Apex Legends is thrilling when you’re in the mood for fast-paced, competitive battles. But sometimes every lobby feels sweaty, and you just want to practice new legends, grind your battle pass, or play without constant pressure. That’s when easier lobbies, often referred to as bot lobbies, come in.
These usually mean matches filled with lower-skilled players rather than true AI bots, giving you space to relax. Whether you’re looking to test out a new loadout, unlock legend badges, or simply chill with friends, bot lobbies can make Apex a lot more fun. In this guide, we’ll show you how to get bot lobbies in Apex:
What Are Bot Lobbies in Apex Legends?
In Apex Legends, bot lobbies don’t always mean matches filled with AI. More often, it refers to easier lobbies where opponents feel less skilled with slower reactions, weaker movement, and simpler tactics, usually found in casual playlists rather than Ranked.
They’re especially useful when you want to grind XP and battle pass challenges without nonstop sweaty fights, try out new legends, weapons, or recoil control, practice map rotations without constant third-parties, and capture smooth highlight clips.
How Does Matchmaking Work in Apex Legends?
Apex uses Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM), which looks at factors like your K/D ratio, average damage, recent wins, and overall account level. The system’s goal is to group you with players of similar skill so matches feel competitive.
However, if a region doesn’t have enough players in your skill bracket, the game fills lobbies with whoever’s available. That’s when you’re more likely to end up in easier matches (or “bot lobbies”), especially in low-population regions and during off-peak hours.
Why Players Seek Bot Lobbies in Apex
Not every Apex match has to feel like the ALGS finals, and that’s exactly why so many players look for bot lobbies. Grinding XP and completing daily or weekly challenges is much easier when every fight doesn’t feel like a tournament match.
They’re also the perfect place to try out new legends like Vantage or Catalyst, since you can focus on learning abilities and mechanics without being punished instantly by high-level squads.
For content creators, bot lobbies make recording tutorials, highlight reels, or funny clips much simpler. And sometimes, players just want a casual night in pubs with friends, where the focus is on having fun rather than sweating every gunfight.
Why Use a VPN for Apex Bot Lobbies?
A VPN helps you connect to servers in regions where the player pool is smaller or less competitive. This tricks matchmaking into giving you softer lobbies, sometimes with bots depending on the mode. The real key is combining timing and location.
By connecting to a less populated server during off-peak hours, you’re more likely to come across less high-skilled players online. Matchmaking then fills your lobby with lower-tier opponents, giving you a more relaxed experience.
How to Use a VPN to Get Bot Lobbies in Apex – Detailed Guide
Here’s how you can get into bot lobbies with the help of a VPN:
- Get PureVPN
Download PureVPN on your PC, or configure it on your router if you’re on a console like Xbox or PlayStation, so that all your game traffic runs through the VPN. Use a fast protocol like WireGuard or IKEv2 to keep ping stable.
- Pick a Low-Population Region
Busy hubs like NA-East or EU-West are always packed with high-skill players, especially at peak hours. Instead, connect to less-crowded servers such as the Middle East, South Africa, or smaller European regions. With fewer players online, Apex Legends is more likely to place you in softer lobbies.
- Queue During Off-Peak Hours
Timing matters just as much as the server choice. Queue in the early mornings or late nights. At these hours, matchmaking struggles to fill slots and often mixes in lower-skill players or even bots, depending on the mode.
- Open Apex Legends and Queue
Ranked in Apex is strict with SBMM and will almost always keep you in sweaty lobbies. For softer or bot-style matches, stick with casual Battle Royale or limited-time modes where matchmaking is more flexible.
Other Ways to Get Bot Lobbies in Apex
Apart from using a VPN, here are some alternatives that might help you land in easier lobbies:
- Start a Fresh Account: New accounts are usually matched against beginners or casual players because the system has little data to judge skill. These lobbies feel much softer until your stats settle.
- Play With a Lower-K/D Friend: If your friend with lower stats hosts the lobby, matchmaking uses their data instead of yours. This can drastically lower the overall skill level of opponents.
- Queue Solo or Duo Instead of Full Squads: Smaller parties are often harder to match, so the system fills gaps with lower-skill players. This makes solos and duos more relaxed than stacked trio or squad games.
- Experiment With Off-Peak Queues: Even without a VPN, simply queuing at odd hours like 3–5 AM local time can place you in thinner player pools, increasing the chance of softer matches.
Pro Tips to Get Easier Matches in Apex Legends
Getting into softer lobbies isn’t just about luck; a few smart adjustments can tilt matchmaking in your favor. One of the easiest tricks is rotating servers. The same region won’t always give you the same results; yesterday’s bot-friendly lobby might feel like a Predator scrim today. Switching servers keeps things flexible and often pays off.
Queue timing also matters more than most players realize. Late nights or early mornings usually mean lighter competition, especially in less populated regions. If you’re farming challenges or grinding XP, those hours are perfect for laid-back games.
Combining methods can be of great help. For example, using a VPN to switch into a smaller region, queuing off-peak, and playing on a newer or low-K/D account almost guarantees a much easier ride.
Events and free-play weekends are another overlooked opportunity. Apex fills up with casual players during these times, so matches feel far less sweaty. And if you want to go even further, try queuing in Duos instead of full Squads, the game often fills gaps with lower-tier opponents just to keep matches moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Bots mostly appear in training and low-level matches. In pubs, “bot lobbies” usually mean less-skilled opponents.
Using a VPN isn’t bannable by itself. Respawn only bans for cheats or exploits. But matchmaking manipulation is technically against the spirit of the game.
Yes. Whether you’re in a sweaty lobby or an easy one, you’ll still earn XP, battle pass progress, and challenge completions the same way. That’s one of the main reasons players actively look for bot lobbies.
Some players intentionally lower their stats to get easier matches, but this comes with drawbacks. Reverse boosting can hurt your long-term account stats, ruin your K/D, and isn’t really a guaranteed method. Using a VPN and smart queue timing is a safer way to influence your lobbies.
Yes, at least in the beginning. Fresh accounts often face AI bots or very low-skill players, so new players can learn the game. But once you play a few matches and the system collects data on your performance, SBMM quickly adjusts, and lobbies become more competitive.
Final Word
Bot lobbies in Apex Legends make the game more enjoyable. With VPNs, smart server choices, and timing tricks, you can find easier matches to grind XP, practice legends, or just have fun. Not every session has to be sweaty, and with the right setup, Apex can feel only as competitive as you want.
Anas Hasan
August 22, 2025
2 months ago
