Valkyrie’s VTOL Jetpack nerf explained: Impact on Apex Legends Season 9 meta
Introduction
Respawn Entertainment has announced significant changes to Valkyrie’s signature VTOL Jetpack ability in Apex Legends Season 9, specifically targeting how the ability functions during tactical hovering. This adjustment comes after extensive observation of player behavior in both casual and competitive matches.
The development team identified an unintended advantage in final circles where Valkyrie players could hover indefinitely with minimal fuel consumption, creating an imbalance in competitive play.
The VTOL Jetpack Nerf Details
Previously, Valkyrie’s tactical hover consumed fuel at just 10% of the normal rate, allowing skilled players to maintain aerial positioning for extended durations. This proved particularly problematic in ALGS (Apex Legends Global Series) competitions where teams would use this technique to stall final circles.
John ‘JayBiebs’ Larson from Respawn explained the upcoming change: “We’re standardizing fuel consumption during hovering to match regular flight rates. This means players will need to be more strategic about aerial positioning rather than using it as a stalling tactic.”
The update, scheduled for May 27, will fundamentally alter how players utilize Valkyrie’s mobility in high-stakes situations. Advanced techniques like ‘fuel feathering’ will now carry greater risk versus reward calculations.
Community Reactions
Professional players like Taisheen have demonstrated the hovering strategy’s effectiveness, but streamer Michael ‘Shroud’ Grzesiek represents players who avoided Valkyrie due to movement limitations imposed by the jetpack.
The community response has been polarized: competitive players welcome the balance change while casual players argue it disproportionately affects regular gameplay. Some suggest compromise solutions like increased (but not full) fuel consumption during hovers.
VAL MAIN I DONT NEED SHIELDS pic.twitter.com/W8yKJ52f8j
— Taisheen (@Taisheen) May 21, 2021
Strategic Implications
With the nerf incoming, players should consider these strategic adjustments:
- Prioritize fuel management – plan hover duration carefully as mistakes will be more punishing
- Develop new rotation strategies that don’t rely on extended hovering
- Consider alternative repositioning legends like Horizon or Pathfinder for final circles
- Practice quick weapon switching when using VTOL for combat repositioning
The change will likely shift the competitive meta, potentially reducing Valkyrie’s pick rate in favor of legends with more reliable repositioning tools. However, her ultimate ability and missile swarm remain strong assets for team play.
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