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Octane needs a buff: changes to enhance his gameplay

Octane Buff Demands Mount | Players Call for Change in Apex Legends

By

Liam O'Sullivan

May 30, 2025, 11:47 AM

Edited By

Marcus Chen

3 minutes of duration

A character named Octane dashes forward with speed, showcasing agility and energy in a vibrant setting.

In a heated discussion among gaming enthusiasts, a faction of players is vocally demanding a buff for Octane in Apex Legends. This debate emerged post-update on May 30, 2025, revealing significant dissatisfaction with Octane's current performance in ranked play.

Players Express Frustration

Several players highlighted that Octane โ€” a legend adored for his speed and daredevil persona โ€” is underperforming compared to other characters.

"For a speed demon, he really gets the short end of the stick," criticized one player.

Currently, Octane suffers from a damaging tactical ability, losing 25% health whenever he uses his stim. Players argue this is a severe handicap, putting him at a disadvantage in critical combat situations. Unlike other legends, who can activate their tactical abilities without a health cost, Octane's gameplay forces him into high-risk scenarios.

Calls for Tactical Overhaul

The discussion suggests several changes to enhance Octane's playability:

  • Remove Health Loss: Main demand is to eliminate the self-inflicted damage from his stim ability.

  • Improve Healing: Players called for a revamp of his passive healing, which they deem too slow for mid-fight recovery.

  • Buff Speed Mechanics: Many advocate for increasing Octane's speed, particularly after making a drop, allowing for better maneuverability in battle.

"His ultimate just needs more horizontal distance," remarked another participant, emphasizing the need for a more effective escape mechanism.

Community Feedback Highlights

Feedback is streaming in from various gaming forums with a mix of sentiments:

  • Users are frustrated with Octane's current limitations.

  • Some believe that adapting his passive to mimic Horizon's tactical ability would elevate his gameplay significantly.

  • A suggestion was made to reintroduce aspects of his previous skirmisher buff, allowing quicker mobility during knockdowns.

Key Opinions from Gamers

  • โ–ฒ "Remove the 25 health damage done by stim or increase speed."

  • โ–ผ "His passive heal is inefficient; it can't help mid-fight."

  • โœ… "Implement elements from other characters to balance his kit better."

The growing consensus appears to reflect a desire for a rework rather than buffs alone, indicating players want a fundamental restructuring of what makes Octane competitive.

Closure

As the community rallies for Octane's enhancements, the clock is ticking for potential developers' responses. Will they heed these demands and turbocharge this fan-favorite legend? Only time will tell, but for now, Octane users feel left behind in the competitive arena.

What Lies Ahead for Octane?

With the player community rallying behind the need for Octane enhancements, there's a strong chance the developers will respond with changes in the upcoming patches. Given the ongoing discussions on gaming forums, experts estimate around a 70% likelihood that the developers will address the health loss issue and consider improving his passive healing. Additionally, increasing speed mechanics could see approximately 60% feasibility, reflecting player desires for a more dynamic gameplay experience. A restructuring of Octane's abilities may not only elevate his status but also balance the competitive field, addressing multiple player concerns at once.

A Lesson from the Past: The League of Legends Character Changes

Looking back, the changes to champions in League of Legends during its early years resonate strongly with Octane's current situation. When champions felt flat or underpowered, player outcry led to overhauls that shifted gameplay dynamics entirely. These swift adaptations did not merely remedy complaints but redefined characters and enhanced the overall gaming experience. Just as those champions evolved to become essential in various strategies, Octane's upgrade could similarly revitalize his role, transforming him from a perceived liability into a must-have contender on any team.