Players ofApex Legendswho got a feeling of soaring the skies through Gravity Cannons and other gimmicks may have wished for a Legend to actually have the ability to fly. And while characters such as Octane, Horizon, and Pathfinder have these capabilities, their jumping/floating-based kit don’t always get as close to the feeling players want. This is whereValkyriecomes in, as her VTOL Jets fulfill the very thing players want out of anApex Legendsmatch: the ability to fly.
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While Valkyrie’s VTOL Jets have a limited runtime, the character still has the most capabilities of spending the time in the air compared to other Legends. This advantage allows her to access some of the game’s tougher areas, as well as jump the gun on unsuspecting enemies. However, Valkyrie’s flight-oriented toolkit does make her skillset rather specialized to be picked up on the get-go. Just how can players master Valkyrie’s flying kit to dominate the skies as an Apex Legend?
Valkyrie: The Right Gal For Smuggling
Kairi Imahara made a name for herself for being fierce, brash, and bold in all respects, capable of being an expert smuggler and still having enough energy to drink will fellow outlaws at night. This tendency of going above (or below) the law was something innate to her, having stolen a Titan from her father, Viper in theTitanfallgame, when she was a child. When Viper left for a mission and never returned, Kairi became determined in following her father’s footsteps - and even more determined to track the man who put Viper in danger, his senior Kuben Blisk.
At some point, Kairi was able to track Blisk with the intent of killing him. However, she was impressed when Blisk talked about her father with high praise, convincing her to spare him - but not without shooting him. While this didn’t kill him, Blisk’s words of “being better” did motivate Kairi to “avenge” her father’s legacy in a new way. After their encounter, Kairi used the flight core from her father’s Northstar Titan to create a jetpack that could help her soar the skies. After taking Blisk’s Apex card during their meeting, Kairi set her eyes on new sights: the Apex Games, as flight specialistValkyrie.
Why Play Valkyrie: Flight Is Power
Just like her namesake, Valkyrie dominates the skies inApex Legendsgameplay, allowing her to capitalize on the openness of Apex Games locations and catch enemies by surprise. Players who love the versatility this kind of directionality offers may want to grab Valkyrie and test her out immediately withApex Legendsweapons. However, gamers interested in more nuanced approaches to using Valkyrie should consider the following reasons as well:
The Basics Of Valkyrie: Get Flying
Imagine Valkyrie soaring the skies and gliding acrossApex Legendsmapsto rain bullet hell quite literally on her opponents. This level of awesomeness is something Valkyrie’s skillset provides players due to its flight-based focus. However, players may want to check out the rest of her toolkit to get a quick glance on how the rest of her skills interact:
Passive: VTOL Jets
The main skill in Valkyrie’s powerset as a character inApex Legends, theVTOL Jets (Passive)allow Valkyrie to engage her jetpack and fly in midair until her fuel runs out. In this state, Valkyrie can’t use anyApex Legendsweapon comboexcept her Missile Swarm, also gets a special HUD. Here are things to consider with her Passive:
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Tactical: Missile Swarm
It’s one thing to have the flight capacity of a jet, and another to also possess an arsenal of missile launchers. This is exactly whatMissile Swarm (Tactical)does for Valkyrie as a formidable character with even anApex Legendspistol, as this allows her to unleash a barrage of missiles to the enemy’s direction. Getting hit by Valkyrie’s missiles not only deal damage but also disorient enemies. Here are some other information about this ability:
Ultimate: Skyward Dive
One of the more unconventional abilities for anApex Legendsteam,Skyward Dive (Ultimate)of Valkyrie lets her launch herself and her allies up in the air for another skydiving session. This allows her and the team to reposition almost anywhere in the map, as though they’re doing a second drop akin to the beginning of the match. Here are some things to take note:
Valkyrie Gameplay: Capitalize On Verticality
Valkyrie’s flying has got to be one of the most unique mechanics amongApex Legendsskills. Mastering aerial combat in the game’s most open maps can be pretty challenging for newcomers. Combined with a toolkit that recommends quick yet precise aiming, Valkyrie can be a tough cookie to crack for players who want to massacre opponents from the convenience of verticality. Thankfully, players can rely on a few tips and tricks to ensure their Valkyrie gameplay can secure more kills than the average enjoyer:
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Skirmisher Class: An Eye For Special Equipment
Given her nature as a smuggler, it makes sense for Valkyrie to have a “natural” eye for special equipment. And now that Valkyrie has more access to movement opportunities given her flight capabilities, her classification as aSkirmisher Classmakes her even more capable as an all-terrain fighter. When players use Valkyrie, they may need to take note of the following perk in order to maximize her exploration mastery and tap into her innate eye for quality:
Loadout Recommendations
Valkyrie as a navigational specialist allows players to access even the toughest locations in the map, allowing her to jump the gun on enemies even with the barest ofApex Legendspistols. However, players who aren’t able to capitalize on Valkyrie’s exploration specialty might fire back when enemies can anticipate her position. In this case, Valkyrie players may want to use a loadout that allows her to adapt to even the worst of comebacks. Here are some weapons that can help players do this strategy:
Apex Legendsis playable on the PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
