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Respawn Entertainment have a special treat in store for the popular battle royale gamers, arriving just in time for the holidays. Fans of this game's super-slick movement can rejoice to discover that a new movement mechanic will be introduced when Season 27: Amped goes live on Nov. 4.

Unveiling Mantle Boosting

Named "Momentum Boosting" by Respawn, this ability provides gamers a burst of forward momentum when scaling obstacles. According to key developer the design lead, this technique was previously been a feature 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 tournaments. This season, Respawn simplifies the process for players of all skill levels to successfully perform these advanced movement boosts.

"This technique existed in the game for a while, but the movement isn't easy to pull off and gamers would never know it [is in the game] without external guides," the designer explains. "We're adding a visual cue so users can clearly identify the timing to activate the fast-paced movement ability, making accessible the feature and adding fresh strategies to compete for more players."

Why Make It Accessible

Why make a previously obscure technique available to all players? Lead Legend designer the development lead explains the team aims for players to experience empowerment — including ones who are new.

"[The playerbase] performs advanced techniques like super-gliding and tap-strafes, and we looked around at our competition, observed what our players are doing, and we wondered, 'How can we provide some of this power to more players?'" Mohan clarifies. "Since right now, certain techniques are kind of janky to use — you need to remap your keybinds and execute within one-frame windows. So we said, 'How about we create a more official version?'"

The Amped Update Emphasis on Mobility

Mobility is largely the name of the game in Season 27, with characters the gravity mage, Rampart, and the aerial combatant receiving buffs to help keep them mobile. Recovery time on her tactical ability has been decreased, and this skill will propel users upward much quicker than before. Rampart's Amped Cover now include a roof and capability to provide movement bonuses to allies in range. But the spotlight is on the high-flying Valkyrie who's getting significant improvements this season, with various adjustments implemented to enhance her as stronger, quicker, and deadlier.

"In my opinion many agree that her moment has arrived," says character developer the designer. "There's no doubt that she's been top-tier previously, but with the introduction of other characters, mobility perks, and redeployment tools, it seemed like she's not very relevant in current the game. It was an ideal chance for the team to reexamine multiple elements in her abilities and sort of bring her back to her glory days."

Valkyrie's Upgrades

To reclaim her competitive status in the game's meta, the developer notes Respawn assessed each of her abilities and implemented significant changes. Her jetpack received improvements, boosting velocity while airborne, and this equipment now recharge three times faster, enabling the player to spend more time aloft. She can no longer take damage from her own Missile Swarm, which was enhanced to mark enemies who are hit from it. Her squad redeploy ability — which lifts teammates skyward for redeployment or escape — requires much less time to fire up. Additionally, she gains some new Legend Upgrades that users can choose to conserve resources, widen the area of her rockets, or further speed up her Skyward Dive activation.

"Valkyrie's equipment fulfills that jet-fighter fantasy," he says.

Olympus Improvements

Additionally, the lone airborne map, Olympus, receives a mobility-focused overhaul, with an extensive redesign that expands choke points and makes claiming the high ground a bit less daunting. Respawn says Apex Legends Season 27 is all about giving players the tools required to compete in matches.

"Really, we were looking at the game's fundamental nature as a fast-paced FPS," says principal designer the lead.

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