Apex Legends: Mastering the Art of the Drop – Where Should You Land?

The single most crucial decision you make in any Apex Legends match happens before you even fire a shot: where you choose to land. This decision dictates your initial loot, the pace of your early game, and ultimately, your chances of surviving to the final circle. There’s no single “best” landing spot applicable to every game. Instead, the ideal location depends on a complex interplay of factors: your team’s play style, the current map, the drop ship’s path, and your comfort level with various POIs (Points of Interest). This article will delve into the intricacies of choosing the right landing zone and how to make the most of your early game.

Understanding the Key Factors

Before diving into specific locations, it’s essential to grasp the core elements that influence a successful drop. Ignoring these factors can lead to a frustrating early death and wasted potential.

The Drop Ship Trajectory

The drop ship’s path is the most immediate and impactful factor. Locations directly under the ship will be heavily contested, while those on the periphery will likely see fewer initial teams. Understanding this flow allows you to make informed decisions about risk versus reward. A central location offers the chance for quick, high-kill action, while a more remote spot provides a safer, more loot-focused start.

Map Knowledge and POI Familiarity

Each Apex Legends map is a unique battlefield with distinct POIs. Knowing the layout of these areas, including loot distribution, choke points, and rotation options, is crucial. For example, understanding where to find guaranteed weapon spawns or high-tier loot bins gives you a significant advantage over opponents.

Your Team’s Play Style

Do you prefer an aggressive, high-kill approach or a more methodical, loot-focused strategy? Aggressive teams thrive in hot drops, confident in their ability to secure early kills and snowball their advantage. Conversely, more cautious teams prefer quieter areas, prioritizing gathering resources and positioning themselves for mid-to-late game engagements.

Loot Quality and Density

Not all landing spots are created equal. Some areas offer higher quality loot and greater overall density, increasing your chances of finding the weapons, armor, and attachments you need to compete. However, these areas also tend to attract more players, leading to more intense early fights.

Rotation Options

A good landing spot not only provides loot but also offers viable rotation paths to other areas of the map. This allows you to adapt to the ring’s closing, chase down opportunities for third-partying, or simply reposition for better tactical advantage. Consider factors like ziplines, jump towers, and natural terrain features that facilitate movement.

Strategic Landing Choices

With these factors in mind, let’s explore some strategic approaches to choosing the right landing spot:

The Hot Drop: Embracing Chaos

A hot drop involves landing in a highly contested area, often directly beneath the drop ship. This is a high-risk, high-reward strategy that can quickly determine the outcome of your game. Successfully navigating a hot drop requires excellent gun skill, quick decision-making, and a bit of luck. Key considerations:

• Communicate effectively with your team: Coordinate your landing spot within the POI and prioritize securing weapons.
• Prioritize survival over loot: Focus on eliminating immediate threats before looting extensively.
• Be prepared for third parties: Hot drops often attract multiple teams, so stay aware of your surroundings and be ready to defend against incoming attacks.

The Safe Loot: Prioritizing Resources

A safe loot strategy focuses on landing in a less contested area, allowing you to gather resources without immediate pressure. This approach is ideal for teams that prefer a slower, more methodical pace. Key considerations:

• Choose a location with decent loot: Avoid completely desolate areas, but prioritize those with a lower population density.
• Loot efficiently: Maximize your time by prioritizing high-value items like armor, weapons, and healing supplies.
• Rotate strategically: Once you’ve looted your initial area, plan your rotation to a more contested area, looking for opportunities to third-party or engage in controlled fights.

The Edge Drop: A Balanced Approach

An edge drop involves landing on the periphery of the map, offering a balance between safe looting and potential for engagements. This strategy allows you to gather resources while maintaining awareness of nearby teams. Key considerations:

• Monitor the drop ship path: Avoid areas that are too close to the ship’s trajectory, as they may still attract multiple teams.
• Loot efficiently and quickly: The goal is to gear up and move towards the center of the map before the ring closes in.
• Look for opportunities to third-party: Keep an eye on nearby POIs for signs of ongoing fights and be ready to capitalize on weakened opponents.

Specific Map Considerations

The best landing spots often vary depending on the map. Each map features different loot distributions, terrain features, and popular rotation paths, which influence the optimal landing strategy. Referencing specific map guides can be exceptionally useful. The provided text mentions the following:

• Storm Point: “Storm Point is a long-forgotten IMC research base and is now home to the Apex Games. It’s our largest map to date.”
• Olympus: “Docks also give you a few good options to rotate either through Carrier or east into Power Grid and Rift. It’s a top tier landing spot for Olympus’ map and Apex Legends overall. Bonsai Plaza is one of Olympus’ most popular drops…”
• Broken Moon: “Top 3 Landing Spots On Broken Moon Breaker Wharf (solo player), Terraformer (aggressive players), Cultivation (defensive players)”

Mastering the Drop Technique

Regardless of your chosen landing spot, mastering the drop technique is crucial for arriving quickly and efficiently. Here are some essential tips:

• Ping your desired location: This allows your teammates to see your intentions and coordinate their drop.
• Jump at the optimal distance: The provided text suggests “[a] good reference is to ping your drop location and jump when you are ~500m away.” “Straight drop for distances less than 700m.” And “around 900m away” for farther distances. Experiment with these distances to find what works best for you.
• Use the dive efficiently: Look down to accelerate your descent and pull up to maintain speed.
• Land accurately: Aim for a specific spot within the POI, such as a building entrance or a cluster of loot bins.

Adaptability is Key

Ultimately, the best landing spot is the one that best suits your team’s needs and the specific circumstances of each game. Be prepared to adapt your strategy based on the drop ship’s path, the number of nearby teams, and your current mood. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different landing spots and find the ones that consistently yield the best results.

Apex Legends is a game of constant adaptation and learning. Improving your landing strategy will dramatically impact your success rate, giving you a massive leg up in any game. Good luck, Legend!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about landing in Apex Legends, providing even more insight into this crucial aspect of the game:

1. What’s the most important factor when choosing a landing spot?

The drop ship’s path is the most immediate factor, determining which areas will be heavily contested. Adjust your strategy accordingly.

2. Should I always hot drop for more action?

Not necessarily. Hot dropping is high-risk, high-reward. Consider your team’s skill level and play style before committing to a hot drop.

3. How far should I jump from the drop ship to reach my desired location?

As per the original article, ping your drop location and jump when you are ~500m away. Also, for distances less than 700m, you should drop straight down, and for farther distances, jump when you are around 900m away. Experiment to refine your accuracy.

4. Is it better to land near other teams or avoid them?

It depends. Landing near one team can lead to quick loot and an early fight, but landing with too many teams can lead to immediate elimination.

5. What are the best landing spots on Olympus?

The original article mentions that Docks and Bonsai Plaza are good options. Docks provide excellent rotation potential, while Bonsai Plaza is a hotspot for fights and loot.

6. What are some good landing spots on Broken Moon?

The original article suggests Breaker Wharf (for solo players), Terraformer (for aggressive players), and Cultivation (for defensive players).

7. How can I improve my drop technique?

Practice using the dive efficiently to maximize your speed and accuracy. Look down to accelerate and pull up to maintain momentum.

8. What should I prioritize looting first after landing?

Focus on securing a weapon and some armor first, even if it’s low-tier. Surviving the initial engagement is the priority.

9. Is it okay to split from my team when landing?

Generally, no. Sticking together as a team is crucial for coordinated looting and fighting. However, there are some exceptions.

10. How important are rotation options when choosing a landing spot?

Rotation options are very important. Choose a location that allows you to move easily to other areas of the map as needed.

11. What if my preferred landing spot is already taken?

Adapt quickly. Choose a nearby alternative location and adjust your strategy accordingly.

12. Does landing solo make me faster in Apex?

As stated in the original article, not technically. When dropping with a team, anyone who detaches from the group before landing may seem they are going faster. But, in fact, they actually go a bit slower as they drop below the rest of the team in the general direction the player is looking.

13. Can I play Apex if my download is at 39%?

As stated in the original article, you can if it states that the game is playable at that percentage.

14. What are some of the easiest Apex servers to play on?

According to the text, the easiest servers are the Oregon GCE servers, the South Carolina GCE servers, and the Iowa GCE servers.

15. What are some of the easiest Apex servers to get bot lobbies?

It is tested that the following 3 servers are easier than others, and gamers can get bot lobbies on them: Australia Server, Singapore Server, and Sao Paulo Server.

Understanding these FAQs and applying the strategies discussed in this article will significantly improve your decision-making when choosing a landing spot, ultimately leading to more wins and greater enjoyment of Apex Legends. And if you want to learn more about the impact of games on learning, explore the resources available at the Games Learning Society website.