Newcastle's Struggle in Apex Legends Season 13
Newcastle, once hailed as a defensive powerhouse in Apex Legends, now faces a dismal 1.6% pick rate. Discover why this Legend struggles and how the community debates his effectiveness.
When I first unlocked Newcastle in Apex Legends Season 13, I thought Respawn had created the ultimate defensive powerhouse. His castle wall ultimate screamed "hold this position!" and the mobile shield looked like Gibraltar 2.0. But fast-forward to today, and I’m watching my squadmates groan when I pick him. Turns out I’m not alone—Newcastle’s pick rate has cratered to just 1.6%, tying with Crypto for least-picked Legend. 
The Defensive Dream That Didn’t Stick
Newcastle’s kit should work on paper:
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🛡️ Mobile Shield (Tactical): Deployable cover that absorbs frontal damage
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🏰 Castle Wall (Ultimate): Leap to allies and create an electrified barrier
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Retrieve the Wounded (Passive): Revive teammates with shield protection
But in practice? His shield breaks faster than a Mirage decoy in a Predator lobby. One Reddit user nailed it: "Why play Newcastle when Gibby’s dome gives 360° protection?" The mobility during revives feels clunky, and that 7-second cooldown on his tactical leaves you exposed way too often.
Why the Apex Community Is Divided
After that viral Reddit post hit 4.4k upvotes, I dove into the debates:
🔹 Team Buff:
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"Make his shield health scale with evo armor!"
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"Let the castle wall block nades like Wattson’s pylon!"
🔹 Team Skill Issue:
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"Newcastle shines in coordinated teams—randoms just don’t use him right"
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"Low-tier lobbies can’t leverage his strategic revives"
And then there’s the Gibraltar comparison:
| Ability | Newcastle | Gibraltar |
|---|---|---|
| Protective Dome | 500 HP frontal | 360° bubble |
| Ultimate | Static wall | Airstrike |
| Revive | Mobile shield | Dome revive |
Gibby’s kit simply offers more versatility. As one player grumbled: "Newcastle’s a situational Legend in a game that rewards flexibility."
The Vantage Wildcard
Now here comes the plot twist—Vantage, the leaked Recon Legend rumored to have intel-gathering abilities. If she reveals enemy positions through walls (like Seer 2.0), Newcastle’s defensive plays could become even riskier. Why hide behind a castle wall when the enemy already knows you’re there?
People Also Ask
❓ "Is Newcastle getting buffed in Season 14?"
No official word yet, but Respawn often tweaks low-pick-rate Legends.
❓ "What’s Newcastle’s best combo?"
Pair him with a Wattson or Caustic for area denial supremacy.
❓ "Does pick rate equal weakness?"
Not always—Crypto mains prove low popularity ≠ bad Legend.
FAQ
Q: Should I main Newcastle?
A: Only if you love playing anchor for your team and don’t mind slower rotations.
Q: What’s his biggest weakness?
A: Flanking. His frontal shields mean nothing if enemies attack from behind.
Q: Any secret tips?
A: Use his ultimate to block doors in final circles—the electricity punishes pushers!
Maybe Newcastle’s time will come when the meta shifts. Until then? I’ll keep practicing those shield dances… and praying for buffs. 💂🛡️