There are 7 weapon classes in Apex Legends; each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Assault rifles are well-rounded weapons capable of dealing consistent damage at any range. Pistols, while generally weaker than the other weapon classes, can be switched out much faster. Submachine guns are great for consistent close combat, as they have some of the fastest fire rates in the game. Sniper rifles excel at long-range and mid-range engagements and are perfect for chipping away an enemies. Marksman weapons fill in the gap between assault rifles and sniper rifles, as their specialty lies in quick and consistent mid-range combat. While light machine guns slow a player’s aim-down sights (ADS) movement, they make up for it with gigantic ammo magazines that do great damage and provide suppressive fire.
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High Burst Damage Makes For Quick Fights
Last but definitely not least are the shotguns: a class that houses weapons that have become some of Apex Legends’ hardest hitters. Currently, there are four shotguns in the game: the Mozambique, the EVA-8 Auto, the Mastiff, and the Peacekeeper. Excluding the Mozambique (which is Apex Legends’ worst gun), the other three shotguns have all had their time in Apex Legends’ weapon meta. Thanks to the overall nature of the game and the hard-hitting nature of the weapon class, shotguns have been and will always be a big part of the game.
Right from the get-go, players will notice just how much burst damage the shotgun class has. A few shots from the EVA-8, Mastiff, or Peacekeeper is enough to break through an opponent’s shields and start chipping away at their health. Taking submachine guns into consideration (Apex Legends’ other close-range weapon class), players have to keep their reticle on their opponents much longer as compared to if they were using a shotgun. This quick time to kill is essential in Apex Legends, as third parties usually occur when a fight takes too long to finish. By taking down their opponents faster, players can loot up and prepare for another fight without having to worry about others butting in on their business.
Low Ammo Cost Saves Backpack Space
Speaking of looting, shotgun ammo in Apex Legends is quite plentiful. Players can find red shotgun shells throughout the map and craft them easily at a replicator. The best part about shotgun ammo, however, is how little space it takes in a player’s backpack. One stack of shotgun ammo holds 16 shells, which is more than enough for one or two engagements. This leaves plenty of extra space in a player’s inventory which could be used for other things such as ammo for their primary weapon, healing items, or grenades.
Since players should be using shotguns as a secondary weapon to finish a fight, they generally won’t dip into their shotgun ammo reserves as often as they do their primary weapon. If a player finds themselves running out of shotgun ammo in the middle of a fight, they can easily turn to one of the death boxes strewn across the battlefield. Seeing as shotguns are a prevalent weapon class, they are more likely than not bound to find some shotgun ammo on fallen adversaries in an Apex Legends match.
Close Combat Is The Name of The Game
The final reason for the shotgun meta ties heavily into how the game is played. Since Apex Legends is a fast-paced movement shooter, quick plays and close combat generally win fights. Poking and downing opponents at a distance with a sniper rifle is still a viable way to play Apex Legends, but long-range fights usually tend to be drawn out as players can easily revive their teammates. No matter how much damage players do at a distance, they eventually have to go in close to finish off the enemy squad.
That’s where shotguns come in. Thanks to their high burst damage and specialty for close combat, players naturally gravitate toward them. Even the Mozambique, with its paltry damage output, can be fitted with the Hammerpoint Rounds hop-up to make it deadly against low health foes. Players won’t be attacking with a shotgun for more than half the battle, but when it comes to finishing the fight, there is almost no better secondary weapon to have. Shotguns are quick, strong, and reliable - everything a player could want from a weapon when their back is against the wall. They can turn the tide of a fight with a few well-placed shots and can spell the difference between victory and defeat for the last man standing.
Apex Legends is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, and mobile devices.
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