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

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
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 <a href="https://esports.gg/news/apex-legends/apex-legends-revelry-trailer-season-16/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revelry trailer</a>

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
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".

Area
Damage per bullet
Damage 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
SOaR hollow demonstrating Nemesis' special ability which ramps up it's fire speed (Source:  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=413x3ci2Z_g&amp;ab_channel=SoaRhollow" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SoaR hollow's Youtube</a>)
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.

Above the weapon you can see how charged the Nemesis is (Source: Soar hollow)
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.

  • 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
Area
Flatline
R-301
Nemesis 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 recoil pattern (via: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewkAVUFhovI&amp;ab_channel=Dazs">Dazs</a>)  Full 4 x burst
Nemesis recoil pattern (via: Dazs) Full 4 x burst
The recoil pattern for a single burst of the Nemesis AR. (pulls up and slightly to the right)
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.

Trial by Fire -  Epic skin for the Nemesis
Off the Grid - Epic skin for the Nemesis
Eye of the Storm - Epic skin for the Nemesis
Code of Honor - Epic skin for the Nemesis
Break the Enemy - Epic skin for the Nemesis

Legendary skins for the Nemesis Burst AR

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

Streamlined - Legendary Nemesis Skin
Twisted Transitor - Legendary Nemesis Skin
Superconductor - Legendary Nemesis skin
Street Legal - Legendary Nemesis skin

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 is seen holding the new Nemesis weapon
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.

Season
New Weapon
Date 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