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The game developers has a special treat prepared for Apex Legends players, arriving just in time for the holidays. Enthusiasts of this game's super-slick traversal will be pleased to discover that a new movement mechanic is being implemented when Season 27: Amped goes live on Nov. 4.

Unveiling Mantle Boosting

Dubbed "Mantle Boosting" by Respawn, this ability gives players a surge of forward momentum when scaling obstacles. As explained key developer the design lead, this technique was previously existed of Apex Legends for some time, often called as "mantle jumping." However it's challenging for casual gamers, and typically employed by pro gamers in competitive play or esports competitions. In this update, Respawn simplifies the process for everyone to execute these tricky speed-boosts.

"Mantle Boosts have been in Apex for some time, but the movement isn't easy to pull off and gamers would never know it [is in the game] without external guides," the designer states. "We're adding a visual cue so players can clearly identify the timing to activate the fast-paced movement ability, making accessible the feature and introducing fresh strategies to play for more players."

Why Opening Up Advanced Mechanics

Why make a previously obscure technique accessible to all players? Lead Legend designer the development lead says developers wants gamers to feel powerful — even those who are new.

"Our community is doing other crazy stuff like super-gliding and tap-strafes, and we looked around at other games, looked at what the community are doing, and we wondered, 'How can we extend these capabilities to more players?'" the designer explains. "Since currently, certain advanced [movement] mechanics are somewhat awkward to use — it requires to change controls and hit precise timings. We proposed, 'What if we make a polished implementation?'"

The Amped Update Emphasis on Mobility

Movement is largely the central theme in this season, with characters Horizon, Rampart, and the aerial combatant receiving buffs to maintain them in motion. Recovery time on Horizon's Gravity Lift has been decreased, and the Gravity Lift will boost players upward faster than before. Her defensive walls now include a roof and the ability to grant speed boosts to allies in range. But it's aerial this Legend receiving the most attention now, with multiple tweaks implemented to make her stronger, faster, and more lethal.

"I think many agree that Valkyrie's time has arrived," says Legend designer the designer. "Certainly that she's been dominant previously, but due to the addition of other characters, mobility perks, and redeployment tools, it seemed like she fell behind in today's Apex. This presented an ideal chance for the team to reexamine multiple elements in her abilities and essentially bring her back to former prominence."

Valkyrie's Upgrades

To reclaim her competitive status in current strategies, the developer says the team assessed each of her abilities and introduced some powerful changes. Her VTOL Jets received improvements, increasing velocity during flight, and this equipment regenerates three times faster, allowing the player to spend more time aloft. She can no longer be harmed from her own Missile Swarm, which was enhanced to tag opponents who are hit from it. Her squad redeploy skill — which launches her entire squad into the air for repositioning or retreat — requires much less time to fire up. Additionally, she gains recently added perk choices that users can choose to conserve resources, widen the area of her rockets, or accelerate her Skyward Dive activation.

"Valkyrie's equipment fulfills that jet-fighter fantasy," Holstead comments.

Map Changes

Additionally, the only floating arena, Olympus, is getting a movement-friendly facelift, with major changes that expands bottlenecks and renders securing elevated positions more manageable. Respawn state Apex Legends this update is all about giving players the tools they need to compete in matches.

"Essentially, we examined Apex's core identity as a movement shooter," explains lead Legend designer the lead.

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