Apex Legends Expands To New Worlds With Season 3

This is a community post from Contributor Eli Shaw.

As summer ends and the fall slew of games begins to hit us with full force, Respawn Entertainment once again drops a new season of Apex Legends. The new theme being brought forward is “Meltdown,” which is quite fitting considering the new map, character, and weapon.

October 1st marks the beginning of the new season which runs until sometime in December most likely but, as we have seen in previous seasons, there should be some timed events such as a Halloween event, throughout.

Simple updates that are coming which should be standard with each season are, of course, coming with “Meltdown.” Ranked mode is getting refreshed as “Ranked Series 2,” meaning everyone has to work their way back up to diamond, but with new scoring systems in place. Assists will now be counted and rewarded with RP, which is also going to be multiplied overall the longer players survive. We are getting a new “Battle Pass” update as well, improving on the additions that season 2 made. New “Meltdown” themed weapon and character skins will be awarded throughout the 100 levels, including legendary skins. The weekly challenges are reset as well, and the Battle Pass remains at 950 Apex coins, so spend what you’ve earned from last season or prepare to spend $10 to unlock the full pass.

With every season so far we have been getting both a new legend as well as a new weapon, and season 3 is no exception. Both have been rumored for a while, with Respawn even adding some cryptic messages from the announcer within the actual game in the final weeks of season 2 leading up to the big reveal last week. Season 3 features the new legend Crypto and the Charge Rifle you may have seen in Titanfall 2.

Crypto is the latest legend and only the second to fall under the “recon” classification next to Bloodhound. His abilities include “Neurolink,” “Surveillance Drone,” and his ultimate “Drone EMP.” The drone is Crypto’s real claim to fame as it is the base for all three of his unique skills. Pressing the ability button (R1, RT, or Q) will stop Crypto where he stands as players control his drone and fly it around the map to mark enemies or scout out where his squad may trek to next. This ability pairs with his passive, “Neurolink,” which allows Crypto’s teammates to see what the drone detects while within 30 meters of it. Finally, his ultimate “Drone EMP” will detonate the drone wherever it is slowing down and causing 50 shield damage to those caught in the explosion, as well as destroying any traps within the radius. As a true “recon” character, Crypto is a powerful tool for teams that have great communication.

Alongside Crypto, we have a new weapon to be picked up around the map, the Charge Rifle. Respawn continues to cement the shared universe between Apex and Titanfall by adding the new energy weapon that is sure to change up the game. The Charge Rifle is not just a care package weapon like the L-STAR, so expect to see it in play much more often. While it is very similar to the Havoc rifle’s charge shot, holding the sight on an enemy will continually damage them while the Charge Rifle powers up its incredibly powered full beam. Players can upgrade the Charge Rifle with sights, extended energy mags, and sniper stocks.

The final, and most exciting addition from season 3 is the new map “World’s Edge.”

World’s Edge features a much more elemental theme than King’s Canyon with one corner being covered with ice and snow while the bottom side contains rivers of bubbling lava. Having lava on the map means the inclusion of environmental hazards that players will constantly need to keep an eye on when in that region. There is also an area called “The Geyser” which contains, you guessed it, a geyser of water which works similarly to Apex’s signature hot air balloons – albeit a little quicker.

World’s Edge has many unique elements to it that we have never seen in King’s Canyon, but it’s most interesting quality is the moving locomotive that runs through most of the map. This train adds plenty of character to the world as players have to be more aware than ever of their surroundings. Not only should you be worried about getting killed by the actual train, but players are able to hide inside and on top of the travelling cars, meaning more angles to be shot from.

The train covers quite a lot of distance (as seen by the light gray line on the map), incorporating yet another example of Respawn’s dedication to giving players as much mobility as possible.

One last neat component of World’s Edge is the locked rooms full of high quality loot. As seen in the final moments of the season 3 trailer, drones are carrying around orbs that can be shot down around the map. While it isn’t clear if every orb carries a key card, players can shoot them down for the chance to gain access to locked areas of the map with equipment that could turn the tide of the game in their favor.

Whether or not you choose to purchase the season pass or continue to enjoy this FREE TO PLAY game, Apex Legends has given us many new ways to enjoy our time with it in “Meltdown.” I, for one, can’t wait to get some more time with the new map and might actually try to play some ranked this season.

-By Eli Shaw (@RealSFTreat on Twitter)