Apex Legends has many troublesome characters, and Catalyst, who was added to the game in Season 15, is definitely one of them. With this Apex Legends Catalyst guide, you will take an in-depth look at her and use her abilities most efficiently, giving her enemies a hard time.
She is not unlocked by default like Bangalore. You need to progress a little further and earn some in-game currency. To be a little more specific, you can unlock her for 12K Legend Tokens or 750 Apex Coins.
Before heading into our Apex Legends Catalyst guide, you can get a bunch of information about the most popular legends in the game by checking out the Apex Legends pick rates.
Who Is Apex Legends Catalyst?
Tressa Crystal Smith is depicted as a somewhat enigmatic character, characterized by her preference for crystals over social interactions. Growing up on the planet Boreas, which faced challenges due to a deteriorating moon, she found herself at odds with the norms of conformity and efficiency that prevailed there.
Instead, she gravitated towards a community of like-minded individuals who shared her interests in crystal readings, moon rituals, and personal spirituality. These misfits provided her with the support and companionship she needed during her tumultuous teenage years, offering solace and acceptance amidst societal pressures.
However, Tressa's life took a dramatic turn when her closest friend embarked on a radical mission to protect their moon from corporate exploitation. Caught in the middle of this conflict, Tressa ultimately decided to leave her home behind, seeking refuge on Cleo, the moon her friend sought to save.
There, she became part of the terraforming crews tasked with revitalizing the celestial body, learning to harness ferrofluid with a mystical touch that reflected her witchy inclinations. Embracing her new community, Tressa eventually reunited with some of her old friends, forging a sense of belonging and purpose in her new environment.
Just as Tressa begins to settle into her newfound home, the arrival of the Apex Games threatens to disrupt her life once again. Determined not to let this upheaval derail her plans, she resolves to use the Games to her advantage, viewing the prize money as a means to support her chosen family.
Confident in her abilities and foreseeing victory on the horizon, Tressa remains resolute in her determination to overcome any obstacles that stand in her way.
Apex Legends Catalyst abilities
Catalyst is a Controller class legend, which makes her unique and sought after. For those unfamiliar, Controller legends possess abilities that strengthen a location or ensnare enemies. This enables them to interact with Ring Consoles to disclose the next location where the Ring will shrink.
Her abilities consist of Barricade, Piercing Spikes, and Dark Veil. Below are the specifics of her legend-specific abilities:
Passive - Barricade
She reinforces doors, fortifying them and securing them against enemies. Areas where doors have been destroyed can also be reinforced. Additionally, she can create a permeable wall measuring 55 meters in length and 8 meters in height aligned with her reticle.
Tactical - Piercing Spikes
Catalyst can deploy a patch of ferrofluid that transforms into spikes when enemies approach. Catalyst herself remains immune to these spikes. The ferrofluid patch lasts for 25 seconds and has two charges. She can deploy a maximum of two patches at a time. Catalyst can pick up an undeployed patch to regain a charge, provided the patch hasn't been activated. Holding the Tactical button delays the launch while performing a melee attack cancels the launch.
Ultimate - Dark Veil
Catalyst can erect a permeable wall of ferrofluid. Enemies passing through it will be slowed and partially blinded for a brief period. Near doorways, holding the alternative action button for 0.5 seconds allows her to reinforce either existing door panes or construct a ferro-barrier if the door panes are absent. She can reinforce up to 2 doorways.
Apex Legends Catalyst tips and tricks
Catalyst boasts immunity to her abilities, including both her passive and tactical. They hold no sway over her, rendering her impervious to their effects. Even walking through an opponent's Dark Veil merely casts a slight shadow across her screen. It's imperative to sidestep confrontations with enemy Catalysts, opting instead to direct abilities toward their teammates during engagements.
You should use her tactical, which detects enemies within 10m through animations displaying pulsating spikes. To be specific, it creates a 2m x 11m patch perpendicular to her line of sight. Spikes within the patch dynamically respond to nearby enemies within a 10m range from the patch's centre, starting to move upon detection.
Additionally, using her tactical abilities near zip lines can surprise enemies, especially in areas where zip lines are on both sides. Finally, combining her passive and tactical abilities enhances defensive strategies.