In the ever-evolving meta of Apex Legends, Gibraltar—also known as Gibby—has struggled to maintain relevance. Once a powerhouse in the game’s early days, he now lags behind other legends due to significant issues with his hitbox size and ability kit. The question is, how much do these factors impact his performance, and what changes could make Gibraltar competitive again?
Gibraltar’s Hitbox: A Major Disadvantage in Apex Legends
Gibraltar’s massive hitbox has long been a point of contention in Apex Legends. To see just how much his size affects gameplay, a test was conducted comparing Gibraltar and Wraith, two legends with drastically different hitbox sizes. The results were staggering.
When hit with the Mozambique—a currently meta weapon—Gibraltar was eliminated in under 3 seconds, while Wraith, despite standing still, managed to dodge more bullets simply due to her smaller frame. The numbers consistently showed that Gibraltar dies significantly faster than Wraith because of his larger hitbox, which makes him an easy target in any combat situation.
The Role of Gibraltar’s Arm Shield: Outdated and Inconsistent
Gibraltar’s Arm Shield, while designed to provide extra protection, often falls short of its intended purpose. A major issue arises when using certain weapons—such as the Mozambique, currently one of the strongest guns in the game—because aiming down sights (ADS) is required to activate the Arm Shield. The problem is that weapons like the Mozambique don’t benefit from ADS, meaning players must forego one of Gibraltar’s key defenses.
This forces Gibraltar players to either use specific weapons that complement his kit or face a significant disadvantage. As other legends benefit from a variety of weapons, this restriction limits Gibraltar’s flexibility, pushing him further down in the meta rankings.
Suggested Buff: Giving Gibraltar an Overshield
A solution to Gibraltar’s hitbox and Arm Shield issues could be the introduction of a passive Overshield, similar to Revenant’s tactical ability. This Overshield could offer constant protection without the need to aim down sights, allowing Gibraltar to engage in fights without the worry of being instantly targeted due to his size.
This change would also allow Gibraltar players to use more diverse weapons without sacrificing protection, opening up a broader range of viable playstyles.
Gibraltar’s Dome: Weak in the Current Meta
Another crucial part of Gibraltar’s kit is his Dome of Protection, which used to be a game-changing ability. However, with recent updates and the introduction of counters like Maggie’s Drill and Crypto’s EMP, the Dome has lost much of its effectiveness. Both of these legends can now destroy the Dome with ease, leaving Gibraltar exposed.
A possible buff would be to increase the strength of Gibraltar’s Dome or introduce additional benefits when inside the Dome, such as faster healing or increased movement speed. This would give Gibraltar a more reliable way to protect himself and his team in critical moments, making him a more viable choice in high-stakes situations.
Gibraltar’s Support Abilities: Outdated Compared to Other Legends
When it comes to supporting teammates, Gibraltar’s ability to revive faster within his Dome was once a significant advantage. However, legends like Lifeline and Newcastle have overshadowed Gibraltar with faster, more versatile revive abilities. Lifeline can revive without being exposed, while Newcastle can shield teammates with his Knockdown Shield while reviving.
The cooldown-dependent nature of Gibraltar’s Dome makes his support role feel outdated compared to these other legends. To bring Gibraltar back into the support meta, a buff could allow him to revive teammates faster without needing the Dome, and when inside the Dome, this speed could be increased even more.
FAQs About Gibraltar in Apex Legends
How does Gibraltar’s hitbox affect his performance in Apex Legends?
Gibraltar’s large hitbox makes him an easier target, causing him to take more damage and die faster than legends with smaller hitboxes, such as Wraith.
Why is Gibraltar’s Arm Shield not effective with some weapons?
Gibraltar’s Arm Shield only activates when aiming down sights (ADS). Weapons like the Mozambique don’t benefit from ADS, leaving Gibraltar without the protection of his shield.
What buffs could make Gibraltar more viable in the meta?
Introducing a passive Overshield, strengthening the Dome, and making his revive abilities faster without relying on the Dome are all potential buffs that could help Gibraltar regain relevance.
Why is Gibraltar’s Dome of Protection less effective now?
With the introduction of counters like Maggie’s Drill and Crypto’s EMP, Gibraltar’s Dome can be easily destroyed, making it less reliable for protection.
How does Gibraltar compare to other support legends like Lifeline and Newcastle?
Gibraltar’s revive ability is slower and more situational compared to Lifeline’s hands-free revive and Newcastle’s shielded revive, making him less effective in a support role.
For more information on legend updates and upcoming meta shifts, visit the official Apex Legends blog.
Gibraltar’s Potential in the Future Meta
Gibraltar has the potential to reclaim a spot in Apex Legends’ meta with the right adjustments. By addressing his hitbox issues, improving his Arm Shield, and enhancing his support capabilities, the developers could bring back the balanced, reliable Gibraltar that players once loved. Until these changes are made, however, he remains a tough pick in competitive gameplay.
