Pro player ImperialHal criticizes Apex Legends’ sniper-dominated gameplay and offers strategies to counter this frustrating meta.
ImperialHal’s Critique: The Rise of a ‘Dumb’ Meta
TSM’s star player, Philip ‘ImperialHal’ Dosen, has sparked a significant conversation by labeling the current state of Apex Legends as one of its most frustrating eras. His criticism centers on a dramatic meta shift where sniper rifles, particularly the Charge Rifle, have become overwhelmingly prevalent.
ImperialHal argues that the battle royale’s strategic focus has been warped, moving away from the dynamic, ability-based skirmishes that defined its legacy and towards a slower, more punishing long-range poke battle.
For years, Apex Legends has been celebrated for its fast-paced combat, where Legend abilities synergize with gunplay to create thrilling engagements. The meta was primarily shaped by which characters offered the best team utility and mobility.
Weapons have always influenced the playstyle, of course. Veterans fondly (or painfully) recall dominant periods like the ‘R400’ meta, built around the R-301 carbine and R-99 SMG combo, or the era where the Flatline assault rifle was an undisputed king in Seasons 11 and 12.
As Season 16 concludes, a new trend has solidified. Players at all levels, from public matches to the ALGS (Apex Legends Global Series), are prioritizing snipers. ImperialHal has been vocal about his disdain for this development, describing it as a degenerate playstyle that reduces strategic depth.
Understanding the Problem: Why Snipers Dominate
The TSM IGL (In-Game Leader), aligning with other professional players, has specifically called for Respawn Entertainment to re-examine the Charge Rifle. He identifies the weapon’s surge in usage as a cornerstone of what he deems one of the battle royale’s least enjoyable metas.
“Many claim snipers have always been popular, but that’s simply inaccurate. Their prevalence in competitive lobbies has increased fourfold. This isn’t just a ranked ladder phenomenon; it’s defining ALGS and all serious play,” Hal explained during a stream, highlighting the severity of the shift.
He elaborated on the frustration: “It’s one of the dumbest metas this game has seen. You can take 50 to 100 damage from over 200 meters away, sometimes even more, before a real fight even begins.” This ‘pre-fight’ damage depletes resources (shield cells, syringes) and forces teams into disadvantaged positions before engagements properly start.
Focusing on the Charge Rifle, Hal noted its perennial strength but pointed to a key catalyst: “It’s always been a powerful tool, but its dominance has skyrocketed alongside Rampart’s rise in the meta.” Rampart’s Amped Cover provides both protection and a damage boost, turning the Charge Rifle into a team-shredding turret that can control vast areas of the map with minimal risk.
This combination creates a low-risk, high-reward scenario that stifles aggressive play. Teams are punished for attempting rotations or taking map control, leading to more passive, stationary gameplay centered around holding positions and chipping away at enemies from safety.
Practical Counterplay: How to Fight Back
While waiting for potential developer adjustments, players aren’t helpless. Successfully navigating this meta requires adapting your strategy, movement, and loadout choices.
Movement and Positioning are Key: Never move in a predictable straight line in the open. Utilize slide jumps, wall bounces, and ziplines erratically. When you hear a Charge Rifle charge-up, immediately change direction or duck into cover. Treat open ground as a high-threat area and plan rotations through covered pathways or using Legends like Pathfinder or Wraith.
Legend Selection: Counter-sniper compositions thrive. Gibraltar’s Dome of Protection can provide crucial safe passage. Newcastle’s Castle Wall and Mobile Shield allow for advancing under cover. Horizon’s Gravity Lift can instantly elevate your team out of a sniper’s sightline. Aggressive Legends like Octane or Ash can quickly close the distance if you get a positional read.
Loadout Adaptation: Consider carrying a mid-to-long-range weapon yourself to apply pressure back, but pair it with a dominant close-range option like an SMG or shotgun. The goal is to survive the poke phase and force the fight into a range where your loadout excels. Digital Threat optics on SMGs can help spot enemies behind Rampart’s amped covers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
1. Re-peeking the same angle: After getting hit once, a good sniper will be pre-aiming that exact spot.
2. Reviving in the open: Always drag downed teammates behind cover before attempting a revive.
3. Wasting heals on minor poke: If you’re safe, sometimes it’s better to wait for a Shield Battery rather than using two Shield Cells under fire.
4. Taking fair fights: Never stand still to trade shots with a sniper. Your goal is to negate their advantage, not beat them at their own game.
With Season 17’s launch imminent in early May, immediate changes are unlikely. However, the upcoming seasonal update typically brings significant balance shifts, offering hope for a meta shakeup based on the strong feedback from the pro community and players alike.
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The vocal criticism from top-tier competitors like ImperialHal serves as a major signal to Respawn Entertainment’s development team. While Season 17’s specific patch notes are unknown, history shows the developers actively monitor meta health and player sentiment.
Potential adjustments could include modifying the Charge Rifle’s damage profile, ammo consumption, or handling. Rampart’s synergy with snipers might also be addressed through changes to her Amped Cover health or damage boost. The community will be watching closely to see if the upcoming update successfully curbs the sniper dominance and restores a healthier balance between long-range pressure and close-quarter combat.
For now, players must focus on the counterplay strategies outlined above. Adapting to the meta, however frustrating, is a core skill in competitive gaming. By refining movement, optimizing team compositions, and playing intelligently around sightlines, you can mitigate the impact of the sniper surge until the next evolution of the Apex Legends landscape arrives.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » ImperialHal claims Apex Legends is in one of “dumbest” metas ever right now Pro player ImperialHal criticizes Apex Legends' sniper-dominated gameplay and offers strategies to counter this frustrating meta.