Apex Legends Season 17: EA announces new Ranked changes
The new changes will address the smurfing problem in the game.
Apex Legends Season 17: EA announces new Ranked changes (EA sports)
Apex Legends Season 17 is set to debut on May 9 with a complete overhaul of the game’s Ranked system. This will include the introduction of a new character Ballistic, improvements to World’s Edge, and an enhanced Firing Range. This will be the most extensive modification since the “Ranked Reloaded” approach in Season 13.
The changes to the Ranked System will seemingly improve the health of Apex Legends‘ Ranked mode. The developers seem pretty confident with these new improvements to the game.
The complete overhaul of the Ranked System will include the removal of splits, a new ranking point, and a revised scoring system. Before the update goes live, players can get a full rundown of the changes. These improvements will likely enhance the gaming experience for players.
Related: All you need to know about Apex Legends’ Ballistic: Abilities, skills, and more
What changes does Season 17 bring to Apex Legends ranked?
Image source EA/ Respawn
A new look of Matchmaking
In Apex Legends Season 17, the ranked game mode is getting a new matchmaking system based on a hidden matchmaking rating (MMR). Respawn clarified that ranked matches will now consider the MMR of premade squads. This will balance the competitive advantages of premade squads over solo players. Additionally, the game will now use Ladder Points, which are now completely decoupled from a player’s matchmaking (MMR). Moreover, the matchmaking game will emphasize placement over kills.
Ranked Splits removed from Apex Legends
Apex Legends Season 17 is removing the long-standing tradition of the Apex Legends Ranked Split, and players’ ranks will reset each season. This new season is set to run for 90 days, starting on May 9th. Players will also need to reach level 50 (previously level 25) to play ranked matches starting in the new season. Additionally, kill points will no longer be awarded for killing the same player multiple times, preventing kill farming and collusion. Moreover, Respawn is also implementing new cheat detection methods to deter cheating. However, the developers did not disclose much about it for obvious reasons.
The new Ranked Splits system may have a considerable impact on certain players. This will impact streamers who can quickly reach their rank in a single weekend. However, the level 50 requirement to play Ranked will discourage smurfing in placement matches. Respawn believes it will increase the time investment needed to reach competitive mode.
Introduction of Provisional matches
The new Apex Legends Season 17 will introduce Provisional Matches. As previously mentioned at the start of each season, from now on, rankings will reset to rookie. Then players need to grind through 10 matches in order to move towards Ranked Matches. These matches will decide your placement, which will be based on the result and individual skill. Respawn stated that it may solve the problem of high-ranking players who take a break and return after a while. As is the case, they get queued with silver- or bronze-level players and demolish them. The developers want to get rid of this problem.
With the introduction of the new Anti Cheat and the new Ranked system by the developers, they surely want to tackle both smurfing and hacking problems. Apex is a hotbed when it comes to hacking and it does make a dent in the gameplay experience. Whether these Season 17 Ranked changes bring a revolution into Apex Legends we will have to wait and observe. For now, players can grind through the new veiled collection event.
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Ishan Misra
(3023 Articles Published)