How to Move Effectively in Apex Legends

Apex Legends is swiftly rising to the forefront of the battle royale genre. At the heart of any player's success lies not just their shooting accuracy, but an often underappreciated skill: movement. The game's dynamic environment, coupled with unique character abilities, makes mastering movement a critical component of outplaying opponents and securing victories.

In this guide, we'll delve deep into the nuances of movement in Apex Legends, offering tips and strategies to help you glide seamlessly through the battlefield, dodge enemy bullets with grace, and position yourself for that coveted Champion title. Whether you're a novice Legend just dropping into the arena or a seasoned veteran, optimizing your movement can be the difference between an early exit and being the last squad standing.

Running, walking, and crouching: When and why?

In Apex Legends, the distinction between running, walking, and crouching isn't just about speed. It's a matter of strategy.

• Running: The default movement for most players, running gets you from point A to point B quickly. It's ideal when you're outside the combat zone or trying to make it to the ring. However, it's loud, making it easier for enemies to detect your approach.
• Walking: Quieter than running, walking is your stealth approach. If you suspect enemies are nearby but don't want to reveal your position, walk. It allows you to listen for enemy footsteps, reloads, or healing, granting you the element of surprise.
• Crouching: The slowest form of movement but also the quietest. Crouching can help hide your footsteps almost entirely, making it perfect for ambushing or when trying to heal unnoticed. Additionally, crouching in gunfights can make you a harder target to hit.

Advanced Movement Techniques

Slide-jumping

Slide-jumping isn’t just a fun way to traverse the map; it’s an essential skill for anyone looking to maintain speed and mobility. By initiating a slide and then immediately jumping, players can cover ground quickly while presenting a less predictable trajectory for enemies to shoot at.

Zip-line momentum

Ziplines, found throughout the map or created by Pathfinder, are more than just straight-line movement tools. By jumping off and quickly re-grabbing the zip line, players can change their direction and momentum, making it difficult for enemies to track and hit them.

Wall bouncing

Wall bouncing, or the action of jumping off walls to redirect momentum, is a game-changer in close-quarters combat. When done correctly, it can not only help players dodge incoming fire but can also disorient foes, providing a split-second advantage to land those crucial shots.

Tap-strafing

Tap-strafing allows players to make sharp, sudden turns while maintaining momentum. It is especially beneficial in gunfights, where the ability to change directions unpredictably can mean the difference between life and death. Mastering this technique requires practice but can dramatically improve one’s evasive capabilities.

Legend-Specific Movement Abilities

The Legends of Apex aren’t just diverse in their backgrounds and designs, but also in the unique abilities they bring to the table. Many of these abilities revolve around movement, offering unique advantages (and challenges) to the players who master them.

• Wraith’s "Into the Void": Wraith’s tactical ability lets her become invincible and invisible for a short period. Not only is this perfect for repositioning during intense gunfights, but it's also great for safely scouting enemy positions or escaping ambushes.
• Octane’s "Stim" and "Launch Pad": Octane’s love for speed is evident in his abilities. "Stim" boosts his speed at the cost of some health, allowing for quick rotations or aggressive pushes. Meanwhile, the "Launch Pad" can catapult any player into the air, ideal for flanking, retreating, or just having some aerial fun.
• Pathfinder’s "Grappling Hook": This versatile ability allows Pathfinder to swing around terrains, reach high places, or close the gap with enemies. Mastery of the grappling hook can lead to some of the most fluid and impressive movements in the game.
• Other notable mentions: Bangalore's smoke canisters provide visual cover for movements, Mirage's decoys can divert attention, and Gibraltar's dome shield can provide temporary safety during rotations.

Navigate the Terrain and Map Awareness

The ever-shifting arena in Apex demands acute awareness of the terrain and its implications.

• Hot zones and choke points: These are areas with high player traffic or narrow passages that funnel squads, often leading to intense confrontations. Identifying these can help in preparing for combat or deciding on safer, alternative routes.
• Safe rotations: The game's shrinking ring dictates movement. Predicting its new location and rotating early can save you from desperate last-minute dashes that often lead to being caught out in the open.
• High ground advantage: Elevated positions not only provide better sightlines but also make it harder for enemies to engage you. Securing and defending these spots can often sway the outcome of battles in your favor.

Combat Movement

In the heat of battle, movement isn't just about getting from one place to another; it's about survival.

• Strafing during gunfights: Moving side to side unpredictably makes you a challenging target. Incorporate crouching and jumping, and you can throw off even the most accurate marksmen.
• Disengaging from fights: Not all battles are meant to be fought to the end. Knowing when to pull back, heal up, and re-engage can often be more strategic than standing your ground stubbornly.
• Flanking strategies: While your teammates engage the enemy head-on, a well-timed flank can catch opponents off guard, splitting their attention and making them easy targets.

Synergizing Movement with Teammates

The beauty of Apex Legends lies not just in the mechanics but in its emphasis on team play. With a squad by your side, coordinated movement can amplify individual strengths and compensate for vulnerabilities.

• Effective communication for coordinated movement: Voiced intentions and plans eliminate the guesswork. Informing teammates of your movements or asking for theirs allows the squad to move as a cohesive unit, be it for retreat, attack, or repositioning.
• Sharing resources like Octane’s jump pad or Pathfinder’s zip-line: Legends' abilities aren't just for individual use. Octane’s jump pad can be a quick exit or entrance for the entire squad, while Pathfinder’s zip-line can create critical rotations or high-ground takes for the team.
• Creating diversions and double-teaming opponents: Misdirection is a potent tool. One teammate can create a diversion by making noise or being visible, allowing others to flank unsuspecting enemies. Team shooting or focusing fire can quickly neutralize threats.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

Even seasoned players can sometimes fall prey to certain common mistakes in the heat of the moment.

• Overextending without team support: Venturing too far from your squad can leave you vulnerable to ambushes. Teammates might not be in a position to help if you get engaged.
• Being predictable: Running in straight lines, not utilizing cover: Predictability is an enemy in Apex Legends. Straight paths make you an easy sniping target. Forgetting to use cover exposes you to unnecessary dangers.
• Forgetting the environment: Falling off the map, getting trapped in the storm: The arena is as much an adversary as the other squads. Misjudging cliffs or ignoring the ring's movement can lead to an unceremonious end.