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Blog entry by Alina Barger

In Defense Of Skill-Based Matchmaking In Apex Legends

In Defense Of Skill-Based Matchmaking In Apex Legends

apex2-1.jpgWhen facing a squad in a close-ranged battle being able to jump and dodge from side to side can make a player a more difficult target to hit. It is important to learn how to maintain accuracy when using these evasive maneuvers as not to lose a fight by trying to bounce around. This is an important skill to learn and should be practiced in the firing range m

How could it be anything other than Slay The Spire (I say, knowing full well I almost put Tetris 99 in this spot)? After initial frustration, Slay The Spire's various baddies are like old friends now - they're familiar, I've learned their rhythms. The cards and relics aren't mysteries to me anymore. Its delightful weirdness is old hat. And yet I find myself returning to it time and time again because it's just so clever, and it makes me feel clever - when I pay attention to it, when I'm not zoning out and just enjoying the jour

This is a tough problem, and unfortunately, I’m not paid enough to solve it. But I would recommend that the game consistently adjust and re-roll lobbies based on performance in the previous games played in their recent histories. So, if a strong player plays two or three games in a row alongside other players at their skill levels, they default to easier lobbies for a while regardless of their own skill levels. Us potatoes will be fine with this as long as there are occasionally some lobbies where it’s possible for us to win as well. Regardless of how it's implemented, if SBMM is in the game, it should still always feel as though a player is facing off against random lobbies in public ga

Perhaps surprisingly, applying all this advice made a positive impact on my gameplay. While _ Apex Legends _ ’ new map and changes to skill-based matchmaking may have also contributed to these improvements, I noticed the changes started happening around the time I started using these strateg

Ninja also impresses how important it is to advertise the stream. I haven’t been the best at this, but when I do it, I definitely get more engagement. Turns out it's hard for people to find your stream if they don't even know you stream. W

One of the best tools, specifically designed to help players to improve, in Apex is the versatile firing range mode. This is the training room equivalent for Apex and it is an extremely useful function to get used to the ins and outs of the g

This year has been a boon for the medium, and frankly, it's hard to pick just five games that I fell in love with (sorry, Pokemon !) But from top-notch fighters to tripped-out techno-thrillers, from RPG masterpieces to ornate remakes, one game edges everything out. __ Resident Evil 2 is not just a stellar remake, it's a master-class in game design - a brilliant case of how to do literally everything right, then somehow go beyond that. It's a sumptuous visual feast held together by tense, responsive gameplay that understands how to maintain what makes classic survival horror while being accessible to contemporary audiences. It's a game literally anyone can enjoy - unless you're a bit squeamish - and the best entry of the franchise to d

The firing range has undergone a variety of changes from the initial game to where it is now in season 4. It is currently one of the most versatile preparation type modes in any Battle Royale game to be released. Providing a multitude of weapons, enemies, targets, zip lines, armor, grenades, healing items, legendary items and even the ability to experiment with each character makes this mode a functional "must" for any player looking to impr

_ Apex Legends legends guide Legends _ recently introduced a Firing Range where I can apply these tactics. Typically, I’ll spend 20-30 minutes at the start of each session exploring recoil patterns or experimenting with different sensitivities. Once I’ve tired of that, I’ll then head into games with dedication to specific weapons or weapon clas

Top Apex Legends players are making impassioned pleas for game developer Respawn to do away will skill-based matchmaking (SBMM). From their perspectives, it’s not fair that public matches feel as competitive — if not more competitive — than ranked games . This is indeed problematic, as ranked exists specifically so top players can compete at a top-tier level. Players who play public matches shouldn’t be subject to the same level of competitive p

Given the holiday’s emphasis on coupledom, it makes sense that these games would seize this opportunity to host duos events. While it’s obvious that most people who are going to partner up in these modes aren’t actually couples, it provides a fun take on the collective obsession with couple

What can I say? I'm a sucker for Pokemon . The jump to the Switch wasn't without its faults, yet I found myself enjoying every second of my time with the game. The Wild Area brings thrilling new content to the Galar region, the dialog is witty/corny, and the battles strike the sweet spot of being too easy and aggravatingly difficult. Many games might be more technically advanced, or tell a better story, but there isn't a game this year I enjoyed more than the latest Pokemon advent

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