Apex Weapon Tier List – The best and worst guns in Season 20 cover image

Apex Weapon Tier List – The best and worst guns in Season 20

Check out our Apex Weapons Tier List for season 20 – where does your favourite weapon rank?

Apex Legends Season 20 is in full swing. There are brand new Legend Perks, as well as a complete overhaul of armour. But which weapon should you use when dropping in? Here is our Apex Weapon Tier List, get ready to practice your aim and start climbing! If you've not played for a while, check out the Season 20 patch notes.

Tier
Weapon
Type
S-Tier
Kraber
Sniper
(Care Package weapon)
S-Tier
Wingman
Pistol
(Care Package Weapon)
S-Tier
EVA-8
Shotgun
(Care Package Weapon)
S-Tier
Flatline
Assault Rifle

S Tier - Apex Weapon Tier List

Kraber

The Kraber only appears in care packages, and is one of the most sought after weapons in Apex. It was nerfed a while back, meaning it was not a guaranteed headshot kill if the target has a strong helmet. However, it is still a very strong weapon. The Apex Sniper Kraber has never not been top of the Apex Weapon Tier List and although a rare find, grab it when you can.

The Kraber is very powerful but only in the right hands. It has a slow fire rate and a small number of rounds. Every shot counts.

Damage:

  • Head: 280
  • Body: 140
  • Legs: 112

Wingman

The Wingman remains in the S Tier of our Apex Legends weapon tier list. With the most iconic Apex Legends weapon is still in the care package. While it did lose the 'Digi' scope, and the Boosted Loader it still has the Skullpiercer Elite that ignores headshot damage reduction. No matter what Helmet you hit, you're dealing almost 100 damage.

Damage:

  • Head: 95
  • Body: 50
  • Legs: 45

VK-47 Flatline

This beloved heavy weapon has an incredible fire rate. It has been a very popular weapon across the games lifespan. Even when the Flatline took a hip fire nerf back in Season 16 its dominance has remained unchallenged. The Flatline does have some of the more challenging recoil in the game, but once you learn the pattern the Flatline is a top tier weapon.

Damage:

  • Head: 32
  • Body: 18
  • Legs: 14

EVA-8

The EVA-8 is an absolute beast. It has the best RPM in the game, and can tear through teams in no time at all.

You'll need to get used to its new super fast fire rate. With Hammer Points equipped this weapon is great at closing out your 1v1.

Damage:

  • Head: 8x8
  • Body: 6x8
  • Legs: 6x8

Read more about Season 20:


A-Tier - Apex Weapon Tier List

Tier
Weapon
Type
A-Tier
Nemesis
Assault Rifle
A-Tier
30-30 Repeater
Marksman
A-Tier
Bocek Bow
Marksman
(Care Package weapon)
A-Tier
Havoc
Assault Rifle
A-Tier
Peacekeeper
Shotgun
A-Tier
Hemlock
Assault Rifle
A-Tier
Prowler
SMG
A-Tier weapons in our Apex Legends Season 20 tier list

Nemesis AR

The Nemesis AR has become infamous in Apex Legends since its introduction. It has been toned down since it's release, with some tweaks to recoil and damage. However, it is still crazy strong.

What makes the Nemesis so deadly is the way that its fire-rate ramps up as you shoot it. That means it's DPS (damage per second) hugely ramps up as you use the weapon. At maximum fire rate the Nemesis kills you before you even realise what has happened.

Damage:

  • Head: 28
  • Body: 16
  • Legs: 12

Prowler PDW

The Prowler was one of the most dangerous weapons in Season 17 when it was last on the floor. So it is no surprise it has stayed popular since it entered the Care Package. The Prowler was so strong that it did not have ANY damage increases when it entered the pack.

Instead, it was given the Select Fire once more. This allows the Prowler to become full auto, giving it a crazy damage per second.

Damage:

  • Head: 24
  • Body: 16
  • Legs: 12

30-30 Repeater

The 30-30 has gone under the radar with a steady stream of improvements. It has risen from one of the worst weapons in the game and now is a very reliable choice for long range. Even despite some slight damage nerfs this season.

When you equip a Skullpiercer, this weapon can do significant damage. The increase to projectile size a couple of seasons ago has made the weapon much more forgiving to use too. Of course, being a marksman, it lacks any real hipfire potential. However the high damage per shot means that those few that do land, make a big impact. There is a reason this weapon was one of the most popular in the ALGS!

Damage:

  • Head: 68-93
  • Body: 39-53
  • Legs: 33-45

Bocek Bow

The Bocek Bow is a hard weapon to use. The method of holding back the arrow then releasing can feel unnatural to Apex players. It does some really strong damage, but it has limited arrows. We have the Bow in the A Tier of our Apex Weapon tier list simply because of how hard it can be to use for most players.

Damage:

  • Head: 122
  • Body: 70
  • Legs: 63

Hemlok Burst AR

The Hemlock returned to the ground last season and absolutely dominated. It has had a slight damage nerf this season but is still very strong. Landing 2 of your three bullets per burst on the head deals a massive 74 damage (pre helmet).

The Hemlock is an incredibly powerful weapon. What keeps the Hemlock outside of S-Tier is it's hipfire and controllability. It's hipfire is much better than when it was last on the ground but still lacks in certain situations. The burst nature of this rifle can be hard to use, but once you master it this really is a killer weapon.

Damage:

  • Head: 37
  • Body: 21
  • Legs: 16

Peacekeeper

The Peacekeeper has been a strong weapon since Apex released. However, the last few seasons have been difficult for Shotguns in general. Season 18's changes to SMG's combined with the Peacekeeper now taking Disruptor Rounds mean that this pump action shotgun was, and still is, a very strong and viable choice.

Damage:

  • Head: 121 (11 per pellet)
  • Body: 99 (9 per pellet)
  • Legs: 77 (7 per pellet)

Disruptor rounds increase damage by 25% on any shielded targets.

Volt SMG

The Volt SMG has risen to one of the better choices for an SMG thanks to nerfs to the R99. The Volt does impressive damage and can somewhat hold its own at longer distances. It has been impacted by the general SMG nerfs, but is still a great pick up off the ground this season.

Damage:

  • Head: 19
  • Body: 15
  • Legs: 12

Havoc

The Havoc with a Turbocharger is one of the best weapons in the game. Without, it sits in a steady A Tier. A notable strength of the Havoc is the magazine size that it has. The huge 36 shots that the Havoc can hold with a purple magazine makes up for the wind up time without the Turbocharger. You can easily take on two enemies in one mag, or catch up on any damage you took while winding up.

Damage:

  • Head: 32
  • Body: 18
  • Legs: 15

B-Tier - Apex Weapon Tier List

Tier
B-Tier
M600 Spitfire
LMG
B-Tier
CAR SMG
SMG
B-Tier
R-301 Carbine
Assault Rifle
B-Tier
Longbow DMR
Sniper
B-Tier
L-Star
SMG
B-Tier
Mastiff
Shotgun
B-Tier
Triple Take
Marksman
B-Tier
Volt
SMG
B-Tier
G7 Scout
Marksman
B-Tier weapons in our Apex Legends Season 20 tier list

R-301 Carbine

First up in the B-Tier of our Apex Weapon Tier List is the R-301 Carbine. Placed in the Replicator again this season, it sits as the quintessential middle tier weapon. It has okay damage, simple recoil and acceptable hipfire. There are other weapons that clearly outclass the R301, but no weapon in the game is as consistent and simple to use.

CAR SMG

The CAR SMG has long been a powerful weapon since it arrived into Apex Legends. The ability to take light and heavy ammo, as well either magazine is a huge bonus.

We have done a more detailed breakdown of the CAR SMG so be sure to check it out.

L-Star LMG

The L-Star took a slight nerf this season, losing the ability to take barrel stabilisers. It is still a powerful weapon, when you master the recoil pattern.

What can make the L-Star LMG particularly powerful is the ability to avoid reloads. If you don't 'overheat' the weapon, you can in theory never reload the entire game. A short break from firing is all you need to avoid a long animation.

Damage:

  • Head: 26
  • Body: 17
  • Legs: 14

M600 Spitfire

The Spitfire... is good? In Season 18 season Respawn addressed the two biggest weaknesses of the Spitfire. Hip fire and controllability. It is once again a decent option, the large magazine capacity makes it a very forgiving choice. It just lacks any real close range punch.

G7 Scout

The G7 Scout is one of the stronger weapons in the game. However, it has been outshone by the strength of the 30-30 Repeater. The Scout is a high skill high reward weapon. Single fire weapons are harder to aim, especially when shooting at a moving target. However, if you can land shots with this weapon, the damage can stack up in no time at all. Just be aware that the Scout has very weak hipfire, so always pair it with a strong close quarters secondary.

Mastiff

The Mastiff has felt very underwhelming in recent seasons with the strength of SMGs. This season it has had its bullet spread pattern tightened, which has made it feel significantly more powerful. Just like with the other shotguns, it feels far more viable thanks to the SMG changes last season too.

The Mastiff really excels with a nice balance of fire rate versus damage when compared to the Peacekeeper and EVA-8.

Longbow DMR

This consistent Apex sniper has a high fire rate and does good damage. It may not be as powerful as other weapons but it does hefty damage no matter where you hit an enemy. The Skull piercer can give this weapon a noticeable damage boost. Plus, the new larger projectiles make this a more forgiving weapon.

Triple Take

The Triple Take is a little bit of a sleeper weapon. It can do solid damage, and with the reversion of it's ammo consumption it is incredibly ammo efficient. It's not quite as strong as a G7 or a 30-30, but for the ability to swap to a Nemesis late game it shouldn't be overlooked.

C-Tier - Apex Weapon Tier List

TIer
Weapon
Type
C-Tier
R99 SMG
SMG
C-Tier
Sentinel
Sniper
C-Tier
RE-45
Pistol
C-Tier
Charge Rifle
Sniper
C-Tier
Alternator
SMG
C-Tier
Mozambique
Shotgun
C-Tier weapons in our Apex Legends Season 16 tier list

Charge Rifle

The Charge Rifle has had a major rework in Season 18. It now sits in a fairly peculiar spot balance wise.

The new Charge Rifle hits major damage, especially at long distances. This makes it a very scary and deadly weapon to face. However, the 'charge' mechanism makes timing your shots really tricky. Getting the timing right when shooting enemies far away takes a lot of skill, and a fair bit of luck.

That makes it hard to slot the weapon into an Apex weapon tier list. Usability could honestly be a D Tier, but the damage makes it still a worthwhile choice.

Alternator

The Alternator can be deadly thanks to the fact it can take Disruptors. If you find this rare hop up the Alternator is easily in the A Tier. Without, it sits in the C Tier!

The advantage of the Alternator is its large magazine size in comparison to other SMGs. Off drop the Alternator is very sturdy but you really do need Disruptors to carry it into the mid and late games.

R99 SMG

The R99 SMG was a VERY powerful weapon over the last few seasons of Apex Legends. However it has taken several nerfs in consecutive updates which drops it all the way down to C Tier in our Apex Weapon tier list. It is also impacted by the nerf to laser sights too.

RE-45

The RE-45 is a sturdy weapon for close quarters engagements. The ability to equip Hammerpoint rounds can beef up the RE-45's close range credentials. It has very impressive hip fire spread but lacks punch without this hop-up. With the nerfs to SMGs, the RE-45 is becoming an ever so slightly more viable option in Season 20.

Sentinel

The bolt-loaded Sentinel requires a player with good aim. If that sounds like you, this weapon is just as good as the Longbow. It's a strong weapon that can eliminate teams from afar in the right hands. Charging your sentinel with a shield cell makes the weapon very powerful, but this is only limited shots.

Mozambique

The Mozambique has improved over the seasons. It has a decent fire rate, and is certainly much more competitive than it used to be. However, it only really excels with the Hammerpoint attachment that is now gold rarity. This means you are very unlikely to find it.

D-Tier - Apex Weapon Tier List

Tier
Weapon
Type
D-Tier
Devotion
LMG
D-Tier
Rampage
LMG
D-Tier
P2020
Pistol

Devotion

Including the Devotion (and the Rampage!) in the D Tier might be considered controversial. But when would you ever choose either of these two weapons?

The Devotion is hard to use. The Turbocharger improves it, but you'd rather have a Turbo Havoc. Where the Devotion can shine is dealing a lot of damage fast, but there are other weapons that can do this and offer you more at long and medium range.

Rampage

Like the Devotion, the Rampage isn't a bad weapon there are just far better choices. Especially now the Spitfire is improved. Of course the Rampage can take a thermite grenade and charge up. But let's be honest, you'd rather have a Flatline or Nemesis rather than an inventory full of Thermites.

P2020

At the start of the match, the P2020 can be a weapon you quickly pick up and start shooting with. But the P2020 is just not useful enough to bring with you after that moment. You will lose almost every gun fight, leaving you vulnerable. When it comes to our Apex Weapon Tier List, the P2020 is the bottom of the barrel.