Apex Legends Season 28 Weapon Tier List: Best Guns Ranked

Season 28: Breach has flipped the Apex Legends weapon meta on its head. The arrival of destructible Hardlight Mesh windows has made close-range aggression the dominant strategy, pushing shotguns and energy weapons straight to the top of the food chain. Whether you are grinding ranked or running pubs, knowing which guns to prioritize, and which to drop immediately, is the fastest way to improve your kill rate this season.

R-301 hipfire in action

How Does the Season 28 Weapon Ranking System Work?

This guide uses an SABC ranking system to evaluate every weapon based on real in-game performance, time to kill (TTK), ease of use, and fit within the current Breach meta. Here is what each tier means:

S-Tier: Meta-defining weapons that dominate most situations and should anchor every loadout
A-Tier: Excellent weapons that remain reliable with minor tradeoffs or hop-up dependencies
B-Tier: Solid picks that perform well in the right setup but struggle against top-tier TTK
C-Tier: Situational or early-game options that get outclassed as the match progresses
D-Tier: Off-meta choices that are largely outpaced by the faster, more aggressive Season 28 favorites
F-Tier: Weapons to replace as soon as possible

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TTK values in this guide assume a 200 HP target (purple armor), no headshots, optimal fire rate, and no missed shots at the intended engagement range.

S-Tier: The Best Weapons in Apex Legends Season 28

These are the weapons that define the current season. Finding any of these should immediately lock in your primary or secondary slot.

R-301 Carbine

The R-301 Carbine remains the gold standard for ground loot. It handles close-range hipfire, mid-range beams, and long-range pressure with equal confidence. Its recent buffs have cemented it as the most forgiving and consistent weapon in the game, with a TTK of approximately 1.03 seconds against purple armor. What it lacks in raw kill speed compared to SMGs, it more than compensates for with ease of use rated Very High, meaning you land more shots under pressure.

RE-45 (Energy)

The RE-45 received a full rework into the Energy weapon class this season, and the results are dramatic. Its TTK sits at roughly 0.80 seconds, making it the fastest ground weapon kill time in Season 28. Low recoil and no hop-up requirement to reach peak performance make it an absolute monster straight off the floor. Think of it as an Alternator with Double Tap built in, but in the Energy class.

R-99 SMG

The R-99 still holds the crown for pure close-quarters aggression. Its TTK of approximately 0.83 seconds is elite, but the low forgiveness rating means missed shots are punished heavily. High-skill players who can control the recoil will find this weapon unmatched for one-clip potential.

Peacekeeper

The Peacekeeper has returned to S-tier glory thanks to the reintroduction of Disruptor Rounds. At 107 damage per body shot, it can two-tap purple armor with ease. Its choke attachment also allows for surprising mid-range pressure, giving it more versatility than most shotguns.

G7 Scout (Care Package)

Currently the single strongest weapon in the game. The Care Package version of the G7 Scout comes with Double Tap built in and can equip 4-8x sniper optics, delivering a TTK of roughly 0.75 seconds from medium to long range. The infinite ammo potential when paired with an amp makes this a mandatory pick from every Care Package drop.

C.A.R. SMG (Care Package)

The Care Package C.A.R. SMG features both Disruptor and Hammerpoint rounds, melting shields and health simultaneously. Its TTK of approximately 0.78 seconds combined with infinite ammo potential makes it one of the most oppressive weapons available.

Kraber

One shot still changes any fight. The Kraber remains the undisputed king of snipers, and the ability to generate infinite ammo via amps makes it even more terrifying than in previous seasons.

Peacekeeper Disruptor Rounds setup

A-Tier: Elite and Reliable Choices

These weapons are top-tier performers that often require a specific hop-up or higher skill level to reach their full potential.

Alternator with Double Tap: TTK of ~0.85 seconds with a Very High ease of use rating. It moved from the bottom of the barrel to a top-tier choice this season. Slightly less versatile than the R-99 due to its hop-up dependency, but far more forgiving.
Akimbo Mozambique: When dual-wielded, the Mozambique is a legitimate menace. It does not even need Hammerpoints to shred in close quarters, with a base damage and fire rate combination that melts opponents 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 delivers devastating hipfire.
Triple Take: Despite fire rate nerfs, the Triple Take functions as a long-range marksman, a mid-range pressure tool, and a close-range shotgun all in one. Its TTK sits at approximately 1.15 seconds, and the wide pellet spread acts as a safety net for longer engagements.
Sentinel: The best ground sniper for players who can hit their shots. A charged shot using a shield cell can effectively one-tap shields, making it the only ground weapon that truly competes with Kraber pressure.
EVA-8 with Double Tap: The Breach meta specialist. This shotgun shreds in buildings and tight spaces, but a missed burst leaves you dangerously exposed. TTK of ~0.88 seconds.
L-STAR: Feels like a laser beam this season thanks to larger bullet sizes. It never needs to reload if you manage your bursts correctly, making it a unique suppression tool.

B-Tier: Strong With the Right Plan

These weapons are reliable but may struggle against the lightning-fast TTK of the current meta favorites.

Flatline: Hits harder per bullet than the R-301 but comes with more difficult recoil control and lower ammo stacking. TTK of ~1.00 seconds.
Prowler with Select Fire: A high-skill weapon that rewards accuracy heavily. The burst delay punishes missed shots in a meta that demands instant kills.
Volt SMG: Smooth and predictable recoil with a TTK of ~1.00 seconds. Reliable but falls just short of the R-99 and RE-45 in raw output.
Mastiff with Dual Shell: The Dual Shell hop-up enables faster reloads, making it a strong swap-play weapon. Lacks the pure DPS of the EVA-8 or Peacekeeper.
Wingman: Still a high-reward pistol, but the removal of Skullpiercer and the move to sniper ammo has limited its overall ranking.

C-Tier Through F-Tier: What to Avoid

C-Tier: Situational Picks

Spitfire: Sits in an awkward middle ground and struggles to keep pace with the run-and-gun meta.
Nemesis: A decent energy AR, but outclassed by the Havoc and Triple Take for versatility.
P2020: Hammerpoints make these lethal up-close, but they have been rebalanced since returning to floor loot.
Devotion: Even with a Turbocharger, the wind-up time and punishing recoil make it hard to justify over a Havoc or L-STAR.

D-Tier: Off-Meta Choices

Bocek Bow: Damage nerfs have dropped it significantly. Cannot keep pace with the high-speed pressure of the G7 Scout.
Longbow DMR: Lacks stopping power and feels too slow in a Breach-focused meta. TTK of ~2.30 seconds.
30-30 Repeater: Projectile nerfs and Skullpiercer removal hurt badly. Outclassed by the G7 and Triple Take.
Hemlok: Burst delay punishes missed shots too heavily in the current fast-paced environment.
Charge Rifle: The long wind-up time (TTK ~3.20 seconds) makes it functionally useless in close-range Breach scenarios.

F-Tier: Replace Immediately

Rampage LMG: The slowest LMG in the game. Without a steady supply of Thermites to keep it revved up, the Rampage is outgunned by almost every other primary. It is a filler weapon with no place in the fast-moving Season 28 meta.

warning

Holding onto a Rampage or Charge Rifle when better options are available is one of the most common mistakes in Season 28. The Breach meta punishes slow weapons severely, so swap them out the moment you find anything in the B-tier or above.

Season 28 full weapon rankings

Apex Legends Season 28 TTK Reference Table

All values assume a 200 HP target (purple armor), no headshots, optimal fire rate, and zero missed shots.

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A weapon is only as good as the shots you actually land. The R-301 has a slower technical TTK than the R-99, but its Very High ease of use means most players will connect more bullets consistently, especially in high-pressure ranked situations.

What Are the Best Weapon Pairings in Season 28?

Building a loadout that covers both the Hardlight Mesh mechanics and fast close-range trades is essential for climbing ranked this season.

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RE-45 Energy rework floor loot

What Does the Season 28 Meta Actually Mean for Your Playstyle?

Season 28 is built around three core truths:

Energy weapons are king. The RE-45 rework into the Energy class is the single biggest meta shift this season. Paired with the Havoc staying strong, energy weapons offer the best combination of speed and control available on the ground loot pool.

Shotguns are back in a serious way. The return of Disruptor Rounds for the Peacekeeper and Double Tap for the EVA-8 means shotguns can now two-tap purple armor consistently. The Akimbo Mozambiques have also been left untouched, making them a machine that melts health without any specific hop-ups.

Marksman and LMG options have largely been pushed aside. Outside of the Care Package G7 Scout and Kraber, most marksman rifles like the 30-30 Repeater and Bocek Bow have been nerfed to the bottom of the rankings. LMGs continue to struggle with their identity in this fast-paced environment. The L-STAR is the only standout because of its laser-accurate bursts and unique no-reload mechanic.

danger

If you are not prepared for high-intensity, close-quarters Breach encounters, you will find yourself outgunned by the faster TTK weapons ruling the Outlands this season. Prioritize energy weapons and shotguns in your loadout planning.

Fuse Motherlode breaching cover

FAQ: Apex Legends Season 28 Weapon Tier List

What is the best weapon in Apex Legends Season 28?

The G7 Scout (Care Package version) is currently considered the strongest weapon in the game. Built-in Double Tap and the ability to equip 4-8x sniper optics give it a TTK of approximately 0.75 seconds, making it the fastest and most versatile killer available.

Is the RE-45 energy or light ammo in Season 28?

The RE-45 was reworked into the Energy weapon class in Season 28. This change significantly increased its TTK and overall power, making it the fastest ground weapon kill time at approximately 0.80 seconds.

Which shotgun is the best after the Season 28 patch?

The Peacekeeper with Disruptor Rounds is the strongest shotgun if you can find the hop-up, dealing 107 damage per body shot and two-tapping purple armor. The EVA-8 with Double Tap is a very close second for aggressive players who favor constant breach pressure.

Why is the R-301 still S-tier if it has a slower TTK than the R-99?

TTK alone does not determine a weapon's value. The R-301's Very High ease of use means players consistently land more shots under pressure compared to the low-forgiveness R-99. In real ranked matches, the R-301's reliability translates into more actual kills than its theoretical TTK suggests.