The latest update in Apex Legends has certainly stirred things up, especially concerning the game’s support characters. It isn’t unusual for updates to shake up the meta, but this time, Newcastle seems to have come out on top.
This season has had its ups and downs, largely due to its release quirks. Fans have been grumbling more about monetization, and to add fuel to the fire, the rollout was peculiar to say the least. Instead of the usual fanfare, teasers came through sponsored art, and the trailers didn’t drop until the season was already live. This deviation from the norm left many wondering if Season 23 was somewhat hurried in its production.
On a brighter note, fans finally witnessed the rework of Lifeline that had been whispering through the leak channels for over a year. Alongside Lifeline’s revamp, the entire support class experienced a transformation. What used to be their staple perk—crafting banners for fallen comrades—became a standard feature available to all classes. This change opened the door for new attributes exclusive to the support role. Yet, these additions haven’t come without their surprises, turning the expected perks into game-changers at times.
Now, support Legends enjoy faster mobility while healing and receive double the advantage from smaller health items—previously a luxury afforded by a rare golden EVO shield. Additionally, these Legends can now perform quicker revives and facilitate a health regen on allies they bring back to life. They even have the handy ability to know if a deathbox harbors a Mobile Respawn Beacon without needing to open it first.
These new abilities have significantly boosted support characters, who were already formidable. Compared to other classes’ perks, like extra ammo carrying or better shielding when inside the ring, Support Legends are reaping substantial benefits. The meta quickly adapted, with support-focused team compositions climbing to prominence. Newcastle, in particular, has become a powerhouse, compelling Respawn to tweak the game to keep things balanced.
When first introduced, Newcastle didn’t capture players’ hearts immediately, but his abilities were always strong. Season 23, however, has cemented his place thanks to the Support class’s new revive perks. Newcastle’s tactical edge lies in his Passive, enabling him to shift allies to safety while reviving and simultaneously deploying his Knockdown Shield as protection. In the heat of battle, these swift revives are a game-changer, often making it tricky for opponents to disrupt his efforts.
Teaming Newcastle with other Support Legends like Gibraltar and Lifeline can be a potent strategy. With unique revive abilities and ultimate skills that provide protective shields, this trio becomes exceptionally hard to eliminate. Even if one falls in battle, the others can rally quickly and revive without a hitch, not to mention the healing perks they enjoy after getting back on their feet.
Previously, the Golden Knockdown Shield, which boosts the health of revived allies, made this dynamic even more formidable. Though it had been around for a while, it recently acquired this powerful capability, which meshed perfectly with Newcastle’s style. Those revived by him not only got the shield’s protection but also extra health in addition to Support-class healing perks. Although this item has been pulled from Season 23, Newcastle and other support legends remain forces on the battlefield.
Apex Legends continues to evolve, constantly challenging players to adapt their strategies and capitalize on the game’s deep tactical landscape. As Respawn tweaks and tunes, players must stay sharp, ensuring their gameplay remains as dynamic and inventive as the Legends they command.
