When Apex Legends announced the season 10 care package changes, many players were surprised. No longer will players be able to grab the Prowler out of the care packages, and it is being replaced with both the Spitfire and Alternator. The reception to the latter was initially mixed, as many did not understand why the Alternator was being picked, and others were upset that it couldn't "hold" attachments for them until they found an R-99 anymore. However, many veteran players also realized the seriousness of this act: Disruptor Rounds are returning.
While hop-ups have been rotated in and out of Apex Legends for several seasons now, the Disruptor Rounds haven't been seen since season 2. Disruptor Rounds increase damage against shields, which made them especially nasty in the Apex Games. Now, with them returning, many may be both excited and apprehensive about their return. Game Rant asked about how they would work in comparison to season 2 during a recent roundtable with Respawn Entertainment.
Apex Legends game designer Eric Canavese was quick to say that it wouldn't have the same "Reign of Terror" as it did back in season 2, due to some small stat and accessibility changes. First, the damage increase to shields was 55% back in season 2, with Apex Legends season 10 nerfing them down to 40%. However, as Canavese put it, "it'll still be a fairly potent upgrade to the weapon, but it is not quite as strong as it was during its reign of terror back in season 2."
The slight nerf is to be expected, but there is one more counterbalance of sorts. In season 2, Disruptor Rounds could be found in ground loot, and players didn't have to look far for an enemy carrying them. Now, it is limited to the care package, which Canavese explained as part of the reason Disruptor Rounds weren't nerfed more:
We do feel it’s okay to keep some of that sharper edge that [the Alternator with Disruptor Rounds] has because it is actually locked away in the care package. There will be fewer of them running around. We think it’ll be very exciting, which is something we try to emphasize with our care package weapons. We’ve had some care package weapons in the past that weren’t, maybe, as exciting as they could have been. It’s just an effort to make things fun and fresh and keep the metas ever changing. That’s sort of the rationale behind why we chose the Disruptor rounds coming back this time.
Overall, players can rest easy that they don't need to look over their shoulders in fear of Alternator users. Those who are wary should exercise caution when a care package drops in Apex Legends as always, but for those excited for their return, they should keep an eye on the sky.
Apex Legends is available now for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.