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Respawn Entertainment has a special treat prepared for the popular battle royale players, perfectly timed for the holidays. Fans of the battle royale's super-slick movement can rejoice to discover that a new movement mechanic will be introduced when the Amped season launches on Nov. 4.

Introducing Mantle Boosting

Named "Mantle Boosting" by Respawn, this feature provides gamers a surge of propulsion when climbing over ledges and walls. According to key developer the design lead, this technique was previously existed of the game for some time, often called as "mantle jumping." But it's no easy feat for casual gamers, and typically employed by competitive players in competitive play or esports competitions. In this update, Respawn is making it easier for everyone to successfully perform these advanced speed-boosts.

"This technique have been in the game for a while, but executing it requires skill to perform and a player would never know it [is in the game] without external guides," the designer states. "Now including a Mantle Boost indicator so players can clearly identify the timing to activate the high-octane movement ability, making accessible the mechanic and introducing new ways to compete for a much wider base."

Why Opening Up Advanced Mechanics

Why make a once niche technique available to all players? Principal designer the development lead says developers wants gamers to feel powerful — including ones who are new.

"Our community is doing other crazy stuff like super-glides and tap-strafing, and we looked around at our competition, observed what the community execute, and we said, 'How can we extend these capabilities to more players?'" the designer clarifies. "Because currently, some of these techniques are somewhat awkward to access — it requires to change controls and execute within precise timings. So we said, 'What if we make a more official version?'"

The Amped Update Emphasis on Mobility

Mobility is primarily the central theme in this season, with characters Horizon, the defensive specialist, and the aerial combatant receiving buffs to help keep them in motion. Recovery time on Horizon's Gravity Lift is shorter, and this skill will boost users into the air much quicker than before. Rampart's Amped Cover feature a roof and the ability to grant speed boosts to those nearby. However it's the high-flying Valkyrie who's getting the most attention now, with various adjustments implemented to enhance her as more potent, quicker, and more lethal.

"I think there's quite a consensus that Valkyrie's time has arrived," says Legend designer Ian Holstead. "There's no doubt that she's been top-tier in the past, but with the introduction of other characters, mobility perks, and Evac Towers, it seemed like she fell behind in today's the game. It was an ideal chance for us to revisit multiple elements [of her kit] and sort of restore her to former prominence."

Enhancements to the Aerial Legend

To restore Valkyrie's relevance in the game's meta, Holstead says Respawn assessed each of her abilities and implemented some powerful changes. Her jetpack received improvements, boosting velocity while airborne, and the jets themselves regenerates much quicker, allowing the player to spend more time in the air. Now she won't be harmed from her ultimate ability, which was enhanced to mark enemies who take damage from it. Her squad redeploy skill — which launches teammates into the air for redeployment or escape — requires reduced delay to activate. She's also getting recently added perk choices that users can choose to conserve resources, expand the spread of her rockets, or accelerate her ultimate takeoff time.

"Valkyrie's equipment now delivers on the pilot experience," he comments.

Map Changes

Even the game's only floating arena, Olympus, receives a movement-friendly facelift, with an extensive redesign that opens up bottlenecks and makes claiming the high ground a bit less daunting. The developers state Apex Legends this update is all about giving players the tools required to keep up with the competition.

"Essentially, we were looking at Apex's fundamental nature as a movement shooter," explains principal designer Josh Mohan.

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