In the competitive landscape of Apex Legends, selecting the right weapons is essential for securing victories. To assist players in making informed choices, we’ve created a comprehensive tier list featuring the best weapons for Season 23 of this popular battle royale game.
Apex Legends features an extensive arsenal, with each weapon subject to various nerfs and buffs as the game evolves. Notably, Season 20 implemented significant changes across nearly all game mechanics, including the elimination of the crafting rotation and the integration of EVO shields into character progression. This transformative season set the stage for subsequent updates.
Season 21 continued the trend of adjustments, introducing additional weapon tweaks and the inclusion of Alter, a new legend, to the roster. As Season 23 rolled in, it did not introduce major weapon transformations, allowing us to retain much of our previous tier list.
Below is our definitive tier list for the most effective weapons in Apex Legends Season 23.
Apex Legends Ultimate Weapons Tier List
Tier | Weapons |
---|---|
S | Nemesis, G7 Scout, VK-47 Flatline, Bocek, Havoc, Peacekeeper, Wingman, Volt, Prowler Burst PDW, Hemlok |
A | Eva-8 Auto, Kraber. 50 CAL, Mastiff, Rampage, R-301 Carbine, C.A.R., R-99, M600 Spitfire, Alternator |
B | 30-30 Repeater, Sentinel, Longbow DMR, L-Star |
C | Devotion, Charge Rifle, Triple Take, RE-45 |
D | Mozambique, P2020 |
Understanding the Weapon Tiers
Our tier list categorizes weapons based on their combat effectiveness:
- S: The game’s premier weapons.
- A: Excellent alternatives that compete with top-tier options.
- B: Situationally effective weapons.
- C: Best avoided unless equipped with optimal attachments.
S-Tier Weapons in Apex Legends
1. Nemesis — Energy Assault Rifle
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 16
- Head Damage: 29
- Leg Damage: 12
- Base Magazine Size: 20
- Reload Speed: 2.7 seconds
Introduced in Season 16, the Nemesis stands out with its impressive damage potential per shot and manageable recoil. Although it demands certain attachments for peak performance, mastering its burst fire can lead to substantial damage output, particularly at medium range.
2. G7 Scout — Light Marksman Rifle
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 33
- Head Damage: 57
- Leg Damage: 25
- Base Magazine Size: 10
- Reload Speed: 2.16 seconds/2.7 seconds
The G7 Scout excels at mid-range engagements, delivering reliable performance thanks to its efficiency and precision. While it may struggle in close quarters and long-range situations against dedicated snipers, its ability to keep opponents at bay makes it a solid choice.
3. VK-47 Flatline — Heavy Assault Rifle
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 18
- Head Damage: 32
- Leg Damage: 15
- Base Magazine Size: 20
- Reload Speed: 2.4 seconds/3.1 seconds
The Flatline packs a powerful punch with consistent mid-range damage and a forgiving attachment requirement, making it a versatile option throughout a match.
4. Bocek — Care Package Compound Bow
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 25-70 / 35-84 (with Shatter Caps)
- Head Damage: 31-112 / 42-105 (with Shatter Caps)
- Leg Damage: 20-63 / 28-84 (with Shatter Caps)
- Base Magazine Size: N/A
- Reload Speed: N/A
The Bocek’s stealthy nature and impressive damage output make it formidable in skilled hands, especially following its care package reintroduction, enhancing its versatility in the field.
5. Havoc — Care Package Energy Assault Rifle
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 19
- Head Damage: 33
- Leg Damage: 16
- Base Magazine Size: 36
- Reload Speed: 3.2 seconds
After fluctuating between strengths and weaknesses, the Havoc has reemerged with boosted versatility, placing it firmly in the S-tier due to its consistent damage output and enhanced magazine capacity.
6. Peacekeeper — Shotgun
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 11×9 / 14×9 (with Disruptor)
- Head Damage: 14×9 / 18×9 (with Disruptor)
- Leg Damage: 11×9 / 14×9 (with Disruptor)
- Base Magazine Size: 5
- Reload Speed: 2.5 seconds/3.5 seconds
Highly regarded for its lethality, the Peacekeeper excels in close-range confrontations, amplified by the introduction of Disruptor rounds, ensuring quick eliminations when used effectively.
7. Wingman — Sniper Pistol
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 45
- Head Damage: 63-86
- Leg Damage: 41
- Base Magazine Size: 6
- Reload Speed: 2.1 seconds / 1.4 seconds (with Boosted Loader)
With its legacy intact, the Wingman remains a top-tier choice for sharpshooters seeking high damage output through precision. Despite recent nerfs, its effectiveness in skilled hands ensures its continued prominence in the meta.
8. Volt — Energy SMG
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 15
- Head Damage: 19
- Leg Damage: 12
- Base Magazine Size: 19
- Reload Speed: 1.44 seconds/2.03 seconds
Renowned as the best SMG in the game, the Volt excels in fast-paced encounters. Its high damage potential ensures it remains a prevalent choice, especially following the adjustments to its competitors.
9. Prowler Burst PDW — Heavy SMG
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 15
- Head Damage: 23
- Leg Damage: 12
- Base Magazine Size: 20
- Reload Speed: 2.0 seconds/2.6 seconds
The Prowler boasts an outstanding fire rate and magazine capacity, making it a strong choice for rapidly dispatching opponents, though it presents challenges for long-range encounters.
10. Hemlok — Heavy Assault Rifle
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 20
- Head Damage: 37
- Leg Damage: 15
- Base Magazine Size: 18
- Reload Speed: 2.0 seconds/2.6 seconds
The Hemlok tests players’ skills with its dual fire modes, but despite its potential, it often gets overshadowed by more consistent assault rifles, particularly after recent balancing adjustments.
A-Tier Weapons in Apex Legends
1. Eva-8 Auto — Care Package Shotgun
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 48 / 56 (with Hammerpoints)
- Head Damage: 60 / 72 (with Hammerpoints)
- Leg Damage: 48 / 56 (with Hammerpoints)
- Base Magazine Size: 8
- Reload Speed: 2.75 seconds/3.0 seconds
While the EVA-8 may not be the best early-game choice, its status as a care package weapon has granted it enhanced characteristics, making it a fearsome option for close-range engagements.
2. Kraber. 50 CAL — Care Package Sniper
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 140
- Head Damage: 280
- Leg Damage: 112
- Base Magazine Size: 4
- Reload Speed: 3.2 seconds/4.3 seconds
The Kraber remains a dominant sniper choice, delivering unparalleled damage potential. Its ability to eliminate opponents from afar makes it highly valuable for any squad lucky enough to acquire it.
3. Mastiff — Shotgun
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 88
- Head Damage: 112
- Leg Damage: 88
- Base Magazine Size: 5
- Reload Speed: 0.9 seconds per shell / 1.6 seconds per shell
The Mastiff stands out due to its capabilities at mid-range, making it formidable for skilled players who can master its spread pattern for devastating effectiveness.
4. Rampage — Heavy LMG
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 26
- Head Damage: 39
- Leg Damage: 22
- Base Magazine Size: 28
- Reload Speed: 3.2 seconds/4 seconds
With a strong magazine capacity and an impressive damage output, the Rampage finds utility in both casual and aggressive play styles, making it a robust option for weapon enthusiasts.
5. R-301 Carbine — Light Assault Rifle
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 13
- Head Damage: 23
- Leg Damage: 10
- Base Magazine Size: 18
- Reload Speed: 2.4 seconds/3.2 seconds
The R-301 serves as a reliable all-rounder, favored by players for its accuracy and adaptability in various combat situations, even if it lacks standout features.
6. C.A.R. — Light/Heavy SMG
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 12
- Head Damage: 15
- Leg Damage: 9
- Base Magazine Size: 19
- Reload Speed: 1.7 seconds/2.13 seconds
The C.A.R. SMG offers versatility as a secondary weapon that maximizes situational adaptability, even if its recent nerfs have diluted some of its potency.
7. R-99 — Light SMG
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 11
- Head Damage: 14
- Leg Damage: 9
- Base Magazine Size: 17
- Reload Speed: 1.8 seconds/2.45 seconds
While the R-99 excels in close-quarters combat, it is somewhat limited at longer ranges, requiring strategic partnerships with other weapons.
8. M600 Spitfire — Light Machine Gun
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 19
- Head Damage: 25
- Leg Damage: 15
- Base Magazine Size: 35
- Reload Speed: 3.4 seconds/4.2 seconds
Despite not being the strongest LMG, the M600 Spitfire has remained effective in recent seasons, benefitting from buffs that have enhanced its usability in combat.
9. Alternator — SMG
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 16/19 (with Disruptor)
- Head Damage: 20/24 (with Disruptor)
- Leg Damage: 13/15 (with Disruptor)
- Base Magazine Size: 19
- Reload Speed: 1.9 seconds/2.23 seconds
While traditionally overshadowed by other SMGs, the Alternator’s solid stats and versatility make it an appealing choice for newer and experienced players alike.
B-Tier Weapons in Apex Legends
1. 30-30 Repeater — Heavy Marksman Rifle
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 39-54
- Head Damage: 71-97/85-115 (with Skullpiercer)
- Leg Damage: 33-45
- Base Magazine Size: 6
- Reload Speed: 0.33 seconds per bullet
The 30-30 excels at long-range shooting but has suffered due to significant nerfs in Season 20, impacting its overall utility compared to other marksman options.
2. Sentinel — Sniper Rifle
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 70/88 (Charged)
- Head Damage: 140/176 (Charged)
- Leg Damage: 63/79 (Charged)
- Base Magazine Size: 4
- Reload Speed: 2.5 seconds/3.6 seconds
The Sentinel is known for delivering precision damage from a distance. However, its slow reload time can sometimes hinder its performance in fast-paced matches.
3. Longbow DMR — Sniper Rifle
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 60
- Head Damage: 124/143 (with Skullpiercer)
- Leg Damage: 48
- Base Magazine Size: 6
- Reload Speed: 2.66 seconds/3.66 seconds
The Longbow stands out as a balanced marksman rifle, effective for players looking for reliability and damage, particularly when equipped with a headshot multiplier.
4. L-Star — Energy LMG
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 18
- Head Damage: 26
- Leg Damage: 14
- Base Magazine Size: N/A
- Reload Speed: 2.45 seconds
The L-Star faces challenges in the current meta, primarily hindered by its previous accessibility in the care package, only to find itself less reliable as floor loot.
C-Tier Weapons in Apex Legends
1. Devotion — Energy LMG
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 15
- Head Damage: 23
- Leg Damage: 13
- Base Magazine Size: 36
- Reload Speed: 2.8 seconds/3.63 seconds
While the Devotion possesses high DPS potential, it requires specific attachments to shine, making it somewhat niche among LMG choices.
2. Charge Rifle — Sniper Rifle
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 75-110 (distance-dependent)
- Head Damage: 150-220 (distance-dependent)
- Leg Damage: 68-99 (distance-dependent)
- Base Magazine Size: 4
- Reload Speed: 3.5 seconds/4.6 seconds
Although effective at medium to long ranges, the Charge Rifle’s usability is hampered by its specialization, leaving it rated lower than more versatile weapon choices.
3. Triple Take — Energy Marksman Rifle
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 63
- Head Damage: 111
- Leg Damage: 57
- Base Magazine Size: 6
- Reload Speed: 2.34 seconds/3.06 seconds
Despite its potential, the Triple Take needs more consistency in reliable performance compared to its counterparts, making it a less favorable choice overall.
4. RE-45 — Light Machine Pistol
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 14/16 (with Hammerpoints)
- Head Damage: 18/24 (with Hammerpoints)
- Leg Damage: 11/14 (with Hammerpoints)
- Base Magazine Size: 25
- Reload Speed: 1.5 seconds/1.95 seconds
While the RE-45 can deliver commendable damage, its overall utility remains questionable when compared to other available weapon options.
D-Tier Weapons in Apex Legends
1. Mozambique — Shotgun
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 45 / 60 (with Hammerpoints)
- Head Damage: 57 / 75 (with Hammerpoints)
- Leg Damage: 45 / 60 (with Hammerpoints)
- Base Magazine Size: 6
- Reload Speed: 1.9 seconds/2.4 seconds
The Mozambique struggles to perform under duress, with its low damage output relegating it to D-tier, though it occasionally surprises with its extended range.
2. P2020 — Light Pistol
Key Stats:
- Body Damage: 18 / 27 (with Hammerpoints)
- Head Damage: 27 / 41 (with Hammerpoints)
- Leg Damage: 16 / 24 (with Hammerpoints)
- Base Magazine Size: 14
- Reload Speed: 1.25 seconds
The P2020 doesn’t offer much in the way of combat effectiveness, often leaving users wishing for a more powerful option in the field.
This tier list reflects the current state of weapons and is subject to change with potential updates that may affect weapon performance in future seasons. Source & Images
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