Answer: Eight characters.
Explanation:
At launch, the number of characters to choose from in the game, Apex Legends were eight. But, a total of nine characters were there during the Season-1.
The eight characters present initially were Bangalore, Lifeline, Mirage, Pathfinder, Caustic, Wraith, Bloodhound and Gibraltar.
The ninth player introduced during the Season-1 was Octane.