As Season 18 is ongoing, let’s take a look at the best weapons to use to secure the most kills and victories in Apex Legends.
Respawn does not randomly put new weapons into Apex Legends and lets the players figure it out. Instead, they observe many aspects such as weapons’ pick rate, effectiveness in casual, ranked, and tournament matches, and more. After looking at these factors, Respawn makes changes to the weapons at the beginning of every new Season.
In Season 18, Respawn made several changes to the weapon, as they do almost every season. For starters, the Charge Rifle was completely redesigned in Season 18. There’s also been a Care Package change, as Hemlok was replaced by Prowler.
Furthermore, the SMG class as a whole received a minor nerf. However, Alternator received a slight boost because the Disruptor attachment was reintroduced this season. Not to mention that Peacekeeper can now use the Disruptor attachment. Mastiff, on the other hand, received a minor improvement to make close-range fights more viable for MnK players.
Season 18 also saw a significant improvement for Spitfire. Furthermore, Rampage and R-99 can be found as floor loot, with Nemesis and Mozambique replacing them. You can learn more about the Season 18 weapon and attachment changes by visiting this link. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into the main topic of this article.
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This Tier list was updated in Season 18 Resurrection based on the changes and ongoing meta. As soon as any character receives any changes or the meta shifts, we’ll update the tier list accordingly.
Apex Legends Season 18 Weapon Tier List
To rate different tiers of weapons in Apex Legends, we first look at their raw damage output and ease of handling for players of all skill levels. Also, remember that weapons exclusive to the Care Packages will always be powerful compared to other weapons. Unsurprisingly, those will be rated as S-tier weapons on our list.
Furthermore, A-tier status is given to weapons that are viable for all stages of a game in Apex. And they are only bested by the Care Package weapons. Moving forward, B and C-tier weapons are just average when it comes to performance. And lastly, D-tier weapons are what Respawn calls “meme” weapons, as they are very ineffective in most cases and should only be used in dire situations.
Keep in mind that this list is only for the current meta. This list will change with time as new weapons are added to the game. Also, as with any other tier list, this one is exceptionally subjective.
| Tier | Weapons |
|---|---|
| S-Tier | Kraber, L-Star, Bocek Bow, Prowler |
| A-Tier | Flatline, Nemesis, Peacekeeper, Alternator, Spitfire, G7 Scout, R-99, EVA-8 |
| B-Tier | Mastiff, Havoc, Volt, 30-30 Repeater, R-301, Hemlok, Sentinel |
| C-Tier | C.A.R, Longbow DMR, Devotion, Triple Take, Rampage, Charge Rifle |
| D-Tier | P2020, Mozambique |
S-Tier Weapons
Kraber .50-cal
Kraber received a slight nerf to its damage output in Season 13. However, it is still the most powerful Sniper in Apex. Therefore, it is only available via the care package drop. One headshot from Kraber will knock players out immediately unless they have a Red Shield and a Purple Helmet or above. And that also includes characters with fortification perks like Gibraltar. As a result, it is still an easy candidate for an S-tier weapon.
L-Star
Although many players may argue otherwise, the L-Star is an S-Tier weapon on our list. The reason is that it is still a Care Package weapon in Season 18. So, naturally, Respawn buffed the hell out of L-Star and put it into the Supple Drop.
Although Respawn decreased the L-Star’s per-bullet damage from 17 to 16, the improved recoil pattern makes up for it. Additionally, the Disruptor Rounds increase damage against shields by 60%. As a result, this gun is unquestionably a must-pick weapon this season.
Bocek Bow
In its initial launch, the Bocek Bow was a really powerful and annoying weapon. However, Respawn later nerfed it and restored it to a balanced state. You can continuously shoot with it and deal massive damage. With the Bocek Bow being a Care Package weapon, it surely is one hell of a weapon in Season 18.
Prowler
Despite being a ground SMG, Prowler was the most used weapon in the ALGS Split 2 Playoffs. So, in Season 18, Respawn made it a Care Package weapon and buffed it as usual. Furthermore, the developers have brought back Select Fire, which comes pre-installed with the Prowler, making it a must-pick weapon this season.
A-Tier Weapons
Flatline
With Nemesis in the Crafter and R-301 weakened Flatline remains the undisputed king of ARs in season 18. Aside from the hip-fire accuracy, Flatline shines in every way.
Nemesis
Since its initial release, Nemesis has received minor nerfs. However, in its current state, Nemesis is arguably Apex Legends’ best Assault Rifle. Because Respawn added Nemesis to the crafter, we’ll have to place Nemesis after Flatline in the tier list for the time being.
Peacekeeper
Respawn nerfed the SMG class in Season 18, making shotguns extremely important as secondary weapons. Furthermore, Peacekeeper can now use Disruptor, which significantly increases Peacekeeper’s damage. So, without a doubt, Peacekeeper is the best secondary weapon in Season 18, especially for MnK players.
Spitfire
In Season 18, Respawn decided to add the barrel stabilizer again to the Spitfire. Furthermore, the ADS recoil and hip-fire accuracy were improved in the same patch, bringing the nearly forgotten LMG back into the meta.
Alternator
The SMG class nerf in Season 18 didn’t impact Alternator as much. The main reason for this is that Alternator finally got its long-awaited Disruptor hop-up. Although Disruptor hop-ups are rare, if you can find one, the Alternator becomes a must-have weapon.
G7 Scout
Season 18 saw no changes to the Marksman class weapons. As a result, G7 Scout maintains its previous position. It is an effective long-range weapon. Its hip-fire accuracy, on the other hand, isn’t all that bad.
EVA-8
The nerf to the SMG class made all Shotguns more valuable than before. The same is true for EVA-8 auto. EVA-8 would be a top A-tier contender if it weren’t for Peacekeeper and Disruptor.
R-99
R-99 was given a minor buff in Season 18. However, in actual combat, the nerf can be barely noticeable. Due to the overall SMG class nerf, which reduced the R-99’s position to a bottom A-tier weapon, the main struggle for all SMGs remains. Nonetheless, R-99 shines.
B-Tier Weapons
Mastiff
Mastiff received a minor boost in Season 18. The Mastiff Shotgun, unlike the Peacekeeper and EVA-08 auto, does not have any specialties. As a result, it is not as popular as the other available Shotguns. If you can’t find Peacekeeper or EVA-08, there’s no reason not to go with a Mastiff.
Havoc
Havoc is a hard weapon to master. However, its damage output compensates for its difficulty of use. Unfortunately, Respawn reduced the damage output while the Turbocharge hop-up was equipped with the weapon. As a result, most people aren’t big fans of Havoc these days.
Volt SMG
Volt has always been a popular weapon due to its ease of use and high damage output. Although Volt’s long-range fighting ability was slightly reduced in Season 15, it is still a beast in medium-close combat. As a result, Volt remains a high B-tier weapon this Season.
30-30 Repeater
In terms of effectiveness, the 30-30 Repeater is somewhere between the Wingman and the G7 Scout. Furthermore, this weapon also has a secondary fire mode that can be charged to deal additional damage. With an equipped Skullpiercer, the 30-30 Repeater is an absolute beast in medium- to long-range fights in Season 18, especially in open maps.
R-301
The R-301 had been a top-tier weapon for so long. This popular AR, however, received a significant nerf in Season 16. On top of that, Respawn introduced Nemesis at the same time, making R-301 the least preferred option. Because of the Spitfire buff, the R-301 became the Spitfire’s attachment holder. Even so, because of its ease of use, many people prefer to play with this weapon.
Hemlok
Hemlok joined the ground loot in Season 18. This burst weapon has a high magazine capacity and a high damage output. However, many people prefer Flatline and Nemesis over Hemlok because of their ease of use, making Hemlok a less popular option in Season 18.
Sentinel
Respawn didn’t make any changes to this bolt-action sniper rifle in season 18 of Apex Legends. However, it is still a decent option when paired with a shield cell, as it has an alternate firing mode. In the current meta, this weapon is just average.
C-Tier Weapons
C.A.R SMG
Unlike all the other weapons in the game, this SMG can take both light and heavy ammo types. As a result, this weapon is extremely flexible at all stages of a game. However, as there are so many SMG choices, people always pick those weapons over a C.A.R.
Longbow
In Season 18, snipers aren’t very popular. Players are constantly trying to stay inside the zone due to ring damage and timing changes. As a result, snipers like Longbow aren’t everyone’s first choice.
Devotion
In season 18, the Devotion is still one of the most powerful LMGs in the game with the turbocharger hop-ups installed. But the noticeable nerf in season 13 and new competition from the L-Star, Rampage, and Spitfire have significantly tainted its legendary status among the Apex player base.
Triple Take
In the current meta, Triple Take is an average Marksman weapon. The gun is not at all bad. However, due to the widespread availability of the G7-Scout and 30-30 Repeater, Triple Take was unable to establish itself as the Marksman weapon of choice among the players.
Rampage
Rampage can deal massive damage with decent tracking despite its slow firing rate. However, this LMG becomes a nightmare to deal with if a Thermite Grenade is installed, as it increases the firing rate. Following massive player feedback, Respawn decided to nerf it to make this weapon fall in line with other LMGs in Season 13. As a result, it is not the same LMG anymore.
Charge Rifle
In Season 18, Respawn revamped the Charge Rifle. Although many assumed that Respawn had simply buffed it, it was clear after trying it out in-game that the Charge Rifle is no longer the powerful weapon it once was. So, in Season 18, try to avoid the Charge Rifle.
D-Tier Weapons
P2020
As the Hammerpoint Rounds are still here, P2020 is still in the limelight. Similar to the RE45, the absence of the hop-up will make this weapon unusable in late-game scenarios. However, if you can manage to find one for your P2020, it can deal massive damage to enemies without shields.
Mozambique
Apex Legends players already know where Mozambique would fit on any tier list. In 2019, when the game was first released, it quickly became a meme as it was incredibly weak and ineffective. Sometimes, it is better to hit your opponent with your bare hand than shoot with this junk.
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Final Verdict
Each weapon in Apex Legends is unique in its own way. However, as with Legends, certain weapons are preferred over others due to their usability and usefulness in various combat scenarios. Furthermore, each player has a different insight into the weapons available in Apex Legends. So, rather than embracing the tier list as fact, try them out using the trial-and-error method to see what works best for you.
