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Outriders: Worldslayer has overhauled the difficulty system of the base game, replacing the Challenge Tier system with Apocalypse Tiers. While both systems are similar on the surface, Apocalypse Tiers provide greater gameplay alterations than Challenge Tiers ever did, especially when it comes to rewards.
All players—those who own and don't own Worldslayer—will have access to this system by default, scaling the difficulty and rewards from all activities in Outriders. Those who learn this system and maximize their builds will be able to earn some of this game's best items. Here is a complete guide to Apocalypse Tiers in Outriders.
What Are Apocalypse Tiers?
Apocalypse Tiers serve as Outriders' difficulty scalar, allowing you to adjust the game's difficulty and rewards. You'll start the game at Apocalypse Tier 1, providing no difficulty and loot modifiers. By playing Outriders at the highest available Apocalypse Tier, you'll earn progress towards the next tier, allowing you to earn better loot at the cost of fighting tougher foes.
As for why this system is important:
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Apocalypse Tiers determine the item level for all drops.
- This also affects crafting.
- Higher tiers grant a higher chance of earning Legendary and Apocalypse gear.
- The difficulty of your game is mostly determined by this system.
Unlocking Apocalypse Tiers
Playing Outriders as the highest available Apocalypse Tier will contribute progress towards your next tier. Any XP you earn will slowly build up your progress towards the next tier. When a new Apocalypse Tier is unlocked, the game will automatically increase your current tier. You may change your Apocalypse Tier at any time by pressing Escape and selecting the "Apocalypse Tier" option.
Apocalypse Tiers affect all game types, including the campaign. Players that experienced Outriders' legacy Challenge Tier system will have their highest rank grandfathered into the Apocalypse Tier system. For example, if you reached Challenge Tier 15 before Worldslayer came out, you'll have Apocalypse Tier 15 unlocked on your character. Apocalypse Tiers affect all versions of Outriders, even if you don't own Worldslayer.
Apocalypse Tier Cap
Your Apocalypse Tier cap depends on content ownership. The base game's Apocalypse Tier cap is 15, while Worldslayer increases this cap to 40. Increasing your Apocalypse Tier is the same for both versions of the game.
Apocalypse Tier Rewards
Increasing your Apocalypse Tier enhances all loot drops and even provides character buffs. Drop rates for Legendary gear and Apocalypse gear depend mostly on what your current Apocalypse Tier is. The higher your tier, the rarer the rewards you'll receive. Your maximum tier also determines your equippable item level. For example, having an Apocalypse Tier of 15 means you can equip level 50 items. If you're at Apocalypse Tier 40, that item level cap increases to 75.
Beyond that, higher Apocalypse Tiers also introduce character boons. Some of these buffs include:
- Max Health
- Cooldown Reduction
- Life Leech
- Status Power
- Healing Received.
Hover over any Apocalypse Tier to see what modifiers it's applying to your instance.
Apocalypse Tier FAQ
What's The Difference Between Apocalypse Tiers And World Tiers?
World Tiers only affect the campaign, while Apocalypse Tiers affect the entire game. Apocalypse Tiers also scale further and have better reward boons than World Tiers—provided you own the Worldslayer expansion. You can switch between the two scaling methods from the Apocalypse Tier menu, although we find Apocalypse Tiers to be an objectively better system in just about every circumstance.
What Happened To Challenge Tiers?
Challenge Tiers have been removed from Outriders and replaced with Apocalypse Tiers. This affects both the base edition of Outriders and the Worldslayer expansion.
What's The Most Optimal Apocalypse Tier?
Use the Apocalypse Tier that lets you comfortably farm activities. You'll want to increase your Apocalypse Tier cap whenever possible, but it's far more important to have efficient clears if you're looking to farm a specific Expedition or Tarya Gratar. If you ever hit a wall while progressing through this system, roll back your Apocalypse Tier and farm for better gear. Once you reach Apocalypse Tier 25 or so, item mods and attributes become incredibly important to your build's success.
What Does "AT" And "Apoc" Mean?
Both phrases are shorthand for Apocalypse Tier.
Do Apocalypse Tiers Affect Expeditions Past Tier 15?
Yes, they do. Higher Apocalypse Tiers increase the chances of earning Legendary items at the end of a run, even past Tier 15. Gameplay modifiers introduced at higher tiers seem to affect Expeditions as well, so be careful.