Remember when Respawn randomly turned the EVA-8 into a marshmallow launcher? Yeah, that dark chapter might finally be coming to an end. In a surprise balance update a while back, the EVA-8 got slapped with a high fire rate but lost a huge chunk of its damage, turning it into one of the most frustrating shotguns in Apex Legends history.
You’d be dumping entire drum mags into enemies and getting hitmarkers worth 6 damage. It wasn’t just weak — it was unusable.
But good news: the EVA-8 has been half-reverted, and it’s actually starting to feel like a real shotgun again.
🔄 What Changed?
Respawn has walked back some of those drastic EVA-8 changes. While the shotgun still retains a slightly faster fire rate than its original form, they’ve now reduced that fire rate slightly and boosted its damage per pellet — meaning you can finally take down enemies in one clean mag like the good old days.
This small but crucial tweak has made the EVA-8 feel reliable again in close-range gunfights, and it’s quicklyclimbing back up the tier list for shotguns.
💥 Why It Matters
The EVA-8 has always been known for its clean, consistent spray — a full-auto shotgun that rewarded aggressive play without demanding pump-accuracy. But after the nerf, it became more of a joke than a weapon.
Now that the changes have been rebalanced:
- It’s more forgiving in close-quarters
- Barrel attachments actually feel impactful again
- It pairs really well with perks like auto-shotgun reload on knock (Mad Maggie mains, rejoice)
As iTemp put it in his gameplay breakdown, “One of my favorite close-range guns is back.” And he wasn’t wrong — the EVA-8 was landing hits, locking kills, and finally shredding squads instead of softly tickling them.
🔧 Still Not Perfect – But Way Better
No, the EVA-8 isn’t going to outclass the Peacekeeper in raw burst, or the Mastiff in single-shot power. But for Players who love fast, fluid fights and Movement-heavy combat, the EVA is feeling fun again — and that alone is worth celebrating.
So if you benched your EVA-8 after that brutal nerf, now might be the perfect time to dust it off and give it another shot.
For more Apex Legends weapon changes, buffs, nerfs, and tier list breakdowns, check out ALegends.gg
Source: iTemp on YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the EVA-8 in Apex Legends?
Respawn previously nerfed the EVA-8 by increasing its fire rate and reducing its damage per pellet. This made it feel weak and inconsistent. However, the recent half-revert reduced the fire rate slightly and increased the damage again.
Is the EVA-8 good now?
Yes! The EVA-8 feels much better after its recent adjustment. It’s more reliable, can down enemies in one mag again, and is a great close-range option — especially for movement-based legends like Mad Maggie or Octane.
What perks pair best with the EVA-8?
Perks like auto-reload on knock, faster reload, or shotgun movement speed greatly enhance the EVA-8’s playstyle. Mad Maggie’s shotgun synergy also makes it a top-tier choice for her kit.
Is the EVA-8 better than the Peacekeeper or Mastiff?
It depends on your playstyle. The Peacekeeper still wins in burst damage and the Mastiff in raw stopping power. But the EVA-8 is more forgiving, easier to use, and perfect for fast-paced, close-range fights.
