Season 27 – Amped landed on November 4, 2025, and Respawn has shoved Valkyrie back into the sky with a suite of buffs that make her far more present in both casual and competitive matches. This piece lays out the most important gameplay changes, what they mean for how teams approach fights, and practical counters to watch for.
Why Valkyrie matters again
Valkyrie received a cluster of targeted buffs that change how she pressures teams from the air. Her VTOL Jets recharge time dropped dramatically, Missile Swarm no longer damages her, and the Skyward Dive launch height increased by 15 percent. A new level 3 upgrade, Supersonic, halves the ultimate launch time, while the reworked Aerial Expert improves horizontal control at the cost of max fuel. The net result is a legend that can get up, dish out damage from above, and get back into the sky far faster than before.
Practical numbers matter here: jetpack recharge went from 10.9 seconds to 3 seconds, which changes how fights reset and how long Valkyrie can dominate vertical space.
We previously covered the full Season 27 Amped patch notes in our patch notes summary, and Respawn’s official patch notes are also available for the complete list of changes.
Apex Legends Season 27 Amped patch notes and a look at the hero buffs explain the broader roster shifts, and the official patch notes list every tweak.
Other legends that changed the meta
Horizon and Rampart earned meaningful upgrades too. Horizon’s Black Hole got 50 extra HP and a 30 second reduction to cooldown, plus faster Gravity Lift speed and a shorter lift cooldown. Rampart’s Amped Cover now includes a roof and can regenerate if left untouched for a while. Those two changes make ground control more dangerous for teams that try to box a squad in while Valkyrie circles above.
Counter for Valkyrie – Vantage
Vantage is the reliable anti-air pick in this season. Her Sniper’s Mark ability lets teams track targets and apply a debuff that makes aerial escape much harder. Sniper rifles have the range and precision to punish Valkyrie when she peeks or tries to reposition, and Vantage’s kit rewards high-ground denial and patient aim. If Valkyrie wants to play peekaboo with aerial scouting, Vantage wants to make that peek painful.
Counter for Horizon – Crypto
Horizon thrives on grouping enemies with Black Hole. Crypto can respond by using the Surveillance Drone and EMP to disrupt and destroy a Black Hole on contact, and the Neurolink provides quick team intel so squads can avoid getting trapped. If the enemy Horizon is trying to set up a combo with Valkyrie, Crypto can cut that chain early.
Counter for Rampart – Fuse
Rampart’s Amped Cover is durable, but explosives are its kryptonite. Fuse’s Knuckle Cluster tears through static defenses fast, and his Motherlode ultimate creates a containment field that either forces Rampart out or finishes off the team behind the barrier. Bring explosives and area denial and you tilt a Rampart match into your favor.
How to play Valkyrie well in Season 27
- Use short, effective sorties. With a 3 second recharge, Valkyrie can hop up and down more often. That means shorter windows in the air and more jukes to keep enemy Aim players guessing.
- Combo with controllers. Horizon and Valkyrie form a brutal pairing – Black Hole pulls enemies into a kill zone where Missile Swarm and high-angle fire can do the rest.
- Mind Supersonic. The level 3 upgrade halves ultimate launch time, so time your Skyward Dives to intersect fights and avoid giving opponents easy opportunities to shoot you out of the sky.
What teams need to adjust
Defensive teams that relied on static barriers must add explosive answers or long-range overwatch. Expect squads to pick at engagements from range and then use Valkyrie to punish rotation mistakes. If you play support or defense, carry a plan for vertical control either by picking a sniper specialist or ensuring your team has explosive tools to clear Amped Cover.
Season 27 reworks vertical play and rewards players who think in three dimensions. Learn a counter or two and one of the new matchups becomes much less punishing.
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