Apex Legends recoil patterns for all weapons

Calum Patterson
Apex logo surrounded by weapon PNGs

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.

Lifeline with Apex Legends logo
With knowledge of these recoil patterns, you’ll be able to pick up any weapon and lay down some accurate fire.

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.

Wingman in Apex

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.

Re45 stats in Apex

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.

p2020 stats in apex legends

Mozambique

Clearly, there isn’t much to say about the Mozambique. It fires 3 pellets in a triangular formation – nothing unexpected here.

mozambique stats in apex

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.

Volt stats in Apex

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.

r99 stats in apex legends

Alternator

The Alternator’s slow fire rate makes it very easy to control, and the pattern moves slightly right to left as it rises.

alternator stats in apex legends

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.

prowler stats in apex legends

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.

r301 stats in apex legends

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.

havoc stats in apex legends

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.

Flatline stats in apex legends

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.

hemlok stats in apex legends

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.

devotion stats in apex legends

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.

spitfire stats in apex legends

L-Star EMG

The L-Star has very simple recoil: straight up and slightly to the right.

lstar stats in apex legends

Rampage LMG

The Rampage isn’t available in Apex Legends Mobile yet, but you can see the recoil pattern of the weapon the screenshot.

Rampage LMG recoil

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.

Peacekeeper stats in apex legends

EVA-8

As the name implies, the EVA-8 fires 8 pellets, in an oval-like shape.

eva-8 stats in apex legends

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.

Mastiff stats in apex legends

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.

sentinel stats in apex legends

Kraber

The most powerful weapon in the game – you can get a whopping 435 damage with a Kraber headshot.

Kraber stats in apex legends

Longbow DMR

The Longbow has always been a favorite sniper, performing similarly to the Sentinel, but without the charge-up ability.

Longbow stats in apex legends

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.

Charge Rifle stats in apex legends

Marksman Weapons

Triple Take

Like the Mastiff, the Triple Take fires a spread of three shots. To narrow the spread, ADS when firing.

triple take stats in apex legends

G7 Scout

You shouldn’t have too much trouble controlling the recoil on the Scout, as it’s a straight vertical pattern.

g7 scout stats in apex legends

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:

30-30 repeater recoil pattern in apex legends

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.

Apex Legends is very rewarding those who put the time in to learn some of these patterns for their weapons of choice.

Related Topics

About The Author

Calum is Dexerto's Managing Editor, based in Scotland. Joining Dexerto in 2017, Calum has years of experience covering esports, gaming and online entertainment, and now leads the team to deliver the best coverage in these areas. An expert on all things Twitch and gaming influencers, he's also an expert in popular shooters like Apex Legends, CS2 and Call of Duty. You can contact Calum at calum.patterson@dexerto.com.