Apex Legends players who end up being eliminated early will call "haxx" on their opponents - how in the Syndicate's name did they spot them on the map? Thing is, some players approach the Respawn battle royale as though it's a typical multiplayer FPS game. In turn, some players who forget their inner survivalist end up being prey for the more tactical gamers among the competition.
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Thing is, it's a very lethal mistake for players to go out in the open guns blazing when looking for prey. In fact, squads who last the longest in Apex Legends approach the match as though they're in a hunt. If other players serve as their prey, these predators have set "rules of the hunt" to ensure they navigate the game map safe and sound.
10 The Minimap Declares The Ring
As with other battle royales, Apex Legends forces players into confrontations by continuously lessening the "safe area" of exploration. This is courtesy of the Ring, or an orange area of deadly heat that slowly encloses the map throughout the map over the course of rounds. Thanks to Recon Legends, players can get to Survey Beacons to identify the next Ring location, giving the squad room to navigate to a safer area.
Thing is, the Minimap itself can give players a "hint" regarding safe zones from the Ring. Essentially, players should look at their maps to check if the white edge of the Ring's safe zone has an animation. If the white edge is blinking, then the player isn't in the next safe zone. If it's stationary, then they're already inside the next zone.
9 Stick To The Edge
Moving in the middle of a field will make players easy prey for snipers. To avoid this caveat, players will want to navigate an area via its edge.
Sticking close to the nearest wall gives players a good vantage point of the open area in the opposite direction - letting them see any opponents on the far end of the area. In the case of an attack, sticking to the wall can give a great view of potential exits and pathways.
Likewise, this position close to the edge won't give their location to potential snipers or enemy teams on any platforms above them.
8 Rely On Sight Beyond Sight
One thing remains constant in Apex Legends: anything that moves anywhere that isn't part of the squad is an enemy. When navigating any map, players should ping anything that moves - especially if it's far from the squad. In fact, players should still ping opponents, even if they appear as small ants in a faraway field. After all, just knowing where they're headed can give players insights towards two things.
First, logic dictates that an enemy squad moving away from their original location means their point of origin is safe. Moreover, players who see an enemy squad moving inside the ring should take note which path they chose. Doing this will help players choose a safer path that won't lead to potential firefights against that same squad.
7 Hearing Is An Invaluable Asset
Hearing is a grossly underestimated asset in FPS, and much is the same in Apex Legends. Players who want to ace the navigation game need to keep their ears up for anything that sounds unusual. For starters, the game's sound engine makes it easy for gamers to identify where sounds are coming from. In turn, players can more or less spot the general direction of gunshots.
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More importantly, players need to keep their ears open for steps that aren't their squad's. To do this, try to listen if there are other steps close by while the squad isn't moving. Moreover, certain Legends have specific stepping sounds, such as Octane's fast springy steps, and Revenant and Pathfinder's mechanical footsteps.
6 Maximize Sound Creation, Dispersion
Just like how players should keep their ears up for unusual sounds, squads can also capitalize on sounds to get the upper hand. In turn, players can utilize the way they make noise to rattle enemies or prepare for any attack.
For instance, if crouch-walking removes sounds of footsteps, then it's a reliable tool to navigate buildings to check for enemy presence.
Likewise, it's a good habit to keep doors closed. After all, if the squad hears a faraway door opening, they have a few seconds' worth of time to prepare for an impending firefight.
This tip is perfect for Bangalore, as she can set up her Smoke Launcher to create a diversion while the team escapes. Likewise, Bangalore can chase enemies outside while setting up her Rolling Thunder Ultimate.
5 Climb Staircases Backwards
Players hate staircase firefights precisely for hard navigation. After all, it's messy having to follow a staircase's path while keeping their sights on an enemy, right? Thing is, players can eliminate the clunky movement disadvantage in staircases with a simple trick: climb them backward.
Remember, climbing backward will keep sights to the point of origin, letting players attack anyone who tries to sneak up on them. Likewise, getting to the next floor backward will have the sights to the immediate surroundings, whereas regular climbing requires turning around to face the next floor.
4 Pay Attention To Area Blindspots
Almost all areas in any Apex Legends map has existing gimmicks - be it unique aesthetics or unique effects. For instance, Caustic Treatment is Caustic's laboratory that features high-level loot protected by a gas trap experiment. Likewise, Crypto's Map Room can reveal the location of squads in the area. However, players might also want to pay attention to other navigation quirks in "normal" areas, such as blindspots.
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For instance, in King's Canyon, the area of the Crash Site directly below the Crashed Ship can make for effective hiding spots. Likewise, the Solar Array and multiple spots in Olympus have unimposing underground passageways littered with loot - perfect for planning surprise attacks or a fierce counterattack.
3 Keep Eyes On All Exits
When entering a new area, players should keep their eyes open for exits at all times. In open areas, this means paying attention to random passageways. In the case of buildings, this means paying attention to nearby doors and windows. That way, players can lead their teammates to safety in the case of a surprise firefight. Remember, it's better to run and find a safe spot to regenerate Shields and HP than to go guns blazing in a panic.
Paying attention to exits can also help aggressive players. If they're approaching a defending team, a squad will want to split up and cover multiple exits to flank opponents and reduce their chances of recovery.
2 Stay Wary Of Supply Drops
Granted, Supply Drops almost always guarantee awesome loot - and players who get their hands on a good ol' Prowler or even an advanced Evo Shield can have a ton of advantages in combat. That is, if enemies don't catch them approaching the Drop first.
Players in the vicinity of a Supply Drop should remain alert before getting its contents. Remember, enemies nearby will likely eye the Drop as well - so wait a few seconds to see if another squad is making its way to it. Given the opportunity, flanking an enemy busy deliberating on the Drop's contents will grant an easy kill.
Likewise, players itching for a Supply Drop should make a quick judgment call to get its contents or not. A Drop's powerful gear is useless if players can't use them.
1 Ping Small Details
Anyone who's played Bloodhound will love the sheer level of detail Respawn allotted for this Legend. After all, Bloodhound can see a ton of details other players can't - he knows which environment elements received the latest interactions, which paths enemies recently took, and areas that had recent battles.
Thing is, players need to remember that Bloodhound only makes it easier to identify these game elements. Meaning, gamers with enough familiarity with the environment can spot these details for themselves.
For instance, pinging an open Supply Pod will declare that enemies have been nearby. Likewise, players can ping deployable Skills (e.g., Gas Traps, Jump Pads) to declare potential enemy presence. The more members of the squad aware of these things, the least chances of getting surprised.