Apex Legends, despite being one of the top first-person shooters in the market, is facing increasing dissatisfaction with its progression systems. Once filled with meaningful challenges and rewards, the game’s current progression feels lackluster, leaving players wanting more. In this article, we’ll explore the evolution of Apex Legends’ progression systems, from the once-popular reactive skins to the underwhelming weapon mastery. We’ll also look at the community’s disappointment and discuss potential changes that could revitalize the system.
For fans hoping for a return to meaningful progression, this deep dive sheds light on how the game has shifted and what might help bring players back.
The Weapon Mastery System: More Grind, Less Reward
Introduced in Season 17, Apex Legends brought a new Weapon Mastery system, designed to give players another avenue to grind and unlock rewards. The idea behind it was solid: use a variety of weapons, rank them up, and unlock exclusive skins and rewards. The system allowed players to increase their mastery level for each weapon based on kills, headshots, damage, and knocks, unlocking a new tier every 20 levels.
The final reward for maxing out a weapon to level 100? A universal banner frame and a legendary weapon skin. While this sounds rewarding, the community was quickly disappointed. The skins and rewards were underwhelming, and the grind required to unlock them didn’t feel worth the effort. As noted by one of the first players to complete it, “The progression system took all the fun out of the game, as it was more about grinding XP by holding the gun out than actual skill.”
The community voiced frustration, pointing out that the weapon mastery system doesn’t feel satisfying compared to earlier progression systems like the Flatline reactive skin from Season 4’s battle pass. Players long for more meaningful challenges and rewards rather than a mindless grind.
What Happened to Breakout Rewards? A Missed Opportunity
Another major disappointment for players is the abandonment of the Breakout Rewards system from Season 20. This progression system allowed players to complete unique challenges with different legends and weapons to unlock exclusive rewards. The final prize for completing these challenges was a legendary Wraith skin, a matching banner frame, and the highly coveted Flatline reactive skin from Season 4.
Unlike the current weapon mastery system, the breakout rewards felt worthwhile and meaningful. Players were incentivized to use different legends and weapons, providing variety and keeping the game fresh. Unfortunately, these types of rewards have vanished from Apex Legends, leaving players wondering why Respawn Entertainment hasn’t revisited this popular progression model.
To explore more about what made these breakout rewards successful, check out Apex Tracker.
The Decline of Apex Legends Progression: Level Cap Increases and Rank Rewards
The increasing level cap from 500 to effectively 2,000 seemed like a positive addition, but it only provided players with a grindy experience without introducing any new or exciting rewards. Players cycle through the same levels with only slight badge differences as recognition. While players do receive a guaranteed heirloom after completing this grind, it doesn’t address the deeper desire for meaningful progression that’s missing from the game.
Adding fuel to the fire, Respawn removed one of the most loved rewards in Apex Legends: the Ranked Dive Trails. These rewards were previously awarded to players who reached high ranks in competitive play. Removing these rewards left ranked players with little incentive to push for higher ranks beyond bragging rights.
The community has been vocal about its desire for rewards like dive trails and other rank-based incentives to return. These cosmetic rewards gave players tangible goals to work toward, making the ranked experience feel rewarding.
What Apex Legends Needs: A Return to Meaningful Progression
Players are calling for the return of meaningful progression systems that offer real incentives. There are a few suggestions that the community believes could bring excitement back to Apex Legends:
- Bring Back Breakout Rewards: Reintroduce challenges similar to Season 20’s breakout rewards. This system could give players the chance to unlock unique skins and badges tied to specific legends or achievements.
- Legend Progression System: Players could earn rewards for mastering different legends, encouraging diversity in gameplay. This would provide incentives to switch up strategies and explore other legends outside of their usual picks.
- Improved Weapon Mastery System: The weapon mastery system needs to evolve beyond grinding for XP. Respawn could tie mastery levels to skill-based challenges, ensuring that players feel rewarded for their achievements, not just for time spent grinding.
- New Rank-Based Rewards: Bringing back dive trails or creating new rank-specific rewards would give competitive players a tangible reason to push for higher ranks.
Without these changes, the progression in Apex Legends feels hollow, especially for OG players who have already maxed out most systems. The introduction of new, engaging challenges could make the game more exciting for players both old and new.
FAQs on Apex Legends Progression Systems
- What is the weapon mastery system in Apex Legends?
The weapon mastery system allows players to level up individual weapons by getting kills, headshots, damage, and more. The final reward is a legendary weapon skin and a universal banner frame. - Why is the weapon mastery system disappointing?
Many players feel that the rewards don’t justify the grind. The XP-based system prioritizes time spent over skill, making it less engaging for skilled players. - What happened to the breakout rewards in Apex Legends?
Breakout rewards, introduced in Season 20, offered unique challenges for unlocking exclusive skins, banners, and other items. Unfortunately, this progression system was discontinued after one season. - Has Apex Legends increased the level cap?
Yes, the level cap was increased from 500 to effectively 2,000, but players go through the same 500 levels with only slight badge changes. - Will ranked dive trails return in Apex Legends?
Dive trails were removed as ranked rewards, much to the disappointment of the community. There is no official word from Respawn on whether they will return. - What improvements do players want in Apex Legends’ progression?
Players want meaningful challenges, more rank-based rewards, a revamped weapon mastery system, and legend-specific progression systems to make the game feel fresh again.
Apex Legends has the potential to reignite player excitement by revamping its progression systems. For the game’s health and longevity, Respawn Entertainment should consider bringing back fan-favorite features and introducing new, free-to-earn rewards that appeal to all levels of players.