Apex Legends is getting a Duos mode next week

(Image credit: Electronic Arts)

Apex Legends is a free-to-play battle royale that pits teams of three players against each other in a do-or-die duel to the death. But on November 5, everything changes—for awhile, at least.

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It is possible that "everything changes" is overselling it, I admit, but even though the basic "gear up, shoot guys, don't die" gameplay will remain unchanged, playing in teams of two rather than three will require a different approach. I'm not sufficiently skilled in the battle royale genre to predict how top players might approach the different dynamic, but I would expect it to prompt a more cautious approach to combat: Your options for recovery are far fewer when the loss of your partner leaves you hanging on your own, after all.

Duos mode will be available for a limited time, although EA hasn't yet said when that time will come to an end. More information will no doubt be revealed when the action gets underway, so we'll fill in the blanks for you when we can.

Andy Chalk

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.