Every weapon in Apex Legends has an established recoil pattern, meaning players can learn exactly how to control their favorite guns. Here’s every weapon’s recoil pattern, so you can even get a handle on the weapons you don’t use as often.
Apex Legends is filled with unique characters that each come with their own ability kits which can change the course of a match.
However, the core gameplay of the first-person shooter genre still requires players to be accurate with their weapons, and controlling recoil is massively important for those looking to climb the ranks in Apex Legends.
Although it can take time to master some of these patterns in-game, it provides players with a significant advantage once they do, particularly in medium to long-range gunfights.
Thankfully, we now have a perfect source to identify the recoil patterns, thanks to Apex Legends Mobile. On the mobile version, there is a full breakdown for each weapon, complete with their spray pattern.
To make navigating the different weapons easier, we’ve split them up by weapon type.
Contents
Pistols
Wingman
Packing a heavy punch, the Wingman will drag up and to the left as you continue to blast it.
RE-45
As the only auto-pistol, you may want to learn the recoil of the RE-45. Thankfully, it’s a straightforward pattern, shooting up and to the right.
P2020
The P2020 isn’t a very powerful weapon, but it can be a lifesaver as a secondary. It’s recoil will jump around a bit, but with practice, is a very manageable firearm.
Mozambique
Clearly, there isn’t much to say about the Mozambique. It fires 3 pellets in a triangular formation – nothing unexpected here.
SMGs
Volt SMG
The Volt is one of the most controllable SMGs, with the first part of the spray straight up. It gets a bit choppy at the half way point though, so you’ll need to watch out if you’re holding down the trigger.
R-99
Fast fire rate comes at the expense of a strong recoil kick. Thankfully, it’s mostly straight up vertically, but a little to the right, with a little bit of swing at the top of the spray.
Alternator
The Alternator’s slow fire rate makes it very easy to control, and the pattern moves slightly right to left as it rises.
Prowler Burst PDW
Owing to it’s burst-fire nature, you shouldn’t have much trouble controlling the Prowler, but it will still shoot up sharply during each 5-bullet burst, first to the left, then the right.
Assault Rifles
R-301 Carbine
Everyone’s go-to AR is the R-301, and it’s because of it’s easy to control aim. The start of the spray is straight up and slightly to the right, before it starts to weave slightly back and forth at the top.
Havoc Rifle
The Havoc is one of the most difficult recoil patterns to control, as it sends you aiming straight up violently after only a few shots. But, if you can get some attachments on it, it’s much more manageable.
Flatline
This heavy AR really packs a punch, but you will need to manage the recoil to hit the shots. But, the slower fire rate of the Flatline helps.
Hemlok Burst AR
Even though it’s a burst weapon, the recoil on the Hemlok can still throw you off. It’s mostly up and to the left though, so bear that in mind when practicing.
LMGs
Devotion
Like the Havoc, the Devotion with no attachments can be a very tricky weapon to control, with a sharp recoil kick straight up and slightly left, before switching to the right.
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Spitfire
The Spitfire used to be very low recoil until it was hit with some nerfs to make it a little bit more tricky. Recoil was reduced again slightly though when it went into care packages, but still has a manageable vertical kick, before veering to the right.
L-Star EMG
The L-Star has very simple recoil: straight up and slightly to the right.
Rampage LMG
The Rampage isn’t available in Apex Legends Mobile yet, but you can see the recoil pattern of the weapon the screenshot.
Shotguns
Peacekeeper
With Shotguns, there’s no ‘recoil’ pattern to worry about, you just have to take into consideration the pellet spread. With the Peacekeeper, it has a star-like shape.
EVA-8
As the name implies, the EVA-8 fires 8 pellets, in an oval-like shape.
Mastiff
The Mastiff has a unique spread, which will fire across a thin line. That’s why, for best results, it’s always recommended to ADS with the Mastiff when firing, which will narrow the spread significantly.
Snipers
Sentinel
As you might expect, you won’t have to worry about controlling recoil with snipers, as the fire rate is far too slow for it to be a factor.
Kraber
The most powerful weapon in the game – you can get a whopping 435 damage with a Kraber headshot.
Longbow DMR
The Longbow has always been a favorite sniper, performing similarly to the Sentinel, but without the charge-up ability.
Charge Rifle
With its beam firing style, you’ll just need to pull slightly down and to the left to control the sway on the Charge Rifle.
Marksman Weapons
Triple Take
Like the Mastiff, the Triple Take fires a spread of three shots. To narrow the spread, ADS when firing.
G7 Scout
You shouldn’t have too much trouble controlling the recoil on the Scout, as it’s a straight vertical pattern.
30-30 Repeater
Another weapon not yet available in Apex Legends Mobile is the 30-30 Repeater, but you can see its recoil pattern here:
While the recoil for some guns is fairly straightforward, there are a few weapons, such as the Devotion, that have crazy recoil patterns that can prove a challenge for anyone.
Weapons like Alternator, on the other hand, are probably among the easiest to master as players simply need to pull their crosshair down when firing at a high rate.
- Read More: How to play Octane in Apex Legends
Apex Legends is very rewarding those who put the time in to learn some of these patterns for their weapons of choice.
