Apex Legendshas made some divisive moves with its recent updates, making 2024 something of a rough year. However, there’s one changeApex Legendshas made in the past year that Respawn shouldn’t rein in completely.
Respawn has had some recent difficulties with givingApexthe means to keep up in an increasingly competitive sphere. 2024 was especially tough, asRespawn’s proposed battle pass changescaused a massive controversy among fans that spiraled into a general aura of distrust. Such an effect has permeated the whole year, drawing the attention of many towards the increasing stagnation ofApex Legends—in addition to continued issues of bugs, matchmaking, and hackings.
Apex Legends' Support Changes Should Stick Around
Another example of recent controversy wasApex Legends' buff to Support Legends, one of Season 23’s biggest draws. The buff made the Support class' original perk, the ability to craft banners, universal, granting the class a variety of new boons. Support Legends now revive faster, aren’t as slowed while healing, and heal twice as much from small heals. These changes are even bigger than those received by Recon and Control classes earlier in the year, which were already some solid perks. Naturally, these major buffs have sparked some pushback, and it’s not hard to see why given the new possibilities for outrageous team comps.
On the other hand, there’s also good reason for Respawn to stick to its guns. The studio may have already begun some damage control, including the removal of the Gold Knockdown Shield thanks tothe buff’s effects on Newcastle, but any effort to rein in the Support class should still be given pause. The buff has helped improve the pick-rate of many overlooked Legends, such as Mirage and Loba, and it could be used to foster a better environment for teamwork. Emphasizing support in such a competitive game could help rectify some issues related to matchmaking and ill-fitting teammates.
The Benefits Of A Support Meta
Apex Legends' matchmaking has been an issuefor some, even with Respawn’s renewed effort to fix the system. One problem fans have had has been being put with incompatible teammates, which is an incredibly tricky issue to fix. It’s borderline impossible for Respawn to perfectly match playstyles together, and it’s unlikely that most players that aren’t already partied up will properly communicate with randoms via voice channels. There’s still work Respawn could do to improve matters, but this aspect of matchmaking is one that won’t be resolved easily.
What might help is the birth of this newSupport meta inApex Legends, especially with abilities that benefit revives. Encouraging the use of Support abilities would lend well towards creating a more team-focused atmosphere in-game; even if it doesn’t directly induce an altruistic spirit within players, it reframes what a player can do to aid the team. Rather than everyone focusing on getting kills, some players will be more focused on supporting the team, which will lend to more sportsmanship and more focus on keeping the team healthy. The changes to health gained from small heals for Support Legends will also encourage more resource distribution, directing big heals to non-Support allies.
Respawn’s Focus Should Be Elsewhere
Reversing the new Support meta, even if that meta has some wild strengths, won’t solve the underlyingissues facingApex Legends. Much of the current fan controversy isn’t aimed at the Support meta, it’s more directed at the game’s overall stagnation. Fans haven’t seen enough evolution within the game, and the situation is only worsened by recurring bugs and hacking incidents. Prioritizing these instead of altering a meta that has some clear strengths would be the ideal way forward for the battle royale title.
Apex Legends
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Conquer with character in Apex Legends, a free-to-play* Hero shooter where legendary characters with powerful abilities team up to battle for fame & fortune on the fringes of the Frontier.Master an ever-growing roster of diverse legends, deep tactical squad play, and bold new innovations that go beyond the Battle Royale experience—all within a rugged world where anything goes. Welcome to the next evolution of Hero Shooter.This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items, including a random selection of virtual in-game items.
