Apex Legends Season 27 may not introduce entirely new content, but it’s far from a minor update. Players can look forward to a revamped Olympus map, the official integration of ‘supergliding’ as a supported movement mechanic, and significant weapon adjustments. Instead of a new character, this season focuses on reworks for Horizon, Valkyrie, and Rampart, chosen due to their low usage rates. Octane, another highly popular legend whose pick rate has sharply declined, has also been a subject of community discussion. During a recent interview with Respawn developers, we explored the reasons behind selecting this trio for changes, the specifics of their updates, and received a reassuring promise that ‘Octane has not been forgotten.’
Recently, Apex Legends has shifted its focus away from introducing entirely new maps, legends, or weapons each season. However, with the upcoming Season 27, Respawn is demonstrating its commitment to enhancing existing game elements. This includes substantial buffs for Horizon, Valkyrie, and Rampart, all characters who have been part of the game for four to five years.
According to legend designer Ian Holstead, the primary reason for these reworks is the characters’ current lack of popularity. ‘While some legends, particularly Rampart, still see play at certain skill levels, ultimately, all three suffer from relatively low pick rates,’ Holstead explained. He noted that these are characters who haven’t received significant updates in a long time and were overdue for attention. Valkyrie, in particular, was struggling the most. Her unique moving passive, groundbreaking at her release, has struggled to keep up with the game’s evolution and new gameplay limits, leaving her feeling somewhat outdated.
Valkyrie’s redesign includes reduced cooldowns and quicker takeoff times, an increased flight speed to make her a more elusive target in the air, and a new ‘Super Sonic’ option for her ultimate ability. Horizon, another legend who once felt incredibly dynamic but now struggles in the current meta, is also receiving attention. Much like Valkyrie, the aim is to enhance her movement capabilities, with a reduced cooldown on her Gravity Lift and a faster vertical launch. Additionally, her Black Hole ultimate will now have increased health, making it more resilient against enemy attacks.
Rampart, on the other hand, presents a unique challenge. Traditionally a more static and situational character, Respawn initially considered boosting her already powerful minigun, Sheila. However, this approach quickly proved to make Rampart ‘completely overpowered.’ Returning to their design principles, the developers shifted focus to improving her Amped Cover’s protective capabilities and overall team utility. Her updated walls will now feature a roof, shielding allies from grenades and attacks from above. The durability of her walls will also scale with her Evo levels and regenerate when out of combat. Furthermore, teammates behind her Amped Cover will gain a speed boost, faster reloads, and unlimited ammunition.
Considering that both age and declining pick rates were key factors in deciding these legend reworks, many players might question why Octane, a long-time fan-favorite, has once again been overlooked. Although his pick rate remains higher than the three legends receiving buffs in Season 27, his recent decline has been far more drastic, exacerbated by the introduction of Sparrow, a highly agile and often more effective character. Despite his enduring popularity, Octane’s pick rate has now fallen to a mere 3%.
Holstead clarified that while ‘pick rate is an important part of what we look out for when we’re changing characters,’ it’s not the sole factor. He acknowledged Octane’s historically high pick rates and his current significantly lower usage, stating, ‘I think that’s a sign that people are looking for changes. And we hear that. So rest assured, Octane has not been forgotten.’ However, he confirmed that Octane’s updates are not planned for this particular season.
Josh Mohan, Apex’s lead legend designer, added that Respawn intends to be more transparent in the future regarding the various metrics and design philosophies that inform their legend balancing decisions, beyond just pick rates.
Apex Legends Season 27 is scheduled to launch on Tuesday, November 4. Players can find a comprehensive overview of all the upcoming changes within the new season.
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Once the new season is live, we invite you to join the discussion and share your thoughts within the official community server.