Caustic’s balancing act in Apex Legends has been a topic of debate for several seasons. With the start of season 8, Respawn has confirmed that their team agrees with the feedback from the community and that they will weaken the Toxic Trapper at some point.
Success in Apex Legends requires a combination of skilled gun and clever use of each legend’s abilities. Although Respawn has repeatedly confirmed that the battle king’s primary focus is around gun play, they are certainly aware of the impact that Legend abilities have on the game.
Although every character has been stripped in some way since the release, Caustic has remained a controversial legend after receiving several fans in season 7, and the community has not refrained from criticizing Respawn for the balance of the character.
In a Reddit AMA after the release of Season 8, one user asked, “Why is it not biting after the important calls from the community? [His abilities] directly counteracts the design philosophy that emerged during the release of the game, which was first Guns, then Legends.
Caustic remains a controversial legend for several seasons, especially among professional players.
After further criticism that the game had become ‘more like Overwatch’, a common concern of the community during season 7, John Larson, a competitive Live Balance Designer at Respawn, responded with an explanation.
“Good question. I think since the change in gas teammates could play in relatively no consequences in gas, there has been a lot of unrealized potential that has been quickly exploited over the last few months. Caustic is undeniably strong and has the highest win in matches longer than 20 Caustic plays a unique role as a defensive legend who can be offensive in certain scenarios, and we need to make sure we adapt him in a way that removes frustration without compromising how it feels to play as Caustic.
Long story short, we hear the feedback from the community, as a player I feel it is valid, backs up the data that he is strong and that he will get attention in the near future. As Apex becomes ‘Ability Legends’, as new characters are introduced, it’s important that they take up unique design space. This opens the door to potentially devastating synergies between legend-abilities. I’ve seen (and experienced for myself) the tracks of chaotic ability-driven endgame, and this is something we’re actively working on solving. ”
Fans will be happy to know that Respawn intends to address the balancing concerns surrounding Caustic.
Following this reaction, TSM streamer and former Apex pro Mac “Albralelie” Kenzie Beckwith gave another suggestion on how to address Caustic’s balancing act.
He suggested that the gas from Caustic’s barrels should only fend off opponents to make them more vulnerable, instead of inflicting damage on themselves.
Thinking of a balance change for caustic, which I was working on a few days ago, basically removes damage from the barrels, but gives someone in the gas a vulnerable status effect that increases all damage by a percentage, while also for everyone in the guest highlight teammates.
– TSM_Albralelie (@TSM_Albralelie) 6 February 2021
Whether Respawn decides to change the function of Toxic Trapper’s abilities, as Albralelie suggested, or to simply reduce their damage or duration remains to be seen.
Either way, a biting nerve will definitely be welcome news for many of the community, especially professional players and content creators.