Why Apex Legends pro Verhulst prefers pubs over ranked and how both modes can improve your gameplay
The Pro Perspective: Verhulst’s Game Mode Preferences
TSM’s elite Apex Legends competitor Evan ‘Verhulst’ Verhulst has developed a clear preference for casual public matches despite his professional status, offering valuable insights into why many top players gravitate toward this game mode for their regular gameplay sessions.
While TSM’s controller specialist Evan ‘Verhulst’ Verhulst dominates the competitive ALGS scene, he reveals a surprising preference for casual public matches over the structured ranked experience, though he recognizes both modes offer distinct advantages for different aspects of skill development.
During a recent streaming session, when questioned about his preferred game mode, Verhulst didn’t hesitate to declare his fondness for the more relaxed public match environment. He addressed potential criticism about professional players dominating casual lobbies by explaining his fundamental reasoning behind this choice.
Ranked Mode Analysis: Strengths and Limitations
Apex Legends’ competitive ranked system continues to generate divided opinions throughout the player community. Despite Respawn Entertainment’s ongoing efforts to create balanced matchmaking and reward strategic positioning over aggressive kill-hunting tactics, the system still elicits mixed reactions from the player base.
Verhulst articulated his perspective clearly: “I think ranked is so boring. I only play ranked because it’s the only way you can learn positioning and zones. Pubs is pure mechanics and ranked teaches you teamwork, but I think pubs are way more fun than ranked.” This professional assessment highlights the educational value of ranked play while acknowledging its entertainment limitations.
The controller player did acknowledge specific circumstances where ranked becomes more enjoyable: “The only reason I’d have more fun playing ranked than pubs is when you’re playing with other people so you can talk to them. If you’re really sweaty though, it’s hard to talk anyways.” This reveals that social interaction significantly enhances the ranked experience, though intense competitive focus can limit communication.
Common ranked mistakes include over-prioritizing kills early in matches, ignoring zone positioning, and failing to adapt strategies based on team composition. Successful ranked players master the art of when to engage versus when to reposition for better end-game advantages.
Pubs Mastery: Building Core Mechanics and Game Sense
Public matches in Apex Legends face their own share of community criticism, yet they remain the preferred playground for professionals like Verhulst, TSM’s standout controller expert who consistently demonstrates exceptional mechanical skill.
For the majority of his playtime, the TSM controller ace prefers honing his precise aiming techniques in casual matches before transitioning that refined skill to dominate both the ranked ladder and professional ALGS tournaments. This approach allows him to maintain peak mechanical performance without the psychological pressure of ranked point preservation.
Public matches provide ideal environments for practicing aggressive playstyles, testing new legends or weapons, and developing combat instincts without consequence. The faster-paced nature of pubs encourages more engagements per hour, dramatically accelerating mechanical skill development compared to cautious ranked gameplay.
Advanced players can leverage pubs to master movement techniques, perfect weapon recoil patterns, and experiment with unconventional strategies that might be too risky for ranked matches where every point matters.
Advanced Player Strategies for Both Modes
This doesn’t imply Verhulst completely avoids the ranked system or refuses to participate — he frequently teams up with friends and teammates to accumulate ranking points through coordinated play. However, when playing solo, you’ll rarely find him queuing alone in ranked matches.
Strategic approach recommendations: Use public matches for warm-up sessions before ranked play, focusing on aim training and movement drills. Transition to ranked when you want to practice team coordination, late-game decision making, and zone rotation strategies. Alternate between modes based on your current improvement goals.
Optimization tip: Track your performance metrics separately for each mode. Notice if your pubs kill-death ratio improvements translate to better ranked performance. Identify which legends and weapons you perform best with in different game modes and adjust your loadouts accordingly.
Black Ops 7 streamers convinced SBMM is as strong as ever despite changes
FragPunk smartly abandons Valorant and CS’s most annoying mechanic
OG Apex Legend is “garbage” as fans demand massive buffs
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Apex Legends pro Verhulst explains why pubs are better than “boring” ranked Why Apex Legends pro Verhulst prefers pubs over ranked and how both modes can improve your gameplay