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The Season 28 weapon tier list changed significantly, where marksman rifles fell in favor of energy weapons, and the Peacekeeper with Disruptor rounds is a two-tap nightmare. The need for new weapon loadouts is highly likely in Season 28.
How Apex Legends Weapon Tiers are Determined
This weapon tier list evaluates four categories: raw time-to-kill against purple armor, versatility across different engagements, ease of use, and pick-rate data from the game's ranked lobbies. Care package weapons in Apex Legends are weighed differently because they are much harder to acquire and will need to justify that they are worth the extra effort. Hop-up synergy also weighed heavily.
Weapons Tier List
| Tier | Weapon | Type |
|---|---|---|
| S | R-301 Carbine | Assault Rifle |
| Peacekeeper | Shotgun | |
| Wingman | Pistol | |
| A | Flatline | Assault Rifle |
| Volt SMG | SMG | |
| Longbow DMR | Sniper | |
| 30-30 Repeater | Marksman | |
| Triple Take | Marksman | |
| Charge Rifle | Sniper | |
| B | EVA-8 Auto | Shotgun |
| Spitfire | LMG | |
| C | R-99 | SMG |
| D | L-STAR EMG | LMG |
| Sentinel | Sniper | |
| P2020 | Pistol |
Meta Overview
The current Apex Legends weapon meta rewards versatility and consistent damage output across multiple engagement ranges. The R-301 Carbine and Peacekeeper anchor the highest tier alongside the Wingman, forming a dominant trio for competitive play.
Energy weapons and marksman rifles have secured strong positions in the upper tiers, while the R-99 has settled into a more specialized role despite its storied history. The overall balance continues to favor adaptable weapons with manageable recoil, making reliable damage output the primary measure of viability in the arena.
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S Tier
The R-301 Carbine reigns supreme with unmatched versatility, delivering consistent damage and manageable recoil across all engagement distances. The Peacekeeper dominates close-quarters encounters with devastating burst potential capable of eliminating opponents in just two well-placed shots, making it the premier shotgun in the game.
The Wingman rounds out the S tier by rewarding skilled marksmen with high-damage precision shots and exceptional headshot multipliers, making it lethal in experienced hands. Together, these three weapons represent the absolute pinnacle of reliability and effectiveness, offering the ideal combination of damage output, adaptability, and consistent performance that defines competitive Apex Legends play.
A Tier
The A tier is packed with strong, well-rounded options across every engagement range. The Flatline delivers heavy assault rifle firepower with excellent medium-range capability, while the Volt SMG provides smooth energy-based close-to-mid-range dominance with minimal recoil. The Longbow DMR and Triple Take offer reliable precision at distance, and the 30-30 Repeater rewards patient shooters with high damage per shot.
The Charge Rifle rounds out the tier as a powerful sniper capable of punishing enemies across extreme distances. Any of these weapons can anchor a strong loadout, making A tier a deep and competitive pool of viable picks.
B Tier
The B tier contains two weapons that remain genuinely useful but carry enough limitations to keep them from competing with the upper tiers. The EVA-8 Auto is a fully automatic shotgun that trades the Peacekeeper's burst potential for a more forgiving fire rate, making it a solid choice for players who struggle with precise shot timing in close-quarters fights. Its consistency is its greatest strength, though its lower peak damage keeps it a step behind.
The Spitfire is a light machine gun that excels at sustained suppressive fire, boasting a large magazine and steady damage output over extended engagements. However, its sluggish handling and slow reload make it a liability in fast-paced skirmishes, limiting its overall ceiling despite its raw ammo efficiency.
C Tier
The R-99 finds itself in C tier this season, a notable fall for one of Apex Legends' most iconic weapons. While its blistering fire rate can still shred shields at close range, its demanding recoil pattern and small magazine make it a high-risk pick that more consistent options in higher tiers simply outperform in most situations.
D Tier
The D tier houses weapons that struggle to justify a slot in a competitive loadout. The L-STAR EMG suffers from overheating mechanics and a difficult projectile arc that punish all but the most dedicated users. The Sentinel, while capable at range, demands careful charge management and lacks the consistency of better sniper options. The P2020 rounds out the tier as a sidearm with underwhelming damage output that rarely makes a meaningful impact in serious engagements.
Your Move
Pick the right weapon for the right fight, and you'll be rewarded in the current meta. Most important is not to sleep on hop-ups, since this weapon tier list helps identify which attachments transform average guns into meta picks. If you're curious about what's trending in Apex Legends, check out the live Apex Legends tier list charts on igitems. And if you're just looking to skip the grind and play matches in the best cosmetics, igitems has Apex accounts ready to go from trusted sellers with instant delivery.
Changelog
- Refreshed tier list for July 2026.
- Refreshed tier list for July 2026.
- Refreshed tier list for Season 29.
- Refreshed tier list for Season 29.
- Refreshed tier list for Season 29.