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The game developers has a special treat in store for Apex Legends gamers, perfectly timed for the holidays. Fans of this game's highly fluid traversal can rejoice to discover that an innovative traversal feature is being implemented when the Amped season launches on Nov. 4.

Introducing The Mantle Boost

Dubbed "Mantle Boosting" by Respawn, this feature gives players a burst of propulsion when climbing over ledges and walls. According to lead battle royale designer the design lead, Mantle Boosting has unofficially existed of the game for some time, usually referred to as "ledge boosting." However it's challenging for the average player, and typically employed by pro gamers in competitive play or tournaments. This season, the team is making it easier for everyone to successfully perform these advanced speed-boosts.

"Mantle Boosts have been in the game for some time, but executing it isn't easy to perform and a player might not realize it's possible without outside knowledge," Canavese explains. "Now including a Mantle Boost indicator so players can easily see the timing to activate the high-octane traversal skill, opening up the mechanic and adding new ways to compete for a much wider base."

Why Opening Up Advanced Mechanics

What's the reason for making a previously obscure movement quirk accessible to everyone? Lead Legend designer Josh Mohan says developers aims for players to feel powerful — including ones who are inexperienced.

"[The playerbase] performs advanced techniques like super-glides and tap-strafes, and we examined at our competition, observed what the community execute, and we wondered, 'What if we extend these capabilities to more players?'" the designer explains. "Since currently, certain advanced [movement] mechanics are somewhat awkward to access — it requires to change controls and hit one-frame windows. So we said, 'How about we create a polished version?'"

Season 27 Movement Focus

Movement is largely the name of the game in this season, with Legends Horizon, Rampart, and Valkyrie receiving enhancements to help keep them in motion. Recovery time on Horizon's Gravity Lift is shorter, and this skill will boost users into the air faster than it used to. Rampart's Amped Cover feature overhead protection and the ability to provide speed boosts to those nearby. But it's the high-flying this Legend who's getting significant improvements this season, with various adjustments applied to enhance her as stronger, quicker, and deadlier.

"I think many agree that her moment is here," states Legend designer the designer. "There's no doubt that she's been dominant in the past, but with the introduction of other characters, movement[-based] passives, and redeployment tools, it felt like she's not very relevant in current Apex. This presented an ideal chance for the team to revisit multiple elements in her abilities and essentially restore her to her glory days."

Valkyrie's Upgrades

To restore Valkyrie's relevance in current strategies, the developer notes Respawn evaluated all her skills and implemented significant changes. Her jetpack have been upgraded, boosting her speed 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 mark opponents who are hit from the missiles. Her Skyward Dive ability — which launches teammates skyward for repositioning or escape — requires much less time to fire up. She's also getting some new Legend Upgrades that players can choose to reduce fuel consumption, expand the spread of her Missile Swarm, or accelerate her Skyward Dive activation.

"Valkyrie's equipment now delivers on that jet-fighter fantasy," he comments.

Map Changes

Additionally, the only floating arena, this location, receives a mobility-focused overhaul, with major changes that opens up choke points and makes claiming the high ground more manageable. The developers state the game Season 27 is all about providing gamers the resources they need to compete in matches.

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

The battle royale the Amped season releases Nov. 4 at the specified times.