After being introduced all the way back in Season 7, struck by an infection in Season 9, and then partly re-designed in Apex Legends Season 12, Olympus is back in the rotation. But where are the best landing spots?
The floating citadel might be back, but it certainly looks different since the Defiance update, with a number of map changes being implemented by Respawn Entertainment.
Unlike World’s Edge and Kings Canyon, Olympus has a bright and fresh theme similar to Storm Point.
Now, there’re 16 loot-filled POIs scattered around the map, and even more unnamed zones to explore, so where you drop is crucial. Whether you’re a confident player looking for gunfights, one for the slow rotation, or somewhere in between – our list will have a drop spot for you.
Best Olympus Landing spots
Hammond Labs
When Olympus first floated onto the scene, there’s no way Hammond Labs would be part of our list, but there’s a plethora of great rotation options here.
It used to be bombarded with squads dropping there, as the primary and middle POI on the map for many Drop Ship routes. However, it’s not as busy as it used to be – at least not in Season 12.
If you play smart and pick one of four drop spots that’s not as busy as the others, those who prefer a slow start can definitely achieve it. We’ve highlighted four ideal locations to start the game using the red circles above. Make it out alive with some good loot and the places to go next are endless, from Turbine to Solar Array.
Those who like a busy beginning won’t be disappointed, either. There’s never a shortage of teams in and around this zone, though you can dodge them a lot easier these days.
Rift Aftermath
The “Rift” the centerpiece of Olympus. The strange dome of swirling darkness adds an interesting landmark to the map, and while it’s not right in the middle of the map, it’s certainly a key spot in the floating city.
The POI is a hot spot, though, so make sure you’re ready for a fight.
The main reason Rift Aftermath is a great early pick is the huge energy ball floating in the middle of the area. Once you’ve bagged some guns and loot, jump into the Rift and you’ll be sent flying across the map to one of three teleporter locations.
The ability to reposition across the map — even at random — is invaluable, and heck, it’s fun! Definitely drop Rift once or twice, even if you want to avoid the mayhem.
Bonsai Plaza
Love Apex Legends’ close-quarter combat? Always scooping up that Mastiff or an R-99? Then boy do we have a spot for you: Bonsai Plaza, and its high-loot Reverie Lounge.
As an early tip, Plaza or sort of like how Skull Town was in Kings Canyon before it was destroyed. There’s heaps of loot here, tight angles and corridors, and it’s usually one of the most contested zones in the floating city. A battle zone, start to finish.
That doesn’t mean you should avoid it, especially if you’re chasing kills in ranked. The key here is making it to Reverie Lounge first. This tight inside area in the upper levels of the Plaza boasts fantastic defendable areas, and top-tier guns and loot.
If you’re not so fast on the trigger or prefer long-range sniping over dueling, maybe skip Plaza. Trust us, it’s a mess for the first 10 minutes every game.
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Hydroponics
Did you just think you might be skipping Plaza because you hate those early fights, and having to battle your way out of do-or-die situations with only a level-one Evo plate, an empty Alternator, and your wits? Then drop Hydroponics instead!
The first thing that comes to mind when dropping here is “underrated.” You won’t see many landing at this southwest POI, partly due to its distance from the action, but it’s still a great spot to drop. Think Kings Canyon’s Artillery or Refinery from World’s Edge.
There are not many POIs close by — only Elysium, similar to Refinery, is close — but there’s plenty of options here. Head north to Oasis (below), east to Plaza (above), or straight into the battle around Estates and Hammond Labs; it’s your call.
Orbital Cannon Test Site
You’ll already recognize this POI right off the bat — Pathfinder, Mirage, and Rampart were gunned down by the huge orbital cannon as they arrived in the Apex Legends Season 7 reveal trailer that Respawn dropped back in late October, 2020.
Don’t worry about the gun though; Orbital is a great drop zone for any match. Why? Well, it’s chock full of Tridents, meaning that its distance from the rest of the map doesn’t matter.
Grow Towers
There’s a lot of high ground in this location, and the three Grow Towers situated here are packed full of weapons. For Loba mains, this can be the ideal place to start the game especially, with so much loot sitting around in close proximity. More than one player might have that idea, though, so watch your back!
Throughout Season 7 this became one of the more obscure, but popular destinations for the community. Once you’ve dived into the busier parts of town a few times, it can be nice to change direction and head for quieter territories like this.
If you want to start with loads of loot and perhaps not the most chaotic of starts, Grow Towers is right up your street. Except, it’s not in a street – so yeah.
The Icarus
Arriving in Olympus in Season 9 and bringing an infection with it, the Icarus is an enormously long POI that offers great sightlines for skirmishes with other squads.
On top of that, there’s an incredible amount of loot in the ship ready for the taking, just don’t expect to be the only Legends looking for it.
If you’re lucky enough to find a keycard on one of the scientist’s bodies, you’ll be able to unlock the Bridge, and that is guaranteed to set you up with the high-level loot you need to pick up the win.
So there you have it; all the best Olympus landing spots now that Apex Legends has put it back in the Season 12 rotation.
Think we missed the best spot to land? Reckon you’ve found the best secret spot to land for loot and kills this season? Let us know on Twitter @alphaINTEL.
