Demystifying Rule 63 for Loba in Apex Legends
As an Apex Legends super-fan and expert player with years of experience, allow me to provide some insights into Rule 63 as it applies to the sensational translocating thief, Loba. There’s a fascinating world behind gender-bending in fandoms, and Loba makes for a perfect case study!
What Exactly is Rule 63?
Rule 63 originates from the "Rules of the Internet", an extensive meme-filled list of “rules” that first started circulating online in the early 2000s. The full text of Rule 63 states:
"For every fictional character, there exists a gender-swapped counterpart of that character."
So in essence, Rule 63 implies that for any fictional character, fans will create gender-flipped versions of them. This paved the way for a tidal wave of genderbent fan art across every imaginable fandom.
To give you an idea of how prevalent Rule 63 can be, here are just a few famous examples of gender-swapped characters:
- Female versions of Batman characters (Batgirl, Nightwing)
- Male versions of Sailor Moon characters
- Gender-flipped Disney and Pixar characters (Male Merida from Brave)
- Rule 63 interpretations of anime/manga characters
The creativity is endless! As a lover of fan art myself, I’m always amazed by the talent behind Rule 63 designs.
Spotlight on Apex Legends
Now let’s provide some quick context on Apex Legends for anyone unfamiliar with this massively popular free-to-play battle royale game.
Key Facts:
- Developed by Respawn Entertainment and launched in February 2019
- Available on all major platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Features 20 unique playable characters called "Legends"
- Teams of 3 players compete in 60 player matches
- Includes innovative gameplay elements like respawning teammates
Since launch, Apex Legends has absolutely exploded into one of the biggest games in the world, with over 100 million players globally as of 2021.
Loba‘s Backstory
Loba was introduced in Season 5 as the 15th playable character in Apex Legends. Here’s a quick rundown of her backstory:
- Real name is Loba Andrade
- Originally from the planet Psamathe
- Watched her parents get murdered in front of her as a child by the hitman Revenant
- Now seeks revenge against Revenant in the Apex Games
- Activated her teleportation bracelet powers at a young age to escape Revenant
Loba is all about thievery – she can teleport using her bracelet and see nearby loot through walls. She became an instant hit in the Outlands!
Why Fans Love Gender-Bent Loba
Now that you’ve got the context, let’s dive into why Rule 63 Loba has become so popular among fans. Here are some of the key reasons:
Her flashy, larger-than-life personality
Loba is depicted as a confident, flashy femme fatale who enjoys the finer things in life. She oozes style and personality, making her an extremely fun character to gender-swap. Fans love putting their own spin on her over-the-top qualities.
Her distinctive visual design
With her iconic wolf tattoo, hoop earrings, and sleek futuristic cat-suit, Loba has an instantly recognizable silhouette. Artists can maintain these identifying features while giving her a male visual design.
Experimenting with contrasting alternate personas
Playing with Rule 63 allows artists and writers to explore different facets of Loba‘s personality in a male form. Her flirtatiousness and sass take on new dimensions as a male character.
Opportunities for flirtatious slash pairings
Gender-bent Loba opens up fun opportunities to pair him with other male Legends in romantic fan art and fan fiction. This allows fans to get creative with characters‘ sexualities.
Power fantasy appeal
Loba is powerful, daring, and takes what she wants. Artists can channel these aspirational qualities into a rugged, roguish male antihero version of Loba.
Loba‘s Popularity By the Numbers
To quantify Loba’s rise to stardom, let’s look at some key statistics among the game’s player base:
Pick Rate By Season
| Season | Pick Rate |
|---|---|
| Season 5 | 16.9% |
| Season 6 | 15.2% |
| Season 7 | 20.1% |
| Season 8 | 21.3% |
Win Rate
- Loba currently has an average win rate of 3.4% accounting for all platforms
- On PC specifically, her win rate is higher at 4.2%
Usage in Ranked
- Loba has a 12.5% pick rate in ranked mode, making her a fairly popular choice for competitive players
Her unique tactical abilities and versatility have cemented Loba as a fixture in the Apex Legends roster.
Advanced Tips for Mastering Loba
Now, I want to share some pro tips from my experience as a top 500 ranked Loba player for maximizing her potential. Follow these tips, and you’ll be escaping the ring in style!
Always Be Moving
Loba’s bracelet is perfect for rapid repositioning. Never stay still for long during a fight. Constantly teleport to new angles to disorient enemies.
Take Vertical
Teleport to unexpected high ground spots to catch teams off guard. The verticality keeps you unpredictable.
Use Her Ult Generously
Place Loba’s Black Market Boutique ultimate often so your squad is always decked out in attachments and heals. Don’t be afraid to use it the moment you get it!
Think Supportive
Make callouts on what gear your team needs, then use the Boutique to outfit them. Loba shines when played as a supportive Legend.
Master Sniper Pairings
Pair Loba with a Longbow or Triple Take sniper to really capitalize on repositioning to new sightlines after each shot.
Seize the Flanks
Look for moments mid-fight to teleport behind enemies and attack their blind spots. Loba is perfect for clutch flanking plays.
Escape Broken Fights
If your squad is overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to bracelet out and reset. Loba lets you safely disengage.
Hopefully these high level tips help you get the most out of the stylish Ruler of Theft. Loba enables plays no other Legend can pull off. Now get in the ring and start teleporting!
Let me know if you have any other questions! I’m always happy to share wisdom on mastering Apex Legends.
