Apex Legends features a roster of unique characters called Legends, each with a passive ability, a tactical ability (short cooldown), and an ultimate ability (long cooldown). Legends are grouped into five classes: Assault, Skirmisher, Recon, Controller, and Support. Each class also has a shared perk — for example, Recon legends can scan survey beacons to reveal the next ring location.
Assault legends like Bangalore, Ash, and Fuse excel in direct combat. Bangalore's smoke launcher provides cover during fights, and her ultimate bombards an area. Skirmishers such as Wraith, Pathfinder, Octane, and Horizon have enhanced mobility for aggressive repositioning. Wraith can phase to avoid damage, Pathfinder grapples across terrain, and Octane uses a speed boost to rush enemies.
Recon legends including Bloodhound, Seer, and Crypto provide information about enemy positions. Bloodhound's scan reveals nearby enemies through walls, making them the most beginner-friendly Recon legend. Controller legends like Caustic, Wattson, and Catalyst lock down areas with traps and barriers, excelling at defensive play and holding buildings.
Support legends such as Lifeline, Gibraltar, Newcastle, and Conduit keep their squad alive. Lifeline's combat revive deploys a drone to pick up downed teammates while she continues fighting. Gibraltar's dome shield provides instant cover in open areas. For new players, Bangalore is excellent — her smoke provides escape options, her passive grants speed when shot at, and her kit requires no advanced game knowledge to use effectively. Bloodhound is another strong starter pick for learning to track and find enemies.