@soccerking122First things first - I don't know your background in Apex but if you are in P1 and talking about problems in Plat lobbies...just spare yourself some toxic comments and do not aim at Masters. Meaning people who actually have a chance to hit Masters should slice through plat like they don't care - soloq, randoms, discord, set party... does not matter, Master level players almost should be able to grind through plat no-fill in my opinion (well you kind of get that in many cases when paired with very newb players in Plat).
Second thing - I am 100% convinced now that the difference between Diamond 4 level and 10k Master is either or combination of:
a) Pure damn skill - and I am talking like you are 1 in a 100 mil who possess pro level skill, talent = basically this option is theoretical for most of us
b) You have a good/very good set party - e.g. I was playing with one dude when we both were P4 stuck, teamed up went to D4 in under 2 weeks playing 4-6h per day on avarage, hit hard wall in D4, dude decided to join another team of 3, he hit Masters yesterday after ~1 season play. P4 to 10k in <2 seasons and the dude is 99% clean, he was a super newb knowledge-wise, played on stock settings and quite outdated hardware - had to teach him a lot and he bought a new monitor during this time, that's all.
c) hacks
d) you play on a controller or have a good controller player on your team - give you a significant advantage in pushes, close-range fights. A good controller player on D4+ level will win 1v1 in close range more often than not no matter what people say because people whom I have played with (Masters/Preds) do state that they can't hit those levels on M&K, many switched and hit them quite fast and clearly will not go back.
Pred...in my opinion that is a full-time job + hacks or (maybe) superb team that is always with you. I really don't see how people otherwise can compete with always present hard aim botters and even beat them in ranks...it's like you have to win a lot of games and grind much more than lazy hackers do...but what if a hacker is not lazy?! It's like playing an NBA player being clean = impossible unless you miss 50%+ of the season due to injuries and fatigue.
Never been to either but I would assume that difference between Pred and Master really is lesser part skill, more a dedication, and available time to play the game. In a competition setting, I would not say that Preds have a major advantage over Masters, but that's just an assumption from what I have seen while playing Diamond lobbies.
Do you need it...your decision. E.g. I play to improve and I compare myself vs myself - how fast I go through lobbies, average damage, I do glimpse at k/d ratio at times but in Apex it is misleading, win percentage. And then for me, the most important part is how I feel playing the game - do I stand a fighting chance vs enemies, or do I get deleted 20 games in a row. If latter is true I try to analyze stats, my gameplay and see either is me losing focus, skill or enemies are just progressing faster, hacking more.
Badge, divetrail, charm... that's all for kids who like shiny things and showing off.
