Apex Legends Season 31 release date is confirmed for November 3, 2026, at 10 AM PT (6 PM UTC). EA has named the season Cipher. It adds a Crypto rework, the Akimbo Wingman, a new Strongholds mechanic, and buffs for Revenant and Lifeline. Respawn will publish full patch notes on November 2. Some weapon figures come from an early test build, so they may change.
Below, you will find the launch time for each region, the main changes, and the weapons getting nerfs.
Apex Legends Season 31 release date and time across regions
Apex Legends Season 31, titled Cipher, starts on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The update goes live at 10 AM PT, which is 6 PM UTC. The date is the same in most regions, but the clock time changes with each time zone.
Players in Asia will see the season begin on November 4. Season 30 ends on November 3.
EA announced Cipher on October 29. Respawn followed with its designer’s notes on October 30. Those notes say full patch notes arrive on November 2, one day before launch.
| Time zone | Date | Release time |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Time (PST) | November 3 | 10 AM |
| Eastern Time (EST) | November 3 | 1 PM |
| UTC | November 3 | 6 PM |
| Central European Time (CET) | November 3 | 7 PM |
| Moscow Standard Time (MSK) | November 3 | 9 PM |
| India Standard Time (IST) | November 3 | 11:30 PM |
| China Standard Time (CST) | November 4 | 2 AM |
| Philippine Time (PHT) | November 4 | 2 AM |
| Korea Standard Time (KST) | November 4 | 3 AM |
| Japan Standard Time (JST) | November 4 | 3 AM |
In India, Season 31 starts at 11:30 PM IST on November 3. In Japan and Korea, it starts at 3 AM on November 4. The IST time is converted from the 6 PM UTC launch.
What is new in Apex Legends Cipher
Apex Legends Cipher brings five main additions, according to EA. They are the Crypto rework, the Akimbo Wingman, Strongholds, Ranked changes, and Legend buffs.
Crypto rework
EA says Crypto’s role changes from passive to aggressive intel gathering. His Surveillance Drone now runs on a battery instead of a cooldown. Players can pick it up and redeploy it without a long wait.
Once placed, the drone enters a new Sentry Mode and tags enemies in sight for the squad. Its EMP Ultimate can now be used with a single button press. Respawn’s designer’s notes put the drone battery at 25 seconds.
Strongholds
Strongholds are the next step after Care Packages. They hold high-tier loot, including crate weapons, corrupted attachments, and EVO for the whole squad.
Opening one takes time and sets off an alarm that shows nearby squads where you are. Each Stronghold also spawns with cover and Hardlight. According to the designer’s notes, 1 Stronghold drops per match alongside the usual Care Packages.
Ranked legend bans
Diamond lobbies and above get Legend Bans. Every player casts 1 vote to ban a Legend. The more votes a Legend gets, the higher the chance of a ban for that match.
Revenant and Lifeline buffs
Revenant gets a shorter Ultimate cooldown and a quicker Tactical. New upgrades let him extend his Ultimate with each knock. He can also silence nearby enemies after a Shadow Pounce, and refresh the Pounce while an enemy is marked.
Lifeline gets a shorter D.O.C. cooldown and can heal herself while gliding. Her new upgrades add an Ultimate cooldown reduction, a shield while reviving, and better flight mobility.
Loba is the one Legend getting a nerf. Her Tactical cooldown rises from 25 to 30 seconds. Her Ultimate cooldown goes from 120 to 150 seconds.
Akimbo Wingman damage and magazine size
EA describes the Akimbo Wingman as a mix of precision and firepower. Respawn says each trigger pull fires both revolvers one after the other, so the weapon works as a burst gun. It is the first new akimbo weapon since Season 22.
The figures below come from an early test build. They may change before launch, so check the November 2 patch notes for final values.
| Stat | Single Wingman | Akimbo Wingman |
|---|---|---|
| Headshot damage | 68 | 56 per bullet |
| Maximum headshot damage per burst | 68 | 112 |
| Fire pattern | Single shot | Two-shot burst |
The 112 damage total needs both bullets to land as headshots. If the second bullet misses, the burst deals less. Early testing also showed the second bullet can drift sideways.
| Magazine | Rounds | Full bursts |
|---|---|---|
| Base | 10 | 5 |
| Level 1 | 12 | 6 |
| Level 2 | 14 | 7 |
| Level 3 | 16 | 8 |
| Overflowing Magazine | 20 | 10 |
A tester reported that a laser sight helped with spread. Final attachment behavior is not confirmed yet.
Season 31 weapon changes
Respawn is nerfing the Prowler and the Nemesis. The notes give no numbers yet. Respawn’s data from October 1 to 7 has the Prowler first in downs and encounter win rate.
The Elite Hemlok, added on 28.1, is being vaulted. The Hemlok Burst AR returns in its place.
Early testing also points to two more changes. The EVA-8 reportedly gets Disruptor Rounds, and the Akimbo Mozambique reportedly moves into Care Packages. Neither is confirmed.
Cryptic Core Volt and map updates
Cipher adds a Mythic Volt SMG called Cryptic Core. It can drop from Cipher Seasonal Packs, which are not available in all regions. The packs also include new skins for Crypto, Wraith, Gibraltar, Revenant, and Horizon.
District returns to night time in this season. Season 32 then brings Kings Canyon Evolved, a reworked map with new and updated points of interest, in early 2027.
For now, the Apex Legends Season 31 release date and time are the main details to note. Full patch notes on November 2 will settle the final weapon and Legend numbers.
