The new Apex Legends season 9 patch is being released on May 4th, and with it comes new additions and changes to existing mechanics. The future cityscape of Olympus will see itself become infested with a parasitic plant that drastically changes the landscape, and a new game mode - Arena - will give players a new way to frag out. Perhaps the most meta-defining change will be the introduction of a new playable legend character named Valkyrie; the daughter of titan pilot Viper who seeks to dominate the skyline of Apex Legends.
A new legend is only one of many changes to the battle royale. A new weapon, the Bocek Bow, is bringing low-tech power to Olympus and World's Edge, and Arenas, the new Apex Legends game mode, is bringing small-scale 3v3 competitive combat to the battle royale. Akin to tactical shooters like Counter-Strike or Valorant, players will see themselves facing off in round-based skirmishes and buying guns to take the win.
The newest Apex Legends character Valkyrie looks to be another entry in a long line of dominant legends. While other Apex Legends characters primarily stick to the ground and have moments of verticality, Valkyrie will thrive in the z-axis. Her abilities are focused on flying and air dominance, which means players will need to look to the skies lest they succumb to the pain of aerial bombardment. Here are the high-flying abilities Valkyrie will be bring to the clash.
Apex Legends - Valkyrie's Passive: VTOL Jets
Valkyrie players can engage her Apex Legends passive attack, VTOL Jets, by pressing space while in mid-air. Her mobility should allow her to get epic loot during an Apex match much faster than the other legends. Her flying abilities are not infinite, however - Valkyrie has a fuel meter that, once depleted, stops her mid-air and brings her to the ground. She cannot shoot while flying, making flight a high-risk maneuver to use mid-fight. She is not completely defenseless while in the air, thankfully, as her rockets can be used to attack opponents stuck to the ground.
Apex Legends - Valkyrie's Tactical: Missile Swarm
Valkyrie's only airborne retaliation in Apex Legends is Missile Swarm, which fires a barrage of pint-sized rockets that deal damage and leave enemies stunned. Missiles are fired in waves, making it a useful tool for zoning and forcing people out of entrenched points of interest. The swarm looks to be useful on the more open-ended Apex maps when they're on rotation. The missiles themselves aren't particularly strong, but will bring disorientation and confusion in their wake.
Apex Legends - Valkyrie's Ultimate: Skyward Dive
Skyward Dive brings the function of the jump towers directly into the fray. Valkyrie launches herself into the air, and gains the ability to take her allies with her. Teammates can interact with Valkyrie to take themselves to the sky alongside their ace pilot. While in the air, Valkyrie's enemies are highlighted on her map, making being airborne an excellent tool for reconnaissance.
The sky will soon be a threat once Valkyrie touches down in Apex Legends, and it's likely that new Valkyrie mains with Bocek bows will be terrors on the battlefield for weeks to come. Players will be able to give both a try for themselves on May 4th when Apex Legends release its Legacy update.