Apex Legends’ mid-season patch notes went live in early January to bring a much-needed balance to some of the most underutilized characters in the game. SinceLoba and Mirage were some of the only Support Legends not to receive buffsat Season 23’s start, they saw significant and concerning drops in usage rate. Respawn Entertainment decided to restore parity by showing some love to both characters in the mid-season update. While Mirage now offers a balanced experience, top players and ranked enthusiasts alike were unprepared for the chaos Loba’s buffs brought to the meta.
Loba has received several buffs over the years, but none have managed to shake the balance ofApex Legendsto this degree. Before the update, Loba had a relatively small player base in Ranked matches and was associated with ratting since she lacked offensive abilities. Respawn Entertainment aimed to address that situation along with the bleak outlook of a few other relatively sidelined characters in the update. However, the initial reactions to the changes suggest the developer perhaps overcorrected for the issue.
Loba’s Rebalancing Act Has Skyrocketed The Legend’s Usage Rates
Healing Buffs Make Loba a No-Brainer Addition to Teams
Prior to the update, Pathfinder had long held the distinction of being themost utilized character inApex Legends, primarily due to his ability to zip around the battlefield at breakneck speeds. With Loba’s buff, it appears the title will shift hands, especially with the nerfing of Pathfinder’s grappling hook ability in mind.
Loba’s presence in a team has become a necessity in Ranked Matches, as it essentially guarantees free shield cells and syringes for all allies. Thismid-season 23 metadenies enemy teams the privilege unless they have a Loba main of their own to counter the situation. With these added boosts of a monopoly on all healing supplies in the radius, teams with Loba can easily outlast their opponents in fights.
Beyond the significant health boosts, her Level 3 upgrade also grants all members of her squad Gold Backpacks. This ability lets players store any essential supply for future battles, ensuring an extra leg up for teams with her on the roster. It’s safe to say this level of expansion to Loba’s utility was unexpected, and it has flipped the current state ofApex Legendsgameplay.
Loba’s Array of Tactical Improvements Upset Apex Legends' Balance of Power
Previously, Loba mains tended to focus on scavenging top-tier loot items due to her limited skill set. For instance, activating herTactical Ability (Burglar’s Best Friend)sees her throw a bracelet that instantly teleports her to wherever it lands. This lets her escape tight scenarios and reach locations beyond the range of other characters, making her a popular option for quick smash-and-grabs.
However, this ability was hindered by a 25-second cooldown timer and a 71-meter maximum teleportation distance, which meant it was still difficult to escape bad situations entirely. Coupled with her ineffectiveness in battle and her inability to draw a weapon until the teleportation animation was complete, the prospects for using Loba in any competitive setting were slim.
With the new update, Loba now has two bracelets, allowing her to use her Tactical in quick succession. She also received an unofficial buff that players noticed in-game, which enabled her to draw her weapon much quicker after teleporting. As a further boon, the bracelet throw and recovery time have been reduced significantly, making her Tactical ability more effective.
Along with the shield and syringe bonuses,Loba’s Black Market Boutique Ultimate Abilityhas undergone a rework that changed the balance of power. Loba initially began matches with her ultimate half-filled, but the new buff makes it available from the jump. The Translocating Thief can also loot an Explosive Hold or Vault without destroying her Black Market Boutique.
Shield Cells, Ally Banners, and Syringes, which were previously unattainable, are now accessible through Loba’s ult, and claiming these supplies above through the Black Market does not count toward the two-item limit, which can now increase to three through upgrades. It’s unclear whether Respawn Entertainment has plans to rebalance Loba at the moment, but the changes have undeniably altered the playbook for conqueringApex Legendsmatches.
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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.
