Apex Legends Players Consider Longbow a “Dead” Weapon with Little Justification for Use

In light of the current state of long-range armaments in Apex Legends, it appears the Longbow has been deemed underwhelming in several aspects. After testing its performance and comparing it with alternatives like the Triple Take and Sentinel, players have voiced their concerns on the r/apexlegends subreddit, indicating their dissatisfaction with the Longbow’s performance in the current meta, dubbing it a “dead” weapon.

Is the Longbow officially dead? Why would someone use it over the Triple or Sentinel? byu/Hi_Im_zack inapexlegends

User u/Beginning_Calendar56 remarked that even the G7 Scout and 30-30 Repeater, categorized as Marksman Rifles, present better alternatives compared to the high-damage DMR that is the Longbow:

“I’d say even marksman rifles like the Scout and 30-30 offer a superior feel to the Longbow.”

Another user, u/lettuce_field_theory, pointed out that although there were hopes for a buff to the Longbow, the removal of the Skullpiercer attachment turned out to be a major drawback, significantly diminishing the weapon’s effectiveness compared to a charged Sentinel. They elaborated on this theory further.

Comment byu/Hi_Im_zack from discussion inapexlegends

The Longbow appears to miss the crucial traits that a viable sniper rifle should possess in a battle royale like Apex Legends. User u/Feisty-Clue3482 succinctly illustrated this point by asserting that the weapon is relatively useless.

They further expressed that the Longbow suffers from significant bullet drop, a sluggish firing rate, and unpredictable recoil, making it unreliable in combat situations. Feisty-Clue3482 stated:

“Yeah, it’s useless… frustrating but utterly pointless. It lacks the impact needed to function as an effective sniper, has overwhelming drop, and isn’t a reliable DMR due to its slow firing speed. I’ve attempted to use it, but the heavy drop and unusual recoil make it a subpar choice. It could definitely benefit from adjustments, but Respawn often doesn’t improve weapons unless they need to be nerfed, so I’m not optimistic… I believe professionals have complained about it before, so I’m doubtful it’ll be revived.”

Originally meant to be a powerful weapon, the Longbow’s recent nerfs and the removal of the Skullpiercer attachment have left it lacking in damage output. User u/Traveller-Entity-16 lamented the weapon’s reduced damage per shot:

“The insufficient damage per shot really undermines it, making other snipers or marksman weapons seem superior. I can’t think of any of my friends who would prefer the Longbow over a Triple Take, and for a proper sniper option, the Sentinel is far more effective.”

Lastly, another user, u/TrippySubie, concluded that the Longbow has never been particularly effective, stating that the weapon became “dead” shortly after the game launched.

Comment byu/Hi_Im_zack from discussion inapexlegends

What makes the Longbow ineffective in the current Apex Legends meta?

The Longbow underwent notable adjustments with Season 21 in Apex Legends. One of the most consequential changes was the removal of attachments like the Skullpiercer and Barrel Stabilizer, which drastically affected the weapon’s performance. Now, its damage output is modest, it has a slow rate of fire, and its recoil greatly hinders usability.

As players are turning to alternatives like the Triple Take and Sentinel, even duels against the Longbow become substantially simpler due to its diminished damage capabilities.

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