Apex Legends Season 16 Leak Hints at New SMG

The Apex Legends community is buzzing with excitement after a recent leak hinted at the introduction of a new SMG in Season 16. With the game’s weapon roster remaining largely unchanged for several seasons, this potential addition could shake up the battle royale meta and reignite player interest. But what exactly do we know about this mysterious weapon, and how might it fit into Respawn Entertainment’s long-term plans for the game? 😲

The Leak That Started It All

Dataminers recently uncovered a removed video from popular Apex Legends YouTuber Grrt, which showed an unreleased weapon skin listed on a cosmetics website. The weapon in question appeared compact and distinct from existing SMGs like the R-99 or C.A.R., featuring a hybrid design that blends elements of both Energy and Light ammo weapons. While Respawn quickly scrubbed the evidence, the brief glimpse fueled speculation about Season 16’s potential arsenal expansion.

Key details from the leak:

• Weapon type: SMG

• Ammo compatibility: Unconfirmed (possibly hybrid)

• Visual style: Sleek, futuristic design with angular components

• Release timeline: Potentially Season 16 (Q1 2023)

A History of Weapon Droughts

Since the C.A.R. SMG’s debut in Season 11 (2021), Apex Legends has focused on balancing rather than expanding its arsenal. The current SMG category includes:

Weapon	Ammo Type	Fire Rate	Special Feature
R-99	Light	Very High	Laser-like precision
C.A.R.	Hybrid	High	Dual ammo compatibility
Volt	Energy	Medium	Stable recoil pattern
Prowler	Heavy	Burst/Single	Versatile fire modes

This leak aligns with earlier 2022 datamines that revealed two prototype SMGs codenamed Maelstrom and Gemini. Could the newly spotted weapon be one of these shelved projects revived for Season 16? 🕵️♂️

Why SMGs Matter in Apex’s Meta

SMGs dominate close-quarter combat scenarios, which occur frequently in Apex Legends’ urban maps like Olympus and World’s Edge. The potential new weapon might:

1. Introduce new ammo mechanics (e.g., dual energy/light functionality)

2. Offer alternative fire modes (semi-auto/burst options)

3. Challenge the C.A.R.’s dominance in hybrid ammo usage

4. Force adjustments to existing SMG balance

Community Reactions & Speculations

The leak has spawned heated debates in Reddit threads and Discord servers. Some players argue that Respawn should prioritize fixing existing weapons’ bugs before adding new ones, while others welcome fresh gameplay possibilities. Popular content creator The Gaming Merchant tweeted: "A new SMG could finally dethrone the R-99 as the ultimate shred machine... if they balance it right!" 🤔

People Also Ask:

• Will the new SMG use Heavy ammo like the Prowler?

• How might this affect the current weapon tier list?

• Could this lead to vaulting older weapons like the Mozambique?

• What legend synergies might emerge with a new SMG?

Respawn’s Pattern of Innovation

Respawn Entertainment has historically used new weapons to:

• Refresh stale metas (e.g., 30-30 Repeater in Season 8)

• Test experimental mechanics (e.g., C.A.R.’s dual ammo)

• Complement map changes (e.g., Nemesis Burst AR for Storm Point)

With the leaked Olympus map rework rumored for Season 16, a new SMG could synergize with redesigned urban combat zones. The developer’s cautious approach to weapon releases (only 3 new guns since 2021) suggests this potential addition would come with extensive playtesting.

The Bigger Picture: Evolving Gameplay

This leak arrives amidst growing player requests for:

• More weapon variety in competitive play

• Expanded crafting options

• Energy ammo viability beyond the Volt and Havoc

A new SMG could address multiple concerns while maintaining Apex’s signature fast-paced combat. As veteran player LuluLovesApex noted: "We’ve been running the same SMG rotations for years. Even if it’s just a reskin with new stats, I’ll take it!"

Final Verdict: Hope or Hype? 🎮

While the leaked SMG’s existence seems plausible given Respawn’s development patterns, players should temper expectations. Previous datamines like the Goblin LMG and Eclipse Sniper Rifle never materialized. However, the timing aligns with Respawn’s typical seasonal update cycle, and the weapon’s hybrid design philosophy matches recent trends.

As the Apex Games prepare for their 16th season, one question lingers: Will this mysterious SMG become the new king of close-quarters combat, or will it join the ranks of forgotten prototypes? Only time – and Respawn’s patch notes – will tell. 🔍