Apex Legends Season 29, titled Overclocked, has brought a major shift to the weapon meta. Respawn moved the C.A.R. SMG back to floor loot, sent the L-STAR into the Care Package, reduced Light Ammo stack size, adjusted the Hemlok Breach AR, buffed the P2020, and changed locked hop-up progression for the Alternator and Devotion.
These changes land in a season where fights are faster, recovery is quicker, and players are being pushed into more aggressive engagements thanks to Deathbox Respawns and Chained Healing.
Because of that, Season 29 rewards weapons that can win close-range fights, stay reliable under pressure, and finish enemies before they can reset. Based on the official Overclocked patch notes and the current direction of the meta, here is our updated Apex Legends Season 29 weapon tier list.
Apex Legends Season 29 Weapon Meta Explained
Season 29 is not just a normal weapon tuning patch. The entire pace of the game is faster now. Deathbox Respawns let teams bring back eliminated teammates directly from their deathbox, while Chained Healing makes it smoother to queue healing items and get back into the fight. That means squads can recover faster, third parties are more dangerous, and drawn-out fights can punish you harder than before.
Apex Legends Season 29 Weapon Tier List
| Tier | Weapons | Meta Value |
|---|---|---|
| S Tier | Kraber, L-STAR, R-99, Peacekeeper, Volt SMG, Nemesis Burst AR, Hemlok Breach AR, RE-45 | Best weapons for winning fights, controlling close range, and staying strong in ranked or pubs |
| A Tier | C.A.R. SMG, R-301 Carbine, Flatline, Havoc, Triple Take, Alternator, Devotion, Wingman, Mastiff, G7 Scout | Strong weapons that fit the Season 29 meta well, but need better attachments, aim, or positioning |
| B Tier | EVA-8, Sentinel, 30-30 Repeater, Prowler Burst PDW, Charge Rifle | Good weapons, but more situational or less consistent than the top-tier picks |
| C Tier | Spitfire, Rampage, Longbow DMR, P2020, Mozambique | Usable in specific situations, but harder to recommend as main meta weapons |
S Tier Weapons Are the Best Picks in Season 29
The L-STAR is one of the biggest winners of Apex Legends Season 29. Respawn moved it into the Care Package, increased its damage from 19 to 20, and added the Redline hop-up, which gives it increased damage and projectile size when close to overheating. That makes it a terrifying late-game weapon if you can manage its rhythm properly.
The R-99 also earns an S Tier spot because the current meta rewards pure close-range pressure. It is not the easiest SMG to control, especially with Light Ammo stacks being reduced from 72 to 60, but its time-to-kill potential is still excellent. In the hands of a player who can track well, the R-99 remains one of the scariest weapons in Apex.
The Peacekeeper stays near the top because Season 29 is full of fast pushes, quick resets, and tight close-range fights. With Legends like Axle, Octane, Wraith, and other movement-heavy picks thriving, fights often collapse into shotgun range very quickly. The Peacekeeper is perfect for players who can play cover, peek smartly, and punish enemies with heavy burst damage.
The Volt SMG is another S Tier weapon because of its consistency. It may not feel as flashy as the R-99, but it is easier to control, strong in close-range fights, and flexible enough to pair with almost any mid-range weapon. For ranked players who want a safer SMG, the Volt is one of the best choices this season.
The Nemesis Burst AR remains one of the strongest mid-range weapons in the game. Its burst damage and pressure make it excellent for punishing rotations, holding angles, and forcing teams to burn healing resources. In a season where teams can recover quickly, being able to crack enemies before they stabilize is extremely valuable.
The Hemlok Breach AR also sits in S Tier in this updated list. Respawn did tone it down by increasing the Breach Charge cooldown, reducing damage in a previous hotfix, lowering magazine size, increasing recoil, and worsening hipfire. However, the weapon still brings strong burst damage and utility, especially now that its Breach Charge can disperse gas and smoke. That gives it a unique role in fights, even after the nerfs.
The RE-45 rounds out S Tier because it fits the speed of Season 29 surprisingly well. It is not the most intimidating weapon on paper, but its handling, close-range reliability, and ability to clean up weak enemies make it very useful in chaotic fights. In a meta where every second matters, the RE-45 can absolutely carry early and mid-game fights.
A Tier Weapons Are Strong but Need More From the Player
The C.A.R. SMG returns to floor loot this season, which immediately makes it a major part of the meta again. Respawn removed the Galvanic Gavel hop-up but increased its magazine size at higher tiers, with blue mags going from 25 to 26 and purple or gold mags going from 28 to 30. It is still a strong weapon, but compared to the S Tier SMGs, it needs slightly better control and positioning to get the most out of it.
The R-301 Carbine remains one of the safest weapons in Apex. It is easy to control, reliable at mid-range, and good enough in most fights. The Light Ammo stack reduction does hurt its sustain a little, but the R-301 is still an excellent choice for players who value consistency over raw damage.
The Flatline is stronger than the R-301 in damage output, but it asks more from the player. If you can manage the recoil, it is still one of the best weapons for mid-range pressure and close-range trades. The Havoc is in a similar place. It can melt enemies, especially with the right setup, but it depends heavily on attachments and clean tracking.
The Triple Take and G7 Scout are both strong poke weapons in Season 29. They are great for pressuring teams before a push, but they are not always ideal when fights collapse into close range. That keeps them in A Tier rather than S Tier.
The Alternator is still a reliable SMG, though its Double Tap Trigger takes longer to unlock this season because Respawn increased the required points from 375 to 500. It remains a strong pick, but it takes more time to reach its best version.
The Devotion gets more interesting in Season 29 because Turbocharger is easier to unlock, with the required points reduced from 500 to 425. That makes it more attractive than before, but it still needs commitment and setup to become truly dangerous.
The Wingman and Mastiff are also excellent A Tier choices. Both can dominate fights in skilled hands, but they depend more on accuracy and timing than the most forgiving S Tier weapons. If you are confident in your aim, both are still worth picking up.
B Tier Weapons Are Good but More Situational
The EVA-8, Sentinel, 30-30 Repeater, Prowler Burst PDW, and Charge Rifle all sit in B Tier because they can work well, but they are not as consistent across every fight.
The EVA-8 can still be useful in close-range chaos, but it does not have the same burst threat as the Peacekeeper or Mastiff. The Sentinel can hit hard, but it asks for space, accuracy, and good timing, which can be harder to find in Season 29’s faster fights.
The 30-30 Repeater and Charge Rifle are better when teams are holding distance, poking, or trying to control space before a push. They are not bad weapons, but the current meta is more about fast rotations and quick fight finishes than slow ranged pressure.
The Prowler Burst PDW is still capable of strong close-range damage, but it is less forgiving than the Volt, R-99, C.A.R., or RE-45. Players who love burst SMGs can still make it work, but it is not the easiest weapon to recommend for everyone.
C Tier Weapons Are Mostly Early-Game or Niche Picks
The Spitfire, Rampage, Longbow DMR, P2020, and Mozambique are not useless, but they are harder to recommend as main weapons in Season 29.
The Spitfire and Rampage can still punish enemies who overextend, but their slower feel does not fit the fast pace of Overclocked as well as the stronger SMGs, ARs, and shotguns. The Longbow can work at range, but it feels less valuable when so many fights are decided by fast pushes and close-range pressure.
The P2020 did get a small buff, with base damage increased from 23 to 24 in a previous hotfix. That makes it better than before, but it still feels more like an early-game option than a weapon you want to carry deep into ranked matches.
The Mozambique remains usable in early fights, especially if you land your shots, but it is still not a weapon most players should build their loadout around in Season 29.
Best Weapons to Use in Apex Legends Season 29
If you want the strongest weapons in Apex Legends Season 29, the L-STAR, R-99, Peacekeeper, Volt SMG, Nemesis Burst AR, Hemlok Breach AR, and RE-45 are the best picks right now. These weapons fit the Overclocked meta because they let you win fights quickly, control close-range pressure, and stay effective in ranked or pubs.
Safer loadouts: the R-301, Flatline, C.A.R. SMG, Havoc, Triple Take, Alternator, Devotion, Wingman, Mastiff, and G7 Scout are all strong options. They may need more attachments, a cleaner aim, or better positioning, but they are still very reliable when used properly.
The best overall loadout this season is likely an SMG or shotgun paired with a strong mid-range weapon. R-99 and Nemesis are a deadly, aggressive setup. Volt and R-301 are safer and easier to control. Peacekeeper and Hemlok Breach AR give you a close-range superiority with mid-range pressure and extra utility.
Best Loadouts for Apex Legends Season 29
| Loadout | Weapons | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Aggressive Meta Loadout | R-99 and Peacekeeper | Fast pushes, close-range duels, and pub stomping |
| Ranked Safe Loadout | Volt SMG and Nemesis Burst AR | Consistency, mid-range pressure, and clean fight control |
| Utility Loadout | Hemlok Breach AR and RE-45 | Smoke or gas disruption with quick close-range cleanup |
| Care Package Power Loadout | L-STAR and Peacekeeper | Late-game fights and high-pressure squad wipes |
| Flexible Ranked Loadout | C.A.R. SMG and R-301 Carbine | Balanced close and mid-range coverage |
| Precision Loadout | Wingman and Volt SMG | Skilled players who trust their aim and movement |
Apex Legends Season 29 is clearly rewarding weapons that can keep up with the faster Overclocked meta. Deathbox Respawns and Chained Healing make teams harder to fully wipe if fights drag on, so the best weapons are the ones that help you finish enemies quickly before they reset.
Right now, the S Tier weapons are the L-STAR, R-99, Peacekeeper, Volt SMG, Nemesis Burst AR, Hemlok Breach AR, and RE-45. These are the best weapons to dominate Season 29 because they give players the strongest mix of damage, speed, close-range control, and ranked reliability.
