Pro player ImperialHal’s three-step revival strategy for Apex Legends amid declining player counts
The Current State of Apex Legends
Professional Apex Legends competitor Philip ‘ImperialHal’ Dosen has unveiled a comprehensive three-part strategy aimed at revitalizing the popular battle royale title, which has been experiencing consistent player attrition throughout recent seasons.
The gaming community’s perception of Apex Legends during 2024 has notably deteriorated, with Steam platform statistics revealing monthly declines in active participant numbers.
Multiple factors contribute to this momentum loss, though consensus points toward intensified competition from alternative gaming titles, persistent ranked system criticisms, and perceived developer prioritization of cosmetic content over core gameplay improvements.
As the game’s most prominent competitive player and content creator, ImperialHal expressed significant concern about future prospects during his discussion with Dexerto, while simultaneously presenting actionable solutions for developer consideration.
Season 13 Ranked System Restoration
The initial component of Hal’s proposal focuses on competitive structure modifications, specifically advocating for reinstatement of the Season 13 ranking framework that previously demonstrated exceptional effectiveness.
His straightforward recommendation involves reverting to the ‘Ranked Reloaded’ system introduced during that season, which emphasized coordinated team play and victory-oriented strategies while ensuring Ranked Points accurately reflected individual player capability levels.
This approach fundamentally rewarded strategic positioning and survival duration rather than mere elimination counts, creating more meaningful competitive progression. Players seeking rank advancement must understand that team coordination remains paramount – avoid solo pushing engagements, communicate resource needs clearly, and prioritize zone positioning over aggressive plays during early match phases.
Common mistakes include underestimating placement value and overprioritizing early-game kills, which often leads to premature elimination before reaching point-generating match stages.
Horizon’s Prime State Return
The secondary modification Hal champions involves restoring Horizon to her peak performance condition, specifically referencing her inaugural Season 7 capabilities when she originally joined the Apex Games roster.
Provide restoration of
Season 13 Ranking
Prime Horizon Configuration
0.4 Targeting Assistance
I would restore Apex to greatness
During her prime operational period, Horizon possessed enhanced tactical mobility and gravitational manipulation abilities that created dynamic combat scenarios without overwhelming opposing squads. Advanced players should master her Gravity Lift trajectory variations and strategic ultimate placements that maximize area denial while minimizing exposure to counterfire.
Optimization techniques include using her tactical ability for rapid elevation changes during firefights and positioning Black Hole placements to disrupt enemy formations in final circle scenarios.
Controller Aim Assist Reversion
The final element in Hal’s tripartite solution recommends returning controller targeting assistance values to their previous 0.4 configuration. The Season 22 adjustments diminished controller user effectiveness in cross-platform matchmaking and specifically impacted PC controller participants with 18-25% reduction in aim facilitation.
While some community members expressed surprise at Hal’s endorsement of increased aim assistance, he clarified that “the game’s declining viability necessitates immediate drastic actions, and realistically, developing a title with among the lowest aim assist values compared to competitors seems unreasonable given controllers represent such substantial portion of the player ecosystem.”
Controller players can improve performance by mastering rotational aim assist mechanics through consistent strafing during engagements and understanding the specific ranges where aim assist provides maximum benefit. Common mistakes include overflicking due to assist compensation and failing to utilize movement to activate rotational assistance consistently.
Advanced optimization involves learning weapon-specific patterns that synergize with aim assist mechanics and practicing tracking drills that incorporate movement-based activation.
Implementation Strategy & Community Response
Hal additionally commented in subsequent responses that he attributes the gradual attention shift toward competing titles to what he describes as “incremental” modifications implemented over extended periods.
I completely concur that the minor adjustments implemented throughout Apex’s development have significantly damaged the experience, permitting competing major games to gradually capture market share
“The cumulative effect of minor adjustments throughout Apex’s development timeline has substantially harmed the gameplay experience, enabling competing major titles to progressively acquire participant share,” he further elaborated.
Respawn Entertainment confronts a challenging pathway during 2025 to recapture the audience segments lost throughout the preceding year. Statistical data reveals Steam peak concurrent users exceeding 470,000 during February, contrasting sharply with December figures falling below 150,000 participants.
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