Apex Legends' Specialized Movement Mechanics Are Going Mainstream During This Update
Respawn Entertainment has an exciting surprise prepared for Apex Legends gamers, perfectly timed for festive season. Fans of this game's highly fluid movement can rejoice to discover that an innovative traversal feature will be introduced when the Amped season goes live on Nov. 4.
Unveiling The Mantle Boost
Named "Mantle Boosting" by Respawn, this ability gives players a surge of forward momentum when climbing over ledges and walls. According to lead battle royale designer the design lead, Mantle Boosting was previously existed of Apex Legends for some time, often called as "mantle jumping." But it's no easy feat for the average player, and is mainly used by pro gamers in competitive play or esports competitions. In this update, Respawn simplifies the process for players of all skill levels to successfully perform these advanced speed-boosts.
"Mantle Boosts existed in the game for a while, but the movement isn't easy to perform and a player might not realize it [is in the game] without external guides," Canavese states. "Now including a visual cue so users can easily see the timing to activate the high-octane movement ability, opening up the mechanic and adding fresh strategies to play for a much wider base."
Why Opening Up Advanced Mechanics
Why make a once niche technique accessible to everyone? Lead Legend designer Josh Mohan explains the team wants players to feel powerful — including ones who are new.
"[The playerbase] performs other crazy stuff like super-glides and tap-strafes, and we examined at other games, observed what our players are doing, and we said, 'What if we provide some of this power to a broader audience?'" the designer clarifies. "Because currently, certain techniques are somewhat awkward to access — you need to change controls and execute within precise timings. We proposed, 'What if we make a polished version?'"
The Amped Update Emphasis on Mobility
Movement is largely the name of the game in this season, with Legends Horizon, Rampart, and the aerial combatant all getting buffs to maintain them mobile. Recovery time on her tactical ability is shorter, and the Gravity Lift will propel players upward faster than before. Rampart's Amped Cover feature overhead protection and capability to grant speed boosts to allies in range. But it's the high-flying this Legend who's getting the most attention now, with various adjustments implemented to make her more potent, faster, and more lethal.
"I think there's quite a consensus that her moment has arrived," says character developer Ian Holstead. "Certainly she was top-tier previously, but due to the addition of other characters, movement[-based] passives, and redeployment tools, it seemed like she fell behind in current Apex. It was an ideal chance for us to revisit multiple elements in her abilities and sort of restore her to former prominence."
Enhancements to the Aerial Legend
To restore Valkyrie's relevance in current strategies, the developer notes Respawn assessed all her skills and implemented significant modifications. Her VTOL Jets received improvements, increasing her speed during flight, and this equipment now recharge three times faster, enabling her to remain longer in the air. Now she won't be harmed from her ultimate ability, which has also been upgraded to mark enemies who are hit from it. Her squad redeploy ability — which lifts her entire squad into the air for repositioning or escape — now takes much less time to activate. Additionally, she gains some new Legend Upgrades that users can choose to reduce fuel consumption, widen the area of her Missile Swarm, or further speed up her ultimate activation.
"Her jet pack fulfills the pilot experience," he comments.
Map Changes
Additionally, the lone airborne map, Olympus, receives a movement-friendly facelift, with an extensive redesign that expands choke points and renders claiming the high ground a bit less daunting. Respawn says the game Season 27 focuses on providing gamers the tools they need to compete in matches.
"Really, we examined Apex's core identity as a fast-paced FPS," says principal designer Josh Mohan.
Apex Legends the Amped season launches November 4th at 10 a.m. PST/1 p.m. EST.