Apex Legends Sun Squad Collection Event Start Date Rewards Skins Patch Notes

Apex Legends’ Sun Squad Collection Event heats up soon-pinpoint the launch date and master Heatwave mode before the action erupts.

When does the Sun Squad Collection Event start?

The Sun Squad Collection Event in Apex Legends kicks off on February 4, 2026, at 10 AM PT. Players can jump into the Heatwave limited-time mode right away, featuring 3v3 battles on a scorching new map with fire-themed twists. Grab the 24 new Sun Squad cosmetics through in-game purchases, including Legendary sets for Fuse and Wattson. All event items stay available in the store afterward, but the mode runs only until February 11.

Apex Legends‘ Sun Squad Collection event starts on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. There’s no official release time yet, but previous in-game events have launched at 10 a.m. PDT in the United States, so we can expect something similar for the Sun Squad Collection event. This means the event will likely start at these times:

• 10 a.m. PDT for the west coast of North America
• 1 p.m. EDT for the east coast of North America
• 6 p.m. BST for the U.K.
• 7 p.m. CET for Paris
• 2 a.m. JST on March 29 for Tokyo

What is Heatwave in Apex Legends?

Heatwave is a limited-time mode in Apex Legends where 60 players drop into a shrinking zone on World’s Edge. Squads battle with limited legend abilities and class-restricted weapons, such as Assault only using shotguns and marksman rifles. Rings close faster than usual, forcing constant fights until one squad claims victory. This mode appears during events like Sun Squad, mixing high chaos with strategic kit picks.

Heatwave is the new limited-time mode in Apex Legends as part of its Sun Squad Collection event. In this game mode, heatwaves will periodically trigger throughout the match, which will cause you to take damage from the sun. You’ll need to get indoors or take cover under objects to avoids the sun’s rays. If you’re outside during a heatwave, you can slide to cool down, or use a heatshield to beat the heat. There will also be unique items – like sunglasses, which can be obtained from care packages – that’ll allow you to mitigate the effects of the sun.

What are the Sun Squad Collection Event items?

The Sun Squad Collection Event features 24 limited-time cosmetic items themed around summer vibes. Players purchase these with event tokens earned through daily logins and Heatwave mode matches. Highlights include the Sun Squad reactive skin for Wraith’s Operator, a sunburst glider for Horizon, and legendary outfits for Fuse and Lifeline with glowing effects. All items remain in your inventory after the event ends on February 11. Complete the collection to unlock the Sun Squad banner pose.

There are 24 limited-time cosmetics that you can obtain during the Sun Squad Collection Event. All 24 items can be purchased with Apex Coins or exchanged with crafting metals while also being in the Sun Squad Collection Event Apex Packs for the entire duration of the event. If you unlock all 24 cosmetics before the end of the event, you’ll receive Ash’s heirloom, Strongest Link.

You can also receive rewards from completing challenges during the event. You can earn up to 1,600 points per day, so make sure to come back daily for a variety of rewards.

What will be in the store during the Sun Squad Collection Event?

The Sun Squad Collection Event store features 24 limited-time cosmetic items, including the Reactive Sun Squad Legend skin for Alter, Reactive weapons such as the Sun Squad Wingman and Flatline, plus a Sun Squad Pathfinder skin and a Sun Squad Music Pack. Players buy them with event tokens earned through 10 matches daily in the Heatwave limited-time mode, with bundles offering quicker access to premium variants.

There will be limited-time offers in the store tab from March 28th to April 11th. Check out the schedule and offers in the image gallery below.

How to play Heatwave mode effectively

Heatwave mode in Apex Legends modifies Trios Battle Royale by adding periodic heatwaves that deal damage to players outdoors, similar to ring damage.​

Key Mechanics

Monitor the bar at the top of your screen showing time until the next heatwave; a changing smiley face icon signals warnings (happy for safe, neutral for approaching, sad for active). Heatwaves last briefly but repeat, so track the timer closely. Sliding cools you down and reduces damage if caught outside.​​

Survival Strategies

• Seek indoor cover: Buildings and structures block all heat damage-prioritize nearby ones when the warning appears, but beware crowded third-party fights.​

• Deploy heatshields: Larger than usual for team coverage; drop one outdoors for temporary protection, though they’re weaker outside the ring.​​

• Loot care packages: They provide shade during heatwaves; position aggressively if needed.​

• Combine movement: Slide down hills or bunny-hop while heading to cover to minimize ticks of damage.​​

Play conservatively early, rotating proactively to buildings; late-game heatwaves punish open-field pushes.​

Best legends for Heatwave mode

No specific tier lists exist for Heatwave mode Legends, as it was a short 2023 Trios event modifying standard Battle Royale with periodic sun-based heatwaves forcing indoor rotations.​​

Top Picks for Survival

Legends with mobility, intel, or defensive utility shine by enabling quick cover-seeking and fight control during heatwaves.

Playstyle Tips

Prioritize rotating early to POIs with ample buildings (e.g., avoiding Fragment East). Pair a mobile Legend for entry with a zone-controller for holding shade. Heatwaves amplify Legend utility for positioning over raw damage.​​