@F0XYB0IARBLE I think they were doing some matchmaking tests in some EU regions recently, but to my knowledge, they have not started to roll out the big matchmaking changes yet. Last update I saw (EA matchmaking blog post) said "early 2023", and I don't think S16 had any MM changes in it, but I could be mistaken
I'm not really sure what you're on about, with S16, playing 40 hours per day? I've played maybe 10 matches each day since the season started, and I'm already almost level 25 for the Battle Pass. I've been using pistols a lot too, working on challenges, and had a blast wrecking people with the Moz and P2020 in TDM. Had a 16-18 kill game with just under 4k damage, using nothing but the Moz, Lol! I work 40+ hours a week in steel fabrication, and still am able to relax and have fun on Apex, and many other games, on a daily basis. Lately, I hop on for a few matches on Apex, then switch to Forza Horizon 5, then either Gears of War 4, Rider's Republic or Zelda BotW, and I'm already 1/4 of the way through the Battle Pass.
I know there are a lot of variables when it comes to connection/lobbies, and I have no idea how you ended up in the lobbies that you are in, but I hope it improves for you soon!! I'm curious to see how the matchmaking changes actually effect the game. I get rolled by a pred 3-stack probably 1 out of 10 games or so, and I quite simply should never be in the same lobby as a player that has reached pred tier. I'm good enough to make them work for it, and usually knock at least one of them, but I definitely shouldn't be in lobbies with that caliber player. I don't really see the other stuff though, and I've been playing since launch. I occasionally see someone rubber-banding a bit, but nothing like what you're seeing. There have been a couple times where hit-reg has been a little off over the years, but for me, it's been limited to the first week or so of a new season.
With the Bangalore smoke, I don't know if they changed it at some point, but it is really easy to see people in smoke these days, even without a digi scope. I can almost always see the silhouette in the smoke.
Apex definitely has its issues, like any game. Some people deal with more than others. I consider myself lucky, based on what I see other people talking about. My biggest complaint since launch, is simply that I get put in lobbies with master/pred players, when I should never be in lobbies with them. Here's to hoping that matchmaking changes for the better!! Only time will tell..
