The meta in Season 28 has shifted dramatically toward close-range dominance and specialized breach tools. While the SMG meta remains a staple, the arrival of Hardlight Mesh windows has elevated shotguns and high-impact energy weapons to the top of the Apex Legends weapon tier list. This season rewards aggressive play and accurate hipfire.
This Apex Legends weapon tier list breaks down every weapon in Season 28 using the SABC ranking system, factoring in real in-game performance, time to kill, ease of use, and how each gun fits into the current meta. Whether you are grinding ranked or running pubs, this tier list shows which weapons consistently win fights and which ones should be swapped out as soon as possible.
26/3/2026 Note: We were planning on updating the tier list for split 2 of season 28, but currently every weapon is irrelevant except the new Hemlok since its breach shot will one shot all deployments (rip controller class) so we’re waiting for Respawn to handle the situation, till then just play Hemlok
TL;DR – Best weapons in Apex Legends Season 28
I bet you looked this up while dropping into Olympus, but we’ve got you 😉
- R-301 Carbine: The undisputed S-tier king. It’s the jack of all trades that masters them all, perfect for mid-range beams or close-quarters hipfire.
- RE-45 (Energy): The best ground weapon this season. Now that it’s Energy-based, its time to kill is ridiculous and it doesn’t even need a hop-up to shred.
- G7 Scout (Care Package): The strongest gun in the game right now. It comes with Double Tap built-in and can equip sniper optics for infinite-ammo long-range pressure.
- Peacekeeper: Back in S-tier glory. With Disruptor Rounds dealing 107 damage per body shot, it’s the ultimate tool for two-tapping purple armor.
- R-99 SMG: Still the go-to for high-skill aggressive play. If you can control the recoil, it still has the fastest ground TTK in the game.
- EVA-8: The “Breach” meta specialist. With the return of Double Tap, it deletes squads in buildings, though it’s punishing if you miss the burst.
- Triple Take: The most versatile A-tier pick. It’s a marksman, a sniper, and a close-range shotgun all in one, remaining effective even after fire-rate tweaks.
- Kraber: It’s the Kraber. One shot, one kill, and now with potential infinite ammo from amps, it’s an auto-pick from every Care Package.
What is the SABC ranking system
The SABC system ranks weapons by overall power and consistency in the current meta.
Note: We also use this ranking system in our Apex Legends Legend tier list for season 28
• S-Tier: Meta-defining weapons that dominate most situations
• A-Tier: Excellent weapons that stay reliable with minor tradeoffs
• B-Tier: Solid picks that work well with the right setup
• C-Tier: Usable but outclassed, usually early-game weapons
• D-Tier: Weak options that struggle outside niche scenarios
• F-Tier: Weapons to replace as soon as possible
S-tier: Meta-defining weapons
These are the goated weapons that define the current season. If you find these, they should be the foundation of your loadout.
R-301: The jack of all trades and master of many. It remains a standard AR that handles close-range hipfire, mid-range beams, and long-range pressure with ease. Its recent buffs make it the quintessential best weapon in the game.
R-99: Still holds the crown for the fastest time to kill among ground weapons. Its recoil is easier to manage than other SMGs and it deletes opponents in close-quarters combat instantly.
G7 Scout (Care Package): Currently the strongest gun in the game. It comes with Double Tap built-in and can equip 4-8x optics. The time to kill from medium to long range is absolutely deadly.
RE-45 (Energy): A complete monster. Since being reworked into an energy weapon, its time to kill is ridiculous. It acts like an Alternator with Double Tap but requires no hop-ups to shred entire squads.
Peacekeeper: Back in the S-tier thanks to the return of Disruptor Rounds. Dealing 107 damage per body shot, it can two-tap purple armor and even challenge enemies at mid-range with its choke.
C.A.R. SMG (Care Package): Features both Disruptor and Hammerpoint rounds. It melts shields and health with infinite ammo potential when paired with an amp.
Kraber: The undisputed king of snipers. One shot still changes any fight, and the ability to get infinite ammo via amps makes it more terrifying than ever.
A-tier: Elite and reliable choices
These weapons are top-tier but often require a specific hop-up or high skill level to match the raw dominance of S-tier picks.
Alternator: A monster once you find Double Tap. It has moved from the bottom of the barrel to a top-tier choice, though it is slightly less versatile than the R-99 due to its hop-up dependency.
Mozambique (Dual): Don’t let the name fool you. When dual-wielded, the Mozambique is an absolute monster. It doesn’t even need Hammerpoints to shred; the base damage and fire rate of two Mosams are “ridiculous,” melting opponents in close quarters faster than most SMGs.
Havoc: Turbochargers are easier to find in Season 28, keeping the Havoc in a very comfortable spot. It excels at mid-range and has a devastating hipfire.
Triple Take: Despite fire rate nerfs, it remains inhumanly fast. It functions as a long-range marksman, a mid-range pressure tool, and a close-range shotgun all in one.
Sentinel: Still the best ground sniper for those who can hit their shots. While its DPS is slow, its ability to “one-tap” shields when charged with a cell makes it the only ground weapon that truly compares to the pressure of a Kraber.
EVA-8: The addition of Double Tap allows this shotgun to shred. However, it is punishing if you miss your shots due to the burst timing.
L-STAR: Feels like a laser beam this season with larger bullet sizes. It is a close-range machine that never needs to reload if you time your bursts correctly.
B-tier: Strong with the right plan
These weapons are reliable but may struggle against the lightning-fast time to kill of the current meta favorites.
Flatline: A solid AR that hits harder than the R-301 but suffers from more difficult recoil control and lower ammo stacking.
Prowler: Very strong with the Select Fire receiver. It is a high-skill weapon that rewards accuracy but punishes missed bursts heavily.
Volt SMG: A smooth, easy-to-use SMG that falls just short of the R-99 and RE-45 in raw damage output.
Mastiff: Buffed with Dual Shell, allowing for faster reloads. It is a powerful swap-play weapon but lacks the pure DPS potential of the EVA-8 or PK.
Wingman: Still a high-reward weapon, but the removal of Skullpiercer and the move to sniper ammo has limited its overall rank.
C-tier: Early game or situational picks
These guns are effective in the right hands but are often held back by attachment dependency or difficult mechanics.
Spitfire: The weakest light weapon. It sits in an awkward middle ground and struggles to keep up with the fast-paced “run and gun” meta.
Nemesis: A decent energy AR, but outclassed by the Havoc and Triple Take in terms of versatility and ammo efficiency.
P2020: Hammerpoints make these lethal up-close, but they have been rebalanced since returning to floor loot.
Devotion: A terrifying weapon to hear, but a risky one to use. Even with a Turbocharger, the wind-up time and punishing recoil make it difficult to justify over a Havoc or an L-STAR. Without a Turbo, you’ll likely lose most head-to-head trades.
D-Tier: The “Off-Meta” choices
These weapons are currently outclassed by the faster, more aggressive Season 28 favorites and should generally be swapped as soon as possible.
Bocek Bow: Once the king of stealth, the Bow has fallen to D-Tier after recent damage nerfs. It simply cannot keep up with the high-speed pressure of a G7 Scout or the raw stopping power of the new sniper meta.
Longbow DMR: A reliable sniper, but it lacks “stopping power.” Without the Skullpiercer potential and in a meta that favors fast breaches, the Longbow feels too slow and precision-dependent for most fights.
30-30 Repeater: Projectile nerfs and Skullpiercer removal hurt badly. Still usable, but outclassed by G7 and Triple Take.
Hemlok: Burst delay punishes missed shots too heavily in the current meta.
Charge Rifle: Since its rework, the Charge Rifle has become a very niche pick. The long wind-up time makes it functionally useless in close-range “Breach” scenarios, leaving it as a purely situational long-range poking tool.
F-tier: Avoid in season 28
These weapons consistently lose trades and provide little value.
Rampage LMG: The slowest of the LMGs. Unless you have a steady supply of Thermites to keep it revved up, the Rampage is easily outgunned by almost every other primary weapon in the game. It’s a “filler” weapon that struggles to find a place in the fast-moving Season 28.
Apex Legends season 28 weapon TTK reference (body shots)
Assumptions
- 200 HP target (purple armor)
- No headshots
- Optimal fire rate
- No missed shots
- Close to intended engagement range
| Weapon | TTK (Approx.) | Notes |
| G7 Scout (Care Package) | ~0.75s | Absurd damage with built-in Double Tap |
| C.A.R. SMG (Care Package) | ~0.78s | King of the close-range swap with Disruptors |
| RE-45 (Energy) | ~0.80s | Fastest ground weapon TTK in season 28 |
| P2020 Akimbo (Ground) | ~0.82s | Incredible burst potential with Hammerpoints |
| R-99 SMG | ~0.83s | Elite one-clip potential for high-skill players |
| Alternator (Double Tap) | ~0.85s | Massive burst melts at close-range |
| Nemesis (Fully ramped) | ~0.86s | Best mid-range pressure in the game |
| EVA-8 (Double Tap) | ~0.88s | Dominant in breach and building fights |
| Volt SMG | ~1.00s | Consistent and stable but slightly slower kill |
| Flatline | ~1.00s | High damage per bullet but harder to control |
| R-301 Carbine | ~1.03s | The most reliable and forgiving beam weapon |
| Peacekeeper (Disruptor) | ~1.05s | Can two-tap purple armor with 107 body shots |
| Triple Take | ~1.15s | Flexible fire rate despite recent nerfs |
| G7 Scout (Ground) | ~1.22s | Poke focused and efficient for EVO farming |
| Mastiff (Dual Shell) | ~1.50s | Slower DPS but unmatched reload speed |
| 30-30 Repeater | ~1.70s | Significant drop-off after season 28 nerfs |
| Longbow DMR | ~2.30s | Precision dependent and lacks stopping power |
| Sentinel (Charged) | ~2.70s | High burst damage but very low overall DPS |
| Charge Rifle | ~3.20s | Charge delay makes it non-viable up close |
How to read our Apex Legends season 28 weapon TTK reference table
This table is a tool for understanding raw power, but it does not tell the whole story. While a faster TTK often suggests a better weapon, the Apex Legends season 28 weapon TTK reference highlights why the current meta is so heavily focused on the “Breach and Clear” style of play. High-speed weapons like the RE-45 and R-99 are designed to win 1v1 trades in seconds, whereas weapons like the G7 Scout or Triple Take win matches through superior positioning and constant shield pressure.
Key meta takeaways from this data:
- Shotguns are back: The inclusion of the Peacekeeper and EVA-8 in the top half of the table proves that close-range burst is the current meta priority.
- Energy is king: With the RE-45 moving to Energy and the Havoc staying strong, these weapons offer the best combination of speed and damage.
- Marksman weapons fell off: Outside of the Care Package G7 Scout, most marksman rifles like the 30-30 have moved toward the bottom of the list, making them situational poke tools rather than primary carry weapons.
- The R-301 remains the standard: Even with a slower technical TTK than the SMGs, its ease of use makes it more effective for the average player than a high-recoil R-99.
This is why we focus on both raw data and “Ease of Use.” A weapon is only as good as the shots you actually land.
Apex Legends season 28 TTK vs ease of use
How to read this table
- TTK is approximate body-shot TTK vs 200 HP (Lower is better).
- Ease of Use reflects recoil, consistency, forgiveness, and attachment dependency (Higher is better).
- Ratings are relative to Season 28 balance, not raw stats only.
| Weapon | TTK (Approx.) | Ease of Use | Why |
| G7 Scout (CP) | ~0.75s | High | Built-in Double Tap makes it the easiest and fastest killer in the game. |
| C.A.R. SMG (CP) | ~0.78s | Medium | Incredible damage with Disruptors, but requires high awareness to swap modes. |
| RE-45 (Energy) | ~0.80s | Very High | Low recoil and insane energy-based TTK; the ultimate close-range beast. |
| P2020 Akimbo | ~0.82s | Medium | Massive damage output when dual-wielded, but awkward timing for some. |
| R-99 SMG | ~0.83s | Low | Extremely fast kill time, but heavily punishes missed shots. |
| Alternator (DT) | ~0.85s | Very High | Low recoil and simple burst timing make it the most forgiving “melter.” |
| Nemesis (Ramped) | ~0.86s | Medium | Strong mid-range pressure, but needs time to ramp up fire rate. |
| EVA-8 (DT) | ~0.88s | Medium | Shreds in buildings, but a single missed burst leaves you vulnerable. |
| Volt SMG | ~1.00s | High | Smooth, predictable recoil; very reliable if slightly slower to kill. |
| Flatline | ~1.00s | Medium | Heavy-hitting AR, but vertical and horizontal recoil require practice. |
| R-301 Carbine | ~1.03s | Very High | Extremely forgiving and reliable for laser-accurate beams at any range. |
| Peacekeeper (DR) | ~1.05s | Medium | Disruptor Rounds allow for massive hits; requires precise timing between pumps. |
| Spitfire | ~1.00s | High | Large magazine allows for mistakes, but it’s outgunned in fast trades. |
| Prowler (Select) | ~1.00s | Low | Burst delay and high recoil on auto-fire punish players with poor control. |
| Mastiff (DS) | ~1.50s | Medium | Forgiving reload with Dual Shell, but pellet spread can be inconsistent. |
| G7 Scout (Ground) | ~1.22s | High | Easy poke and forgiving pressure tool, though slower than its CP version. |
| Triple Take | ~1.15s | High | Large pellet spread acts as a “safety net” for long-range targets. |
| 30-30 Repeater | ~1.70s | Medium | Slower follow-ups after heavy nerfs make it harder to secure knocks. |
| Longbow DMR | ~2.30s | Medium | Precision required; limited pressure against the new breach meta. |
| Sentinel (Charged) | ~2.70s | Low | Massive burst potential, but low DPS means you must hit every shot. |
| Charge Rifle | ~3.20s | Low | Long charge delay makes it non-functional in the current fast-paced fights. |
Why Ease of Use Matters in Season 28
Season 28 heavily rewards weapons that combine fast TTK with high ease of use. This is why guns like the RE-45, Alternator, and R-301 feel so dominant in real matches, they allow you to land more shots consistently under pressure. While a weapon like the R-99 technically kills faster, its low forgiveness means it can be inconsistent in high-stakes Ranked play.
This table also explains why:
- R-99 is deadly but risky: It’s the “older brother” to the R-301, but its skill floor is much higher.
- R-301 remains the king: Despite a slower technical TTK, its status as the “jack of all trades” makes it an S-Tier staple every season.
- LMGs and Snipers struggle: In a “Breach” meta centered on Hardlight windows, slow-firing weapons like the Rampage or Charge Rifle are simply too slow to react to aggressive pushes.
- The Energy meta is rising: The RE-45 and Havoc offer the best balance of speed and control for Season 28.
Meta notes for season 28
Season 28 is defined by a hard shift toward close-range dominance and the “Breach” playstyle. While SMGs have always been strong, the reintroduction of powerful hop-ups and significant weapon class reworks has pushed the meta toward fast, aggressive finishes inside buildings and tight spaces. The “jack of all trades” philosophy still rewards consistent players, but the sheer stopping power of the current S-Tier is hard to ignore.
Light and Energy weapons currently own the top tiers. The RE-45 rework into the Energy class is a game-changer, providing S-Tier power straight out of the box. The R-301 and R-99 remain the “gold standard” for light weapons, with the R-301 staying as the quintessential best weapon in Apex because it masters every range with ease. If you are running these light-ammo “siblings,” you are effectively in the best position to win any trade.
We are officially in a Shotgun Meta. Respawn developers have focused on “Breach and Clear” mechanics this season, making shotguns a primary threat again. With the return of Disruptor Rounds for the Peacekeeper and Double Tap for the EVA-8, shotguns can now two-tap purple armor with ease. Even the Akimbo Mozambiques have been left untouched, remaining a “machine” that melts health without needing any specific hop-ups.
Marksman and long-range options have largely been pushed to the “back burner.” Aside from the G7 Scout and Kraber, which dominate purely due to their Care Package status, most marksman rifles like the 30-30 Repeater and Bocek Bow have been nerfed to the bottom of the barrel. Long-range poking is much less viable in Season 28 unless you are using the high-velocity Triple Take or a charged Sentinel.
LMGs continue to struggle with their identity in this fast-paced meta. The L-Star is the only standout because of its “laser beam” accuracy and unique no-reload mechanic. Meanwhile, the Spitfire, Rampage, and Devotion feel sluggish. They are often outgunned by faster SMGs and require too many attachments, like Turbochargers or Thermite grenades, to compete with the “straight out of the gate” power of the top-tier weapons.
Overall, Season 28 rewards speed, energy-based lethality, and shotgun precision. If you aren’t prepared for high-intensity, close-quarters “breaching,” you will likely find yourself outgunned by the faster time-to-kill weapons currently ruling the Outlands.
Best weapon pairings in Apex Legends season 28
These pairings reflect the actual performance data from the current breach and clear meta. Choosing a loadout that covers both the new Hardlight Mesh mechanics and fast close-range trades is essential for climbing ranked this season.
| Weapon Pairing | Strategy and Synergy |
| RE-45 (Energy) + G7 Scout (CP) | This is the most oppressive combo available. The G7 Scout handles map control with infinite ammo pressure while the energy RE-45 provides the fastest ground kill time once a fight collapses. |
| R-301 + Peacekeeper (Disruptor) | A stable and high-damage setup for any skill level. The R-301 provides the most reliable beams in the game while the PK with disruptor rounds can two-tap almost any opponent in close quarters. |
| Akimbo Mozambique + Triple Take | The ultimate breach meta pairing. The Triple Take acts as a sniper and shotgun hybrid for versatility while the dual Mozambiques provide insane DPS without needing any specific attachments. |
| EVA-8 (Double Tap) + R-99 | This is the best choice for aggressive building clears. The R-99 deletes shields instantly and the Double Tap EVA-8 ensures that no one survives a hard breach into a fortified room. |
| Sentinel + RE-45 (Energy) | Perfect for high-skill players who want high-punishment potential. Land one charged shot with the Sentinel to crack armor and the fast fire rate of the energy RE-45 will convert the knock before the enemy can react. |
| L-STAR + Mastiff (Dual Shell) | The best loadout for defensive anchors and controllers. L-STAR suppressive fire keeps teams at bay and the fast-reloading Dual Shell Mastiff ensures you are always ready for the next trade. |
These loadouts are designed to capitalize on the Season 28 balance changes where energy weapons and shotguns currently rule the arena. Whether you are playing for placement or going for high-kill games, these combinations provide the best balance of theoretical damage and real-world consistency.
FAQ: Apex Legends Season 28 Weapon Tier List
What is the best weapon in Apex Legends Season 28?
The G7 Scout is currently considered the best weapon. As a Care Package drop, it features built-in Double Tap and massive damage output.
Is the RE-45 energy or light ammo?
n Season 28, the RE-45 has been reworked into an energy weapon, significantly increasing its time to kill and overall power.
Which shotgun is the best after the patch?
The Peacekeeper (PK) is the strongest shotgun if you find Disruptor Rounds, though the EVA-8 with Double Tap is a very close second for aggressive players.
Can I still find the P2020 in the Care Package?
No, the P2020 has returned to the ground loot pool with Hammerpoint Rounds available as a hop-up.
