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The game developers have an exciting surprise prepared for Apex Legends gamers, perfectly timed for the holidays. Enthusiasts of this game's super-slick movement can rejoice to learn that an innovative traversal feature will be introduced when Season 27: Amped goes live on Nov. 4.

Introducing Mantle Boosting

Named "Mantle Boosting" by the developers, this ability provides gamers a burst of propulsion when climbing over obstacles. According to key developer the design lead, Mantle Boosting was previously existed of Apex Legends for quite a while, usually referred to as "ledge boosting." However it's no easy feat for casual gamers, and typically employed by pro gamers in Ranked Mode or esports competitions. In this update, the team simplifies the process for players of all skill levels to successfully perform these advanced movement boosts.

"This technique existed in Apex for a while, but the movement isn't easy to perform and a player might not realize it [is in the game] without external guides," Canavese explains. "Now including a Mantle Boost indicator so players can easily see the timing to activate the fast-paced traversal skill, opening up the feature and adding fresh strategies to play for more players."

Why Make It Accessible

What's the reason for making a previously obscure technique accessible to everyone? Lead Legend designer the development lead says developers aims for gamers to experience empowerment — even those who are new.

"[The playerbase] performs advanced techniques like super-gliding and tap-strafes, and we looked around at our competition, looked at what the community execute, and we wondered, 'How can we provide some of this power to a broader audience?'" Mohan clarifies. "Because right now, some of these advanced [movement] mechanics are kind of janky to access — it requires to change controls and hit one-frame windows. So we said, 'How about we make a more official version?'"

The Amped Update Emphasis on Mobility

Mobility is primarily the central theme in Season 27, with Legends Horizon, the defensive specialist, and Valkyrie receiving buffs to help keep them mobile. The cooldown period on Horizon's Gravity Lift has been decreased, and the Gravity Lift will boost players upward much quicker than it used to. Rampart's Amped Cover now include overhead protection and the ability to provide movement bonuses to those nearby. However the spotlight is on the high-flying this Legend receiving the most attention this season, with various adjustments applied to enhance her as more potent, quicker, and deadlier.

"In my opinion there's quite a consensus that Valkyrie's time is here," says Legend designer Ian Holstead. "Certainly she was dominant in the past, but due to the addition of other characters, movement[-based] passives, and Evac Towers, it seemed like she's not very relevant in current the game. This presented a really great opportunity for the team to revisit multiple elements [of her kit] and essentially restore her to former prominence."

Valkyrie's Upgrades

To restore her competitive status in current strategies, the developer notes the team evaluated each of her abilities and implemented significant modifications. Her jetpack have been upgraded, increasing her speed during flight, and this equipment now recharge much quicker, allowing her to remain longer aloft. She can no longer take damage from her own Missile Swarm, which has also been upgraded to mark enemies who are hit from it. Her squad redeploy ability — which launches teammates skyward for repositioning or escape — now takes 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 accelerate her ultimate activation.

"Her jet pack fulfills the pilot experience," he comments.

Olympus Improvements

Additionally, the lone airborne map, Olympus, is getting a movement-friendly overhaul, with major changes that expands choke points and renders securing elevated positions more manageable. Respawn state Apex Legends this update focuses on providing gamers the tools they need to keep up with the competition.

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

Apex Legends the Amped season releases Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. PST/1 p.m. EST.