Why is Apex Season 18 Ranked So Hard? Decoding the Challenges
Apex Legends Season 18, titled “Resurrection,” brought a wave of changes that significantly impacted the ranked experience. Many players have voiced concerns about the increased difficulty, leading to frustration and a re-evaluation of strategies. The heightened challenge stems from a confluence of factors, including altered matchmaking mechanics, a shift in player priorities towards survival, more concentrated endgames, and the overall skill progression of the Apex player base. Let’s dissect each of these elements.
The Matchmaking Conundrum
Respawn Entertainment aimed to address “ratting” – a passive playstyle focused on placement rather than engagement – prevalent in Season 17. They implemented changes intended to encourage proactive gameplay and reward skillful combat. However, the execution of these changes has resulted in a matchmaking system that feels significantly more punishing.
Previously, the focus was heavily on matching players within a specific rank bracket. Season 18 seems to prioritize skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) more aggressively. This means you’re more likely to be matched against players of a similar skill level, regardless of their visible rank. While the intention is to create fairer and more competitive matches, the reality is that players are consistently facing opponents who are significantly skilled, making it harder to climb even in lower ranks. This also leads to situations where your teammates might not be able to pull their weight, resulting in unbalanced encounters.
A Shift to Survival Prioritization
The increased difficulty in Season 18 has inadvertently encouraged a return to more strategic, survival-oriented gameplay. Players are less willing to take unnecessary risks early in the game, resulting in fewer early eliminations and a greater emphasis on positioning and resource management. This means:
- Loot scarcity: More players surviving to the mid-game increases competition for loot, making it harder to gear up effectively.
- Passive play: Teams are more likely to play defensively, avoiding fights unless they have a clear advantage.
- Third-partying: The slower pace and increased number of surviving squads make third-partying even more prevalent and devastating.
The result is that securing kills, which are vital for earning Ladder Points (LP), becomes much more challenging. You must outmaneuver squads that are hyper-aware of their surroundings and prioritize survival above all else.
Concentrated Endgames and Predatory Squads
As alluded to earlier, the shift in player priorities, combined with matchmaking changes, leads to highly concentrated endgames. In Season 18, it’s not uncommon to find 6-8 squads still alive in the final few circles. This creates a chaotic environment where visibility is limited, and the margin for error is incredibly small. Even the slightest mistake can result in a quick elimination, negating any progress made throughout the match.
Furthermore, you’re now more likely to encounter predatory squads—highly coordinated teams that actively hunt down opponents and exploit any weaknesses. These teams are often composed of experienced players who communicate effectively and execute strategies flawlessly, making them formidable opponents.
The Ever-Evolving Skill Ceiling
Apex Legends, like any competitive game, has an ever-increasing skill ceiling. As the game matures, players become more skilled, develop more sophisticated strategies, and master the intricacies of movement, gunplay, and team coordination. This means that even if you maintain your previous skill level, you may still find it harder to rank up because the overall standard of play has risen. The average player in Season 18 is simply better than the average player in previous seasons. This is especially true in higher ranks, where you’ll consistently encounter seasoned veterans who are highly adept at the game. The Games Learning Society understands this constant need for adaptation, highlighting how games are complex systems that require continuous learning and skill development. You can explore more about game-based learning at GamesLearningSociety.org.
The Psychological Impact
Finally, it’s important to acknowledge the psychological impact of the increased difficulty. Losing consistently can lead to frustration, discouragement, and a feeling of being stuck in a rut. This can negatively impact your performance, making it even harder to climb the ranks. Players may start making rash decisions, lose confidence in their abilities, and ultimately give up on the ranked grind altogether.
Adapting to the Challenge
While Season 18 ranked is undeniably challenging, it’s not insurmountable. By understanding the underlying factors contributing to the difficulty, you can adapt your playstyle and strategies to improve your chances of success. Focus on improving your teamwork, communication, and decision-making skills. Experiment with different legend compositions and weapon loadouts. Most importantly, stay positive and persistent, and don’t be afraid to learn from your mistakes.
Season 18’s Tweaks: Mid-Season Balance
As the season progressed, Respawn introduced some tweaks that somewhat alleviated the initial difficulty spike. Adjustments to matchmaking and LP gains helped players feel less stuck. It’s vital to keep abreast of these ongoing changes and adapt to the evolving meta.
FAQS – Tackling Common Questions
1. Is it harder to rank up in Apex Season 18?
Yes, it’s generally considered harder. Matchmaking changes, increased player skill, and more concentrated endgames contribute to the heightened difficulty.
2. How does ranked mode work in Apex Legends Season 18?
Ranked mode starts with 10 provisional matches. Your performance in these matches determines your initial rank. You earn Ladder Points (LP) through placements, eliminations, skill bonuses, and rating bonuses.
3. Why is Apex harder than Warzone?
Apex Legends requires more tactical thinking due to its legend abilities, movement mechanics, and team coordination. Warzone often focuses on simpler shooting mechanics.
4. Does Season 18 Ranked have splits?
No, Season 17 removed ranked splits, and this remains the same in Season 18. The animated ranked badge is used regardless of split performance from previous seasons.
5. What level should I be to play Apex ranked?
You need to be Level 50 or higher to access Apex Legends Ranked mode.
6. Why is Apex harder now in general?
Players are more experienced, prioritize survival, and form highly coordinated squads, leading to more competitive matches. The overall skill level has increased significantly over time.
7. Does your Apex rank decay?
Yes, Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger tiers are subject to rank decay (-75 LP per day of inactivity). You can prevent decay by playing matches and earning banked days.
8. Can you fall out of ranks in Apex?
Yes, you can fall out of ranks. If you’re in division IV of your tier, you’ll drop to the next tier down. However, players decaying due to inactivity will descend into Diamond II.
9. What is a good Apex Predator RP?
The RP (Ranked Points) threshold for Apex Predator varies, but it typically hovers around 30,000 RP.
10. What is the most feared Apex predator?
In real life, apex predators like polar bears, saltwater crocodiles, and great white sharks are feared due to their power and hunting abilities.
11. Are humans the #1 apex predator?
While humans can impact ecosystems, some studies suggest humans are more comparable to mid-level omnivores in terms of their impact on the food chain.
12. Who is the best Apex player?
“Best” is subjective, but many consider players like Faide (known for Wraith gameplay) and professional players in the ALGS to be among the top Apex players.
13. Is Wraith faster in Apex?
All characters have the same base movement speed, but Wraith’s tactical ability can provide a temporary movement speed boost.
14. Which Apex legend is the hardest to play?
Subjective, but Crypto is often cited as one of the hardest due to the high skill ceiling of his drone abilities.
15. Which Apex legend is the fastest?
Octane is considered the fastest due to his Stim tactical and Launch Pad ultimate, which provide significant mobility boosts.