Why Apex Legends avoids adding large-sized legends and hitbox design philosophy explained
The Unique Character Selection in Apex Legends
Unlike traditional battle royale games where players control generic soldiers, Apex Legends revolutionizes the genre with its diverse roster of legends, each offering distinct tactical abilities and physical characteristics. Since its launch, the game has introduced numerous new characters, but noticeably absent are additional large-sized legends similar to Gibraltar or Caustic.
Lead game designer Daniel Z Klein has clarified Respawn Entertainment’s deliberate decision to avoid adding more Gibraltar-sized legends to the Apex Games. This design philosophy stems from fundamental gameplay considerations about hitbox balance and competitive fairness.
Hitbox Challenges for Larger Legends
Respawn Entertainment
The size disparity between legends creates inherent balance challenges – larger characters like Gibraltar are easier targets but receive damage reduction to compensate. Klein explained during a Reddit AMA that standardizing hitboxes across all characters would be ideal for competitive integrity, but technical limitations prevent this solution.
For players, this means understanding that larger legends trade mobility for survivability, while smaller legends are harder to hit but more vulnerable when struck. This dynamic creates distinct playstyle requirements for different character sizes.
Developer Insights on Character Balance
Klein revealed that if designing Apex today, the team would implement uniform hitboxes for all characters. However, legacy design decisions with existing legends make this impractical. “The technical hurdles of resizing Gibraltar and Caustic without compromising their visual identity or requiring massive animation overhauls are simply too significant,” Klein stated.
This admission highlights the complex balance between visual design and gameplay mechanics in hero shooters. Players should note that while uniform hitboxes might seem fairer, the current system creates more diverse tactical options and playstyles.
Future of Character Design in Apex
The absence of new large legends means Gibraltar and Caustic will maintain their unique status in the roster. Klein hinted this might lead to targeted buffs to keep these characters viable as the meta evolves.
For competitive players, this design direction suggests future legends will continue using medium-sized hitboxes, maintaining the current balance paradigm. Understanding these design constraints can help players make informed decisions about which legends to master based on their preferred playstyle.
Common mistake to avoid: Don’t judge legend viability solely by hitbox size – abilities and playstyle adaptation often outweigh size disadvantages.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Apex Legends won’t add more ‘big’ legends like Caustic & Gibraltar for one key reason Why Apex Legends avoids adding large-sized legends and hitbox design philosophy explained