As an online privacy expert and tech guru immersed in gaming communities, I‘ve seen firsthand how pivotal third-party Discord servers have become for multiplayer titles like Apex Legends.
Let‘s explore what makes these external hubs so integral for everything from finding squads to dissecting new content updates. I‘ll also guide you through the top servers worth joining today.
An Experts‘ Overview: Why Apex Legends Discord Servers Matter
Since its surprise launch in February 2019, Apex Legends has amassed some serious numbers:
- Over 200 million players have dropped into its acclaimed battle royale gameplay
- 2-3 million concurrent players load in daily as of 2022
- Over 500,000 peak concurrent on Steam in February 2023
But Discord is where much of the game‘s social community and competitive organization takes place external to matches themselves.
So why are third-party Discord servers so pivotal?
- Form squads with skilled, communicative teammates rather than frustrating randoms
- Learn meta tactics from top-tier players and find friends to practice with
- Give and receive personalized gameplay tips as you improve
- Organize tournaments & events even with custom lobbies
- Catch patch notes and dev thoughts far faster than sluggish websites
- Geek out and chat in real time with fellow passionate fans
- Ultimately build lasting social connections around a shared hobby
I‘ve personally watched players transform from casual solo queuers to disciplined team competitors with supportive Discord squads behind them.
As an online security expert, I‘m also keenly aware of best practices for protecting privacy on public servers which I‘ll cover later.
First, let‘s jump into the top Apex Legends Discord servers to join this year.
1. Official Apex Legends Server
It makes sense to start with the Official Apex Legends Server. Boasting over 560,000 members, you‘ll be directly connected to updates from Respawn devs themselves on this behemoth platform.
Stay up-to-the-second on patch notes, emerging overpowered weapons getting nerfed, buffs to your favorite legends, map updates, special events and more.
Datamine upcoming characters and unreleased outfits before they go live. Plus devs occasionally chat directly with fans about their design philosophy.
With great scale comes some downsides though. Expect mild toxicity with so many personalities colliding. Moderation helps but isn‘t foolproof.
However, the sheer mass of players makes finding squadmates for any mode or skill level a breeze.
2. Apex Legends Global
For a strict no toxicity policy and 200,000 members, check out Apex Legends Global. This incredibly well-organized hub has clearly defined channel groups around:
- Gameplay tips to rank up
- LFG squad finder functions
- Platform channels (Console, PC, Mobile)
- Local region communities (NA, EU, Asia, etc)
Rather than chaotic general chat, conversations stay focused on constructive topics like strategy or finding teammates. Events get hosted regularly too like scale mock tournaments and community nights.
As far as large public Apex Discords go, this is one of the most pleasant big tent experiences out there in my opinion.
3. Apex Console
Around 30% of Apex players are on console which carries certain hardware constraints compared to keyboard & mouse gaming PCs during crossplay matches.
Apex Console zones in on this demographic‘s needs with a PS & Xbox centered community now over 30,000 registered members strong since launching in 2019.
Channels tailored to specific platforms let you squad up with those on the same system. Tips for competing on controller against PC lobbies might surprise you too.
Interact with top console talent through Question Megathreads, LFG requests and open discussions. A highlight is definitely the console exclusive tournaments hosted here regularly like the Apex Console League.
This is the destination for controller players serious about hitting Predator tier.
4. GCRArena
GCRArena started as a modest community hosting custom Apex scrimmages between amateur teams to hone competitive skills in a structured environment.
Today they‘ve grown this concept into a 9,500 member Discord with free open weekly tournaments alongside closed circuit events for cash prizes adding up to $600+ monthly.
While not the right fit for ultra casual fans, GCRArena hits a nice balance between laidback and hardcore. Join recurring Open Lobbies as you work towards Tourney-Ready level over time.
The smaller but dedicated playerbase creates a tighter bond too. Helping each other improve is core to the community.
5. DUMMY THICC Apex Legends
Lastly we have the rapidly expanding 15,000 member DUMMY THICC Discord.
This wild community grew out of an Apex meme page on Reddit which gives it a seriously goofy fun angle compared to intense competitive servers.
Flex your best Apex memes and in-game clips for reactions and chat with fellow fans free of tryhard sweatiness.
LFG functionality means you CAN still use it to squad up for casual games rather than ranked grindfests which is a unique combo.
Channels are even dedicated to psychology research and scientific game mechanic breakdowns for the eggheads. That blend of humor and genuine depth reflects this server‘s overall vibe nicely.
Securing Your Privacy on Public Gaming Discords
While trusted servers provide awesome fan communities, it‘s smart practice as an online security expert to still exercise some precautions around personal info sharing with random players.
Here are my top tips:
- Avoid real names/locations: Create unique gaming handles not tied to other accounts
- Disable phone # visibility: Don‘t get doxxed in voice channels
- Secure linked accounts: Use strong unique passwords and 2FA
- Watch for scams: No clicking sketchy links, especially DMs
- Use VPNs: Mask your IP and traffic from snoops
Staying vigilant secures your accounts AND lets you focus on enjoying these fan communities safely!
Now let‘s talk VPNs for a moment since those directly relate to playing Apex Legends itself…
Can You Use a VPN for Apex Legends?
Yes! Connecting to a VPN allows you to play Apex Legends by:
- Accessing the game from restricted regions or countries
- Avoiding bandwidth throttling by your ISP
- Protecting against DDOS attacks in ranked matches
- Masking your IP from other players
I recommend ExpressVPN and NordVPN specifically for gaming due to their:
- High internet speeds to prevent lag
- Low ping times to regional servers
- Apps for routing traffic at driver level
Check out my full guide on using a VPN for Apex Legends here for more details and provider comparisons.
Let‘s Squad Up: Join These Servers to Take Your Game Further
Hopefully this guide has broken down exactly why third party Apex Legends Discord servers have become essential community hubs, especially if you plan to play competitively.
Here‘s a quick recap of my top recommendations:
- Official Apex Server – Direct news and HUGE LFG pool
- Apex Legends Global – Well organized with no toxicity rules
- Apex Console – Controller player haven
- GCRArena – Amateur competitive scene
- DUMMY THICC – Spicy memes meets strategy
I‘m confident joining even one of the above servers will level up your overall Apex Legends experience dramatically. Just be sure to keep your privacy protected according to my expert tips when sharing any personal data.
Now, what‘s your favorite Apex Legends Discord? Got a perfect match highlight to share? Let me know in the comments! I‘m always down to squad up with readers.
