Season 3 of Apex Legends brings several changes to the weapons. This time, a total of 4 weapons are being buffed. However, there are also nerfs to popular guns and changes to attachments.
These are the changes: With the release of Season 3 in Apex Legends, a total of 10 weapons receive changes, either to their stats or to attachments available for them. Among the changes are:
- Removal and addition of attachments (Hop-Ups)
- Change of fire rate
- Reduction of magazine size
- Change of damage
Among the changed weapons is a wild mix. Many weapons that were revised in Season 2 are affected.
Buffs and nerfs of weapons in Season 3 in detail
These weapons are getting buffed: A total of four weapons are getting a buff:
- G7 Scout: Base damage increased from 30 to 34.
- Hemlok: Base damage increased from 18 to 22. Fire rate in both modes slightly reduced.
- Mosambik: Spread pattern reduced. The Mosambik returns to the original position faster after recoil.
- L-STAR: Strong reduction of horizontal recoil. Can now be equipped with the “1x Digital Threat” attachment. Damage decreased from 21 to 19.
Even though there were minor nerfs to some weapons here, the changes are overall more of a buff. Notably, the Mosambik is affected again. The hand shotgun is the least popular weapon, which even the legends throw away easily.
These weapons are getting nerfed: The buffs are countered by numerous nerfs, particularly to the previously popular weapons:
- Longbow: Fire rate decreased from 1.6 to 1.3. Damage multiplier on legs decreased from 0.9 to 0.8. Headshot damage multiplier increased from 2.0 to 2.15.
- Prowler: Recoil now has slight randomness in the alternate fire mode. The spread pattern is supposed to remain the same.
- R-99: Recoil now has slight randomness. The magazine size of all magazine attachments has been reduced (from 18/22/26/30 to 18/20/23/27).
The headshot multiplier on the Longbow is technically a small buff, but the Skullpiercer attachment is removed. Thus, it ultimately performs worse in a fully equipped state.
This is how attachments are changing: Some items are simply being removed, while others are being added:
- Disruptor Rounds (Disruptor Rounds – Alternator/RE-45) have been removed.
- Skullpiercer (Skullpiercer – Wingman/Longbow) has been removed.
- “Double Tap” (attachment for G7 Scout and EVA-8) has been added. The attachment allows for two shots in rapid succession.
- “Anvil Receiver” (attachment for R-301 and Flatline) has been added. In single-fire mode, two rounds are consumed, the fire rate becomes slower, but the shots are stronger.
Instead of the Skullpiercer attachment, the Longbow and the Wingman both now inflict 2.15 times headshot damage. With Skullpiercer, this was higher for both weapons (2.25 for Wingman, 2.5 for Longbow).
These weapon changes are still there: In addition to the buffs and nerfs, there are also new golden weapons to be found. These have level-3 attachments in all slots and the following optics:
- The Flatline has a 1x-2x sight.
- The EVA-8 has the “1x Digital Threat”.
- The Triple Take has the “4x-10x Threat Scope”.
- The G7 Scout has a 2x-4x sight.
- The Charge Rifle has a “4x-10x Threat Scope”.
All changes to weapons and attachments in English can also be found in the patch notes on reddit.
What do the changes mean?
This is how gameplay is changing: The changes to the weapons all lead to gameplay occurring at a rather shorter distance (between medium and short range), as this is where the strength of most good weapons now lies.
This would align quite well with the changes that Crypto and the new map might bring to Apex Legends. It seems a bit like Respawn wants to counter a “camper playstyle” with sniper rifles and entrenched positions.
One exception is the new Charge Rifle, which can deal immense damage as a sniper rifle. Many players suspect that a nerf will come soon.
What do you think of the changes?
