Apex Legends' Niche Movement Mechanics Are Going Mainstream During This Update
The game developers have an exciting surprise in store for the popular battle royale gamers, perfectly timed for the holidays. Enthusiasts of this game's highly fluid movement can rejoice to learn that an innovative traversal feature is being implemented when the Amped season launches on November 4th.
Unveiling Mantle Boosting
Dubbed "Momentum Boosting" by Respawn, this feature provides gamers a surge of propulsion when scaling obstacles. According to lead battle royale designer Eric Canavese, Mantle Boosting has unofficially existed of the game for quite a while, often called as "ledge boosting." However it's no easy feat for the average player, and typically employed by competitive players in Ranked Mode or esports competitions. In this update, Respawn simplifies the process for everyone to successfully perform these advanced speed-boosts.
"Mantle Boosts have been in Apex for a while, but executing it requires skill to perform and a player might not realize it's possible without external guides," the designer explains. "We're adding a Mantle Boost indicator so users can clearly identify the timing to trigger the high-octane traversal skill, opening up the feature and adding new ways to compete for a much wider base."
Why Opening Up Advanced Mechanics
Why make a once niche technique available to all players? Principal designer the development lead explains developers wants players to feel powerful — including ones who are inexperienced.
"Our community is doing advanced techniques like super-gliding and tap-strafes, and we looked around at our competition, observed what our players execute, and we wondered, 'What if we extend some of this power to a broader audience?'" the designer clarifies. "Because currently, certain techniques are somewhat awkward to access — it requires to change controls and execute within one-frame windows. We proposed, 'How about we create a more official version?'"
The Amped Update Movement Focus
Movement is largely the name of the game in this season, with Legends the gravity mage, the defensive specialist, and the aerial combatant receiving buffs to maintain them in motion. The cooldown period on her tactical ability has been decreased, and the Gravity Lift will boost users into the air much quicker than it used to. Her defensive walls feature a roof and capability to grant speed boosts to those nearby. However the spotlight is on the high-flying this Legend receiving significant improvements now, with various adjustments implemented to make her stronger, faster, and deadlier.
"I think there's quite a consensus that her moment is here," states character developer the designer. "There's no doubt that she's been top-tier previously, but due to the addition of other characters, mobility perks, and Evac Towers, it seemed like she's not very relevant in today's Apex. It was a really great opportunity for the team to reexamine a bunch of aspects in her abilities and sort of bring her back to her glory days."
Valkyrie's Upgrades
To reclaim Valkyrie's relevance in the game's meta, the developer says Respawn assessed each of her abilities and introduced significant changes. Her jetpack have been upgraded, increasing her speed while airborne, and the jets themselves regenerates three times faster, enabling her to remain longer in the air. Now she won't be harmed from her own Missile Swarm, which was enhanced to mark enemies who take damage from the missiles. Her Skyward Dive ability — which launches her entire squad skyward for redeployment or retreat — requires much less time to activate. She's also getting some new perk choices that users can select to conserve resources, expand the spread of her rockets, or accelerate her Skyward Dive activation.
"Valkyrie's equipment now delivers on the pilot experience," he comments.
Map Changes
Additionally, the lone airborne map, this location, is getting a movement-friendly overhaul, with an extensive redesign that expands bottlenecks and renders securing elevated positions more manageable. Respawn says Apex Legends this update is all about giving players the tools they need to keep up with matches.
"Essentially, we examined the game's fundamental nature as a movement shooter," says principal designer the lead.
The battle royale Season 27: Amped launches Nov. 4 at the specified times.
