As a dedicated Apex Legends player with countless hours logged into the game since its release, I can’t help but share my thoughts on the current state of the meta. It’s been a wild ride watching the game evolve over these six years, and while there have been some exciting metas in the past, the defensive nature of the current one leaves me yearning for a change.
In its six-year lifespan, Apex Legends has seen numerous shifts in game strategies (metas), yet none have been as persistent and defense-oriented as the current roster of playable characters. This applies to both casual and ranked games, as well as the competitive scene.
In general, both Ranked and Casual game modes often feature players who can grab banners, providing additional chances for their team to continue playing, or metaphorically speaking, another chance at life. However, as we climb up the ranks in Ranked and Competitive play, these environments tend to become quite linear and predictable.
In our usual routine, we often find ourselves tracking down two Mozambique guns, making the characteristic sound of ‘duf-duf-duf’, while we take shelter behind protective legends, be they smoky or shielded ones. It’s a classic game of hide-and-seek between us and them.
In a chat with GGRecon during the ALGS Split 2 Playoffs, renowned Apex Legends star and self-proclaimed “CEO” of the scene Philip “ImperialHal” Dosen discussed the approach to balancing the game, focusing on reducing damage legends and enhancing characters with increased movement capabilities, particularly the agile Mozams.
Legends never die, but some need wounding
Discussing the challenges developers encounter when creating engaging stories for casual gamers, balanced characters for ranked play, and competitive teams, I sought Hal’s thoughts regarding the present game dynamics (meta).
“I hate Crypto,” he said with a serious chuckle. “He’s just senseless, anybody can use it.“
He pointed out how Crypto isn’t the worst character in the world to come up against in a 3v3, but it’s Apex’s notorious third parties that cause the legend to be so annoying, getting stunned by multiple drones mid-engagement.
My primary complaint is that every conflict feels like a shock battle, and occasionally, during a fight, I get shocked by Crypto’s abilities, but it’s not even their own doing; it’s someone else’s Crypto from across the map that EMPs me. That’s what bothers me the most.
However, it’s worth noting that Crypto isn’t the only character on his hit list. Although Fuse hasn’t been used much in the latest ALGS Split 2 qualifiers and the Esports World Cup, he still believes that changes should be made to balance Fuse’s abilities as well.
Dosen stated, “I believe characters who don’t deal damage with their skills make the game stronger. To me, characters that amplify the shooting experience are preferable over ones like Crypto or Fuse. This is because they reduce the emphasis on gunplay and instead require you to heavily rely on abilities throughout gameplay.”
“What made Horizon stand out for me, despite the fact that the Horizon Ult was faulty at the time, was mainly the Horizon Q. It significantly improved both gameplay and gunplay for me. This is because it allowed me to shoot from not just the ground, but also by adopting various shooting positions in the air.”
These characters seem to be widely accepted, yet it’s important to understand that diversity is necessary, and heroes who inflict damage should have their moments to shine. However, it’s not a preference and the gameplay becomes less enjoyable when these characters are overused.
As a gamer, I can’t help but reminisce about the early stages of the game where the meta was truly captivating. Unlike later versions, there were no abilities to inflict damage back then. Instead, it was all about my 3v3 combat skills and my aiming prowess that made the difference.
It’s quite challenging to limit oneself to just one category since creativity is somewhat restricted in this case. If there aren’t any damage-inflicting abilities involved, I believe the game might not have sustained itself for as long as it has.
Collectively, we reminisced about such gameplay patterns, or metas for short. Primarily, Pathfinder on King’s Canyon and Octane’s stim abilities stood out as the clearest examples of non-damage oriented Legend characters in our minds.
When queried about who requires a buff, Hal promptly replies with a straightforward response: “Wraith.” His tone is direct, immediate, and grave. “Just instantaneously use the Q ability. No hesitation, just execute it instantly.”
No-zambique
Regarding the remainder of the game, Hal expressed appreciation for the work Respawn did on Season 22, however, he pointed out one more issue: the Mozambique.
Previously introduced as a dual weapon, they have shown a threatening presence during the ALGS Split 2 Playoffs, with each team member utilizing them.
He expressed his opinion, saying, “I believe the Mozams are incredibly overpowered and require significant balancing.” Despite the laughter at their power level, it was acknowledged that the developers had shown creativity in creating them.
In my view, the new Havoc is even more troublesome than the old one. Compare Turbocharged Havoc to standard Mozams, and there might be a chance of victory. However, when it comes to Hammerpoint Mozams, you’ll triumph every single time.
Despite their strength, Hal contends that such idiosyncrasies in the Akimbo Mozambiques can be beneficial for the game overall; however, he suggests they may not be ideal for daily players or those playing at an advanced level.
This situation showcases yet again how various metas within Apex Legends player communities are adjusted differently. He admitted, “I’ve always been a fan of overpowered items, as I believe that they are the only elements players actually utilize if they are indeed overpowered.”
“It significantly alters the dynamics. It adds excitement as it offers something new for us. However, it presents a complex scenario. While we have the opportunity to switch between various weapons or characters, the Mozams may not be proficient. Essentially, using a shotgun is simplified; anyone can overuse it, and the outcome becomes a matter of who spams it most.“
In simple terms, expect a change in the strategy used in Apex Legends, as we anticipate discussing this topic with Game Designer John Larson. We’ll be pondering which characters may bring about such shifts in the game dynamics.
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2024-08-30 15:13