Apex Legends Heirloom Shards are the rarest currency in the game, and they are the only way to craft an Heirloom of your choice. If you have been chasing that flashy melee weapon for your favourite legend, this complete guide explains exactly what Heirloom Shards are, how you earn them, the famous 500-pack guarantee, and how to spend them in the Heirloom shop.
Heirlooms are Apex Legends' most prestigious cosmetics, and Heirloom Shards are the key to unlocking them. Below you will find everything you need to know, broken into clear sections covering the shards themselves, where they come from, how to use them, and whether they are worth the grind.
What you need to know first
- 150 Heirloom Shards let you craft one complete Heirloom set of your choosing.
- Shards only drop from Apex Packs and cannot be bought directly with money or Apex Coins.
- A shard drop is rare, but it is guaranteed by your 500th Apex Pack if you have not received one before then.
- Heirlooms are purely cosmetic and never expire, so there is no rush to spend.
1. What Heirloom Shards are
Heirloom Shards are a premium currency in Apex Legends used exclusively to craft Heirlooms. You always receive them in a fixed amount of 150 shards, which is the exact cost of one Heirloom set. Unlike Apex Coins or Crafting Metals, you cannot purchase Heirloom Shards on their own from the store, which is a big part of what makes them so coveted.
2. How you earn Heirloom Shards
Heirloom Shards come from Apex Packs, the game's loot boxes. Each pack has a very small chance to contain a shard drop, but the system includes a safety net often called the "pity" timer: if you have opened 500 Apex Packs without receiving Heirloom Shards, the next pack is guaranteed to contain them. You earn Apex Packs through the Battle Pass, account level-ups, and by buying them with Apex Coins, and some limited-time events also offer shard-bearing packs.
3. How to craft an Heirloom
Once you have 150 Heirloom Shards, open the Heirloom shop from the in-game store. There you can browse every Heirloom that is currently available to craft, select the one you want, and confirm the purchase. The crafting flow is simple: choose your Heirloom, check your shard balance in the top corner, then press the Craft button to spend your 150 shards.
It is worth taking your time at this screen. Because the shards are so hard to come by, most players save them until their main legend has an Heirloom they love, rather than crafting the first set they see.
4. What is inside an Heirloom set
An Heirloom is more than just a weapon skin. Each set bundles three cosmetic pieces tied to a specific legend: a unique animated melee weapon that replaces your character's fists, a custom banner pose for the lobby, and a special intro quip voice line played during the match intro. Together they give a legend a signature look and feel.
Crucially, Heirlooms are cosmetic only. The animated melee weapon deals exactly the same damage as your normal melee attack, so spending Heirloom Shards gives you style, not a competitive edge.
5. Tips and whether shards are worth it
Because Heirloom Shards are so scarce, a little planning goes a long way. Keep these tips in mind to make the most of every shard you earn.
- Track your pack count. Open Apex Packs steadily, since shards are guaranteed by your 500th pack if you have not had a drop already.
- Watch Collection Events. Completing certain Collection Events rewards a free Heirloom set outright, bypassing the shards entirely.
- Choose before you craft. You decide which available Heirloom to make, so pick the one for the legend you play most.
- There is no expiry. Shards never disappear, so it is fine to hold onto them until the right Heirloom is in the shop.
Common questions and pitfalls
I cannot find a "buy shards" button
That is expected. Heirloom Shards are not sold directly. The store sells Apex Packs and Apex Coins, but the shards themselves can only be obtained as a random drop or guaranteed by the 500-pack milestone.
I have shards but the Heirloom I want is not listed
The Heirloom shop only shows Heirlooms that are currently craftable. New legends sometimes do not have an Heirloom yet. In that case, hold your shards until the set you want becomes available.
Frequently asked questions
How many Heirloom Shards do you need for an Heirloom?
You need exactly 150 Heirloom Shards to craft one complete Heirloom set, and shards are always awarded in this amount.
Can you buy Heirloom Shards with real money?
No. Heirloom Shards cannot be purchased directly. You can only earn them as a random drop from Apex Packs, with a guaranteed drop by your 500th pack.
Are Apex Legends Heirloom Shards guaranteed?
Yes, eventually. If you open 500 Apex Packs without receiving Heirloom Shards, the system guarantees a shard drop, so the longest you can go without one is 500 packs.
Do Heirlooms give a gameplay advantage?
No. Heirlooms are purely cosmetic. The animated melee weapon deals the same damage as a standard melee attack, so they offer no competitive benefit.
Do Heirloom Shards expire?
No. Once you have Heirloom Shards they stay on your account until you choose to spend them, so you can wait for the perfect Heirloom.
Final thoughts
Heirloom Shards are the ultimate flex in Apex Legends, and now you know how the whole system works: 150 shards craft one set, they only drop from Apex Packs, and a drop is guaranteed by your 500th pack. Open packs steadily, watch for Collection Events that hand out free Heirlooms, and save your shards for the legend you truly love. For the latest details and any official changes, check the official Apex Legends website.
