Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Octane holds an R-99 as he advanced with a wall covered in pink flowers behind him.
Image via Respawn Entertainment

One of Apex’s strongest weapons last season has become one of its weakest—unless you’re lucky

It's definitely not an early game beast anymore.

After the changes brought in Season 18 and Revenant’s rebirth, Apex Legends now has two weapons that cannot take down someone wearing a red shield if you hit all body shots. 

Recommended Videos

Reddit user u/Ninjafish_TTV posted this “worthless piece of trivia” on the Apex subreddit on Aug. 8, noting that the R-99 submachine gun—which just exited the crafter this season—has joined the RE-45 machine pistol as the only weapons that can’t down a player in one magazine with body shots if they have full health and red shields, thanks to its reduced base clip. 

“So, Wasnt worth to post before this season, but since they reduced the mag of R9 i think it might be a cool worthless piece of trivia to know,” they wrote in the post. “Out of ALL the weapons in apex(exclude throwing knife), The RE-45 was the only weapon that couldnt down a red-shield player if you hit all body shots. But with the mag change now the r9 doesnt too.”

Related: These are the damage stats for all weapons in Apex Legends

The R-99’s new weakness can, of course, be remedied by finding a blue or purple magazine attachment, but that’s not exactly a simple thing to do during these Season 18 days. This update nerfed the spawn rates for both rarities of attachments, meaning you’ll need even more favor with the RNG gods to get an extended mag. 

Considering that the R-99 has been one of the best guns in the game over the past few seasons, with ALGS pros favoring it throughout most of Split Two pro league, this nerf may sting. Unfortunately for SMG fans, the entire weapon class got nerfed at least a bit in this update, so you’ll have to adjust how you play with them regardless, or maybe switch to maining a stronger gun.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Ty Galiz-Rowe
Ty Galiz-Rowe
Ty (he/him) is a freelance writer and editor with a passion for sports anime, and to a lesser degree, esports.