Apex Legends' Niche Traversal Techniques Are Going Mainstream During This Update
The game developers has an exciting surprise in store for Apex Legends players, arriving just in time for the holidays. Enthusiasts of the battle royale's super-slick movement can rejoice to discover that a new movement mechanic is being implemented when Season 27: Amped launches on Nov. 4.
Unveiling The Mantle Boost
Dubbed "Momentum Boosting" by the developers, this ability provides gamers a surge of propulsion when scaling obstacles. As explained key developer Eric Canavese, this technique has unofficially existed of the game for some time, usually referred to as "ledge boosting." But it's challenging for the average player, and typically employed by pro gamers in competitive play or esports competitions. This season, the team simplifies the process for everyone to successfully perform these tricky movement boosts.
"Mantle Boosts have been in the game for some time, but the movement requires skill to pull off and gamers would never know it's possible without outside knowledge," the designer explains. "We're adding a Mantle Boost indicator so users can easily see the timing to trigger the fast-paced movement ability, making accessible the mechanic and introducing new ways to compete for more players."
Why Make It Accessible
What's the reason for making a previously obscure technique available to all players? Principal designer the development lead explains the team wants players to experience empowerment β including ones who are inexperienced.
"Our community performs advanced techniques like super-gliding and tap-strafes, and we examined at our competition, observed what our players execute, and we wondered, 'What if we provide these capabilities to a broader audience?'" the designer clarifies. "Since currently, certain techniques are somewhat awkward to access β it requires to change controls and hit one-frame windows. We proposed, 'What if we make a polished version?'"
The Amped Update Emphasis on Mobility
Movement is largely the central theme in Season 27, with characters the gravity mage, Rampart, and the aerial combatant all getting buffs to help keep them in motion. Recovery time on her tactical ability is shorter, and the Gravity Lift will propel users into the air much quicker than it used to. Rampart's Amped Cover feature a roof and the ability to grant movement bonuses to those nearby. However the spotlight is on the high-flying this Legend receiving the most attention now, with multiple tweaks applied to enhance her as stronger, quicker, and deadlier.
"In my opinion there's quite a consensus that Valkyrie's time is here," states Legend designer Ian Holstead. "Certainly she was dominant in the past, but with the introduction of other characters, movement[-based] passives, and redeployment tools, it seemed like she's not very relevant in current Apex. It was a really great opportunity for the team to reexamine a bunch of aspects in her abilities and sort of restore her to her glory days."
Valkyrie's Upgrades
To reclaim her competitive status in current strategies, Holstead notes Respawn assessed each of her abilities and implemented significant changes. Her jetpack received improvements, boosting velocity during flight, and this equipment now recharge much quicker, allowing the player to spend more time aloft. Now she won't be harmed from her own Missile Swarm, which was enhanced to mark enemies who take damage from the missiles. Her squad redeploy ability β which launches teammates skyward for redeployment or escape β requires much less time to fire up. She's also getting some new Legend Upgrades that users can select to reduce fuel consumption, expand the spread of her Missile Swarm, or accelerate her ultimate takeoff time.
"Her jet pack now delivers on that jet-fighter fantasy," Holstead says.
Map Changes
Additionally, the only floating arena, this location, receives a movement-friendly overhaul, with an extensive redesign that opens up choke points and makes claiming the high ground a bit less daunting. Respawn says the game Season 27 focuses on providing gamers the tools required to compete in matches.
"Really, we were looking at Apex's fundamental nature as a fast-paced FPS," says lead Legend designer the lead.
The battle royale the Amped season releases Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. PST/1 p.m. EST.
