After Apex Legends rolled out its mid-season update, fans aren’t too thrilled, especially with the nerfs impacting Pathfinder, notably his grappling ability. This hefty Season 23 patch aimed to bolster certain Legends like Mirage and Loba, making them more competitive, but many players believe Pathfinder got the short end of the stick.
Launched on January 7, this mid-season update brought significant tweaks to Respawn Entertainment’s battle royale. The update was comprehensive, offering several Legends game-altering enhancements. Mirage saw his skill set revamped, featuring fresh level 2 upgrades and an improved Tactical. Loba and Alter also benefited with major boosts to their Ultimates. Yet, not all Legends got upgrades, as Pathfinder faced some drawbacks, with developers looking to balance his capabilities.
The Pathfinder community hasn’t taken kindly to these changes. An insightful Reddit post by paradoxally highlighted the patch notes, sparking conversations and dissatisfaction among fans, particularly concerning Pathfinder’s Grappling Hook cooldown. Now set at 30 seconds, the Tactical ability once had a more fluid cooldown, determined by the grapple distance. Alongside his signature move, his Insider Knowledge ability and Zipline Zen upgrade saw adjustments too.
Pathfinder’s Grappling Hook has experienced multiple changes over time. Originally, his Tactical cooldown stood at 35 seconds a few years back, with no variable cooldown until recently. This recent tweak in Season 23 might dampen the enjoyment of playing Pathfinder, given how crucial his Grappling Hook is for quickly navigating encounters.
It’s going to be intriguing to watch the impact these changes will have on Pathfinder’s popularity in Season 23. Historically, he’s been a community favorite, currently boasting a 14.6% pick rate according to Apex Legends Status. This is just behind Lifeline’s 18.2%, who recently underwent a kit rework and saw her Support class improved.
While these nerfs might slightly decrease Pathfinder’s allure, there’s hope that Respawn could release future patches adjusting him, taking into account player suggestions. Ideally, developers will find ways to enhance the gaming experience for players throughout Season 23.
Staying true to its brand, Apex Legends continues to be a thrilling free-to-play* Hero shooter, where players compete for glory on the distant frontiers with a diverse lineup of Legends, each boasting potent abilities. It’s that relentless push for innovation beyond the traditional Battle Royale experience that keeps the excitement alive in this rugged universe. Whether it’s for intense squad tactics or the evolving roster of Legends, Apex Legends remains at the forefront of the Hero Shooter genre.
