Respawn Entertainment revives Wraith’s iconic Naruto run in Apex Legends Season 24.1, balancing nostalgia with competitive gameplay insights.
The Announcement: Season 24.1 Brings Back a Classic
Respawn Entertainment has confirmed the highly anticipated return of a beloved character animation in the forthcoming 24.1 mid-season patch for Apex Legends Season 24.
The developers have officially announced that Wraith’s signature “Naruto run” sprint animation is making a comeback. This distinctive forward-leaning sprint, named for its resemblance to running styles depicted in popular anime, defined the Interdimensional Skirmisher’s visual identity for years.
The History: Why the Naruto Run Was Removed
This animation was originally vaulted back in October 2020. The development team’s primary goal was to enhance gameplay fairness by modifying Wraith’s sprinting stance.
Wraith was notorious for her unique, hunched-over sprint. The Apex Legends balance team contended that this posture significantly minimized her visible hitbox—the area on a character model that can register bullet hits. This made her a harder target to track and shoot, conferring an unintentional competitive edge that wasn’t tied to her kit’s abilities.
Practical Tip: When aiming at a sprinting Wraith using her original animation, lead your shots slightly lower than her center mass. The hitbox is centered more around her torso and legs due to the forward lean, not her head and shoulders.
The Community Reaction: Mixed Feelings Then and Now
The 2020 removal sparked a divided response within the player base. A segment of the community acknowledged the necessity for competitive integrity, while a vocal majority lamented the loss of a defining character trait.
Ultimately, it was accepted as a necessary sacrifice for game balance, but it stripped away a piece of Wraith’s original charm—a key feature for one of the launch roster’s eight founding Legends.
Not even going to lie… little bit sad about this change 😢 pic.twitter.com/NS3NyzW6FS
Common Mistake: Don’t assume the animation’s return gives Wraith a mechanical advantage. Respawn has likely recalibrated hitboxes alongside the visual change to maintain balance. The advantage is purely visual and nostalgic.
The Technical Details: Update Schedule and Patch Notes
Despite the passage of time, Respawn has chosen to reintegrate the original sprint animation as a nod to the game’s heritage and fan requests.
The 24.1 update is slated for deployment on March 25, 2025. The official patch notes concisely declare, “Original 3P run animation has returned,” referring to the third-person perspective animation seen by other players.
The developers appended a playful note: “Also, the run is back. Enjoy.”
Players can eagerly anticipate once again controlling Wraith as she dashes with her classic, iconic style, injecting a dose of welcomed nostalgia into matches.
The Bigger Picture: Skirmisher Changes and Weapon Balancing
It’s crucial to view this animation revival within the context of the larger 24.1 update. The patch introduces more substantial gameplay alterations, including new perks for the entire Skirmisher class (which includes Legends like Octane, Mirage, and Valkyrie) and an extensive list of weapon tuning adjustments.
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Strategic Implications: How the Animation Affects Gameplay
For Wraith Players: The return of the distinctive silhouette can be a double-edged sword. While it feels authentic, it also makes you more visually recognizable at a distance compared to the generic upright sprint. Use this to your advantage in mind games.
For Opponents: Re-learn the visual cues. A sprinting Wraith will now have a lower profile. Practice tracking this animation in the firing range to adjust your muscle memory for leading shots effectively.
Optimization Tip for Advanced Players: Pair this visual change with Wraith’s tactical ability, “Into the Void.” The sudden posture shift from the unique sprint into her phased running animation can create a slight visual disorientation for pursuers, potentially buying you a crucial half-second during a retreat.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Apex Legends is bringing back its most iconic animation after removing it years ago Respawn Entertainment revives Wraith's iconic Naruto run in Apex Legends Season 24.1, balancing nostalgia with competitive gameplay insights.