Apex Legends players, brace yourselves for a dramatic shake-up in the game's Ranked ladder. The developers have announced a hard reset for Apex players in the Master+ tier across various regions, including NA, EUW, EUNE, BR, LAN, and TR. This move comes as a response to the volatility and inconsistencies that have plagued the ladder since the January reset. The goal is to restore ladder integrity and provide a more satisfying climbing experience for players.
The decision to reset the ladder was driven by feedback from the community and surveys conducted among Apex players. The issues identified included a lack of ladder integrity, with players experiencing significant LP fluctuations between patches, and a mismatch between the top and bottom of the ladder. These problems led to an unfair climbing experience, where the patch played a significant role in determining a player's rank.
The hard reset will reset all current Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger players to Master 0 LP when Patch 26.9 is released at the start of Season 2. This drastic measure aims to create a level playing field, even if it means a temporary dip in matchmaking quality. Players may encounter unusual matchups, such as ex-Challengers facing ex-Masters, but this is seen as a necessary trade-off for a fairer system.
To address the grindiness of the ladder, the developers plan to increase LP gains and losses. The baseline LP gain/loss will be +-30 LP, with expected ranges between +35/-25 LP and +25/-35 LP. This adjustment aims to strike a balance between a challenging climb to the top and a more achievable experience for players with commitments. Additionally, the minimum LP cutoffs for Challenger and Grandmaster will be increased to 800 LP and 400 LP, respectively, to mitigate the impact of early-season lucky streaks.
The reset also brings changes to Apex tier Ranked rewards. With the shorter Season 2, players will have a more challenging time reaching their peak rank. Season 1 rewards will be distributed as usual, and Season 3 will serve as a final reconciliation pass for Season 2 rewards. Players who reach higher ranks in Season 3 will receive those rewards for both seasons.
While the hard reset is an extreme measure, the developers emphasize that it is a rare event and a necessary step to address the instability in the Ranked ladder. They appreciate the feedback from the community and understand the impact of these changes. The goal is to create a healthier and more enjoyable climbing experience for Apex Legends players, even if it means temporary disruptions.
In conclusion, the Apex Legends Ranked ladder is undergoing a significant transformation. The hard reset and subsequent changes aim to restore ladder integrity, provide a fairer climbing experience, and address the grindiness of the ladder. Players can expect a more balanced and satisfying journey towards their desired ranks, even if it means a temporary dip in matchmaking quality. As always, the developers encourage players to provide feedback and engage in the conversation as they work towards improving the game.
