Gaming

The best guns in Apex Legends: how to conquer the 'new Fortnite'


Since its surprise launch in February, Apex Legends has established itself as a battle royale staple, amassing 50 million players in a month and giving established genre leaders PUBG and Fortnite a turbo-charged run for their money. Designed by the minds behind Call of Duty 4, it’s an unforgiving experience with lightning-fast gunfights, so the right weapons make all the difference. We sat down with pro gamer and Xbox On presenter Ben Perkin, aka Bennycentral, to rank every gun in the game, based on the latest patch, launched earlier this month.

20. Mozambique

Apex Legends



Little use … the Mozambique.

A miniature handheld shotgun sounds useful, but the Mozambique is so weak it has become a comedy meme. You’re probably better off using a melee attack – or bad language.

19. P2020
This basic single-shot handgun is a step up from the Mozambique with a default 10-capacity magazine – but still only useful in the opening seconds when absolutely nothing else is around.

18. RE-45
A machine pistol with a blistering 750-per-minute fire rate, the RE-45 is let down by its lack of accuracy and 15-magazine capacity, which you’ll empty in the blink of an eye. Still, it’s a useful finishing option when you’ve already knocked someone down, and the Extended Light Mag adds greatly to its effectiveness.

17. Alternator
It may be the smallest SMG in the game, but with a decent 640-per-minute fire rate and damage, it’s a useful backup weapon for close encounters – especially with the Barrel Stabilizer and Standard Stock attachments to counter recoil and the Extended Light Mag.

16. Eva-8
On paper, the Eva-8 seems to pale beside the Peacekeeper, offering just 63 damage per cartridge and likely to come out second in most close-quarters face-offs against an SMG. However, it’s highly effective if fired from the hip, especially if you add the level three barrel stabiliser.

15. Flatline
An eccentric misfit of a gun that operates somewhere between an AR and an LMG. The 650 rounds-per-minute fire rate is okay, but that’s offset by the comparatively measly 20-round magazine and the high recoil.

14. Triple Take sniper rifle
The Triple Take fires three projectiles along a horizontal plane, so it’s designed to hit enemies moving across your sightline. The damage is comparable to the other sniper rifles, but because of the firing pattern it’s tough to take down enemies at a distance. However, the Precision Choke attachment cancels the projectile spread and you can also use the Triple Take as a shotgun by firing from the hip at close distance.

13. Prowler

Apex Legends Prowler



Unique … the Prowler Photograph: Respawn Entertainment

The burst fire and use of heavy ammo make this gun unique among the SMGs, but also less versatile. However, picking up the SelectFire attachment converts it into a standard automatic or single-shot weapon, making it more useful at longer ranges and transforming it into one of the best guns in the game.

12. Hemlock

Apex Legends



Marmite of the armoury … Hemlock. Photograph: PR Company Handout

Very much the Marmite of the assault rifle class. But as a burst fire rifle with decent damage, the Hemlock is a good option for players who struggle with the recoil and aim drift of fully automatic options.

11. Havoc
A relative newcomer to the arsenal, the Havoc uses energy ammo, so it’s not quite as handy as other AR options, but it’s a useful rifle against armoured opponents – especially with the Turbo Charger attachment, which reduces charge-up time.

10. Devotion
The most unusual LMG in the game, the Devotion uses energy ammo (which isn’t as rare as it once was) and has a huge 44-round magazine, firing at a blistering 900rpm. But this devastating power is tempered by its “spin-up” functionality, which means there’s a delay before it starts firing. The Turbo Charger add-on reduces this, but the Devotion is best for confident players who are skilled at evading fire or who use it only when initiating a fight.

9. Kraber
One of two weapons that are only available from supply drops, this is a ridiculously powerful sniper rifle. You’ll only get 12 rounds of ammo, though (four per magazine), so save it for the end-game where it can be used to take out at least one rival team member – or maybe a whole squad – from a safe distance.

8. Peacekeeper
A proper first-person shooter shotgun in the Doom mould, the Peacekeeper can take down even a well-armoured player in a couple of blasts. Add the Precision Choke attachment to prevent spread and you’re unstoppable at close range. Combine the Digital Threat scope and Bangalore’s smoke grenade and you have a room-clearing combo for those end-game sieges.

7. Spitfire

Apex Legends Spitfire



Unsung superstar … Spitfire. Photograph: Respawn Entertainment

An unsung superstar of the game, the Spitfire is an LMG in terms of its fire-rate and damage-per-second stats, but it doesn’t have the exaggerated recoil of its stablemates. Adding a Barrel Stabiliser, Extended Heavy Mag and Standard Stock bolster its capabilities. Great in combination with the Wingman, Mastiff or Peacekeeper.

6. Mastiff
Without doubt the most powerful weapon in the game, the Mastiff is the only gun that can bring down a player wearing level three armour in one blast. If you have this gun in the end game, you really have no excuse for not winning. However, like the Kraber, it’s only available from supply drops, so you’ll rarely encounter it.

5. R-99
The best SMG in Apex Legends, with excellent fire-rate and damage. It’s particularly suited to closer combat, but add the extended light mag to augment that rapid fire, and a barrel stabiliser and stock to counter the significant recoil, and you have a mercilessly effective all-rounder.

4. Wingman

Apex Legends



Cult hero … Wingman. Photograph: PR Company Handout

The cult hero of Apex Legends, this single shot revolver packs a mighty punch and is effective even at longer distances. Benny reckons it’s the best gun in the game – but you have to be confident and accurate as it’s slow to load and fire. Excellent in combination with the R-99 or R-301.

3. R-301

The R-301 assault rifle



Versatile … the R-301. Photograph: Respawn Entertainment

Not the most powerful weapon, but easily the most versatile – and it’s effective from the very beginning thanks to its low recoil and 18-capacity light ammo magazine. The longer range capabilities of the R-301 can easily be enhanced by adding any stock and stabiliser add-ons you find, making it perfect for the end-game too. Combine this with the Wingman and you have the perfect set-up.

2. G7 Scout
The old stats made this gun look like a bit of a peashooter compared with similar assault and sniper rifles, even though it had the highest long range damage-per-second rate in the game. Now it’s been buffeed, its fast fire rate and large magazine make it a versatile weapon that can cope at all ranges. Pair it with the R-99 or Peacekeeper and you have the best combo in the game.

1. Longbow DMR

Longbow



Most improved… the Longbow DMR Photograph: Apex Legends


Until the recent patch, the Longbow was a mid-table weapon at best. Even though it deals almost twice the damage of the G7 Scout (and with the Skull Piercer attachment, is even more powerful as a long distance option) it was a lot slower to fire, reducing its usability. Since the stats update, however, its rate of fire has been improved and its sway has been significantly reduced, making it useful for close-to-mid-range combat too. While the stats remain as they are, it’s the most consistently deadly gun in Apex Legends.



READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.