Some players have already been able to catch a preview of the new Season 3 of Apex Legends. What was seen there could have a significant impact on the meta established in Season 2: Particularly the new map and the legend Crypto.
What changes could come? With Season 3 of Apex Legends comes both the new map World’s Edge and the new legend Crypto. Both have mechanics that can strongly counter current meta teams.
Additionally, there are some changes to weapons and attachments, which also weaken popular setups.
As a result, new team compositions and top weapons will likely be established, possibly even new strategies around scouting.
Season 3 starts today, on October 1st at 21:00 CEST. With it come most of the changes discussed here.
World’s Edge – The new map in Season 3
What does the map look like? World’s Edge is a new map with several biomes, where green spaces, icy areas, cities, and lava lakes merge. There are several areas with wide spaces but also cities with narrow street gorges and buildings.
This impact could World’s Edge have: The new map has four mechanics that can strongly affect gameplay and players’ tactical decisions:
- Lava in the southern part of the map that deals damage over time when touched.
- Geysers that serve as jump platforms and launch players into the air.
- A train that moves across the map.
- A loot room that apparently contains high-quality loot.
These are the impacts on “Early Game”: The lava will likely have the least impact, but at the start of a round, it could be crucial for some fights. Since players can be pushed back significantly by close-quarter attacks, attackers could inflict more damage by shoving opponents into the lava.
Traps from Octane or Wattson can also provide advantages here if the legends trap their enemies between the trap and lava. This opens opportunities for characters with more area control or for Pathfinder with his grapple.
These are the impacts on “Mid Game”: The geysers are useful throughout the game and help every player who is good at moving quickly. They provide a boost even for slower legends like Gibraltar, allowing them to move faster to ambush a team.
In addition, there is a train that is apparently in constant motion. Anyone caught by it is likely to die instantly, so teams must always keep an eye open when fighting on the tracks. Other teams could deliberately lure them into a trap there.
Loot Room could tilt games
These are the impacts on “End Game”: However, the probably most important change is the loot room. This has only been briefly shown in the gameplay trailer. Crypto shoots a drone that drops a crate with a keycard.
This card apparently opens a secret room where epic and legendary loot is plentiful. This could become a true “game changer” for both heavily outmatched teams and those needing a comeback.
Teams that have had bad luck with loot throughout the round and have never encountered opponents can gear up here and potentially score big at the end. Those who are already doing well might find the last item they need for victory here.
The new legend Crypto
What can Crypto do? Crypto’s abilities all revolve around his drone. The drone is his active ability and it functions as the basis for his ultimate ability EMP and his passive ability.
The drone can be freely controlled, passively reveals enemies and items, can mark them, and even collect banners from fallen allies. It can also be placed down to serve as a passive lookout.
This is how Crypto could change the meta: While Crypto himself is stationary and needs protection, his drone is extremely mobile. Thus, he could reveal previously fortified positions of popular meta teams without himself being in real danger.
Additionally, the EMP apparently originates from his drone. So once he reveals a position, he can fly his drone in, trigger the EMP, and destroy all traps, damage shields, and stun opponents to prepare for an assault.
Since the currently strongest combos aim to anchor in good positions and only reposition when necessary, Crypto could cause significant upheaval here.
The weapon changes
What will change? Both the attachments “Skullpiercer” and “Disruptor Rounds” (new with Season 2) will disappear. This will significantly weaken some of the most popular weapons (Alternator, Longbow, Wingman).
While the Longbow and Wingman will do more headshot damage on their own, the effects remain to be seen. In contrast, two new attachments are coming: Double Tap (G7/EVA-8) for two shots in quick succession and Anvil Receiver (R-301/Flatline) for stronger attacks in single-shot mode.
With these changes, some of the most popular combinations from Season 2 are nerfed or even entirely removed. The changes in general make it seem like fights will shift to medium range rather than taking place at close or very long ranges.
What do you think of the changes? Do you believe the meta will change significantly?
