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The game developers has a special treat prepared for the popular battle royale players, perfectly timed for festive season. Enthusiasts of the battle royale's highly fluid traversal can rejoice to learn that an innovative traversal feature will be introduced when Season 27: Amped goes live on Nov. 4.

Introducing The Mantle Boost

Named "Mantle Boosting" by the developers, this feature gives players a burst of propulsion when climbing over ledges and walls. According to lead battle royale designer Eric Canavese, Mantle Boosting has unofficially existed of Apex Legends for some time, usually referred to as "mantle jumping." However it's no easy feat for casual gamers, and is mainly used by pro gamers in competitive play or tournaments. This season, the team simplifies the process for everyone 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 gamers might not realize it [is in the game] without external guides," the designer states. "Now including a Mantle Boost indicator so players can clearly identify when and how to trigger the fast-paced traversal skill, making accessible the mechanic and adding 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 the team aims for gamers to feel powerful — even those who are new.

"[The playerbase] is doing advanced techniques like super-gliding and tap-strafes, and we looked around at our competition, looked at what our players are doing, and we wondered, 'What if we provide some of this power to more players?'" the designer explains. "Since right now, certain advanced [movement] mechanics are somewhat awkward to access — you need to remap your keybinds and hit precise timings. We proposed, 'What if we create a more official version?'"

The Amped Update Movement Focus

Mobility is largely the name of the game in this season, with characters Horizon, Rampart, and Valkyrie receiving buffs to maintain them in motion. Recovery time on her tactical ability has been decreased, and this skill will boost users into the air much quicker than before. Her defensive walls now include a roof and the ability to provide speed boosts to those nearby. However the spotlight is on the high-flying Valkyrie receiving the most attention this season, with various adjustments applied to make her stronger, faster, and deadlier.

"I think many agree that her moment is here," says Legend designer Ian Holstead. "Certainly she was top-tier previously, but due to the addition of new Legends, movement[-based] passives, and redeployment tools, it felt like she fell behind in current Apex. It was a really great opportunity for us to revisit multiple elements in her abilities and sort of restore her to her glory days."

Valkyrie's Upgrades

To restore Valkyrie's relevance in the game's meta, the developer notes Respawn evaluated each of her abilities and implemented significant modifications. Her VTOL Jets have been upgraded, boosting her speed while airborne, and this equipment now recharge much quicker, enabling her to spend more time in the air. She can no longer be harmed from her ultimate ability, which has also been upgraded to tag enemies who are hit from the missiles. Her squad redeploy skill — which launches teammates skyward for redeployment or escape — now takes much less time to fire up. Additionally, she gains recently added Legend Upgrades that users can select to reduce fuel consumption, expand the spread of her Missile Swarm, or accelerate her Skyward Dive activation.

"Valkyrie's equipment now delivers on the pilot experience," he comments.

Map Changes

Even the game's lone airborne map, this location, receives a mobility-focused overhaul, with major changes that opens up bottlenecks and makes claiming the high ground more manageable. The developers says Apex Legends this update focuses on giving players the resources they need to compete in matches.

"Really, we were looking at Apex's core identity as a movement shooter," explains principal designer the lead.

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