Looking for the best weapons in Apex Legends Season 29? The current meta is dominated by burst rifles, fast-TTK SMGs, and powerful attachment scaling, with several care package weapons reshaping ranked play. This guide ranks every weapon in the game based on Time-to-Kill (TTK), recoil consistency, ease of use, and overall performance across both ranked and casual matches.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- The best weapons in the current Season 29 meta
- Full S-tier to D-tier weapon rankings
- The strongest guns for ranked and casual play
- Best loadouts for beginners, controller players, and aggressive legends
- Which weapons are overrated, underrated, or attachment-dependent
- How recoil, TTK, and weapon mechanics affect real gameplay performance
Disclaimer: This tier list reflects the current Season 29 meta and may change with future balance patches. Rankings also assume a reasonable level of mechanical skill, meaning weapon performance can vary depending on playstyle and input method.
What Defines the Season 29 Meta?
Season 29 rewards burst damage, attachment scaling, and close-range aggression. Right now, burst rifles are simply out-trading most automatic ARs unless the other player is beaming. Meanwhile, fast-TTK SMGs and Akimbo pistol setups are the backbone of aggressive team compositions.
Care package weapons feel stronger this season than in previous metas, with the G7 Scout and L-STAR offering some of the strongest power spikes available. On paper, some weapons kill insanely fast, but actual ranked fights are messy.
Season 29 also changes how players should view recovery and tempo in a Battle Royale match. With Deathbox Respawns now letting teams bring back teammates at their deathbox after winning a fight, weapons that are easy to use immediately after a respawn have more value than before. Low-attachment guns, flexible ammo weapons, and fast close-range options can keep a squad alive during the exact moment when inventory is weakest and third parties are most likely to arrive. Respawn has also emphasized faster gameplay and competitive pacing this season, so understanding weapon data matters, but so does knowing which gun keeps you alive when a fight gets messy.
Quick Tier Table
| Tier | Weapons |
| S | Wingman, R-99, Nemesis, Hemlock, RE-45, L-STAR, G7 Scout, Kraber, Alternator (Double Tap) |
| A | Havoc, Prowler, C.A.R. SMG, Akimbo P2020, Akimbo Mozambique, Devotion |
| B | Flatline, R-301, Sentinel, Longbow, Volt SMG, Eva-8 |
| C | Spitfire, Peacekeeper, Mastiff, Triple Take |
| D | 30-30 Repeater, Bocek Bow, Charge Rifle |
S-Tier: The Meta Kings
These weapons define the current season. When available, they should generally be prioritized in your loadout.
- Wingman: One of the strongest weapons in the game for players who can land their shots. The Wingman can four-shot opponents with body shots, and a headshot combined with a body shot can end a fight near-instantly. Its burst damage is unmatched among ground-loot weapons, though newer players may find the R-301 far more forgiving due to the Wingman’s high skill floor.
- R-99: Despite multiple balance adjustments over the seasons, the R-99 maintains one of the fastest TTKs in the game at close range. It remains a top pick for aggressive players, particularly those on controller, where tracking reigns over tapping. If you are pushing into buildings or forcing close-quarters fights, this is one of the most reliable tools available.
- Nemesis Burst AR: Flying under the radar for many players, the Nemesis is statistically one of the strongest mid-range weapons this season. Once fully ramped up, recoil becomes very manageable, and a single burst can strip over 100 HP. The one caveat: its charge meter requires “dry firing” between engagements to maintain peak output, which can create awkward timing if the charge drops during a fight. Managing that mechanic is part of the weapon’s skill ceiling.
- Hemlock Burst AR: The Hemlock earns its S-tier placement largely through the Breach Charge hop-up, which lets it destroy doors and maintain high burst damage simultaneously. In a head-to-head against the R-301, the Hemlock user can miss a significant portion of their burst and still secure the kill, while the R-301 user cannot afford to miss much at all. Recoil control and range do affect this comparison, but the burst pattern is forgiving enough for most play styles. The other reason the Hemlock deserves special attention is tactical utility. Its Breach Charge now disperses gas and smoke, which gives it a real answer into Caustic gas fights, Bangalore smoke resets, and defensive teams holding doors. That does not make it a free win button, especially after the cooldown, recoil, hipfire, and mag-size adjustments, but it does give the Hemlock a kind of utility that most ARs simply do not have.
- RE-45: Often overlooked in favor of the R-99, the RE-45 in Season 29 can match it for close-range aggression. Its fire rate and damage output make it a legitimate threat, and its lighter weight in terms of attachment requirements makes it easier to build early in a match.
- L-STAR, G7 Scout, and Kraber: These care package weapons each occupy a different power fantasy. The L-STAR‘s damage scales as it approaches its overheat threshold, and skilled players can stay in that high-heat zone for maximum DPS without fully locking the weapon. Close-range tracking is also easier thanks to its expanding plasma projectiles, though recoil becomes an issue at distance. The G7 Scout combines sniper-optic compatibility with an excellent firing rate, giving it unmatched poke potential in ranked play. The Kraber remains the ultimate kill-shot weapon, though its value scales strongly with mechanical precision.
- Alternator (with Double Tap): With the Double Tap hop-up equipped, the Alternator becomes a genuinely different weapon. The burst pattern improves ammo efficiency, recoil is low, and the effective close-range TTK competes with the R-99 while being more forgiving to use. Without the hop-up, it is still a solid A-tier pick.
A-Tier: High-Performance Alternatives
Strong weapons that can win games at any level, but lacking the outright edge of S-tier picks.
- Havoc: The Havoc is heavily dependent on the Turbocharger hop-up. Without it, the spin-up delay makes reactive close-range fights difficult. With a Turbocharger, it becomes one of the fastest-killing ARs available and can out-DPS most ground-loot automatics. If you find the hop-up, treat it like an S-tier weapon.
- Prowler Burst PDW: The burst mode remains excellent. Strong recoil control and close-range damage output keep it near the top of the SMG category, making it a reliable choice when the R-99 or Alternator is unavailable.
- C.A.R. SMG: The C.A.R.’s raw TTK is slightly behind the R-99, but its ability to swap between light and heavy ammo makes it the most inventory-friendly gun in the game. In ranked play, where ammo flexibility reduces team strain and lets you pick up better extended magazines during a match, this is often the smarter choice.
- Akimbo P2020 and Akimbo Mozambique: A genuine surprise in Season 29. Both setups require finding two matching weapons, which introduces RNG, but when equipped, their damage output significantly exceeds single-fire variants. The Akimbo P2020 with Hammerpoint Rounds is especially competitive, with a body-shot TTK that can challenge top-tier SMGs. Their low attachment requirements also make them viable early-game finds.
- Devotion: Recently buffed and dangerous in the right hands, particularly for Rampart mains. Its spread is slightly wider than the Havoc, which keeps it one step behind in most scenarios, but it remains a strong pick for players comfortable with beam-style LMG recoil.
B-Tier: Consistent but Outclassed
Reliable weapons that will get the job done, but that tend to lose direct matchups against S-tier options when both players hit their shots.
- Flatline: A skill-dependent weapon. Players who can control its heavy recoil or jitter-aim will find the damage-per-bullet superior to the R-301. For those players, it competes well with B-tier and even some A-tier weapons. For everyone else, the recoil pattern makes it harder to justify over burst rifles in the current meta.
- R-301 Carbine: Still the most balanced and beginner-friendly automatic rifle in the game. It is easy to use, consistent, and reliable. The problem is that consistency now works against it: it requires a high hit percentage to secure kills, where burst rifles like the Hemlock can afford to miss more and still win. For newer players or those who prioritize ease of use, the R-301 is a strong recommendation despite its meta standing.
- Sentinel and Longbow: The most consistent snipers in the ground loot pool. The Sentinel is particularly strong in the early-to-mid game: charging it with a Shield Cell improves both its damage and fire rate, making charged shots a serious threat during peek fights and armor pressure situations. The Longbow offers reliable performance at range with less commitment.
- Volt SMG: Solid, with the best effective range of any SMG. Without specific hop-ups, it does not quite compete with the R-99 or RE-45 in a straight close-range fight, but it remains a dependable choice when those options are unavailable.
- EVA-8: Currently, the most consistent shotgun. It is especially effective for aggressive legends and players who maintain constant pressure, where the EVA-8’s fire rate punishes opponents more reliably than the slower, higher-stakes shotgun alternatives.
C-Tier: Situational and High-Risk
These weapons have real use cases, but they require specific conditions or near-perfect execution to compete.
- Spitfire: A large magazine and heavy body damage make it appealing on paper. In practice, the movement speed penalty and poor hipfire accuracy make it a liability in the fast-paced close-quarters combat that dominates Season 29. Best used in defensive or area-control scenarios rather than active pushing.
- Peacekeeper and Mastiff: Both are high-risk, high-reward. Missed shotgun blasts in a meta dominated by fast-TTK SMGs are very costly, and neither weapon is forgiving when a pump does not land cleanly. That said, the Peacekeeper does have a niche in peek-fighting scenarios, where burst damage matters more than sustained DPS and players repeatedly strafe in and out of cover.
- Triple Take: Decent at mid-range but consistently outperformed at both ends of the engagement spectrum. Snipers beat it at long range; ARs beat it up close. It is not a bad gun, just one without a clear role in the current meta.
D-Tier: Bottom of the Barrel
- 30-30 Repeater: Lacks both the damage and fire rate needed to compete with the current AR landscape. Its marksman niche is better filled by the Sentinel or Longbow.
- Bocek Bow: The ammo economy is the core problem. Needing a frag grenade to power a weapon with limited ammo is a poor inventory trade-off in ranked play, where every slot matters.
- Charge Rifle: Once a dominant force in the meta, the Charge Rifle has fallen significantly. Body shots at mid-range can deal as little as 40-59 damage, a timeframe in which other weapons can close out a kill entirely. It is currently the most difficult weapon to justify bringing into a ranked match.
Best Loadouts for Season 29
- Best all-around ranked combo: Wingman + R-99. Covers close range and punishes individual mistakes with high burst potential at any distance.
- Best beginner combo: R-301 + Sentinel. Both have manageable recoil and clear engagement ranges. The R-301 keeps fights consistent while the Sentinel creates distance and applies pressure.
- Best mid-range threat: Nemesis + C.A.R. SMG. The Nemesis handles extended fights; the C.A.R. covers close-range gaps and eases team ammo pressure.
- Best controller loadout: R-99 + Hemlock. Both weapons reward tracking and burst discipline, which controller players tend to excel at.
- Best for aggressive legends: RE-45 or R-99 + Eva-8. Maximizes close-range speed and damage during push sequences.
Summary
Season 29 belongs to burst weapons and fast-TTK close-range options. The Wingman and Nemesis define the mid-range game; the R-99 and RE-45 dominate up close. Care package weapons carry outsized influence this season, and the C.A.R. SMG continues to be one of the smartest ranked picks regardless of tier purely for its inventory flexibility.
The most underrated weapon this season is the Nemesis for players who have not committed to the burst playstyle yet. The safest bet for most players remains the R-301, even if it sits below its meta peak. And if you are still running the Charge Rifle, now is the time to let it go.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best weapons in Apex Legends Season 29?
The strongest weapons in Season 29 are currently the Wingman, R-99, Nemesis Burst AR, Hemlock, and care package weapons like the G7 Scout and L-STAR. These guns combine strong Time-to-Kill (TTK), reliable damage output, and practical performance in ranked play.
What is the strongest gun in Apex Legends right now?
For most players, the R-99 remains the strongest close-range weapon because of its extremely fast TTK and reliable aggression potential. At mid-range, the Nemesis and Hemlock are currently defining the meta due to their burst damage and forgiving firing patterns.
Which Apex Legends weapons are best for ranked play?
The best-ranked weapons are usually the ones that combine consistency, ammo efficiency, and versatility. The Wingman, Nemesis, Hemlock, C.A.R. SMG, and R-99 all perform extremely well in ranked because they stay effective across multiple engagement ranges and team compositions.
What guns should beginners use in Apex Legends Season 29?
The R-301 Carbine remains one of the best beginner weapons because of its low recoil and reliable handling. The Volt SMG is also beginner-friendly thanks to its smooth recoil pattern and forgiving tracking requirements.
Which weapons have the fastest TTK in Apex Legends Season 29?
The R-99, Alternator with Double Tap, Akimbo Mozambique, Turbocharged Havoc, and Akimbo P2020 all sit near the top of the Season 29 TTK rankings. However, practical recoil control and positioning still matter more than pure spreadsheet numbers in real matches.
Is the R-99 still the best SMG in Apex Legends?
Yes. Despite multiple balance adjustments, the R-99 remains the strongest overall SMG for aggressive close-range play. Its fast TTK and strong building-fight potential keep it at the top of the meta.
Is the Alternator better than the R-99 in Season 29?
Not overall, but the gap is smaller than many players expect. With the Double Tap hop-up equipped, the Alternator becomes much more forgiving than the R-99 while still offering elite close-range damage output.
Is the C.A.R. SMG still good after returning to floor loot?
Absolutely. The C.A.R. remains one of the smartest ranked weapons because it can use both Light and Heavy ammo. That flexibility makes inventory management easier and reduces ammo pressure across an entire squad.
Which SMG is easiest to control in Apex Legends?
The Volt SMG is generally considered the easiest SMG to control because of its clean recoil pattern and strong effective range. While it loses some close-range DPS compared to the R-99, many players perform better with it in real fights.
Is the RE-45 actually meta in Season 29?
The RE-45 is surprisingly strong this season. Its fire rate, low attachment dependency, and close-range pressure make it far more viable than many players expect, especially during early and mid-game fights.
Is the Nemesis still good after the Season 29 changes?
Yes. The Nemesis remains one of the strongest mid-range weapons in Apex Legends. The charge mechanic requires more management than traditional ARs, but once fully ramped up, its burst damage and recoil control are still elite.
Is the Hemlock better than the R-301 right now?
For most ranked players, yes. The Hemlock’s burst damage allows it to trade more efficiently than the R-301 in many situations, especially at medium range. The R-301 is still easier to use, but the Hemlock currently offers more overall power.
Why are burst rifles dominating the Apex Legends meta?
Burst rifles reward accuracy while remaining forgiving enough to stay effective even when a few bullets miss. Weapons like the Hemlock and Nemesis also perform extremely well at medium range, where many ranked fights are decided.
Is the Havoc worth using without a Turbocharger?
It can still work, but the spin-up delay makes reactive fights much harder. Once equipped with a Turbocharger, the Havoc becomes one of the strongest automatic weapons in the game.
Which Assault Rifle is best for controller players?
The Hemlock and R-301 are both excellent choices for controller players. The Hemlock rewards burst tracking and consistency, while the R-301 offers one of the smoothest recoil patterns in the game.
Are Akimbo P2020s actually good in Apex Legends Season 29?
Yes. Akimbo P2020s are one of the surprise winners of Season 29. With Hammerpoint Rounds equipped, they offer extremely competitive close-range damage while requiring very few attachments to become effective.
Which shotgun is best in Apex Legends right now?
The Eva-8 is currently the most consistent shotgun in the game. Its fast fire rate and forgiving damage profile make it more reliable than the Peacekeeper or Mastiff in fast-paced close-range fights.
Is the Peacekeeper still worth using in ranked?
Yes, but it fills a more specialized role now. The Peacekeeper excels during peek fights where burst damage matters more than sustained DPS, but it is less forgiving than automatic shotguns or SMGs.
What are the best Care Package weapons in Season 29?
The G7 Scout, L-STAR, and Kraber are the strongest care package weapons right now. The G7 Scout offers unmatched poke pressure, the L-STAR melts targets at close-to-mid range, and the Kraber remains the most dangerous single-shot weapon in Apex Legends.
Is the Charge Rifle the worst weapon in Apex Legends right now?
For most ranked situations, yes. The Charge Rifle currently struggles because its damage output and consistency no longer justify its limited flexibility at close and medium range.
