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The game developers has a special treat in store for Apex Legends gamers, perfectly timed for festive season. Enthusiasts of this game's super-slick movement will be pleased to discover that an innovative traversal feature will be introduced when the Amped season goes live on November 4th.

Unveiling The Mantle Boost

Named "Mantle Boosting" by the developers, this ability provides gamers a surge of forward momentum when climbing over obstacles. According to key developer the design lead, this technique has unofficially existed of Apex Legends for some time, often called as "mantle jumping." However it's no easy feat for the average player, and typically employed by pro gamers in competitive play or tournaments. In this update, Respawn simplifies the process for everyone to execute these tricky speed-boosts.

"This technique have been in the game for a while, but executing it isn't easy to perform and gamers might not realize it's possible without external guides," the designer explains. "We're adding a Mantle Boost indicator so users can clearly identify when and how to activate the fast-paced movement ability, making accessible the feature and introducing new ways to play for more players."

The Reasoning Behind Opening Up Advanced Mechanics

What's the reason for making a once niche technique accessible to all players? Principal designer Josh Mohan says the team aims for gamers to feel powerful — even those who are inexperienced.

"[The playerbase] performs advanced techniques like super-glides and tap-strafing, and we examined at other games, looked at what our players execute, and we said, 'What if we provide some of this power to a broader audience?'" Mohan explains. "Since currently, certain techniques are somewhat awkward to use — you need to change controls and hit precise timings. We proposed, 'How about we make a more official version?'"

The Amped Update Emphasis on Mobility

Mobility is primarily the name of the game in Season 27, with Legends Horizon, Rampart, and Valkyrie all getting buffs to maintain them in motion. The cooldown period on Horizon's Gravity Lift is shorter, and the Gravity Lift will boost players upward much quicker than before. Rampart's Amped Cover now include overhead protection and capability to grant speed boosts to those nearby. But it's aerial Valkyrie receiving the most attention now, with multiple tweaks implemented to enhance her as more potent, quicker, and more lethal.

"In my opinion many agree that Valkyrie's time has arrived," states Legend designer the designer. "There's no doubt that she's been dominant previously, but due to the addition of other characters, mobility perks, and redeployment tools, it seemed like she's not very relevant in today's the game. This presented a really great opportunity for the team to reexamine a bunch of aspects [of her kit] and sort of bring her back to former prominence."

Enhancements to the Aerial Legend

To reclaim her competitive status in the game's meta, Holstead says the team evaluated all her skills and implemented some powerful changes. Her VTOL Jets have been upgraded, boosting her speed while airborne, and this equipment regenerates three times faster, enabling the player to remain longer in the air. She can no longer be harmed from her ultimate ability, which has also been upgraded to tag enemies who take damage from the missiles. Her squad redeploy skill — which lifts her entire squad into the air for repositioning or retreat — now takes reduced delay to fire up. She's also getting some new Legend Upgrades that users can choose to reduce fuel consumption, widen the area of her Missile Swarm, or further speed up her Skyward Dive takeoff time.

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

Olympus Improvements

Additionally, the only floating arena, this location, is getting a movement-friendly overhaul, with major changes that expands choke points and renders claiming the high ground a bit less daunting. Respawn says Apex Legends this update focuses on providing gamers the tools they need to compete in matches.

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

Apex Legends the Amped season launches November 4th at the specified times.