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The game developers have a special treat prepared for the popular battle royale players, arriving just in time for the holidays. Enthusiasts of this game's super-slick traversal can rejoice to discover that an innovative traversal feature will be introduced when Season 27: Amped launches on Nov. 4.

Unveiling The Mantle Boost

Named "Mantle Boosting" by the developers, this feature gives players a burst of forward momentum when scaling obstacles. According to key developer the design lead, this technique has unofficially existed of the game for quite a while, often called as "ledge boosting." But it's challenging for casual gamers, and typically employed by competitive players in Ranked Mode or tournaments. In this update, the team simplifies the process for players of all skill levels to successfully perform these advanced speed-boosts.

"Mantle Boosts have been in Apex for some time, but executing it isn't easy to perform and gamers would never know it's possible without outside knowledge," the designer states. "We're adding a visual cue so users can clearly identify the timing to trigger the high-octane movement ability, making accessible the feature and introducing fresh strategies to play for more players."

Why Make It Accessible

What's the reason for making a once niche technique available to all players? Lead Legend designer the development lead says developers wants players to feel powerful — even those who are new.

"Our community performs other crazy stuff like super-glides and tap-strafes, and we examined at our competition, looked at what our players execute, and we said, 'How can we extend some of this power to more players?'" Mohan clarifies. "Since right now, certain advanced [movement] mechanics are kind of janky to access — it requires to change controls and execute within precise timings. So we said, 'What if we create a more official version?'"

Season 27 Movement Focus

Mobility is primarily the central theme in this season, with Legends Horizon, the defensive specialist, and Valkyrie all getting enhancements to maintain them in motion. Recovery time on Horizon's Gravity Lift has been decreased, and this skill will propel players into the air much quicker than it used to. Rampart's Amped Cover feature a roof and the ability to provide speed boosts to those nearby. However it's the high-flying Valkyrie receiving the most attention this season, with multiple tweaks implemented to make her stronger, quicker, and deadlier.

"In my opinion there's quite a consensus that her moment is here," states Legend designer Ian Holstead. "There's no doubt she was dominant in the past, but with the introduction of other characters, mobility perks, and Evac Towers, it felt like she fell behind in today's the game. It was a really great opportunity for us to reexamine multiple elements [of her kit] and essentially restore her to former prominence."

Valkyrie's Upgrades

To reclaim Valkyrie's relevance in current strategies, Holstead notes Respawn assessed all her skills and introduced some powerful changes. Her VTOL Jets have been upgraded, boosting velocity during flight, and the jets themselves regenerates much quicker, allowing the player to remain longer aloft. Now she won't be harmed from her ultimate ability, which was enhanced to tag enemies who are hit from the missiles. Her Skyward Dive skill — which launches her entire squad into the air for repositioning or escape — now takes much less time to fire up. She's also getting some new Legend Upgrades that players can select to conserve resources, expand the spread of her rockets, or further speed up her ultimate takeoff time.

"Valkyrie's equipment now delivers on the pilot experience," Holstead says.

Olympus Improvements

Even the game's only floating arena, this location, receives a mobility-focused overhaul, with major changes that expands choke points and renders securing elevated positions more manageable. Respawn says the game this update is all about giving players the tools required to keep up with the competition.

"Essentially, we were looking at the game's core identity as a movement shooter," explains lead Legend designer the lead.

Apex Legends Season 27: Amped releases Nov. 4 at the specified times.