In a Reddit AMA on Thursday, Apex Legends' recent SMG nerfs were addressed by senior game designer Eric Canavese. Apex Legends, which recently had its Season 14 update in August, underwent a major balance overhaul of weapons, specifically a vast change in weapon buffs and nerfs. Along with a new playable Legend, Vantage, the list of changes to weapons is extensive--but players have noticed some major nerfs in SMGs in the update.
While SMGs have been a top pick for players due to their intensive damage, the Season 14 update included a major nerf in SMG hipfire spreads. A comparison to the ability to utilize laser sights to improve hipfire spreads in Season 13 was made, revealing that alongside the base increase to hipfire spreads, laser sights do little to improve recoil. In addition to this, barrel stabilizers were also removed, almost eliminating the damage difference between close-combat and medium-to-long range fights. As a result of this, players have seen a massive decrease in SMGs that had been originally been a lethal addition to combat.
The Reddit AMA, which centered around weapons, concepts, and character details, gave some insight to the reasoning behind the decision.
Canavese, who cited SMGs as a "dominant force" during gameplay, answered that they had seemed to begin to be the weapon of choice for the majority of players, limiting decision-making during the initial loadout. The addition of laser sights was intended to both enhance and limit the range of SMGs--creating a more "cohesive balance" of the distinct difference between SMGs and ARs, which both received the base hipfire nerf.
While there is now an explanation behind the decision, it also implies that the changes will remain in the foreseeable future as the balance it creates between weapons is, understandably, a significant necessity.
This article was originally published on dbltap as Apex Legends Developer Explains Recent SMG Nerfs.
