or loadout decisions.
This guide provides a technical breakdown of how Winter Wipeout works, what has changed from the base game, and how to extract maximum value from the event.
What This Guide Covers
- Winter Wipeout event structure and timelines, including gameplay windows and cosmetic tail periods
- Glint currency mechanics, Reward Shop rotations, and optimal spending priorities
- Legend meta changes, with detailed analysis of Octane, Newcastle, and Crypto reworks
- Hoverboard traversal mechanics, EVO Combo progression, and combat limitations
- Wildcard match rules, including the full modifier rotation and their strategic impact
- Map, weapon, and UI changes affecting Olympus during the event
- Apex Stellaris Prestige Skin, collection requirements, and reward structure
- Known issues and hotfixes, including platform-specific limitations
Event Economy Explained: Glint, Reward Shop Rotations & Best Spending Strategy
The Legends Winter Wipeout event introduces a dedicated progression currency known as Glint. This resource governs the event’s Reward Shop and is strictly limited to the duration of the event window.
- Earning Glint: Players can earn up to 1,750 Glint every 24 hours by completing event-specific daily challenges.
- Glint Spending Priority: Currency does not convert and will be forfeited after the Reward Shop closes on January 27. Note that Glint alone is not intended to complete the full 24-item collection; it primarily supplements Winter Wipeout event packs and select cosmetics. It is recommended to prioritize rewards as follows:
| Priority | Item | Why It Matters |
| High | Winter Wipeout Event Packs | Required to complete the 24-item event collection and unlock the Apex Stellaris Prestige Skin; duplicate protection ensures efficient progression |
| Medium | Epic Wattson Skin | Guaranteed Epic cosmetic that rotates out at the mid-event Reward Shop refresh |
| Low | Rotating Cosmetics | Supplemental rewards best purchased with leftover Glint before the shop rotation |
Legend Meta Changes in Winter Wipeout 2026 (Octane, Newcastle, Crypto)
According to the latest Apex Legends Patch Notes, the developer’s intent for this update was to reduce “dead time” for tactical legends while increasing team-wide utility.
Octane Rework in Winter Wipeout 2026: Stim Surge, Swift Mend & Jump Pad Buffs
Octane has transitioned into a “high-risk, high-reward” specialist. A Stim Surge dev note highlights that these changes aim to provide more urgency and survivability in close-quarters combat.
- Swift Mend (Passive): Healing now scales more the less HP Octane has. The baseline has increased to 3.0 HP/s, reaching a maximum of 9.0 HP/s at critical health levels.
- Octane Stim Surge: A significant Stim Surge added to his kit allows players to activate stim surge by using a second tactical while an existing stim is active. This secondary activation costs 0 HP and triggers Swift Mend immediately.
- Combat Benefits: During the Stim Surge duration, Swift Mend continues to heal through damage. The state grants “Fortified” status (15% damage reduction and immunity to bullet slow).
- Visuals and Timing: The update includes a new Octane’s Stim Surge syringe model and stim animation. The base Stim Surge duration is 6 seconds, but players can increase the Stim Surge duration via the “Daredevil” perk.
- Ultimate and Movement: Octane now carries two charges in his base kit. Redirection handling and aerial agility are innate features. Additionally, Octane has an upgrade option for a triple jump. With the “Squad Rush” perk, teammates who land from Octane’s jump pad receive a Stim effect; this is effectively how the jump pad gains stim utility for the squad. Stim costs for standard use remain unchanged.
Newcastle Buffs Explained: Shield Speed, Revive Resets & Defensive Line
Newcastle has been tuned to feel more agile through a shift in his base kit movement speed.
- Base Kit Adjustments: Swift Shield and Hero’s Hustle are now baseline, removing the need to select them as upgrades. This frees Newcastle’s upgrade tree for new defensive utility options, allowing the upgrade tree to focus on new defensive utility and replace Swift Shield or Heroes Hustle ready with improved sustain. Tactical shield speed is increased to 250, and revive movement penalties are reduced.
- Newcastle Upgrades: The new defensive line upgrade ensures that both the tactical shield and the revive shield knock back enemies on contact. The “Ready to Rumble” perk now triggers full shield regeneration and a weapon reload upon completing a revive.
Crypto Changes in Winter Wipeout: Faster Drone, Threat Vision & Power Coupling
- Drone Optimization: Launching the drone is now nearly twice as fast (0.7s). A new passive grants Crypto long-range threat vision while piloting, and base kit crypto cloaks him while he is in drone view.
- Integrated Utility: The drone satellite imagery incorporated into his kit increases scan duration. Crypto can now collect Evo Harvesters crypto style via the drone, and crypto gains ultimate charge by scanning enemies or beacons through the Power Coupling upgrade. The grid and satellite imagery buffs ensure the drone remains a constant squad asset. In practice, these changes can favor more consistent mid-range engagements.
Hoverboards in Apex Legends Winter Wipeout: Movement Tech, EVO Combos & Combat Uses
The hoverboard is the defining feature of the Winter Wipeout event. Occupying the survival item slot, it persists through death and respawns in the Wildcard playlist.
- Advanced Traversal: Players can utilize a wall ride trick or perform various aerial tricks to navigate Olympus. Chaining these moves creates “EVO Combos,” which provide direct rewards toward shield progression.
- Abilities: The board features a double jump capability and specialized zipline interactions for directional momentum.
- Ramming Speed: Colliding with an enemy deals damage and knockback that scales with velocity. Riders are susceptible to a “knockoff” if they sustain heavy damage. This expanded movement tech enables faster rotations than in previous seasons.
Wildcard Match Rules Explained: Go-Go Ammo, Brain Freeze & Rotation Pool
The playlist features rotating match rules that alter the rules of engagement. Note that these are rotating effects and are not all active simultaneously.
| Modifier | Effect |
| Brain Freeze | Headshots deal extra damage and greatly slow opponents. |
| Love Potion | Using a consumable also heals nearby allies. |
| Protective Launch | Utilizing a jump pad triggers small shield regen. |
| Go-Go Ammo | Match-wide infinite ammo rule. |
| Extra Zippy | Shield replenishment and speed boosts on ziplines. |
| Smoke Out | Modifies smoke-related mechanics. |
| Drone Support | Modifies drone-related mechanics for the squad. |
Full Rotation Pool: Go-Go Ammo, Fast Draw, Burning Rubber, Speedy Charge, Stowed Reload, Extra Zippy, The Quick and the Dead, Get Up and Go, Drone Support, and Smoke Out. If tactical utility is used correctly, drone support smoke and other Wild Card effects can completely shift the tide of a match.
Map, Weapon & UI Changes in Winter Wipeout 2026
Olympus has received performance and collision fixes, particularly regarding the phase driver, Gravity Engine, and “MAZE” areas.
- Weapon Tuning: The R301 and Flatline received a +1 damage buff. The Prowler SMG had its burst delay damage adjusted to reward Select Fire accuracy. The Rampage features a 120-second revved duration, and the drone satellite imagery facilitates better reconnaissance. Minor buffs were applied to the RE-45 (burst recoil) and Mozambique (close-range projectile size).
- Technical Fixes: The Infinite Ammo Amp is now compatible with Care Package weapons. Vantage’s tactical range finder and its blue dot surrounding UI have been corrected for accuracy following issues in previous builds. Valkyrie fixed the issue regarding melee interruptions.
- UI and Quality of Life: Support legends have the mobile respawn pickup animation removed for faster looting. Inbox messages automatically delete after 30 days. The system now grants urgent message communication and usual gifting messages directly to the inbox to reduce pop-up reward messages. This centralized urgent message communication system declutters the active HUD.
Horizon Apex Stellaris Prestige Skin: How to Unlock & What’s Included
The centerpiece of the event is the Apex Stellaris Prestige Skin. This Mythic-tier cosmetic includes three tiers of evolving visuals, a unique finisher, and a dive trail. It is obtainable by completing the full 24-item event collection. The collection also features winter sports-themed Legendary skins for Bloodhound, Alter, Fuse, Mad Maggie, Gibraltar, and Newcastle.
Known Issues, Hotfixes & Stability Updates (Winter Wipeout 2026)
- Brain Freeze: Temporarily removed on PlayStation due to crash reports; a fix is currently being evaluated.
- Phase Driver Audio: A high-pitched ringing sound near the Phase Driver area has been addressed.
- Stability: General stability improvements continue to be evaluated around complex map geometry.
The Apex Legends Winter Wipeout event is a high-octane experiment that rewards movement mastery and rapid squad resets. By leveraging the new Octane’s Stim Surge syringe and mastering the expanded movement tech provided by the hoverboard, squads can maintain a relentless tempo throughout Split 2. Monitor the Wild Card rotations closely and ensure all Glint is spent before the January 27 deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Apex Legends Winter Wipeout 2026 event?
The Winter Wipeout 2026 event is a limited-time mid-season update for Apex Legends Season 27 (Amped) that introduces experimental systems designed to increase match tempo and player movement. Unlike standard collection events, Winter Wipeout significantly alters gameplay through hoverboard traversal, rotating Wild Card match rules, and targeted legend reworks. The event primarily affects Battle Royale matches on Olympus and functions as both a live event and a balance-testing phase for new mechanics.
When does the Winter Wipeout 2026 event start and end?
Winter Wipeout launched on January 6, 2026, and its gameplay features—including Wild Card modifiers, hoverboards, and the Reward Shop—remain active until January 27, 2026. After this date, event-specific mechanics are removed, but the cosmetic store remains open until February 10, allowing players additional time to purchase event skins using Apex Coins or Crafting Metals.
What is Glint and how do you earn it in Winter Wipeout?
Glint is a temporary event-exclusive currency introduced specifically for Winter Wipeout 2026. Players earn Glint by completing daily event challenges, with a maximum cap of 1,750 Glint per 24-hour period. Glint is used exclusively in the Winter Wipeout Reward Shop and cannot be earned outside the event window or used elsewhere in Apex Legends.
Does Glint carry over after the Winter Wipeout event ends?
No, Glint does not persist beyond the event. Any unspent Glint is automatically forfeited once the Reward Shop closes on January 27, 2026. The currency does not convert into Crafting Metals, Apex Coins, or Battle Pass Stars, which makes proactive spending before the deadline essential.
What should you spend Glint on first?
The highest-value use of Glint is on Winter Wipeout Event Packs, as they feature duplicate protection and directly contribute toward completing the 24-item event collection. After Event Packs, players should prioritize high-value rotating cosmetics—such as the Epic Wattson skin—before the mid-event shop refresh. Lower-priority cosmetic items should only be purchased once core rewards are secured.
Can Glint alone unlock the Apex Stellaris Prestige Skin?
No, Glint is not designed to fully unlock the Apex Stellaris Prestige Skin on its own. While Glint can be used to purchase Event Packs and select cosmetics, completing the 24-item collection typically requires additional Event Packs purchased with Apex Coins or Crafting Metals. Glint is intended to supplement progress, not replace direct purchases.
Which legends received changes during Winter Wipeout 2026?
Winter Wipeout includes focused balance updates for Octane, Newcastle, and Crypto. These changes aim to reduce ability downtime, improve movement fluidity, and increase squad-based utility. Rather than broad balance passes, the update targets specific pain points in each legend’s kit to better align them with the faster-paced event environment.
How does Octane’s Stim Surge work?
Octane’s new Stim Surge mechanic allows him to activate a second stim while an existing stim is already active. This secondary activation costs no health, enables Swift Mend to heal through incoming damage, and grants temporary damage reduction and bullet-slow immunity. The mechanic transforms Octane into a high-risk entry legend who can sustain momentum during aggressive pushes.
What makes Newcastle stronger in the Winter Wipeout meta?
Newcastle benefits from several mobility and survivability upgrades that significantly improve his ability to reset fights. Faster Tactical shield movement, reduced revive penalties, and perks that restore shields and reload weapons on successful revives make him especially effective in prolonged engagements. These changes position Newcastle as one of the most reliable defensive anchors during Winter Wipeout.
What changes were made to Crypto in Winter Wipeout?
Crypto’s drone deploy time has been reduced to approximately 0.7 seconds, minimizing downtime when entering or exiting drone view. He also gains long-range Threat Vision while piloting and can collect Evo Harvesters using the drone. Additional upgrades allow Crypto to generate ultimate charge by scanning enemies or beacons, increasing his overall contribution without slowing squad tempo.
How do hoverboards work in Winter Wipeout?
Hoverboards are survival-slot items available in the Wild Card playlist that persist through respawns. They enable advanced movement options such as double jumps, wall rides, zipline momentum transfers, and trick chaining. Successfully chaining tricks creates EVO Combos, which directly contribute to EVO Shield progression without requiring combat.
Can you fight while using a hoverboard?
Players cannot fire weapons while riding a hoverboard, which limits their direct combat capability. However, hoverboards can be used offensively by ramming enemies, with damage and knockback scaling based on speed. Taking heavy damage while mounted can knock players off the board, making hoverboards best suited for rotations, entries, and disengages rather than sustained firefights.
What are Wild Card modifiers in Winter Wipeout?
Wild Card modifiers are rotating match-wide rule changes that alter gameplay each match. Examples include Go-Go Ammo, which grants infinite ammunition, and Brain Freeze, which enhances headshots with slowing effects. Only a subset of modifiers is active at a time, requiring players to adapt their loadouts and positioning dynamically.
What weapon changes are included in the Winter Wipeout update?
The update includes targeted weapon balance adjustments to support the faster-paced meta. The R-301 and Flatline received minor damage buffs, the Prowler benefits from improved Select Fire timing, and the Rampage features an extended revved duration. Smaller buffs were also applied to the RE-45 and Mozambique to improve close-range consistency.
How do you unlock the Apex Stellaris Prestige Skin?
The Apex Stellaris Prestige Skin is unlocked by completing the full 24-item Winter Wipeout event collection. Once unlocked, the skin evolves through three visual tiers and includes a unique finisher and dive trail. Players can complete the collection through a combination of Event Packs, direct purchases, and limited Glint rewards during the event window.
