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Respawn Entertainment has a special treat in store for Apex Legends players, arriving just in time for festive season. Fans of this game's super-slick movement can rejoice to learn that a new movement mechanic will be introduced when the Amped season launches on Nov. 4.

Introducing Mantle Boosting

Named "Mantle Boosting" by the developers, this feature gives players a surge of forward momentum when scaling ledges and walls. As explained key developer Eric Canavese, this technique was previously been a feature of the game for some time, often called as "ledge boosting." But it's challenging for casual gamers, and is mainly used by competitive players in competitive play or esports competitions. In this update, Respawn simplifies the process for players of all skill levels to successfully perform these advanced movement boosts.

"Mantle Boosts have been in Apex for a while, but the movement requires skill to perform and a player might not realize it [is in the game] without outside knowledge," the designer explains. "Now including a visual cue so users can easily see when and how to activate the high-octane movement ability, making accessible the feature and introducing new ways to play for a much wider base."

Why Make It Accessible

Why make a once niche movement quirk available to all players? Principal designer the development lead explains developers aims for gamers to experience empowerment — even those who are inexperienced.

"[The playerbase] performs other crazy stuff like super-gliding and tap-strafes, and we examined at other games, observed what our players execute, and we said, 'What if we extend these capabilities to a broader audience?'" the designer clarifies. "Since currently, certain techniques are somewhat awkward to access — you need to change controls and hit precise timings. We proposed, 'What if we create a polished implementation?'"

The Amped Update Emphasis on Mobility

Mobility is primarily the central theme in Season 27, with characters the gravity mage, the defensive specialist, and Valkyrie receiving enhancements to help keep them mobile. Recovery time on her tactical ability has been decreased, and the Gravity Lift will propel users into the air much quicker than before. Her defensive walls feature a roof and capability to grant speed boosts to allies in range. However it's aerial Valkyrie receiving the most attention now, with multiple tweaks applied to make her stronger, quicker, and more lethal.

"I think there's quite a consensus that her moment is here," states character developer the designer. "Certainly that she's been dominant previously, but with the introduction of new Legends, movement[-based] passives, and Evac Towers, it felt like she fell behind in today's the game. It was an ideal chance for us to revisit multiple elements [of her kit] and essentially restore her to her glory days."

Valkyrie's Upgrades

To reclaim Valkyrie's relevance in current strategies, Holstead says Respawn assessed each of her abilities and implemented significant modifications. Her jetpack received improvements, increasing her speed while airborne, and the jets themselves regenerates three times faster, allowing her to spend more time in the air. Now she won't be harmed from her own Missile Swarm, 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 redeployment or escape — requires reduced delay to activate. Additionally, she gains some new perk choices that users can select to reduce fuel consumption, expand the spread of her rockets, or accelerate her ultimate activation.

"Her jet pack now delivers on that jet-fighter fantasy," Holstead comments.

Map Changes

Even the game's lone airborne map, this location, is getting a mobility-focused overhaul, with an extensive redesign that opens up bottlenecks and renders claiming the high ground more manageable. The developers says Apex Legends Season 27 is all about providing gamers the resources required to keep up with the competition.

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

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