SUMMARY
- Apex Legend player have been complaining amount a feature known as tap-strafing.
- The tap-strafe technique in Apex Legends allows sharper movements and turns than normal side jumps.
It’s been a while now that players have continuously been complaining about one of the most annoying features in Apex Legends. And that is the moving technique of ‘tap strafing.’ However, seems like the complaining fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
The tap-strafe is a technique in Apex Legends that allows players to make sharper movements and difficult turns as compared to normal side jumps. It uses a mix of air-strafing and bunny-hopping techniques. Every time the move forward key is pressed and then released, the direction of momentum will be slightly changed. Doing this multiple times in succession can cause a full 180-degree turn, which can be handy during fights.
Tap Strafing being removed from Apex Legends
The developer of Apex Legends, Respawn Entertainment, recently announced that the controversial movement ability, which many players found to be annoying will soon be deleted. It will be taken off from the game with the release of Season 20 on February 13, 2024. However, there’s a catch. It will only be removed on controllers.
Respawn confirmed their decision to remove the movement via an X post. They stated that they were implementing changes to “better protect the game’s competitive integrity”.
The post further read, “We are making changes to remove automated strafing on controller and will also be making changes to prevent the chaining of cfg files via the +exec command during game time. In other words, we are disabling the ability to use some configs that would allow for a greater range of movement than is usually possible within the game.”
Heads up, legends. We’ve been rolling out some changes to @PlayApex to better protect the game’s competitive integrity.
We are making changes to remove automated strafing on controller and will also be making changes to prevent the chaining of cfg files via the +exec command…
— Respawn (@Respawn) February 1, 2024
Interestingly, Apex Legends is one of those games wherein in-game movement is valuable, just like aim, recoil control, and positioning. Thus Apex Legends getting rid of movement tech, especially one that has been around in the game for quite some time is surprising.
Why is Apex Legends removing Tap Strafing?
The decision comes following a viral discussion surrounding the use of configs, and how cheaters and sour, losing players hack the game and alter it, thus spoiling the game for everyone else. By ending the workarounds that give a “far greater range of movement than is usually possible in the game“, Respawn is in a way preventing the chaining of config files.
A lot of fans are congratulating Respawn on their decision to finally get rid of the tech. Besides, the developer also emphasized that it strictly does not approve of any third-party hardware or software that can modify the game mechanics or anything that gives a group of players an unfair advantage. Some of the biggest Apex Legends players such as ImperialHal and Nokokopuffs, have lauded Respawn’s decision.
This is just the start of a new beginning for Apex let’s go ❤️
— TSM ImperialHal (@ImperialHal) February 1, 2024
The main point of disagreement between the controller and keyboard is the skill ceiling. With the help of these configs, controller players on PC managed to gain an advantage. It’s safe to say that the configs were just free cheats.
Thus, Respawn putting a stop to these configs is a step further in the right direction to keep the cheaters at bay. Meanwhile, with Season 20: Breakout of Apex Legends just around the corner, the developers recently released patch notes for the upcoming season which will make significant changes in how the game is played.