'Apex Legends': Respawn Removes Advanced Movement Tech From Game

Regular and professional “Apex Legends” players alike were surprised after Respawn Entertainment decided to get rid of tap-strafing, an advanced movement technique that helped players turn sharp angles without losing momentum.

The announcement was made via Twitter through a short-yet-direct message from the developers to the fans. Tap-strafing was removed from “Apex Legends” after much deliberation, according to Respawn.

The movement technique was reportedly removed due to a lack of counter-play against it and its inaccessibility to controller users. The fact that movement abilities exacerbate it also played a role in its decision.

Tap-strafing is a technique that players use to quickly turn corners and evade gunfire. It’s done by sliding in mid-air and holding the left or right strafe key while repeatedly tapping the forward movement button. This technique essentially abuses the Source Engine, as it registers forward movement every time a movement key is pressed.

Normally, tap-strafing can only be performed by rapidly tapping the forward movement key or by rebinding the action to the mouse wheel, as it simulates rapid tapping without being too taxing on the player. Due to this, tap-strafing is impossible to perform on controllers’ joysticks.

The “Apex Legends” community is torn between those who support the removal of tap-strafing and those who complain that Respawn removed a fun movement ability from the game. Tap-strafing is considered in the community as one of the main barriers between low and high-level play, making its removal seem baffling to players who have been using the technique for years.

Other “Apex” fans welcomed tap-strafing’s removal, saying that it will help make the game feel fairer for everyone, especially since cross-play is enabled. However, some console players said that tap-strafing was never a problem for them and that Respawn needs to tone down controller aim assist to compensate.

Tap-strafing is set to be removed from the game in the next patch. Pro players have been vocal about the removal of the technique on social media, Dexerto reported, with many high-ranking streamers and professional team players saying that Respawn axed an advanced technique just to cater to the casual crowd.

“Apex Legends” Patch 10.1 is due to arrive in just a few more days. Should Respawn take player feedback into consideration, then it’s possible that it may overturn its decision before the new update lands.