Ranking All Apex Legends Arenas Mode Maps From Worst To Best

Arenas Mode, Apex Legends’ new 3v3 round-based game type, has quickly become a staple of the free-to-play hero shooter. Arenas Mode is a stark contrast from battle royale. There’s an economy system similar to Valorant’s that lets players customise their loadouts before each round. When the action starts, two teams of three battle it out in a variety of symmetrical arenas.

With six arenas already in rotation and more to come, there are sure to be some hits and misses. After all, there’s always going to be some maps that are better than others.

Now that everyone has had an opportunity to settle in and get acquainted with these Arenas Mode maps, now seems as good a time as ever to go through and rank each arena from worst to best.

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Thermal Station

Out of all of the Arenas maps, Thermal Station has our vote for the worst.

For starters, the lava renders a large portion of the map unplayable. These Arenas maps are small as is, so a map that’s a quarter lava is not ideal. 

The overall layout of Thermal Station leaves much to be desired. There’s a lack of cover throughout the arena, and there’s no real power position or vantage point for players to battle over. Rounds often play out like a game of 'Ring Around The Rosie' as players circle around the centre tower.

Thermal Station has no redeeming qualities. The map is just a plain, circular arena that offers no interesting gameplay dynamics.

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Artillery Battery

Artillery Battery’s design lends itself to some truly dull gameplay. A typical game on Artillery Battery involves both teams laying claim to the hanger on their side of the map. What commences next is a long, drawn-out poke battle between the two teams. Take a few poke shots, heal back up. Take a few more shots, heal again. Matches on Artillery Battery become a war of attrition. Wear the enemy down through sustained long-range attacks.

Some players may not mind this style of play, but for us, it’s boring. Artillery Battery leaves no room to play aggressively. The enemy team can just post up on high ground and slaughter anyone that dares approach them. The lack of cover around the map’s centre further encourages a campy playstyle.

Artillery Battery’s aesthetic does it no favours either. The map is just plain ugly.

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Phase Runner

Unlike Thermal Station and Artillery Battery, Phase Runner is original to Arenas Mode. Additionally, Phase Runner has some unique areas and features, such as the actual Phase Runner on the map. Fights get hectic when both teams choose to enter the Runner early.

However, outside of the Runner, this arena is largely a barren wasteland. The middle of the map consists of a bunch of trees and rocks with no real cover. The non-Runner side of the map does not have much to offer either in terms of a battle arena.

Phase Runner gets some points in the aesthetic category, and early-game fights on the Runner side can be quite fun and hectic. That’s pretty much it, though. Phase Runner is one of the largest arenas, but there’s only one part of the map worth fighting at. Outside of the Runner side of the arena, Phase Runner could do with a makeover.

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Party Crashers

Another original arena, Party Crashers is the crash site of the Mirage Voyage. Party Crashers is well-designed, with a mix of close and long-range encounters. The crashed ship in the top centre of the map offers a powerful vantage point worth fighting over. Teams that take control of the Mirage Voyage have vision on the entirety of the map.

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The lower side of Party Crashers is no slouch either. In fact, this zone could be its own arena. A symmetrical plaza with an abundance of cover serves as a perfect area for legends to brawl.

Overall, Party Crashers is a standout arena with little to no flaws.

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Skull Town

Despite its popularity, Skull Town may have been a little toxic as part of the Kings Canyon battle royale map. Skull Town was such a hot drop that it ruined the flow of a match. There’s a reason the developers destroyed the location in the Season 5 map update.

But now, Skull Town has found its calling as an Arenas map. The area just works perfectly for this game mode. Players will find themselves fighting high ground and low ground, inside and outside, and close-range and long-range. Encounters of all types are in abundance on Skull Town. Furthermore, skilled players can use the many doors within Skull Town to manipulate opponents to their will.

The variety of engagements players will find themselves in on Skull Town means all legends are viable. Unlike other arenas, Skull Town creates niche situations for legends of all types to thrive.

The worst part about Skull Town is that it may only be available for a limited time. So, enjoy it while it lasts!

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Golden Gardens

Our absolute favourite arena is Golden Gardens. Golden Gardens is one of the best points of interest on Olympus, so it’s no surprise that the area transferred well to Arenas.

Cover is no issue in Golden Gardens. The plethora of buildings, shrubbery, and the shape of the terrain work together to provide more than adequate cover. 

Engagements of all distances take place often on Golden Gardens. Players will find themselves sniping opponents from rooftops one minute and battling it out inside of a tight room the next.

Golden Gardens’ layout rewards players that take risks and fight for power positions. Claiming control of the centre of the arena and the high ground early will have your squad set up for victory. 

Last but not least, Golden Gardens is easy on the eyes. This area is a beauty to look at visually.

Golden Gardens is our top-ranked Arenas Mode map due to its outstanding design and layout, the varied combat engagements it encourages, and its overall aesthetics.