MeinMMO interviewed the developer team of the new legend “Vantage” in Apex Legends. We discussed the best strategies for Vantage, the most effective counter-play, and her adorable companion Echo.
In Apex Legends, the new season “Hunted” starts on August 9th. Players have already gotten a glimpse of the new legend coming with the new season: Vantage.
Vantage and her male bat Echo are true survivors. Vantage is a young sniper participating in the Apex Games to fight for justice for her mother.
MeinMMO spoke with the developers of Vantage and asked questions about the new legend. The interviewees were:
- Chris Winder – Lead Legend Designer
- Kevin Lee – Senior Writer
“Some players will take some time to get used to her”
MeinMMO: At the beginning, what type of Apex player would you recommend Vantage for? More for beginners or for advanced players?
Chris Winder: With Vantage, we wanted to create a character for players who want to utilize greater distances in the game […]. So we definitely recommend it to players who like to lean back a bit and support their team, maybe scout the area, keep an eye out for other teams, and share their information with their team.
And I think the other group that will appreciate Vantage are players who enjoy moving around. She has her tactics that allow her to access many different places, not just vertically but also laterally when needed. The ability to explore new movement mechanics in Apex – we already have some of those – players who enjoy that will find joy in Vantage.
MeinMMO: You’ve already talked about Vantage’s strategies. Could you give us some tips on how to use this movement mechanic and her strength? How can you play Vantage most effectively?
Chris Winder: I think some players will take some time to get used to it, unlike other movement mechanics that are executed immediately upon initiation. With the hero Horizon, you start right away, you throw an item on the ground and float upwards. Or you grab onto a building with Pathfinder’s hook the moment you see it and take off. Vantage takes a little time. For one, to charge her tactical ability to initiate the launch, but also to place Echo [her bat] in the right position.
He [Echo] is quite fast, so you can get him to where you need him in time. But I think over time, good Vantage players will start to think about where they should position Echo in every situation.
So if I need to get away or need to gain height at that moment, I know that is the best spot. So either on top of a building or maybe along an exit corridor, in case the team is on my tail, so I have an escape route. Or I might position Echo toward my team when they are destroying a few shields or I’m dealing some damage, then I can rejoin my team.
If you think strategically in advance and place Echo in those positions, you’ll get the most benefit from the tactical ability compared to others.
In the launch trailer for “Hunted,” you can see Vantage in the Apex Games
What to do when playing against a Vantage?
MeinMMO: If there’s a Vantage on the other team. What is the best counter for me? Which legend would be the best to beat Vantage?
Chris Winder: […] We definitely had some good Vantage vs. Vantage fights during testing […]. Sometimes you see a Vantage targeting another, so they can effectively engage at equal distance. That is an interesting mechanic made possible by the ultimate ability, because the damage does not remain the same but multiplies.
If you make the first shot, then the second shot is significant. Sometimes you can let yourself get hit by the opponent’s first shot and if you believe you are safe enough to fire your own second shot before the other does. […] So that is one way.
I think another counter would be other movement legends that can close the distance to Vantage. Maybe you can isolate her if she is in a position where she is a bit separated from her team, and in such situations, you could attack her.
Some characters could take advantage of that. However, they need to be quick because Vantage can, as I mentioned earlier, get out of that situation if she finds herself in trouble. But yes, those could be some good counters.
MeinMMO: Some players – myself included – have noticed some parallels between her and Bloodhound. […] Was that intended?
Kevin Lee: Yes, I think when we were working on it, it was somewhat inevitable. We saw those parallels already. And at first, we thought: “Oh no. We don’t want Vantage to be designed just like Bloodhound.”
But then we realized that she is so much different, and that created a lot of interesting character dynamics between the two. Because even though they have the two similarities of being hunters and having pets, they are very different. Bloodhound is very serious, with a strong focus on honor and bravery. And Arthur is not exactly the cuddliest raven you can imagine […]
In contrast, Vantage is funny, optimistic, and very capable. She is not naive, but simply not as experienced and skilled […] as Bloodhound. And Echo is just a somewhat playful creature, funny and with a broad personality range.
And so we found that while there are overlaps, there are also enough differences that create a really interesting character dynamic between the two. We are really convinced that she could bring forth a lot of great stories and things.
Last but not least: Echo!
MeinMMO: Have you already planned Echo’s personality, or should the player give him some personality?
Kevin Lee: It is definitely balanced. We wanted him to be somewhat cute and sweet so that everyone falls in love with him. But we also wanted to emphasize that he is a wild creature. Just like Vantage came from a very survival-oriented lifestyle and is now experiencing civilization for the first time.
Echo has a similar journey. He has lived in the wilderness all his life and is now in this situation with the Apex Games, and that’s why he is sweet and cuddly with Vantage. But he is […] incredibly protective and is still a wild creature. He listens to the whistle, but he doesn’t “sit” or “stay” (laughs).
We thank Chris Winder and Kevin Lee for the interview and wish them much success in developing new legends for Apex Legends.
What do you think of Vantage and Echo? Feel free to write it in the comments.
This was not the only interview MeinMMO conducted recently: Here you can find an interview with a drag queen on Twitch, where we asked about their biggest issues and wishes while streaming.
