The launch of Apex: Legends Season 9 brought a variety of new content. From a new legend and map location to various weapon and legend tweaks, there is plenty of new content to explore this season. But to get that win, squads will need a good start to each match.
Many locations across Olympus offer different benefits to players. The popularity of these locations changes from season to season as well. It can be difficult to choose the best place to start a match and it can make the difference between an early elimination or a chance at champion.
10 Estates (High Population, Medium Loot)
Since the release of Olympus, Estates has been brimming with early match combat. It's a rare sight to see less than two teams dropping there. For those competitive players who want to get right into the action, they can hardly go wrong here. It could also make a great location to rotate into early to clean up any remaining conflict.
But even for players that want to get into battle immediately, loot availability should still be a strong consideration. The small cabins only contain a couple of loot mats apiece, meaning players may be hard-pressed to find a reliable weapon right off the bat, especially through the clatter of gunfire that quickly ensues. While it may be enough loot to get one squad a winning loadout, players will have to fight for that privilege.
9 Icarus (Medium Population, High Loot)
Everyone wants to check out the new map location. It's always useful to have a new environment to take advantage of, but to do so, players will have to learn the terrain. Typically that means new locations have a large number of squads dropping in the early game, but that doesn't seem to be the case with Icarus.
Regardless of what causes the lack of allure to this season's new location, players may be able to take advantage of it. With only a couple of squads landing Icarus on a typical drop, there is plenty of loot to go around. Sure players may have to fight off a competing squad or two, but there's a better opportunity to make an organized assault compared to locations busting at the seams with several squads in a smaller space.
8 Bonsai (High Population, High Loot)
Bonsai is another location bustling with early game activity. It's not uncommon to see four or five squads landing here, and usually, it's concentrated on the upper platform. Some love the initial race to pick up a gun and blast away an opponent with nothing, but half the time it'll happen the other way around, leaving players frantically punching each other before a shot can be made.
But it is possible to take advantage of this chaos. There is a lone building across the way from the two towers which people rarely drop at. If a squad were to drop here they could get a decent initial loadout. From there, players can move to the towers' upper platform and clean up. But be quick so they don't have a chance to recover.
7 Hydroponics (Low Population, High Loot)
Hydroponics is a beautifully bright location that has dropped off quite a bit in popularity since Olympus was initially introduced. Most of the time, players will be able to land and take their time collecting what they need, leaving them pretty well set for a win. Though, they will occasionally have to fight off another squad.
Hydroponics takes up quite a bit of space, but that also means there is plenty of loot spread throughout. It has three main structures, five secondary structures, and clusters of loot bins spread all over. Its architecture also provides quite a few opportunities for cover and the chance to outmaneuver opponents.
6 Elysium (Low Population, Med Loot)
Right up the zipline from Hydroponics, Elysium is a fantastic place for early game drops. It used to be quite populated but has become increasingly less so. It's a great place to start for those who want a calmer start to their rounds while still having the potential for an early fight.
Additionally, there is a golden item or two in the center of this location, giving players the edge over their competition. There are several surrounding buildings and plenty of bins strewn about for a squad to loot as well. It's not difficult to get a good loadout built in Elysium, giving players a tactical advantage.
5 Gardens (Medium-High Population, High Loot)
This is a location that has a little more variation on how many squads land there. Typically, there will be two or three squads dropping here but it is not uncommon to see more. There are a few bins on the fringes of the location that people rarely land on though, so players have a chance to get some gear before running into combat.
This location offers quite a bit of space and cover for fighting. It also has a fair amount of verticality that the more movement-based characters can make great use of. Once all the competition is taken care of, there is plenty of loot around to provide a good loadout to the victorious squad.
4 Energy Depot (High Population, High Loot)
Energy Depot seems to have increased slowly in popularity. Players can often see three squads landing there at a time. There is hefty competition for the loot but plenty of it lying around.
Energy depot has a couple of pockets of very dense loot. A lot of it is just lying out on the ground too, making it easily accessible. When landing contested at Energy Depot, players can make use of quick reflexes to grab a gun and start shooting rather than taking the time to open bins. There's also an easter egg nearby.
3 Fight Night (Medium Population, High Loot)
This is a location that has remained popular since its introduction. It features a boxing ring where players are unable to use weapons or be shot while inside the ring. Fists only. It is common for three squads to land at once, creating quite the competitions for the high quantity of loot. It's worth the fight though.
The boxing ring itself holds several loot drone capsules of varying value. The surrounding area also has plenty of loot so players will often be able to find a suitable loadout. If a squad can manage to survive the initial fight, they will come out with some excellent gear, giving them a great shot at the gold.
2 Docs (Low Population, High Loot)
Docs is a part of the map that is rarely utilized nowadays. Usually, squads only find themselves there if they are trying to avoid combat or forced there by a closing ring. But that also means it makes a great drop location for those that don't want to fight right off the drop.
With several buildings and plenty of loot bins, a squad shouldn't have too hard of a time getting well equipped for mid and late-game fights. If a squad can loot quick enough, they may be able to get an early rotation into Fight Night for a third party.
1 Grow Towers (Low Population, High Loot)
Situated just below the Gardens are the Grow Towers. Three spinning spires contain more than enough to offer a squad. Its popularity is decreased in Season 9 compared to previous seasons despite the large availability of loot.
Each tower has three floors, each containing plenty of loot. Additionally, there are a ton of surrounding buildings to go through as well. Movement characters can make great use of this location to get the advantage on opponents should a squad land contested. In the end, squads should come out of Grow Towers with a beefy loadout ready to fight.