The best guns to buy for your first round in Apex Legends’ Arenas

You won’t have to scavenge for loot in Apex Legends’ Arenas mode, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be drowning in guns and golden attachments—at least not at the beginning of a match. Arenas pits two teams of three legends against each other on a selection of smaller maps and takes RNG out of the equation with a buy phase, which lets players get their hands on any gun in the game as long as they have the resources to do so.

All players get 550 crafting materials when a match begins and must spend those resources to purchase guns, healing items, attachments, or grenades. In each subsequent round, players will start with additional materials that can be increased even more through kills, saved materials from previous rounds, and material collecting during rounds. In later rounds, odds are there won’t be any need to count quarters in the mid-to-late stages of a match, but things are different in the first round.

The starting round hinges on those initial materials and deciding whether to spend them all or save some for later. Guns reset after every round, so trying to hold onto them is pointless. Luckily, the P2020 and Mozambique are free for all rounds, including the first, so players can rely on them if worst comes to worst.

There are a couple of strategies players can use during the first round’s buy phase depending on how they want to spend their materials. Here are some of our picks for what to buy at the beginning of an Arenas match.

The usual suspects (500 to 550 materials)

Some guns will always be solid picks, and these weapons, for the most part, are at the top of the list. They’re effective, but that effectiveness comes with a steep price tag. You won’t find much in the way of long-range here unless you want to try to snipe with the Wingman, so most of these picks involve close-range combos. You start each round with 550 materials, so if you purchase a gun that costs 550 materials, you won’t be able to buy any ability charges, consumables, or gun upgrades during that same round. It’s a big trade-off to consider.

• C.A.R. + Mozambique (550): If you’re looking to destroy enemies up close, try this tried-and-true combo.
• Flatline + Mozambique (550): This is very similar to the C.A.R. combo; the choice between the two comes down mostly to personal preference. The Flatline is technically a little better at mid-range, but the recoil makes it hard to use in extended fights.
• Wingman + Mozambique (500): The Wingman can deal some damage at mid to closer long-range, and the Mozambique can do the same thing up close. Open with the Wingman, finish with the Mozzy.
• Volt + Mozambique (500): The Volt is a solid auto SMG: its ease of use is what justifies its high price. Add in the Mozambique’s manual fire and you have a solid combo.

Budget-friendly (350 to 450 materials)

Going for the weapons with the steepest price tags leaves no room for ability charges or grenades. If you want to save a few materials but don’t want to run in brandishing a P2020 and a Mozambique, there are several cheaper options. These combos cost around 350 to 400 materials, which is usually enough to buy an ability charge or some items alongside your weapons.

• R-99 + Mozambique (450): The R-99’s materials price was knocked down recently, making it easier to justify purchasing early on. Pair it with the Mozambique for the ultimate close-range combo.
• 30-30 Repeater + Mozambique (350): If you need some range, grab the recently-buffed 30-30 Repeater. Either of the free guns will work here, but the Mozambique is best for covering yourself in close-range fights.
• G7 Scout + Mozambique (350): The G7 is already an overloaded P2020, so there’s no point in running two of the same thing. This one ultimately comes down to personal preference between the 30-30 and the G7.
• Devotion + P2020 (450): Even though it lacks a Turbocharge, the Devotion is a classic first-round pick. Pair it with a P2020 so you have something that shoots fast right off the bat.
• Longbow DMR + P2020 (300): If you really want to stretch the range angle, grab a Longbow. Unlike many other weapons, its base tier comes with a 1x scope. At 400 materials, the Sentinel is also an option, particularly if you also buy two extra shield cells to charge it.

Super saver (150 to 250 materials)

Outside of the free guns, there are a few very low-cost weapons if you really want to get your money’s worth. These guns might not pack as much of a punch as some of the more expensive ones, but with several rounds to play, you can afford to save a few materials in the first round and spend them all on a tricked-out weapon later on.

• RE-45 and Mozambique (150): This super-cheap combo is surprisingly versatile. The RE-45 works surprisingly well in close to mid-range fights, and the Mozambique can handle anyone who gets too close.
• EVA-8 and P2020 (150): The EVA-8 was recently buffed, making it a much more attractive first-round pick. Both of these guns have a very high rate of fire, allowing you to blitz your enemies before they even knew what was coming.

No matter what you buy, you’ll need to keep your wits about you as you fight your way to the top. Whether you’re taking on ranked Arenas or chilling out in pubs, it’s important to be smart about materials management and make your loadout work for you. Good luck.