Apex Legends' Niche Traversal Techniques Are Going Mainstream During This Update

The game developers has a special treat prepared for Apex Legends players, perfectly timed for festive season. Fans of this game's highly fluid traversal will be pleased to learn that an innovative traversal feature is being implemented when the Amped season launches on November 4th.

Introducing The Mantle Boost

Named "Momentum Boosting" by Respawn, this feature gives players a surge of propulsion when climbing over ledges and walls. According to lead battle royale designer Eric Canavese, this technique was previously existed of Apex Legends for some time, often called as "ledge boosting." But it's challenging for casual gamers, and typically employed by pro gamers in competitive play or tournaments. In this update, the team is making it easier for everyone to execute these advanced movement boosts.

"This technique have been in the game for some time, but the movement requires skill to pull off and gamers might not realize it [is in the game] without outside knowledge," Canavese explains. "We're adding a Mantle Boost indicator so players can clearly identify the timing to trigger the fast-paced movement ability, opening up the mechanic and adding new ways to play for more players."

Why Opening Up Advanced Mechanics

Why make a previously obscure technique accessible to all players? Lead Legend designer Josh Mohan says the team aims for players to experience empowerment — including ones who are inexperienced.

"[The playerbase] performs advanced techniques like super-glides and tap-strafing, and we looked around at other games, observed what our players execute, and we wondered, 'How can we extend some of this power to a broader audience?'" the designer clarifies. "Because right now, certain techniques are kind of janky to use — it requires to change controls and hit precise timings. So we said, 'What if we create a polished version?'"

The Amped Update Emphasis on Mobility

Movement is primarily the central theme in this season, with Legends the gravity mage, the defensive specialist, and Valkyrie receiving buffs to maintain them mobile. Recovery time on Horizon's Gravity Lift has been decreased, and the Gravity Lift will propel players upward much quicker than before. Her defensive walls now include a roof and capability to grant movement bonuses to allies in range. However it's aerial this Legend who's getting significant improvements this season, with various adjustments applied to enhance her as more potent, quicker, and more lethal.

"In my opinion there's quite a consensus that her moment has arrived," says character developer the designer. "Certainly that she's been top-tier previously, but due to the addition of other characters, mobility perks, and Evac Towers, it felt like she's not very relevant in today's the game. It was an ideal chance for the team to reexamine multiple elements [of her kit] and essentially bring her back to her glory days."

Valkyrie's Upgrades

To restore her competitive status in the game's meta, the developer says the team assessed each of her abilities and introduced significant modifications. Her jetpack received improvements, boosting velocity during flight, and the jets themselves now recharge three times faster, allowing her to remain longer in the air. Now she won't take damage from her ultimate ability, which has also been upgraded to tag opponents who are hit from it. Her Skyward Dive skill — which launches teammates into the air for redeployment or escape — now takes reduced delay to fire up. Additionally, she gains some new Legend Upgrades that players can choose to reduce fuel consumption, expand the spread of her rockets, or further speed up her Skyward Dive activation.

"Valkyrie's equipment fulfills the pilot experience," Holstead says.

Map Changes

Even the game's only floating arena, Olympus, receives a mobility-focused facelift, with major changes that opens up bottlenecks and makes claiming the high ground more manageable. The developers says the game Season 27 is all about providing gamers the tools required to keep up with the competition.

"Essentially, we examined Apex's fundamental nature as a movement shooter," explains principal designer the lead.

Apex Legends the Amped season releases November 4th at 10 a.m. PST/1 p.m. EST.

Tina Baxter
Tina Baxter

Lena is a tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for exploring how digital tools can enhance everyday life and productivity.