Apex Legends’ new season has just launched, and it’s been filled with a host of exciting and controversial changes. From an updated time to kill (TTK) to the introduction of long-promised animations and Horizon’s sinister new voice lines, there’s plenty to unpack. But amid all the excitement, there’s been a whirlwind of debates surrounding some of the more drastic changes, making this season one of the most talked-about in Apex’s history.
The Apex Legends Time to Kill Change: A Game-Changer or a Mistake?
One of the biggest talking points of Season 24 has been the controversial update to the time to kill. Respawn’s decision to reduce TTK, significantly speeding up combat, has divided the community. Essentially, the new TTK means Players now drop in mere seconds, with weapons dealing more damage, armor capped at purple, and helmets removed. For many, the game has become far more lethal.
The debate has exploded on platforms like Reddit and Twitter, with players split between loving the faster-paced combat and others lamenting the loss of the slower, more tactical gameplay. Some players feel that engagements are too quick, leaving little room for reaction or strategy. A Reddit post sums up this frustration, with one user saying, “You go down so fast, the gunplay always felt so good in Apex, but now I don’t even have time to react.”
On the other hand, others argue that the change is refreshing, adding more intensity to each match. One user pointed out that, “a well-timed push is now more rewarding, and it’s easier to down opponents on the attack.” The consensus among players seems to be that the new TTK requires a period of adaptation. While some are enjoying the faster pace, others are still struggling to adjust. As one player puts it, “It’s like the same game, only condensed.”
If you’re unsure about the changes, don’t worry. Most players agree that it’s worth giving the update a full week or so before forming a solid opinion. While some will continue to voice their frustrations, others believe the new TTK could actually improve the game’s pacing once the community adjusts.
Respawn FinallyAdds the Promised Door-Kick Animation for Caustic’s Heirloom
In addition to gameplay changes, Respawn has delivered on a long-awaited promise from the Fight Night update: Caustic’s heirloom now has a door-kick animation. This addition is small but significant, especially for players who’ve been waiting years for it. It’s not flashy, but it adds a bit of Variety to Caustic’s animations, and it’s a welcome change for those who use his heirloom in the game.
This update doesn’t come with any other new heirloom animations, which means players looking for new heirloom recolors or overhauls will have to wait a bit longer. However, it’s good to see Respawn keeping its promises, even if it took a few years to make it happen. You can check out the new animation in action in this Reddit post.
Ash’s Power Surge: A New Meta?
Another highlight of this season is Ash’s surge in popularity. After some balance tweaks, Ash has hit the highest recorded pick rate in Apex history, with a staggering 25.6%. This has made her one of the most picked Legends in the game, surpassing even Wraith at her peak. What’s behind Ash’s newfound dominance?
The key to her success lies in her updated abilities. Ash’s Dodge mechanic is powerful, allowing her to evade damage while remaining an offensive threat. Her Arc Snare has also been improved, making it a great tool for controlling areas and setting up plays. The real fun comes when pairing Ash with weapons like the EVA-8. As one player suggests, “You can confuse enemies, jump around them, and just hit them with that train of a weapon.”
While Ash’s rise in popularity is clear, there are still some issues with the update. Some players have noticed challenges, like the R301 not tracking properly, and the ongoing frustration with certain Legend Spotlight challenges being impossible to complete. For example, the Bangalore challenge that requires players to damage enemies with her Smoke Launcher is broken, as the Smoke Launcher no longer deals damage. Respawn has addressed this issue and promised a fix, but for now, players are left in limbo.
Horizon’s Evil Skin and New Voice Lines
This season also brings a fascinating twist to Horizon’s story. A new “evil” version of Horizon has been introduced in the form of a special skin, which comes with exclusive voice lines. These lines hint at a darker side of Horizon’s character, but many are confused about the lack of lore to Support this new persona. It’s clear that Respawn intends to incorporate more into Horizon’s story, but for now, the evil Horizon skin feels like a standalone cosmetic with little explanation.
Horizon’s new voice lines are definitely worth a listen, though. In them, she plays the role of a power-hungry villain, delivering lines like “The universe isn’t ready for me.” It’s an intriguing addition, but it’s unclear how this new version of Horizon will tie into Apex’s larger lore. Could this evil Horizon eventually become a major player in the game’s narrative? Only time will tell.
A Lack of New Content in Season 24
Despite the exciting gameplay changes and cosmetics, some players feel that this season lacks substantial content. While the new TTK and Ash’s improvements are significant, the absence of a map update or a new Legend has left the season feeling a bit empty. There’s a sense that Respawn might be holding back on content, potentially saving big updates for future seasons. Some fans are even questioning whether Apex’s story has been put on hold for the time being, as the lack of new lore content (like animated comics) is noticeable.
However, one welcome change is the ability to earn badges again in pubs, even when special takeovers are active. This fix was long overdue, as last season’s Rift relics prevented players from earning badges throughout the entire season, which frustrated many. With this change, players can now work toward their badge collection without restrictions.
See more reactions on the new season in this video from Grrt.
Wrapping Up the Season 24 Updates
Apex Legends Season 24 has definitely shaken things up. From the TTK changes to the new heirloom animation and Ash’s rise to power, there’s a lot to explore. However, the season’s controversies and content gaps have left some players feeling unsure about its long-term impact. As always, it’s going to take some time for the community to fully adjust to these changes, but for now, the new update has created plenty of buzz in the Apex community.
If you’re still on the fence about the season, it’s worth giving it a few more days to see if your opinion shifts as you adapt to the changes. The new TTK is certainly polarizing, but it could become one of the defining features of Apex Legends in the months to come.
