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The game developers has a special treat in store for the popular battle royale players, arriving just in time for the holidays. Enthusiasts of this game's super-slick traversal can rejoice to learn that a new movement mechanic is being implemented when Season 27: Amped launches on Nov. 4.

Introducing Mantle Boosting

Named "Mantle Boosting" by the developers, this ability gives players a surge of propulsion when scaling ledges and walls. According to key developer Eric Canavese, Mantle Boosting has unofficially existed of Apex Legends for quite a while, often called as "ledge boosting." However it's challenging for the average player, and is mainly used by pro gamers in competitive play or tournaments. This season, Respawn simplifies the process for players of all skill levels to execute these advanced movement boosts.

"This technique have been in the game for a while, but executing it isn't easy to perform and gamers might not realize it's possible without external guides," Canavese explains. "Now including a Mantle Boost indicator so players can clearly identify the timing to activate the fast-paced traversal skill, opening up the feature and introducing fresh strategies to compete for more players."

Why Make It Accessible

Why make a previously obscure technique available to all players? Principal designer the development lead explains developers wants players to feel powerful — including ones who are new.

"[The playerbase] performs advanced techniques like super-glides and tap-strafing, and we examined at other games, observed what our players are doing, and we said, 'What if we extend some of this power to a broader audience?'" Mohan explains. "Since currently, certain advanced [movement] mechanics are somewhat awkward to access — it requires to change controls and execute within precise timings. We proposed, 'How about we create a more official implementation?'"

The Amped Update Movement Focus

Mobility is largely the name of the game in Season 27, with characters the gravity mage, Rampart, and Valkyrie all getting enhancements to maintain them in motion. Recovery time on her tactical ability has been decreased, and the Gravity Lift will boost users into the air much quicker than it used to. Her defensive walls now include a roof and capability to grant speed boosts to allies in range. But it's aerial Valkyrie receiving the most attention this season, with multiple tweaks implemented to enhance her as more potent, quicker, and deadlier.

"In my opinion many agree that her moment has arrived," says Legend designer the designer. "Certainly she was dominant in the past, but with the introduction of new Legends, mobility perks, and redeployment tools, it seemed like she's not very relevant in current the game. It was a really great opportunity for the team to revisit a bunch of aspects in her abilities and sort of restore her to former prominence."

Valkyrie's Upgrades

To reclaim Valkyrie's relevance in current strategies, the developer notes the team assessed all her skills and introduced some powerful changes. Her VTOL Jets received improvements, boosting her speed during flight, and the jets themselves regenerates three times faster, enabling the player to remain longer in the air. Now she won't be harmed from her own Missile Swarm, which was enhanced to mark opponents who are hit from it. Her squad redeploy ability — which lifts teammates skyward for redeployment or escape — requires reduced delay to fire up. Additionally, she gains some new Legend Upgrades that users can select to reduce fuel consumption, expand the spread of her Missile Swarm, or further speed up her ultimate takeoff time.

"Valkyrie's equipment now delivers on that jet-fighter fantasy," Holstead says.

Olympus Improvements

Even the game's only floating arena, this location, is getting a movement-friendly facelift, with an extensive redesign that expands choke points and makes claiming the high ground a bit less daunting. Respawn says Apex Legends this update focuses on giving players the tools they need to compete in the competition.

"Really, we were looking at Apex's core identity as a fast-paced FPS," explains lead Legend designer the lead.

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