Apex Legends' Niche Movement Mechanics Are Going Mainstream During This Update
Respawn Entertainment have a special treat in store for the popular battle royale players, arriving just in time for festive season. Fans of the battle royale's super-slick traversal can rejoice to learn that a new movement mechanic will be introduced when Season 27: Amped launches on Nov. 4.
Unveiling Mantle Boosting
Named "Momentum Boosting" by Respawn, this feature provides gamers a surge of propulsion when climbing over obstacles. As explained lead battle royale designer the design lead, this technique has unofficially existed of Apex Legends for some time, usually referred to as "ledge boosting." However it's challenging for the average player, and is mainly used by competitive players in Ranked Mode or tournaments. This season, Respawn is making it easier for players of all skill levels to successfully perform these advanced speed-boosts.
"This technique existed in Apex for a while, but executing it requires skill to perform and a player would never know it [is in the game] without outside knowledge," Canavese explains. "We're adding a Mantle Boost indicator so players can easily see when and how to activate the high-octane movement ability, opening up the mechanic and introducing fresh strategies to play for a much wider base."
Why Make It Accessible
What's the reason for making a previously obscure technique available to all players? Lead Legend designer the development lead says the team wants gamers to feel powerful β including ones who are new.
"Our community performs advanced techniques like super-glides and tap-strafing, and we examined at other games, observed what our players execute, and we said, 'What if we provide some of this power to more players?'" the designer explains. "Because currently, some of these advanced [movement] mechanics are kind of janky to access β it requires to remap your keybinds and hit one-frame windows. So we said, 'What if we make a more official version?'"
Season 27 Movement Focus
Movement is largely the name of the game in this season, with Legends Horizon, Rampart, and the aerial combatant all getting enhancements 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 now include a roof and capability to grant movement bonuses to those nearby. However the spotlight is on the high-flying this Legend who's getting significant improvements this season, with various adjustments implemented to make her more potent, faster, and more lethal.
"I think there's quite a consensus that Valkyrie's time is here," says character developer Ian Holstead. "There's no doubt that she's been top-tier in the past, but with the introduction of new Legends, movement[-based] passives, and Evac Towers, it seemed like she fell behind in today's Apex. It was a really great opportunity for us to revisit a bunch of aspects in her abilities and sort of bring her back to former prominence."
Valkyrie's Upgrades
To restore Valkyrie's relevance in the game's meta, the developer says Respawn assessed all her skills and implemented some powerful changes. Her VTOL Jets have been upgraded, boosting her speed while airborne, and the jets themselves regenerates three times faster, enabling the player to spend more time in the air. Now she won't be harmed from her ultimate ability, which has also been upgraded to mark opponents who take damage from it. Her Skyward Dive ability β which launches her entire squad skyward for redeployment or retreat β requires reduced delay to fire up. She's also getting some new perk choices that players can select to conserve resources, expand the spread of her Missile Swarm, or further speed up her Skyward Dive takeoff time.
"Valkyrie's equipment now delivers on the pilot experience," Holstead says.
Olympus Improvements
Even the game's lone airborne map, this location, is getting a mobility-focused overhaul, with an extensive redesign that expands choke points and renders securing elevated positions more manageable. Respawn says the game this update focuses on providing gamers the resources they need to keep up with the competition.
"Essentially, we were looking at Apex's fundamental nature as a movement shooter," explains lead Legend designer Josh Mohan.
The battle royale the Amped season releases November 4th at the specified times.
