Apex Legends DPS Guide: Complete Weapon Damage Analysis
Master weapon damage output, time-to-kill, and optimal loadouts with comprehensive DPS calculations for every weapon in.
Season 20 Weapon Meta Analysis
Table of Contents
In Apex Legends, winning gunfights isn't just about accuracy—it's about choosing weapons that maximize damage output in realistic combat scenarios. While raw DPS (damage per second) provides valuable insight, understanding time-to-kill (TTK), damage per magazine (DPM), and effective range creates a complete picture of weapon performance.
Season 20 brought significant weapon balancing changes that shifted the competitive meta. This comprehensive guide analyzes every weapon's damage output, provides practical DPS comparisons, and reveals which loadouts dominate in the current season. Whether you're optimizing for ranked play or casual matches, understanding these damage statistics gives you a decisive edge.
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Understanding DPS in Apex Legends
DPS (Damage Per Second) is a theoretical metric that measures a weapon's maximum damage output in perfect conditions. While it's useful for comparison, real combat performance depends on multiple factors that raw DPS doesn't capture.
✓ What DPS Tells You
- • Maximum theoretical damage output
- • Relative weapon power in close-range fights
- • Which weapons punish slower movement
- • Weapon archetype comparison (SMG vs AR)
⚠️ What DPS Doesn't Tell You
- • Recoil difficulty and accuracy under movement
- • Effective range and damage dropoff
- • Magazine size limitations in real fights
- • Reload timing and downtime between kills
The Three Core Metrics
DPS (Damage Per Second)
Perfect accuracy damage output. Formula: (Damage × Fire Rate) ÷ 60. High DPS weapons dominate close-range but require good tracking.
TTK (Time to Kill)
How long to eliminate a 225 HP target (Red Evo). More practical than DPS for evaluating gunfight outcomes. Accounts for overkill damage waste.
DPM (Damage Per Magazine)
Total damage before reload. Critical for multi-enemy fights. High DPM weapons allow squad wipes without reloading.
Key Insight: The best weapon isn't the highest DPS—it's the weapon with optimal DPS, TTK, and DPM for your engagement range and playstyle. A 180 DPS weapon you hit 80% of shots with beats a 220 DPS weapon you hit 50% with.
How DPS is Calculated
Understanding the math behind DPS calculations helps you evaluate weapons independently and make informed loadout decisions.
Base DPS Formula
Fire Rate is in RPM (rounds per minute), divide by 60 for per-second
Example: R-301 Carbine
• Damage: 14 per bullet
• Fire Rate: 810 RPM
• Calculation: (14 × 810) ÷ 60 = 189 DPS
Headshot Multiplier DPS
Most weapons: 1.5x (50% bonus), Some weapons: 1.75x-2.15x
Example: Wingman
• Base Damage: 45
• Headshot Multiplier: 2.15x
• Headshot Damage: 45 × 2.15 = 96.75 per shot
• Headshot DPS: 117 × 2.15 = 252 DPS
Time to Kill (TTK) Formula
Assumes perfect accuracy, calculated for 225 HP (Red Evo Shield)
Example: R-99 SMG
• Shots to Kill: 225 ÷ 11 = 20.45 shots (21 bullets)
• Time Between Shots: 60 ÷ 1080 RPM = 0.0556s
• TTK: 21 × 0.0556 = 1.17 seconds
Damage Per Magazine (DPM)
With Purple/Gold Extended Mag
R-301 (Purple Mag)
• Base Mag: 18
• Purple Mag: 28 (+10)
• DPM: 14 × 28 = 392
Can down 1.74 enemies per mag
Flatline (Purple Mag)
• Base Mag: 20
• Purple Mag: 30 (+10)
• DPM: 18 × 30 = 540
Can down 2.4 enemies per mag
Assault Rifles DPS Breakdown
Assault rifles offer the best balance of DPS, range, and versatility in. Here's how each AR stacks up in the current meta.
| Weapon | DPS | TTK | DPM | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VK-47 Flatline | 180 | 1.25s | 540 | S-Tier |
| R-301 Carbine | 189 | 1.19s | 392 | S-Tier |
| Nemesis | 153 | 1.47s | 425 | A-Tier |
| Havoc | 201 | 1.12s | 576 | S-Tier |
VK-47 Flatline
The Flatline remains the most reliable AR in. Its high DPM and consistent recoil pattern make it perfect for medium-range combat. Best paired with an SMG for close-quarters versatility.
R-301 Carbine
The R-301 offers the best balance of accuracy and fire rate. Its minimal recoil makes it forgiving for all skill levels, while its slightly higher DPS than the Flatline rewards consistent aim.
SMG DPS Analysis
SMGs dominate close-range engagements with the highest DPS values in the game. However, their effectiveness drops sharply beyond 20 meters.
| Weapon | DPS | TTK | DPM | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-99 | 198 | 1.14s | 297 | S-Tier |
| C.A.R. SMG | 202 | 1.11s | 338 | S-Tier |
| Volt SMG | 180 | 1.25s | 378 | A-Tier |
| Alternator | 160 | 1.41s | 405 | B-Tier |
SMG Meta Breakdown
C.A.R. SMG - The Versatile Choice
Currently the best SMG in. Its dual ammo type allows you to carry more ammo mid-game, and it has slightly better range than the R-99 while maintaining competitive DPS.
R-99 - The Speed Demon
Fastest firing SMG with incredible burst damage. Perfect for aggressive pushes and finishing knocked enemies. Requires excellent tracking due to high recoil and low magazine size.
LMG Damage Output
LMGs trade mobility for sustained fire. Their massive magazines make them ideal for suppressing fire and multi-enemy engagements.
| Weapon | DPS | TTK | DPM | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devotion | 255 | 0.88s | 612 | S-Tier |
| Spitfire | 162 | 1.39s | 990 | A-Tier |
| Rampage | 140 | 1.61s | 784 | B-Tier |
When to Use LMGs
✓ Best Scenarios
- •Holding chokepoints and doorways
- •Third-partying multi-squad fights
- •Defending from high ground positions
- •Breaking shields before pushes
✗ Avoid When
- •Aggressive close-range pushing
- •Need to rotate quickly
- •Playing mobile legends (Pathfinder, Octane)
- •Solo queue ranked without comms
Marksman & Sniper Rifles
Long-range weapons excel at poking shields and securing knocks before engagements. DPS is less relevant here—focus on damage per shot and headshot potential.
| Weapon | Body DMG | Head DMG | DPS | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kraber | 140 | 280 | 93 | Legendary |
| Sentinel | 70 | 140 | 88 | A-Tier |
| Longbow DMR | 55 | 118 | 110 | A-Tier |
| 30-30 Repeater | 42 | 84 | 91 | B-Tier |
Shotguns & Pistols
Shotguns deliver the highest burst damage in the game, while pistols serve as reliable backup weapons or early-game options.
Peacekeeper
The most consistent shotgun for peek-shooting. Precision choke makes it viable at mid-range. Perfect for hit-and-cover playstyles.
Wingman
High skill ceiling weapon with incredible headshot potential. Can down enemies in 3 headshots. Rewards precision over spray patterns.
Time-to-Kill Analysis
TTK is often more important than raw DPS. Here's how weapons compare when accounting for actual kill times against full shields.
Fastest TTK Weapons (225 HP Target)
Why TTK Matters More Than DPS
A weapon with 190 DPS but 1.2s TTK is often better than a weapon with 210 DPS but 1.4s TTK. In Apex's fast-paced combat, shaving 0.2 seconds off kill time means less chance for enemies to escape, heal, or return fire effectively.
This is why SMGs dominate close range despite some ARs having similar DPS—their burst damage in the first second is unmatched.
Optimal Loadout Combinations
The best loadouts cover multiple engagement ranges and complement your legend's abilities.
R-99 + Wingman
High skill ceiling loadout for aggressive players. Use Wingman to crack shields, then push with R-99 for the finish.
R-301 + Peacekeeper
Most versatile loadout in. R-301 handles mid-range, PK for close combat and peek-shooting.
Flatline + Volt
Reliable and forgiving for ranked play. Both weapons have excellent DPM for squad fights and third parties.
Nemesis + Sentinel
Control the engagement distance. Sentinel cracks shields at range, Nemesis for mid-range cleanup.
Spitfire + Longbow
Perfect for team support roles. Massive ammo capacity keeps pressure on enemies while teammates push.
C.A.R. + Flatline
Maximum flexibility for Arena's varied maps. Both weapons excel in different ranges without ammo conflicts.
Loadout Selection Tips
Consider Your Legend
- • Aggressive Legends (Wraith, Octane, Pathfinder): SMG + AR/Shotgun
- • Defensive Legends (Caustic, Wattson, Rampart): LMG + Marksman
- • Support Legends (Lifeline, Loba): AR + Versatile Secondary
Match the Engagement Style
- • Hot Drop: Fast TTK weapons (SMGs, Shotguns)
- • Edge POI: Balanced loadout (AR + anything)
- • Ranked Endgame: High DPM weapons (LMG, Extended AR)
Season 20 Meta Shifts
Season 20 brought several weapon balance changes that significantly impacted the competitive meta.
Major Weapon Changes
Buffs
- Nemesis: Reduced spin-up time, making it more viable for quick engagements
- Peacekeeper: Tightened spread pattern increases consistency at close-mid range
- Longbow: Increased fire rate from 120 to 156 RPM, improving DPS by 30%
Nerfs
- R-99: Magazine size reduced by 1 across all tiers, lowering DPM
- Wingman: Magazine reduced to 6 base (9 with purple), limiting spam potential
- Havoc: Horizontal recoil increased, making tracking more difficult
Care Package Rotation
Entered: Mastiff - High burst damage shotgun, dominates close quarters
Exited: Devotion - Back to floor loot, remains S-tier with turbocharger
Current Meta Weapons Tier List
S-Tier (Must Use)
A-Tier (Very Strong)
B-Tier (Situational)
Meta Predictions for Mid-Season
Based on pickrate trends and community feedback, expect these potential changes in upcoming patches:
- • C.A.R. potential nerf: Likely magazine size reduction due to overwhelming popularity
- • Alternator buff: May receive damage or fire rate increase to compete with other SMGs
- • Sniper adjustments: Respawn typically buffs long-range weapons mid-season to diversify playstyles
Key Takeaways
✓ DPS Best Practices
- • Use DPS as a starting point, not the final decision
- • Prioritize weapons you can actually land shots with
- • Consider TTK for realistic combat performance
- • Match weapon choice to your engagement range
- • Balance DPM for multi-enemy fights
🎯 Weapon Selection Strategy
- • Primary: Reliable mid-range weapon (AR preferred)
- • Secondary: Complement primary's weakness
- • Avoid same-range weapons in your loadout
- • Consider ammo scarcity in your decision
- • Practice recoil patterns in firing range
Conclusion
Understanding DPS, TTK, and DPM gives you a quantitative foundation for weapon selection, but Apex Legends success ultimately comes down to execution. The "best" weapon is always the one you can consistently land shots with while maintaining good positioning and movement.
Season 20's meta rewards versatility and adaptability. While the C.A.R. and R-301 dominate statistically, every weapon in A-tier and above is viable with proper aim and game sense. Focus on mastering 2-3 weapons per category rather than chasing the highest DPS numbers.
Practice your chosen loadouts in the firing range, learn their effective ranges, and understand when to engage versus disengage. Raw damage output means nothing if you can't survive to deal it. Master the fundamentals, then let the stats guide your optimization.
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Former Predator rank player with 5000+ hours analyzing weapon mechanics and competitive meta. Dedicated to helping players understand the math behind optimal gameplay.