The Ring is a frequently shrinking circular zone, outside of which players will take damage periodically (1 tick of damage every 1.5 seconds). As the game progresses in Rounds, the ring will deal more damage and shrink to smaller and smaller sizes until the whole map is enveloped.
There is a roughly 90 seconds period before Round 1 starts during which players cannot see where the ring will shrink to. Altogether, it takes ~20 minutes for the ring to close completely.
Altogether, it takes ~3:15 for the ring to close completely each round.
Lore[]
The Modified Containment Ring functions on similar principles to an Active Denial System. The outer area is filled with 95 GHz light waves, causing the surface of a target's skin to continuously heat up to painful degrees. The field is contained within two bubble shields similar to Gibraltar's Dome of Protection; one envelops the entire arena, while the other keeps the ADS out of the playable area, and shrinks throughout the match.
The Syndicate commissioned the Ring for the Apex Games after noticing that practice matches were often drawn out overnight because some competitors preferred to stay put.[1] The ADS concept was designed by the then-15 year old Natalie Paquette and pitched by her father Luc. The two went on to build the final product, though Luc would die the day of its unveiling.
During testing, Luc Paquette installed a hack on all the MRVNs in the vicinity of Solace City allowing them access to data on the Ring's future positions via Survey Beacons so they would be able to escort humans, specifically her daughter Natalie, to safety. Pathfinder had that hack installed into him, but Wattson claims that she removed the part where he had to protect her from his software.[1]
Increased damage in Apex Elite Queue to 15 in the first round, 20 in the second, and 25 for all remaining rounds.
Trivia[]
It is possible to heal through many early zones. Round 1 through Round 3 can be survived with either Syringes or Med Kits. Round 3 closing and Round 4 are survivable with Med Kits (or Syringes with a LegendaryBody Shield ), although they must be used as soon as a tick of damage is taken from full health. Round 4 closing and later rings are not possible to outheal.
Controller Legend can show their team where the next round's ring will be when they interact with a File:Ring Console.svg Ring Console.
Dome of Protection; one envelops the entire arena, while the other keeps the ADS out of the playable area, and shrinks throughout the match.
Syringes or 
Med Kits. Round 3 closing and Round 4 are survivable with 
Body Shield ), although they must be used as soon as a tick of damage is taken from full health. Round 4 closing and later rings are not possible to outheal.
