Apex Legends 'Arenas' Game Mode Explained

Respawn Entertainment has announced a new "permanent game mode" for Apex Legends: Arenas.

They alerted players to the coming content via the official Apex Legends Twitter account in the afternoon of Monday, April 26. According to the tweet, Arenas are supposed to have three-on-three combat, two new custom maps, and feature a "buying phase" for participating players before each round. The mode is set to launch next week on Tuesday, May 4.

Here's our complete breakdown of what to expect.

Apex Legends 'Arenas' Explained

According to a post on the official Apex Legends news blog, Arenas are part of the upcoming "Legacy" update.

The basics are simple: two squads of three players each will go head to head in multiple rounds of combat. The first team to win three rounds and be at least two points ahead of their opponents wins the match. So, if one team can't sweep the other with a score of at least 3-1, the squads will have to continue playing rounds until one is two points ahead of the other—or they forfeit.

Each round starts out giving players an opportunity to switch-up their gear using "materials" either earned via victory or scavenged on the battlefield. Before heading into the fight, players can buy new weapons, modifications, and items to help them succeed. All purchases carry throughout the individual match, but do not carryover to other matches.

There will be two maps available once the mode launches: Phase Runner and Party Crasher.

Phase Runner is a "hidden, experimental zone" at the top of a mountain. It's primarily made up of an unfinished broken circle construction project with an open center. Buildings are in various states of completion--having been abandoned before it could be built.

Party Crasher is a section of an urban downtown plaza that is currently marred by Mirage's crashed ship, Voyage. In contrast to Phase Runner, Party Crasher has several locations to take cover—as well as a few fully explorable two-story buildings.

Three other maps will be thrown in on a bi-weekly rotating schedule: Artillery, Golden Gardens, and Thermal Station.

Playing in Arena mode will also earn progress on players' battle passes.