Octane & Horizon Get the Zap! Apex Legends' Latest Update: Is Respawn Playing Whack-A-Legend?
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Respawn has zapped two fan-favourite Apex Legends, Octane and Horizon, with nerfs in a recent January 2026 update, aiming to curb their overpowering pick rates and 'squirrely' synergy after previous buffs had them dominating the meta.
Right, so I've been tinkering with the digital ether this morning, and it seems the folks over at Respawn have been at it again with Apex Legends. As originally reported by the ever-observant Tyler Shipley over at Game Rant, a recent patch has seen the digital equivalent of a cosmic ray zap two of the game’s most popular Legends – Octane and Horizon – right out of their top-tier perch. And honestly, it’s wilder than it first appeared.
You know that feeling when you cast a spell and it works a bit *too* well? Like accidentally summoning a full-blown dragon when you just wanted a friendly flame-wisp? That’s sort of what I reckon happened with Octane and Horizon in the lead-up to this latest shake-up. For a while now, these two high-fliers have been dominating the meta like nobody's business, with pick rates that’d make a lesser Legend weep into their energy drink.
Let’s rewind a bit, shall we? Season 27 saw Horizon, our favourite gravitational manipulator, get a lovely little buff to her Gravity Lift, making it feel a bit more like her glorious launch-day kit back in Season 7. Players were chuffed, and she quickly found her way back into many a squad. Then, during the mid-season shenanigans, Octane, that adrenaline-junkie speed demon, got a proper rework. His old Tactical got a new name – 'Stim Surge' – and he became, well, a fair bit harder to put down. Like a digital cockroach, but, you know, a very cool, very fast one.
Unsurprisingly, these changes sent their pick rates soaring. According to Apex Legends Status, Octane was clocking in at a hefty 16.5% pick rate, making him almost a permanent fixture in lobbies. Horizon, while not quite hitting those dizzying heights, was still sitting comfortably in the top ten at 4.5%. So, two legends, recently buffed, flying high. What’s a developer to do when their spellcasting gets a bit out of hand?
Enter the January 23rd patch, which decided it was time to rein in some of that rampant power. For Octane, his 'Swift Mend' ability – the one that made him such a pain to kill – has had its healing potency dialled down. Maximum healing dropped from 9 to 6, and minimum healing from 3 to 2. It's not a complete gutting, but it’s definitely going to make him feel a bit more… human, I suppose. Less of an unkillable blur, more of a slightly-less-unkillable blur.
Horizon’s nerf is a touch more specific, targeting her 'NEWT Scoot' upgrade. This little gem, which let players glide after using her Gravity Lift, has seen its maximum glide time slashed from 5 seconds down to a mere 2.5. And the maximum speed? Reduced from 700 to 550. Essentially, she's not quite as nimble or as elusive when using that particular escape route. It means she'll be a bit easier to track, a bit less like a phantom slipping through your fingers.
Now, for the *why*. Respawn’s reasoning, as always, is where it gets interesting. They noted that Octane’s pick rate hadn’t settled down to a “healthy” level since his rework. 'Healthy' is a funny word, isn't it? Does it mean diverse? Balanced? Or just 'not so popular that everyone else feels left out'? It’s like a digital wizard trying to ensure all their magical creatures get equal screen time, rather than letting the flashy ones hog the spotlight. These changes, they reckon, should make him a bit less durable and bring his popularity back into line. Fair enough, I suppose, if you’re trying to prevent one legend from becoming the default choice for practically every squad.
Horizon’s changes, though, come with a bit of a curious twist. Respawn stated they were actually quite happy with her individual pick rate. So, why the nerf? Ah, here’s the kicker: it’s her “synergy with Octane” that was deemed “squirrely.” Squirrely! What a wonderfully vague term! Was it game-breaking? Unintended? Or just so bloody effective that it made other team compositions look like they were trying to fight a dragon with a wet noodle? It conjures images of devs in lab coats, watching two digital characters interact, and suddenly shouting, “By Jove, that’s squirrely!” It’s the kind of unexpected interaction that probably had them scratching their heads like a wizard whose two spells combined into a totally new, slightly chaotic, and far too powerful, incantation.
From a player's perspective, this is a bit of a rollercoaster, especially for Octane mains. They finally got a meaningful rework that brought their boy back from the brink of competitive irrelevance, only to see a significant part of that power reined in so soon after. It’s like being promised a grand feast, only to have the chef sneakily swap out the prime steak for... well, a slightly smaller, less juicy steak. Horizon players, particularly those who relied on the NEWT Scoot upgrade for those cheeky escapes, will also feel the pinch. It’s an upgrade, mind you, so not every Horizon player will feel it directly, but it definitely impacts her mobility options.
What does this mean for the wider Apex Games meta? Well, that’s the million-dollar question, isn't it? With the Winter Wipeout event wrapping up on January 27th and Season 28 just around the corner (expected February 3rd), Respawn is clearly gearing up for another significant shift. This isn't just about tweaking numbers; it's about constantly nudging the balance, trying to keep the game fresh and dynamic. Will these nerfs open up opportunities for other Legends to shine? Will we see new dominant duos emerge from the digital fray? It’s a constant, fascinating dance between developer intent and player ingenuity, and honestly, that’s what makes live service games so bloody captivating.
So, while some mains might be a tad disappointed, I reckon it’s all part of the grand plan. Respawn wants a diverse battleground, not a one-trick pony show. Time will tell if these changes hit the sweet spot, or if they’ll need another round of magical tinkering. But one thing's for sure: the digital sands of the Outlands never stay still for long, and I for one, am curious to see what chaotic beauty emerges next.
Tags: Apex Legends, Game Update, Battle Royale, Legend Nerfs, Game Meta
Original article: Game Rant