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The game developers has an exciting surprise prepared for Apex Legends 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 launches on November 4th.

Unveiling Mantle Boosting

Named "Mantle Boosting" by the developers, this feature provides gamers a surge of forward momentum when climbing over ledges and walls. As explained key developer Eric Canavese, Mantle Boosting has unofficially existed of the game for some time, usually referred to as "mantle jumping." However it's challenging for casual gamers, and is mainly used by pro gamers in competitive play or esports competitions. This season, Respawn is making it easier for everyone to execute these tricky speed-boosts.

"This technique have been in the game for some time, but executing it isn't easy to perform and gamers might not realize it's possible without outside knowledge," the designer states. "We're adding a Mantle Boost indicator so users can easily see the timing to trigger the high-octane traversal skill, making accessible the mechanic and introducing new ways to compete for more players."

Why Make It Accessible

What's the reason for making a previously obscure technique available to all players? Principal designer the development lead says developers wants gamers to feel powerful — even those who are new.

"Our community performs other crazy stuff like super-gliding and tap-strafes, and we examined at other games, observed what our players are doing, and we said, 'What if we provide some of this power to more players?'" Mohan clarifies. "Since currently, some of these advanced [movement] mechanics are kind of janky to use — you need to remap your keybinds and execute within precise timings. So we said, 'How about we make a more official implementation?'"

The Amped Update Emphasis on Mobility

Movement is primarily the central theme in Season 27, with Legends Horizon, the defensive specialist, and Valkyrie receiving enhancements to maintain them mobile. The cooldown period on Horizon's Gravity Lift has been decreased, and this skill will boost players upward faster than before. Rampart's Amped Cover now include overhead protection and the ability to grant movement bonuses to allies in range. But it's aerial this Legend who's getting the most attention now, with multiple tweaks implemented to make her stronger, quicker, and deadlier.

"I think many agree that Valkyrie's time is here," says Legend designer the designer. "There's no doubt she was dominant in the past, but with the introduction of new Legends, movement[-based] passives, and Evac Towers, it felt like she's not very relevant in today's Apex. This presented an ideal chance for us to revisit a bunch of aspects [of her kit] and essentially restore her to her glory days."

Valkyrie's Upgrades

To restore Valkyrie's relevance in current strategies, Holstead says the team assessed all her skills and introduced significant modifications. Her VTOL Jets have been upgraded, boosting her speed during flight, and this equipment regenerates three times faster, enabling the player to spend more time aloft. Now she won't be harmed from her ultimate ability, which has also been upgraded to tag opponents who are hit from it. Her Skyward Dive ability — which launches teammates into the air for repositioning or retreat — requires much less time to activate. Additionally, she gains some new perk choices that users can select to conserve resources, widen the area of her Missile Swarm, or further speed up her Skyward Dive activation.

"Her jet pack fulfills that jet-fighter fantasy," Holstead says.

Map Changes

Additionally, the lone airborne map, this location, is getting a mobility-focused overhaul, with an extensive redesign that expands choke points and makes claiming the high ground a bit less daunting. The developers says the game Season 27 focuses on providing gamers the tools required to compete in matches.

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

The battle royale the Amped season launches Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. PST/1 p.m. EST.