If you’ve heard the name “Destroyer2009” in relation to the ALGS hacks, it’s because it’s not the first time they’ve targeted pro players. Destroyer2009 has been involved in Apex Legends hacking since December 2023.
Destroyer2009 started as a simple cheater using an aimbot to farm kills in ranked lobbies. Clips dating back to December 2023 show an account named Destroyer2009 using cheats on a PlayStation console. The account gained attention in February 2024 when it launched a bot campaign against players like ImperialHal and HisWattson.
December 2023: Destroyer2009’s Apex hacking history
In December 2023, the first clips of Destroyer2009 hacking in Apex Legends emerged. One video shows an account named “[FFM] destroyer2009” using an aimbot and speedhacking. Another clip on Reddit shows an account named “destroyer2009 [REAL]” using the same cheats on a PlayStation console.
In the same month, other clips surfaced showing accounts named “TTV_Wrugb_destroyer2009” and “TTV_destroyer2009” using the exact same cheats. There were also claims that the account had been boosting other players. Destroyer2009 even appeared in a YouTube short caught aimbotting.
In December, there were debates about whether copycat accounts were appearing due to Destroyer2009’s growing notoriety. Regardless, Destroyer2009 was able to run circles around EA, Respawn, and EAC, even with accounts being banned.
January 2024: Escalation of activity
At the start of 2024, Destroyer2009’s activity escalated. Clips surfaced showing him playing under the account name “[TSM] TTV_destroyer2009” and stream-sniping content creators in ranked matches. He focused on targeting players like ImperialHal, Genburten, Mande, and HisWattson. ImperialHal posted clips of the account “[PS6+ user] destroyer2009” and later killed the player using that account in a subsequent game.
Destroyer2009 also started using the account name “[TSM Academy]” in-game, indicating his growing obsession with targeting specific players. He was able to access features within Apex Legends beyond simple hack downloads.
February 2024: Notoriety and discussions
By February, Destroyer2009’s name became synonymous with Apex cheats. Discussions on various platforms frequently surfaced, with players desperate to see the hacker banned. Users on online forums questioned how much access Destroyer2009 had to the game, with some speculating that he had access to the online server code or was an extremely talented coder.
March 18, 2024: ALGS hacking incident
On March 18, Destroyer2009 hacked the accounts of Genburten and ImperialHal during the live ALGS North American Regional Final. This incident went viral and prompted Respawn to implement updates to protect Apex players. Destroyer2009 has since come forward to speak about his actions, claiming that it was lucky he found and utilized the exploit instead of someone else.
Destroyer2009: Hero or Villain?
The Apex Legends community remains divided on whether Destroyer2009’s ALGS antics have benefitted the game. In January, he was seen as a villain for farming ranked lobbies with hacks enabled. However, some players now identify with his mission to force EA, Respawn, and EAC to address game flaws. Regardless of personal opinions, Destroyer2009’s actions highlight the need for Apex Legends to be fixed.
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