Apex Legends' Crypto will always have a low pick rate until Respawn Entertainment figures out some way to lower his skill floor.
Despite previous efforts by Respawn Entertainment to buff Crypto, the season 3 character remains at the bottom of Apex Legends' pick rates. Many absolutely refuse to play the character, as there are other recon characters who can perform scans, but better. Bloodhound and Seer are going to be picked over Crypto just about any day of the week, save for perhaps by Crypto mains.
The thing is, Crypto is not inherently a bad character. He could use a few more Apex Legends buffs, such as reducing the cooldown of his drone once it is destroyed, but Crypto mains are able to effectively use his abilities to rotate, to learn tons of information on the enemy, to watch their back, and more. While Crypto could use an actual passive too, it's not so much his kit that holds him back as how his kit works so uniquely in Apex Legends. Crypto is by far the hardest-to-learn character in the popular battle royale game.
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Apex Legends: Crypto is a Good, But Hard-to-Learn, Character
A good Crypto main, whether just for fun, competitive, or professionally, is able to work out stronger rotations for his team, gather unique high-level and long-lasting information on enemy teams, and even be effective in combat. A good Crypto main can bust out the drone's ultimate in the midst of combat, to completely demolish a holding team, or operate as a distraction. The problem is that being able to do all these effectively, in the sheer variety of combat situations available in Apex Legends, takes more time to learn than many would consider investing. Crypto's skill floor, the lowest skill level needed to make use of the character, is incredibly high and is complex compared to characters like Octane, Lifeline, or even newer characters like Vantage, Newcastle, and so on.
Indeed, to make it worse, anyone who can is going to effectively counter Crypto as quick as they can. Misusing Crypto's drone can come across as shouting the strategy to the opposing team, and they'll quickly focus fire on Crypto's drones, upon which all his abilities rely. This makes taking the time to learn him even harder because even an unskilled Crypto's drone is going to take priority ahead of a fight.
At this point, increasing Crypto's popularity seems unlikely to happen without major reworks, and said reworks could result in his Apex Legends meta position shifting drastically. It's no doubt a hard line to walk to keep Crypto's strengths at the front and center without "dumbing" down the character. It remains to be seen if something ever happens or if Crypto will always be a strong, but seldom-picked, character.
Apex Legends is available now on Mobile, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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I'm a seasoned gamer and enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of Apex Legends, having dedicated countless hours to understanding its mechanics, character dynamics, and evolving meta. My expertise extends beyond mere gameplay; I've closely followed the ongoing developments within the Apex Legends community, staying abreast of Respawn Entertainment's continuous efforts to balance and enhance the gaming experience.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article by Joshua Duckworth, published on October 29, 2022, regarding Apex Legends' Crypto and the challenges he faces in terms of pick rates and perceived difficulty.
1. Crypto's Pick Rate and Skill Floor: The article highlights Crypto's persistently low pick rates despite Respawn Entertainment's attempts to buff the character. The community's reluctance to choose Crypto stems from the perception that other recon characters, such as Bloodhound and Seer, offer superior scanning abilities. The central argument is that Crypto's skill floor remains exceptionally high, dissuading players from investing time in mastering the character.
2. Crypto's Kit and Abilities: While acknowledging that Crypto is not inherently a bad character, the article suggests that improvements to his abilities could enhance his overall viability. Specific recommendations include reducing the cooldown of his drone and possibly introducing an actual passive ability. Despite these potential buffs, the article contends that Crypto's unique kit is not the primary obstacle; rather, it's the complexity of how his abilities function within the dynamic context of Apex Legends.
3. Challenges of Learning Crypto: The article emphasizes the difficulty in mastering Crypto's abilities, especially in comparison to other characters with simpler kits like Octane, Lifeline, or newer additions like Vantage and Newcastle. Learning effective rotations, gathering high-level information, and using the drone strategically in various combat situations demand a substantial investment of time, deterring many potential players.
4. Counterplay and Misuse of Crypto's Abilities: A significant challenge mentioned is the ease with which opponents can counter Crypto's abilities. Misusing the drone can inadvertently reveal strategies to the enemy team, prompting swift counterattacks. The article suggests that opponents often prioritize destroying Crypto's drones, disrupting his abilities and making the learning curve even steeper.
5. Uncertain Future for Crypto: The article concludes by expressing skepticism about the likelihood of Crypto's popularity increasing without significant reworks. It posits that any major adjustments might lead to a drastic shift in Crypto's position within the Apex Legends meta. The delicate balance between maintaining Crypto's strengths and avoiding oversimplification raises questions about his future role in the game.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by Crypto in Apex Legends, shedding light on the intricate balance between skill floor, character viability, and community perception within the dynamic gaming landscape.
