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Apex Legends’ Nemesis: Popular gun moved back to floor loot

Lawrence "Malystryx" Phillips

Lawrence "Malystryx" Phillips

· 4 min read

Apex Legends' Nemesis, the newest energy class assault rifle is back as floor loot for Season 18: Resurrection.

After a brief stint in the Crafter, the Nemesis is now back on the floor in the aftermath of the ALGS Champs 2023. Yes, the #1 most popular weapon at ALGS Split 2 is back with a vengeance, and a small nerf to its damage and ADS recoil.

The Streamlined legendary skin for the Nemesis

Nemesis moved back to floor loot in Season 18: Resurrection

For Apex Legends Season 18: Resurrection, the Nemesis Burst AR was moved to the crafter. However, after the ALGS Champs 2023 mid-season, the developers have returned the weapon to floor loot.

  • Nemesis Burst AR
    • Damage reduced to 16 (was 17)
    • ADS recoil increased

History of the Nemesis Burst AR

The Nemesis Burst AR was first introduced in Apex Legends Season 16, and was the first new weapon in five season. A new weapon had been long overdue in Apex Legends. The last new weapon added was the C.A.R. SMG in Season 11: Escape, back in November 2021.

The Nemesis AR Burst in action in the Apex Legends Revelry trailer

The public’s first glimpse of the Apex Legends Nemesis was in the Revelry trailer, but throughout Season 16 and 17, the Nemesis Burst AR was formidable. Even in the competitive scene, the Nemesis Burst AR was the second most used weapon on the Split 2 LAN playoffs in London.

The Apex Legends Nemesis gun’s official screenshot when it was revealed ahead of Season 16

Apex Legends Nemesis Burst AR damage stats

The Nemesis is an energy class assault rifle that will fire four rounds per burst. It also comes with a ramping up function that decreases the speed between bursts, and can be fired as a fully automatic weapon if you wish.

In terms of damage it is incredibly high. The devs seem well aware of that though as they stated it was “coming in hot”.

AreaDamage per bulletDamage per burst (4 shots)
Body17 damage per bullet68 damage per burst
Head27 damage per bullet108 damage per burst
Legs13 damage per bullet52 damage per burst
Apex Legends Nemesis’ Burst AR damage stats
The Nemesis in Apex Legends comes with a ramp up function
SOaR hollow demonstrating Nemesis’ special ability which ramps up it’s fire speed (Source: SoaR hollow’s Youtube)

The Apex Legends Nemesis comes with a ramping up meter that indicates how close it is to full firing speed. The bar is visible just above the weapon in hip fire mode, and also above the scope when ADS.

The Nemesis' charge is visible above the weapon in Apex Legends
Above the weapon you can see how charged the Nemesis is (Source: Soar hollow)

Once at 100% it will remain there unless the weapon has not been fired for 6 seconds. After that the percentage will decrease. Firing a new shot will stop the countdown and ramp the Nemesis up again.

Comparison: Nemesis vs the R-301 and Flatline

EA’s devs have said their goal is for the Nemesis Burst AR to dethrone the R-301 and the Flatline. They are hoping the addition of a new Energy AR like the Nemesis will shake up the weapon meta. We can see this vision influencing the patch notes for Revelry with the damage reduction nerf for the R-301 and the removal of the Anvil Receiver Hop-Up.

Important Apex Legends Season 16 patch notes changes:

  • R-301: Reduced damage to 13 (was 14)
  • Anvil Receiver Hop-Up [R-301, Flatline]: Removed from floor loot and crafting
  • Care Package Rotation: Hemlok Burst AR enters the Care Package
AreaFlatlineR-301Nemesis Burst AR
Body18 damage13 damage17 damage
Head32 damage25 damage27 damage
Leg14 damage11 damage 13 damage

The raw damage stats for Apex Legends’ Nemesis mean it is 2nd for damage to the Body, Head and Leg behind the Flatline. However, it has a faster rate of fire and the ability to be a burst weapon.

Nemesis Clip Size:

  • Base ammo: 20
  • Level 1 Energy Mag: 24
  • Level 2 Energy Mag: 28
  • Level 3 Energy Mag: 32
Nemesis full burst spray in Apex Legends
Nemesis recoil pattern (via: Dazs) Full 4 x burst
The recoil pattern of the Nemesis is fairly straight forward
The recoil pattern for a single burst of the Nemesis AR. (pulls up and slightly to the right)

Nemesis Skins in Apex Legends

Rare skins for the Nemesis AR

The Nemesis comes with five rare skins, each costing 400 Crafting Metals.

Legendary skins for the Nemesis Burst AR

The Nemesis comes with four legendary skins, each costing 1,200 Crafting Metals.

History of new weapons added to Apex Legends

A new weapon in Apex Legends was very common place in the earlier seasons but not so much recently, which is why the Nemesis Burst AR will be an exciting addition.

Lifeline holding the Nemesis Burst AR in the trailer for Season 16
Lifeline is seen holding the new Nemesis weapon

In the last ten season of Apex, only five weapons have been added; Volt SMG, 30-30 Repeater, Bocek Compound Bow, Rampage LMG and the C.A.R. SMG.

SeasonNew WeaponDate added
The PreseasonHavocFebruary 2019
Season 2: Battle ChargeL-STAR EMGJuly 2019
Season 3: MeltdownCharge RifleOctober 2019
Season 4: AssimilationSentinelFebruary 2020
Season 5: Fortune’s Favor
Season 6: BoostedVolt SMGAugust 2020
Season 7: Ascension
Season 8: Mayhem30-30 RepeaterFebruary 2021
Season 9: LegacyBocek Compound BowMay 2021
Season 10: EmergenceRampage LMGAugust 2021
Season 11: EscapeC.A.R. SMGNovember 2021
Season 12
Season 13
Season 14
Season 15
Season 16Nemesis Burst ARFebruary 14th 2023
Season 17
Season 18Charge Rifle reworkAugust 8, 2023
Season 19
The full history of new weapons added to Apex Legends