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The game developers have a special treat prepared for the popular battle royale gamers, arriving just in time for the holidays. Enthusiasts of the battle royale's super-slick traversal can rejoice to learn that a new movement mechanic is being implemented when the Amped season launches on November 4th.

Unveiling The Mantle Boost

Dubbed "Mantle Boosting" by Respawn, this ability gives players a burst of propulsion when scaling ledges and walls. As explained lead battle royale designer Eric Canavese, this technique was previously been a feature of Apex Legends for quite a while, usually referred to as "mantle jumping." However it's challenging for casual gamers, and typically employed by pro gamers in competitive play or esports competitions. This season, the team simplifies the process for players of all skill levels to execute these advanced movement boosts.

"Mantle Boosts existed in Apex for some time, but executing it requires skill to perform and a player would never know it's possible without external guides," Canavese explains. "Now including a Mantle Boost indicator so users can clearly identify the timing to activate the fast-paced traversal skill, making accessible the feature and introducing fresh strategies to play for more players."

The Reasoning Behind Make It Accessible

What's the reason for making a once niche movement quirk available to all players? Lead Legend designer Josh Mohan says developers aims for gamers to experience empowerment — even those who are inexperienced.

"Our community performs advanced techniques like super-glides and tap-strafes, and we examined at other games, observed what our players are doing, and we wondered, 'What if we provide some of this power to a broader audience?'" the designer explains. "Because currently, some of these techniques are somewhat awkward to use — it requires to change controls and execute within one-frame windows. So we said, 'What if we create a more official version?'"

Season 27 Movement Focus

Movement is primarily the central theme in Season 27, with characters the gravity mage, the defensive specialist, and the aerial combatant receiving buffs to help keep them mobile. Recovery time on Horizon's Gravity Lift has been decreased, and this skill will propel users upward much quicker than it used to. Her defensive walls now include overhead protection and capability to grant speed boosts to allies in range. But it's the high-flying this Legend receiving significant improvements now, with multiple tweaks implemented to enhance her as more potent, quicker, and deadlier.

"I think many agree that Valkyrie's time is here," states Legend designer the designer. "There's no doubt she was top-tier previously, but with the introduction of new Legends, mobility perks, and Evac Towers, it felt like she fell behind in today's Apex. This presented an ideal chance for us to revisit multiple elements [of her kit] and sort of bring her back to former prominence."

Enhancements to the Aerial Legend

To reclaim her competitive status in current strategies, the developer says Respawn evaluated each of her abilities and implemented significant modifications. Her VTOL Jets received improvements, boosting her speed during flight, and the jets themselves now recharge much quicker, allowing her to remain longer in the air. Now she won't take damage from her ultimate ability, which has also been upgraded to mark opponents who are hit from the missiles. Her Skyward Dive ability — which launches teammates into the air for repositioning or retreat — requires reduced delay to activate. Additionally, she gains some new perk choices that players can choose to conserve resources, widen the area of her rockets, or further speed up her ultimate activation.

"Her jet pack now delivers on that jet-fighter fantasy," he comments.

Map Changes

Additionally, the lone airborne map, this location, receives a mobility-focused overhaul, with an extensive redesign that expands choke points and renders claiming the high ground a bit less daunting. Respawn state the game this update focuses on giving players the tools required to keep up with matches.

"Essentially, we examined Apex's core identity as a fast-paced FPS," explains principal designer Josh Mohan.

Apex Legends Season 27: Amped releases Nov. 4 at the specified times.