Apex Legends developers have made a significant change to Storm Point’s ranked map pool, removing three points of interest that failed to generate meaningful gameplay.
The decision comes as part of ongoing efforts to refine the competitive ranked experience. Respawn Entertainment identified these locations as underutilized during matches, contributing little to strategic diversity or engaging combat scenarios.
Alongside the POI removal, the development team has implemented improvements to the drop ship draft system for ranked play. These enhancements aim to create more balanced landing opportunities and reduce the frequency of contested hot drops that can lead to early eliminations.
Storm Point has been a focal point for balance discussions since its introduction to the ranked rotation. The map’s size and spread-out location design made certain areas naturally favored over others, leaving some POIs as ghost towns throughout matches.
The updated ranked experience should encourage more distributed player placement across the remaining locations. This adjustment promotes healthier mid-game scenarios where teams have realistic opportunities to engage in skill-based encounters rather than early-game RNG-dependent skirmishes.
Players can expect to see these changes reflected in their next ranked sessions. The modifications represent Respawn’s continued commitment to maintaining a competitive environment that rewards tactical decision-making and mechanical skill.