Return of the Apex Predator

All Hail the King?

One of Esports most beloved Battle Royale Titles had been hovering at new lows for a little while now. With player counts dropping to just above 100,000 players, the game was looking like it was finally dying out after years of success. Season 23 of Apex Legends was not anywhere close to where players had wanted it to be with an over reliance on abilities and time to kill often feeling way too long. However, with ALGS returning at the end of January, a revitalization of the game was imminent. The player count spiked up to 633,000 players in the middle of February with the release of Season 24 of Apex Legends which implemented major changes.

Sometimes Change can be Good

These changes included major gameplay differences such as the removal of helmets and red evo armor, but with a twist. Only red and gold helmets would be available to loot in matches from corresponding loot bins. These loot bins are then restocked later in that game, granting the matching armor and benefits of each. The changes did not stop there. Nearly every weapon was buffed in damage, making the time to kill decrease drastically compared to the typical Apex Legends slower time to kill. This would give Season 24 a brand new feel that players both love and hate. With faster time to kill came faster gunfights and a need for much more strategic methods for pushing teams in order to not be punished. Changes needed to be made for legends in order to make this possible.

Legends who received key changes to allow them to fit better into the new playstyle included buffs to Ash and Ballistic. Ash received a new passive ability of a dash which made her an immediate choice of most players embracing the movement mechanics, but that was only the beginning of the changes to her kit. Her snares evolved to be able to snare multiple enemies or choose to give them a second charge, and a second upgrade of Evo armor allowed for the choice of two ultimate charges or two dashes. Ash instantly became part of the meta as an almost must pick character. Likewise, Ballistic received many changes with the most notable ones being a default two charges of tactical whistlers and the ability to increase ultimate duration by 15 seconds on the first Evo upgrade. He also gained the ability to add an additional two charges to the tactical for a total of four charges. This now allows Ballistic a lot of area control as well as damage capabilities in this new season of Apex Legends. These two characters took the meta by storm as the offensive output of assault legends’ exploded. Gunfights changed dramatically thanks to these legends’ reload speeds mid-fight and two inventory slots specifically dedicated to grenades.

Adapt or Die

With the meta shifting quickly, so too did the playstyle. Players learned the importance of split-second decision making, such as choosing to follow teams through their portals, where in the past there was much more hesitancy to do so. Players quickly learned that long, drawn out gun fights were often not in their best interest as the thought of third parties with faster time to kill could give their team a quick one-way trip back to the lobby. With Season 24 approaching the halfway mark, teams have been quick to adapt and even quicker to find new ways to wipe squads. With the minds of players seeming to be ever so intrigued with the new shifting meta, legend changes, and weapon changes, it is safe to say that this beloved FPS Battle Royale is not going anywhere. With the next split of ALGS Year 5 continuing on April 5, 2025 players will be eager to tune in and watch their favorite players while being just as excited to get back in their own lobbies, ready to try out their newly acquired strategies. Apex Legends is back from the depths of despair and here to stay.