If you’ve spent any time in the Apex Games, you’ve probably run into a legend that made you stop mid-fight and think “I need to play as that character.” Maybe it was a Horizon main popping off with gravity lifts, or a Fuse player wiping your entire squad with a well-placed knuckle cluster. Whatever the case, you’re likely asking how do i unlock legends in Apex without breaking the bank or grinding 24/7. The good news is there are multiple ways to build your legend roster, ranging from completely free methods to affordable paid bundles that give you tons of value. We’ve put together all the info you need, from the fastest ways to earn free currency to common mistakes that will slow down your unlock progress.
How Do I Unlock Legends in Apex: Core Methods to Know
Your first and most accessible option is using 12,000 Legend Tokens to unlock any permanent legend in the game. These tokens are earned completely for free just by playing matches and leveling up your account, no purchases required. Every time you gain an account level, you get 600 Legend Tokens, so you’ll have enough for a new legend every 20 levels you earn. This method works for every legend that’s not part of the latest season, right after their initial launch season wraps up.
If you don’t want to wait to grind levels, you can use 750 Apex Coins to unlock any legend instantly. Apex Coins are the game’s premium currency, which you can buy directly from the in-game store with real money. This is the fastest option if you have your eye on a specific legend and don’t have time to grind for tokens. You can also use Apex Coins to buy limited-time legend bundles that come with exclusive skins and other cosmetic rewards, if you want extra value for your purchase.
For brand new legends that launch with a new season, you don’t have to wait until the season ends to unlock them for free. You can get the latest legend at free season pass tier 45 just by completing challenges and earning XP during the season. If you buy the premium season pass, you’ll get the new legend instantly at tier 1, no grinding required. Once the season ends, the new legend moves to the permanent roster, available for 12,000 Legend Tokens or 750 Apex Coins like all other older legends.
Fastest Free Ways to Earn Legend Tokens Fast
Most players choose to unlock legends for free, and you don’t have to play 8 hours a day to earn enough tokens for a new character every few weeks. There are simple tricks to boost your XP gains, which directly translates to more Legend Tokens faster. The key is to prioritize actions that give you the highest XP per minute spent in game, instead of just spamming matches without a plan.
- Claim your first win of the day bonus every 24 hours for a 50% XP boost on that match, even if you only have time for one quick game a day
- Stack 5% XP boosts per squad mate by playing with 1-2 friends, for up to 15% extra XP per match that adds up quickly over time
- Prioritize weekly battle pass challenges first, as they give 25,000+ XP each, enough for nearly half a level per completed challenge
- Stick around for full matches even if you die early, as you still get XP for your squad's performance and time spent in the game, plus you can learn from better players while you wait
One thing a lot of new players don’t know is that Apex has no account level cap, so you’ll never stop earning Legend Tokens no matter how long you play. Even if you hit level 500, you’ll keep leveling up and earning 600 tokens per level just like before. If you play 3-4 matches a day, you can easily earn enough tokens for a new legend every 2-3 weeks, without burning out on grinding.
Paid Unlock Options: Are They Worth the Cost?
Paid unlocks are a great option if you don’t have a lot of time to play, or if you want to access a specific legend right away without waiting for free currency. Not all paid options are created equal though, so it’s important to pick the one that gives you the most value for your money, instead of buying individual legends one by one if you don’t have to.
The Champion Edition is by far the best value for new players who only have the base roster of 6 free legends. It usually costs around $20 and comes with 9-10 of the most recent permanent legends, plus 1,000 Apex Coins and several exclusive character skins. If you were to buy all those legends individually with Apex Coins, it would cost you nearly $70, so this bundle saves you a ton of money if you’re just starting out.
The premium season pass is another great deal, especially if you play regularly enough to hit tier 100 before the season ends. It costs 950 Apex Coins (roughly $10), but you earn 1,000 Apex Coins back as you level up the pass, so you can use those coins to buy the next season’s pass for free. You also get the new legend instantly at tier 1, plus dozens of skins, weapon charms, and other cosmetic rewards as you level up. It’s essentially free if you play enough during the season, so it’s a no-brainer for regular players.
If you only want one specific legend and don’t want to buy a bundle, you can unlock them directly for 750 Apex Coins. This is the most expensive option per legend, but it’s worth it if you’ve tested the legend on the free rotation and know you’ll main them for months to come. Keep an eye on the store for limited-time sales too, where you can often get individual legend unlocks for 50% off during holiday or anniversary events.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Unlocking Legends
It’s easy to waste weeks of grinding or hard-earned money on mistakes that new players often make when unlocking their first legends. Avoid these common missteps to build your roster faster and pick characters you’ll actually enjoy playing long term.
The biggest mistake we see new players make is unlocking a legend just because they’re considered meta, without testing them first on the free weekly legend rotation. The meta shifts every season, and a legend that’s overpowered right now might get nerfed next patch, leaving you stuck with a character you don’t actually enjoy playing. Test every legend on the free rotation first to make sure their abilities fit your playstyle, whether you prefer to play support, assault, recon, or controller.
Another common mistake is spending Legend Tokens on Legend Token exclusive recolors before you’ve unlocked all the legends you want. These recolors usually cost 6,500 or 10,500 Legend Tokens each, which is nearly enough for a full legend unlock. It’s fine to buy these skins once you have all the legends you want, but if you’re still building your roster, save your tokens for character unlocks first.
A lot of players also forget to grind the free season pass track when a new legend launches. If you play even a few matches a week during a new season, you can easily hit tier 45 and get the new legend for free, instead of spending 12,000 Legend Tokens on them once the season ends. If you’re planning to unlock the new legend anyway, taking advantage of the free season pass track saves you weeks of extra grinding later.
Finally, don’t buy individual legends if you’re planning to pick up the Champion Edition down the line. The Champion Edition includes most of the older legends, so if you buy a few individually first, you’ll end up wasting money on characters you would have gotten anyway in the bundle. If you’re new, wait to buy any individual legends until you’ve decided whether the Champion Edition is a good fit for you.
At the end of the day, the answer to how do i unlock legends in Apex depends entirely on your play schedule and budget. If you play a few times a week, you can easily earn enough tokens for a new legend every 2-3 weeks without spending a cent, as long as you prioritize high-XP activities and avoid wasting tokens on unnecessary items. If you want to jump straight into playing your favorite character, paid options like the Champion Edition or premium season pass offer great value for your money, as long as you pick the right bundle for your needs. Take time to test legends on the free rotation first, and you’ll build a roster that fits your playstyle perfectly in no time.