Apex Legends Season 27 is poised to deliver a refresh rather than a complete overhaul, showcasing a thoughtful approach to enhancing the existing gameplay experience. The beloved map, Olympus, is set for a significant revamp, while the advanced movement mechanic known as ‘supergliding’ will be officially integrated into the game. Additionally, players can anticipate a series of intriguing weapon adjustments that promise to spice up the competitive landscape.
Legend Reworks and Player Engagement
In lieu of introducing a new character, Respawn Entertainment has opted to focus on reworking three legends: Horizon, Valkyrie, and Rampart. These adjustments come in response to their relatively low pick rates, which have prompted the developers to breathe new life into these characters. Ian Holstead, a legend designer at Respawn, explains, “The thing that they share most in common is they’re not really popular right now.” This sentiment resonates particularly with Valkyrie, who, despite her innovative abilities, has struggled to maintain relevance in the evolving game meta.
Valkyrie’s rework includes notable enhancements such as reduced cooldowns and takeoff times, alongside an increase in flight speed, making her a more elusive target in the air. Her ultimate ability, now dubbed Super Sonic, promises to elevate her gameplay dynamic. Similarly, Horizon is receiving adjustments aimed at rewarding her movement mechanics, with a reduced cooldown on her Gravity Lift and an upgrade to her Black Hole ultimate, which now boasts increased health to withstand enemy attacks.
Rampart’s rework takes a different approach, as her character has traditionally been viewed as more static. Initially, efforts to amplify the power of her minigun, Sheila, led to an imbalance, prompting Respawn to pivot towards enhancing her defensive capabilities. Her walls now feature a roof to shield against grenades and high-ground attacks, while their health scales with Evo levels and regenerates outside of combat. Furthermore, teammates positioned behind her walls will benefit from a speed boost, faster reloads, and infinite ammo, adding a layer of strategic depth to her gameplay.
Despite the focus on these three legends, questions arise regarding the absence of Octane in this round of reworks. Although his pick rate remains higher than that of the legends receiving attention, a recent decline—exacerbated by the introduction of the agile character Sparrow—has left fans yearning for changes. Holstead reassures players that while Octane is not being addressed this season, he has not been forgotten. “Pick rate is an important part of what we look out for when we’re changing characters,” he states, emphasizing that it is just one of many factors considered in the decision-making process.
Josh Mohan, lead legend designer, adds that Respawn is committed to greater transparency regarding their rationale for character adjustments. “In the coming year, we’re looking to try to share more and more of our logic behind these picks,” he notes, acknowledging the community’s desire for insight into the development process.
Apex Legends Season 27 is set to launch on Tuesday, November 4, bringing with it a wave of changes designed to enhance gameplay while keeping the community engaged. Players can look forward to exploring the revamped Olympus and experimenting with the newly refined legends as they dive into the latest chapter of this dynamic battle royale experience.
