SECTION 6

BUILDING AND USING YOUR ARSENAL

WHILE YOU DEFINITELY WANT TO UTILIZE YOUR CHOSEN Legend’s special abilities, including their tactical, passive, and ultimate ability, what will allow you to win firefights and ultimately achieve victory in matches is finding, grabbing, and using the most powerful and versatile weapons you can get your hands on.

There are many ways to gather weapons during a match. For example, you can raid the crate that’s left behind when an enemy gets killed. It contains everything that Legend was carrying before their demise. As long as it’s safe to do so, take the time to pick and choose the weapons, ammo, and loot items you want.

Weapons typically need to be upgraded using weapon attachments to unlock their true potential. You’ll also need to amass an ample supply of ammo for the weapon you’re using. Equally important, you need to choose the best type of weapon for the task at hand, based on whether you’re about to engage in a close-range, mid-range, or long-range firefight.

There will also be times when using grenades or throwable weapons will help you cause massive damage to a specific area or enemy. Certain explosive grenades can also help you lure enemies out into the open. Shown here is a single Frag Grenade (an explosive grenade) that’s about to be picked up.

Here, the Frag Grenade has been selected as the active weapon and it’s about to be tossed. Choose a target and let it fly. Keep in mind, there’s a short delay between when this type of grenade lands and when it explodes, so plan accordingly.

Choosing which weapon or ability to use and when are key decisions that’ll allow you to achieve victory or result in your Legend’s death.

TYPES OF WEAPONS

In addition to the vast collection of weapons available when Apex Legends first launched, every few weeks, additional weapons have been introduced into the game. With an ever-growing selection of ways to kill your enemies during a match, success comes down to choosing the right weapon for the job at hand.

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A WEAPON

Your weapon selection should be based on several factors, including:

• How far your Legend is from its target. The farther away you are, the more important it is to have a clear line of sight, while being able to take cover in between shots fired or when you need to reload your weapon.

• Which weapon attachments you’ve been able to add to certain weapons to enhance their capabilities, ammo capacity, and precision.

• Your personal gaming style and skills. Many gamers are able to master the use of a few guns and rely on those to achieve victory. When you have a gun at your disposal that you’re particularly proficient using, use it during particularly intense battles to ensure a favorable outcome.

• Which Legend you’re controlling, what their unique capabilities are, and what their core function is during a match. For example, if you’re controlling a healer or defensive soldier, leading your squad in a firefight isn’t the best strategy.

SELECT THE BEST WAY TO FIRE A WEAPON

All weapons offered within Apex Legends can be shot without specifically aiming, simply by pressing the Fire button on your keyboard or controller. Shown here is the Alternator (an SMG).

Even without adding weapon attachments, some weapons allow you to aim down the sight of the weapon when you press the Aim button before the trigger. Doing this improves the weapon’s aiming accuracy and allows you to focus in more on your specific target.

Certain weapons also allow you to toggle between firing modes. Each time you press the Toggle Fire Mode button or key, a message appears near the center of the screen (in white) that states which firing mode is active. Single Fire Mode has been selected here. One bullet will be shot each time the trigger is pulled.

While this varies by weapon (and in some cases, which weapon attachments you’re using), firing modes for a gun can include:

• Single—The ability to shoot one round at a time each time you press the trigger.

• Burst—The ability to shoot a burst of several bullets each time the trigger is pressed.

• Auto—The ability to hold down the trigger and keep firing until the weapon runs out of ammo, needs to be reloaded, or your target is killed.

Keep in mind, anytime you’re running and need to get somewhere quickly, your Legend’s speed will increase if you holster the active weapon while on the move. Sometimes, you’ll need to travel under something that your Legend won’t fit through standing up. In this case, simply crouch down and keep moving.

One of the biggest drawbacks to many weapons is their recoil. The more recoil a gun has, the more you’ll need to adjust your aim in between shots.

The longer you hold down the trigger to fire continuous shots, the more your bullets will stray from their intended target. You’re often better off shooting in bursts. Every few seconds, readjust your aim, and then continue firing in order to compensate for recoil.

Burst shooting mode was used here from a distance. The same point on the wall was the target, but as you can see once the Legend moved closer to the wall, where the bullets actually landed is a bit staggered due to recoil. The Hemlok assault rifle, capable of shooting three rounds at a time per burst, was used here. The weapon’s basic magazine holds 18 Heavy rounds.

LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WEAPON TYPES

Memorizing everything there is to know about each of the weapons available within Apex Legends is a cumbersome and difficult task. It’s more practical to learn what categories of weapons are available to you, develop a basic understanding of the pros and cons for what each weapon category offers, and to learn what each weapon category is best used for. Then simply practice using various weapons in different firefight scenarios.

Remember, each weapon category uses a different type of ammo, so it’s essential that you grab and stockpile the appropriate ammo for the weapon(s) you have on hand.

The most popular weapon categories include:

WEAPON CATEGORY	DESCRIPTION
Assault Rifles	These are well-rounded weapons that tend to have a decent size magazine capable of holding at least 18 bullets at a time. This can be increased using weapon attachments, so you’ll need to reload the weapon less often. In most situations, using an AR with the Burst shooting mode will serve you well. ARs use Heavy ammo and typically have a large magazine. Be sure to add an extended magazine and scope to enhance the AR’s destructive capabilities.
Light Machine Guns (LMGs)	An LMG will use either Heavy ammo or Energy ammo (depending on the weapon model), and can typically inflict more damage than SMGs, but this depends on which model LMG you’re using. These are excellent close- to mid-range weapons, but they can be used in most firefights, regardless of your distance from the target.
Pistols	These tend to be the least powerful weapons in Apex Legends. They’re best suited for close-range combat situations. To get the best results, go for headshots! If the enemy is wearing a Helmet, it might take multiple direct hits to kill your target.
Shotguns	Shotguns tend to have a small magazine. Each shell breaks up into pellets after being fired. Each pellet that hits its target will independently cause damage. However, the farther you are from the target, the more spread out the pellets will be by the time the target is reached. Thus, Shotguns are better close- to mid-range weapons.
Sniper Rifles	These are ideal for long-range fighting, especially when a powerful scope weapon attachment has been added to the gun. Shooting from a height advantage always helps, and a clear line of sight to your target is a must. It’s always easier to hit a target from a distance who is standing still, so try to catch your enemy off guard.
Sub Machine Guns (SMGs)	What’s great about these guns is that every time you pull the trigger, multiple rounds get fired. The SMGs that support Heavy ammo (as opposed to Light ammo) can inflict more damage. Since multiple bullets are fired in quick succession (or simultaneously), pay attention to the spray of the bullets. This is lessened the closer you are to your target and can be compensated for by using certain weapon attachments.
Throwable Grenades	These are weapons that must be tossed, so they can only reach so far. Use them for close- to mid-range fighting, but make sure you and your squad mates stay out of the blast zone. Grenades are great for luring enemies out into the open, or when they’re already held up in a confined space.

What you want to consider when choosing a weapon is its mag size (how much ammo it can hold at a time); how much body, leg, or head damage each round can cause; how many rounds per second the weapon can fire; how much damage per second the weapon can inflict; the weapon’s recoil; and which firing modes it offers.

This Wingman Pistol is about to be picked up. It was within a structure, lying out in the open, on the floor. This particular pistol uses Heavy Rounds for ammo, because it’s a high-powered revolver. Keep in mind, most other pistols use Light Rounds for ammo.

The Wingman is currently this Legend’s active weapon. As you can see from the weapon’s display, it holds six rounds of ammo at a time.

This is what the Wingman looks like in the Legend’s Inventory screen. Depending on where your squad lands, pistols tend to be the most common type of weapon you’ll find early in a match. They’re great for close-range firefights, but you’ll likely want to upgrade your weapon when possible.

The Mozambique Shotgun is about to be grabbed. This may look somewhat like a pistol, but it’s categorized as a shotgun.

The R-99 is an SMG that uses Light Ammo. It’s standard magazine holds 18 rounds, which allows you to put a fair number of holes in your enemy before a reload is required.

The G7 Scout is shown above.

As you can see here, the weapon is being aimed in preparation for a shot. This is a quick firing sniper rifle that uses Light ammo. Each standard magazine holds 10 single rounds.

The Flatline Assault Rifle is shown here. Without any weapon attachments, it holds 20 Heavy round bullets per magazine.

Here, a scope weapon attachment has been added to the weapon and it’s being aimed at a nearby Supply Bin. When an enemy approaches, they can be knocked out or killed from a distance with the help of a powerful scope.

STAY UP-TO-DATE ON WEAPON STATS

Since weapon stats periodically change and new weapons are constantly being introduced, to stay up to date on the stats for each weapon offered in Apex Legends, there are several websites worth checking out, including:

• Gamepedia—https://apexlegends.gamepedia.com/Weapons

• GamesRadar—www.gamesradar.com/best-apex-legends-weapons

• IGN—www.ign.com/wikis/apex-legends/Weapons

• RankedBoost—https://rankedboost.com/apex-legends/best-weapons-tier-list

• US Gamer—www.usgamer.net/articles/20-02-2019-apex-legends-guide/best-weapons-locations

As you’re firing and hitting your enemies, pay attention to what’s displayed on the screen around your target. The numbers indicate how much damage each direct hit is inflicting, based on whether it’s a head, body, or leg shot. When you see damage numbers displayed in yellow, this indicates a successful headshot.

When damage numbers are displayed in red, this means the enemy is wearing no armor, so they should be easier to kill. White numbers correspond to level 1 armor, while blue numbers correspond with level 2 armor, and purple numbers mean the enemy is wearing level 3 armor. Think twice about pursuing an enemy with level 3 armor, since it’ll require more direct shots, more time, and more ammo to kill them.

WITHOUT AMMO,
A GUN IS USELESS

Each type of gun uses a specific type of ammo. Apex Legends offers four different ammo types, including: Light Rounds (displayed with a brown hue).

Heavy rounds are displayed with a blue hue for easy identification.

Energy ammo that can be used with certain types of LMGs and Sniper Rifles.

Shotgun shells are displayed with a red hue. If you know what color ammo you need, based on the weapon(s) you’re trying to gather ammo for, the collection process is faster. Don’t waste inventory space for ammo types that you don’t need. Each time you pick up a box of Shotgun shells, for example, you receive eight additional rounds.

ALWAYS BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR WEAPON ATTACHMENTS

As you explore the island, you’ll discover many types of weapon attachments. Not all of them work with all weapons, however. Thus, you only want to grab weapon attachments that’ll work with weapons you already have or anticipate having as the match progresses. Carrying around weapon attachments that you have no plan to use simply fills up your Legend’s inventory and wastes that valuable space.

If you come across a weapon attachment you don’t need, Ping its location in case any of your squad mates would benefit from grabbing it.

The following chart describes the most popular weapon attachments and explains which weapons they’re compatible with, and what each is used for. As you’ll see, several types of scopes fall into the “HCOG” category. This stands for Holographic Combat Optical Gunsight Range.

ATTACHMENT TYPE	WHAT IT’S USED FOR	WEAPONS IT WORKS WITH
Barrel Stabilizer	Decreases recoil, allowing for more consistently accurate aim when multiple shots are fired in quick succession.	There are three levels for this attachment—Common, Rare, and Epic. It works with many types of ARs, SMGs, LMGs, Pistols, and Sniper Rifles.
Extended Light Mag	Increases the amount of ammunition that the compatible gun can hold in a single magazine. The higher the capacity, the less frequently you’ll need to reload.	There are three levels for this attachment—Common, Rare, and Epic. It works with several types of ARs, SMGs, Pistols, and Sniper Rifles.
Extended Heavy Mag	Works just like the Extended Light Mag but is compatible with a different selection of guns.	There are three levels for this attachment—Common, Rare, and Epic. It works with several types of ARs, SMGs, LMGs, Pistols, and Sniper Rifles.
Shotgun Bolt	There are three levels of this attachment. It increases the fire rate of a gun.	Peacekeeper, EVA-8 Auto, and Mozambique Shotguns
Sniper Stock	Reduces the recoil when used with compatible Sniper Rifles. It also improves the handling of this weapon.	Sniper Rifles including the Longbow DMR, G7 Scout, and Triple Take
Standard Stock	Reduces the recoil when used with compatible guns. This allows for more consistently accurate aim when multiple shots are fired in quick succession.	There are three levels for this attachment—Common, Rare, and Epic. It works with several types of LMGs, SMGs, and ARs.
Skullpiercer Rifling	Increases headshot damage when used with a compatible weapon.	Longbow DMR and Wingman
Precision Choke	Reduces the spread of ammo shot from compatible guns. To work, the Legend must aim down the weapon’s sight when shooting, and it must be charged before use. There are three levels of this attachment.	Peacekeeper and Triple Take
Turbocharger	With this attachment, the fire rate increases on the Devotion weapon, the longer the trigger is held down.	Devotion
Selective Receiver	Change the firing mode of the Prowler Burst PDW back and forth between Burst Action and Full Auto.	Prowler Burst PDW
1x Holo Scope	A rectangular sight that works with all guns. It offers zero zoom, however.	All guns
1x Digital Threat	When attached to a gun, all enemies seen through the sight get automatically highlighted in red making them much easier to spot, even in smoke-filled areas.	Shotguns, SMGs, and Pistols
1x—2x Variable Holo	While aiming down the sight of a compatible weapon, press the Sprint key to switch between a 1x and 2x zoom.	All guns
1x HCOG Classic	A sight attachment that makes aiming easier, but it offers no magnification.	All guns
2x HCOG Bruiser	Provides 2x zoom when looking through the scope of a gun.	All guns
3x HCOG Ranger	Provides 3x zoom when looking through the scope of a compatible gun.	Sniper Rifles, LMGs, ARs, and SMGs
2x—4x Variable AOG	While aiming down the sight of a compatible weapon, press the Sprint key to switch between 2x and 4x zoom.	Sniper Rifles, LMGs, ARs, and SMGs
6x Sniper	Achieve 6x magnification when looking through this scope when it’s attached to a compatible Sniper Rifle.	Sniper Rifles
4x—8x Variable Sniper	While aiming down the sight of a Sniper Rifle, press the Sprint key to switch between 4x and 8x zoom.	Sniper Rifles
4x—10x Digital Sniper Threat	Adjust the zoom between 4x and 10x when used with compatible Sniper Rifles.	Sniper Rifles, including the Longbow, Triple Take, and G7 Scout

Shown here is a Shotgun Bolt about to be picked up. This will increase the fire rate of a compatible shotgun.

When used with a compatible weapon, an Extended Light Mag will increase the number of rounds that can be shot before a reload is required. It works exclusively with weapons that use Light ammo.

The Extended Heavy Mag increases the number of rounds that can be shot before a reload is required, but this weapon attachment only works with weapons that use Heavy ammo.

A Standard Stock (when used with a compatible weapon) will improve the gun’s handling and reduce aim drift. It works with most LMGs, ARs, and SMGs.

The Sniper Stock improves handling and aim, but only works with Sniper Rifles.

This Barrel Stabilizer will slightly reduce the amount of recoil when used with a compatible weapon.

Check out this 2x—4x Variable AOG Scope. It can be used with many types of weapons, including Sniper Rifles, LMGs, ARs, and SMGs.

This is the 2x—4x Variable AOG Scope attached to an R-99 submachine gun. Right now, the weapon is not being aimed, so this is the standard view.

The Aim button for the R-99 is being pressed and the 2x—4x Variable AOG Scope is being used at 2x magnification.

On the PC, by pressing the Left Shift key, the magnification of the 2x—4x Variable AOG Scope switches from 2x to 4x. Notice the entrance to the building up ahead now looks much closer. Powerful zoom scopes can be very useful for accurately targeting distant enemies, or you can use the scope like binoculars to get a magnified view of what’s around.

HEALTH-RELATED POWERUPS AND GRENADES

The following are the more popular types of Health and Shield-related powerups and types of throwable grenades you’ll discover while exploring the island. These can be grabbed and then held in your Legend’s inventory until they’re needed. Of course, you should expect additional consumable items to be added to Apex Legends in the future.

In most cases, multiples of the same item can be held in the same inventory slot, and then used as needed, one at a time.

HEALTH-RELATED ITEM	WHAT IT DOES	HOW IT’S USED
Arc Star	This is a throwing star that will stick to its target once it lands and then explodes after about 6 seconds.	The energy that’s released will inflict some damage on an enemy, plus disorient anyone in the weapon’s blast radius.
Frag Grenade	This is a throwable weapon that detonates approximately 6 seconds after impact.	How much damage this weapon inflicts on enemies depends on how close they are to the blast radius.
Knockdown Shield	Provides temporary shielding once a Legend is knocked down.	This item must manually be activated when it’s needed. If your Legend gets knocked down, help them crawl to a safe location until help arrives. A Knockdown Shield can protect them against additional attacks for a short time.
Med Kit	Replenish your Legend’s Heath meter to 100 percent.	Takes 8 seconds to use, during which time your Legend is vulnerable. No weapons can simultaneously be used, so make sure you find a safe location before using this item.
Phoenix Kit	Replenish your Legend’s Health meter and Shield meter to 100 percent simultaneously.	Takes 10 seconds to use, during which time your Legend is vulnerable. No weapons can simultaneously be used, so make sure you find a safe location before using this item.
Shield Battery	Replenishes your Legend’s Shield meter to 100 percent.	Takes 5 seconds to use, during which time your Legend is vulnerable. No weapons can simultaneously be used, so make sure you find a safe location before using this item.
Shield Cell	Replenishes 25 HP to your Legend’s Shield meter.	Takes 3 seconds to use, during which time your Legend is vulnerable. No weapons can simultaneously be used, so make sure you find a safe location before using this item.
Syringe	Replenishes 25 HP to your Legend’s Health meter.	Takes 5 seconds to use, during which time your Legend is vulnerable. No weapons can simultaneously be used, so make sure you find a safe location before using this item.
Thermite Grenade	This is a throwable grenade that releases a line of flames that damage enemies based on how long their exposure is.	There are many ways to use this weapon. For example, use it to seal off a doorway or narrow choke area and prevent enemies from passing through.
Ultimate Accelerant	Quickly restores 20 percent to your Legend’s Legendary capability recharge meter.	Takes 7 seconds to use, during which time your Legend is vulnerable. No weapons can simultaneously be used, so make sure you find a safe location before using this item.

An Arc Star is about to be picked up and added to this Legend’s arsenal.

As soon as the Arc Star (or any type of throwable weapon) is picked up, it gets stored in that Legend’s inventory. Displayed next to the active weapon information near the lower-right corner of the screen, you can now see that this Legend is holding one Arc Star. If he were to collect a few more, the number that appears in the lower-left corner of the Arc Star icon would indicate how many of the item is currently in the Legend’s inventory.

Two Syringes are about to be picked up from this Supply Crate and added to this Legend’s inventory. Each time one of these items is used, the Legend’s Health will be replenished by 25 points. Syringes are one of the most common types of Health replenishment items available during matches.

While it must be manually activated when needed, a Knockdown Shield will temporarily protect your Legend’s front from further attacks after they have been knocked and are incapacitated. Hopefully, one of your squad mates will reach you in time and be able to Revive your Legend before he’s killed by an enemy or bleeds out and dies.

After a Legend gets knocked down, if they have a Knockdown Shield in their inventory, it should be manually activated to provide temporary shielding until help can arrive. Only a “legendary” level Knockdown Shield allows your Legend to revive themselves without the help of a squad mate.

When it comes to staying alive when a Legend’s Heath and Shield meters get dangerously low, one of the most useful items is a Phoenix Kit. These are difficult to find, so when you can grab one, keep it in your Legend’s inventory and only use it when it’s absolutely needed. Find a safe location, activate this item, and in 10 seconds your Legend’s Health and Shield meters will be replenished to 100 percent.

Use a Med Kit to replenish your Legend’s Health meter back to 100 percent. This item takes 8 seconds to use, so make sure you position your soldier in a safe place before activating it.

A Shield Cell can be used to activate and then increase your Legend’s Shield meter by 25 points per use. Once activated they take 3 seconds to work. As you can see here, two Shield Cells are about to be picked up and added to the Legend’s inventory, however, they can later be used one at a time, as needed. If you check the bottom-left corner of the screen, you can see the Legend’s Health meter is currently at 100 percent, and her Shield meter is at 75 percent. Using one Shield Cell right away would boost her Shield meter to 100.

MANAGE YOUR LEGEND’S INVENTORY

At any time during a match, it’s easy to switch from the main game screen to your Legend’s Inventory screen. From here, you can drop weapons, ammo, or items you don’t need or that you want to share with squad mates. It’s also possible to see what your Legend is currently holding and learn more about each weapon or item in their possession.

At this particular moment, the Legend is holding a Wingman and Alternator SMG. Ten of their Inventory slots are currently filled, while four slots remain locked. To unlock them, a Backpack upgrade is required. Two of the items currently being held in inventory are not compatible with any weapons the Legend is holding. This is indicated by the red circular icon displayed in the top-left corner of the item icon.

To increase inventory space, it often makes sense to drop items that are not needed, unless they are hard to find and you anticipate needing them later in the match. Next to some item icons within the Inventory slots is a number. This indicates how many of that item the Legend is currently carrying.

Near the bottom-center of the Inventory screen, icons representing the Armor items that the Legend has collected and is using can be seen.

Before switching to the Inventory screen, make sure your Legend is in a safe location, since your focus will be taken away from their surroundings. Try to avoid staying on the Inventory screen for too long, since an enemy can sneak up and kill you.