To clarify, we are talking about this option?
"Launch solo" even before jump master initiates the jump. I am not talking about splitting after that. I find only one scenario for "launch solo" - afk jump master. There should be countdown instead for jump master - when jump master is idle "jump master" passes to the other player.
There are many scenarios except AFK jump masters that that function is vital to your team's success. This discussion kinda just assumes that jumping attached to the jump master always IS the right thing to do. I dont think thats even true.
1) If you jump hot in a rather small area with few loot spawn locations
I'd say that a team that jumps together will have a smaller chance of winning that area compared to if they spread out. First of all; if a full squad jumps close to each other, maybe two or even just one will get a weapon. So even if you manage to kill any enemies that jumps close to you with the few weapons your team gets and with melee, it will then be too late for your team since all other loot in the area is already taken. You will still end up with a team which maybe just one or two has a weapon, and very little ammo and heals thus you will die in the second fight.
Also, its very hard to distribute the loot in the most effective way where one might end up with the ammo and the other with the gun etc.
2) When you jump "safe", especially at small noname areas
As long as you keep track on the sky that no other enemy teams are jumping at your mark, I see NO reason why a team should jump together. Sometimes, when the ship goes from southeast to northeast over Kings Canyon, your team can get the entire Runoff-Pit-Slum lakes for yourself. Then it can be a good idea to spread out entirely, and separately start looting at the side of each area closest to any enemy teams and loot your ways towards the north-west corner of the map, and in that way, staying relatively safe from any enemy team arriving late. Then you can cover more loot ground before the circle is there.
3) To be able to jump at the proper distance
I think we all have different techniques to reach our landing target as fast as possible. And even if you and your jump master intends to land relatively close to each other, it still can make a difference if you are allowed to jump just 3 seconds before or after the jump master, to reach your respectively targets as fast as possible.
All of your scenarios can be accomplished with simple spreading. Jump master initiates the jump, you turn on your heel and land elsewhere. Usually, there's plenty of time in the air and you can do anything: flank, slow down, land in the the area adjacent to the jump point. Everything. But never ever I have seen people using "launch solo" to drop further with some tactical goal and later uniting with the team. People who use this function jump alone and play alone.
edit: I played Apex when I wrote this. And my teammate launched solo right at the start.🤔
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