Apex Legends' "Ignite" update is just around the corner, bringing a brand-new Legend to Season 19 of the Apex Games. Conduit is a shield-boosting support hero with an ebullient personality and a passive talent for keeping pace with high-speed teammates. A bright presence among Apex Legends' competitors, Conduit fights to live the dream of participating in the Apex Games, and to repay a deeply personal debt to her sister.
Game ZXC recently had the opportunity to speak with Conduit writer, Christal Rose Hazelton, about the Legend's thematic background, motivations, and family history. Support players will want to keep an eye on Conduit come Tuesday, October 31.
Titanfall 3 Should Take a Page Out of Control's Playbook
Titanfall 3 is heavily rumored to be in the pipeline, and if it does end up happening then it should take a big page out of Control's own playbook.
The Heart of Her Team
Astute Titanfall 2 veterans will notice that Respawn incorporated elements of the Monarch Titan's chassis in Conduit's character design.
"We talked a lot about Conduit’s personality being the “heart” of the team and energetic like “a living battery,” as well as the Radiant Transfer shield recharge, so it made sense to take that more literally."
Mechanically, the Monarch Titan's battery ties into Conduit's tactical ability, which allows her to temporarily recharge squad mates' shield damage—serving as a buffer against attrition as opposed to a font of infinite health. But aside from providing a thematic justification for Conduit's mechanics, the Legend has a deep bond with the Monarch Titan specifically, as depicted in her SFTO Trailer, titled "For Us, Utang Na Loob."
Literally translating to "a debt to one's inner self," the Filipino phrase "Utang Na Loob" refers to a person's obligation to repay an invaluable favor. In the short, a Monarch Titan defends Conduit's family from a legion of murderous Ion Titans and heroically sacrifices itself to annihilate the invasion force. Interestingly, the invaluable favor referenced could apply to either the Monarch Titan and its pilot, or Conduit's older sister, Diwa, who sacrifices her health to take care of her family.
Infectious Positivity
Hazelton originally envisioned a very different take on Conduit. Her initial pitch was a more world-weary take on the character—still carrying tremendous responsibility, but closer to Diwa than the final version that players will see. When the team said they were looking for a lighter, more enthusiastic presence, Hazelton had another approach ready:
"I tentatively pitched the other idea I had been thinking about which was someone who is a superfan of the Apex Games. People who are fans of something have an excitement, passion, knowledge, and deep love for it. They buzz with contagious energy.”
Conduit was a fan of the games before she was a contender—simply participating in the ring is an aspirational experience for her, and that enthusiasm shines through both the character's personality and her mechanics. While the Apex Games have no shortage of hopefuls, many of the contenders are battle-scarred veterans and stone-cold killers. Conduit's positivity and altruistic motivations serve as bright counterpoints against the grimmer contingents of Apex Legends' roster.
Why Now is The Right Time For Titanfall 3
Titanfall 2 was an excellent game that fans long to see more of and now is the perfect time for a third game to continue the series' legacy.
As an Apex Games superfan, Conduit has long studied other legends, giving her insights into her opponents' tactics and abilities as well as the ability to synergize with allies. In terms of comp, as a Support, Conduit will fit comfortably into almost any Trio--even other support Legends like Newcastle and Lifeline.
Family Support and Identity
Like many other Legends, including Newcastle and Bangalore, a sibling relationship features prominently in Conduit's background. But Conduit's family matters don't stem from friction and hidden identities so much as cyclical support. She has a healthy, supportive relationship with her family, following in Diwa's footsteps, while contributing to her family in her own way.
Conduit's design was finalized after the publication of The Apex Legends Cookbook, which is a missed opportunity given the bounty of food on display in her "Utang Na Loob" Trailer. Among the savory options, Hazelton thinks Conduit would be well-represented by "pork sinigang, lumpia shanghai, pancit canton, lechon, or the always popular chicken adobo."
Apex Legends is available now on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Season 19 starts next Tuesday, October 31.
