All SMGs tier list for Apex Legends Season 24

Apex Legends Season 24 has gone live for all regions on February 11, 2025, and with the latest update, the game has featured a massive weapon overhaul. The latest balance patch has significantly altered the game's weapon meta. SMGs, which have been extremely underwhelming in the past few seasons are now once again meta.

On that note, we have curated an SMGs tier list for Apex Legends Season 24. It will provide you with a detailed brief on the weapons you should choose with the debut of this update for the best performance.

Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer’s opinion. The contents of this article feature the latest balance patch incorporated with the Season 24 update on February 11, 2025.

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All Apex Legends Season 24 SMGs tier list

Apex Legends Season 24 features a total of five SMGs, all of which have been carefully placed in their respective tiers with careful consideration with regards to the following factors:

• Damage Output
• Recoil
• Pick rate
• Situational effectiveness

Moreover, the weapons are ranked based on five tiers: S, A, B, and C, with S being the highest tier and C the lowest.

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S-tier

The S-tier weapon effectively dominates the meta in Apex Legends Season 24 Split 2. It influences gameplay strategies. This weapon has the highest damage output, high rate of fire, stable recoil, and is effective in every situation. This weapon has the highest pick rate in the SMG category.

In the SMGs tier list, the S-tier weapon:

R-99 SMG

R-99 SMG is meta (Image via EA)

The R-99 is currently the most powerful SMG in the game. The fan-favorite SMG is now back on the meta train, and players are all for it. The R-99 features some of the highest DPS stats in the game, and its TTK (time-to-kill speeds) are one of the lowest in the game. That makes it leagues better than other weapons from this class. Naturally, we have placed in the S-tier for such reasons.

With the latest update, the R-99 now possesses the capability to one-mag 200 HP enemies without any attachments. However, we still recommend players to use an Extended Light Magazine and a Laser Sight for best results. For faster ADS speeds, and improved weapon stability, we also believe you should weapon an advanced-level Weapon Stock for the SMG.

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A-tier

The A-tier weapons are also good and effective and are considered the next best option after the S-tier. These weapons are often well-balanced and offer strong performance across various situations, making them popular choices among players

In the SMGs tier list, the A-tier weapons are:

• Volt
• C.A.R. SMG
• Prowler

Volt

Volt (Image via Respawn Entertainment/Sportskeeda)

Introduced in Season 6 of Apex Legends, Volt quickly became popular among players due to its versatility and effectiveness in close-range engagements. It is a deadly weapon and our first pick when it comes to the A-tier for our Apex Legends Season 24 SMGs tier list.

We believe that the Volt falls in the A-tier due to its situational effectiveness, and its general consistency in dishing out damage. While it might not have the fastest firing rate when it comes to sub-machine guns in the game, the Volt has the power to deal with the most consistent damage.

Being an Energy-based weapon, the Volt doesn't have much damage fall-off or bullet-drop. This makes it quite versatile, and in our opinion, powerful enough to be in the A-tier in our SMG tier list.

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Prowler Burst PDW

Prowler (Image via Respawn Entertainment/Sportskeeda)

The Prowler Burst PDW is a great burst SMG that offers high accuracy and allows players to deal precise damage to their targets at close to medium range. Equipping with level 3 laser sight allows the player to hip fire more accurately, making it highly effective.

The Prowler shoots in a burst of five, and with each bullet dealing 15 HP damage to the body, you can effectively deal 75 damage per shot. The weapon, like others, has a headshot multiplier, and naturally, with such beefy stats, it becomes our next pick for the A-tier in the SMGs tier list for Apex Legends Season 24.

Furthermore, the Prowler PDW also has the highest magazine capacity compared to its counterparts. With a Level 3 Extended Magazine attachment, the weapon features a 35-round magazine. If you consider the stats discussed above, it becomes pretty evident how powerful this weapon truly is.

Check out: All new game modes coming in Apex Legends Season 24

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C.A.R. SMG

C.A.R. (Image via Respawn Entertainment/Sportskeeda)

The C.A.R. is a fast-firing submachine gun that utilizes both light and heavy ammunition, making it a versatile and effective firearm. It excels in close-range fighting thanks to its rapid rate of fire, which allows players to dispatch enemies at short range.

Despite SMGs not being hard meta in the ongoing season, we believe that the effectiveness and versatility of the C.A.R. SMG is what makes it one of the best weapons in Apex Legends Season 24.

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B-tier

The B-tier weapon excels in specific scenarios but lacks the versatility and consistency of higher-tier options. The weapon is considered average and has certain drawbacks which can be fixed with nerfs. While this weapon may not be the most popular choice, it still has its strengths and can be effective in the hands of skilled players.

In the SMGs tier list, the B-tier weapon is:

• Alternator

Alternator (Image via Respawn Entertainment/Liquipedia)

The Alternator is a perfect choice for beginners due to its slow rate of fire. It has decent damage output and manageable recoil, allowing players to maintain accuracy in crucial situations. This makes it easier for players to land consecutive shots on target, especially when engaging enemies at close range.

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C-tier

C-tier weapons are generally considered below average due to their lower damage output, slower fire rates, and poor handling. These weapons are less effective in crucial situations, making them less preferred by players who often use them as a last resort. However, as of now, we believe none of the SMGs can be classified in this tier.

You might be interested in: 5 best team compositions for Lifeline Revived in Apex Legends Season 24

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