In the – Season 13 patch notes themed “Saviors,” there were changes to what is arguably the most powerful sniper rifle in Apex Legends to date (via ea.com)…: The Kraber Rifle.

In the balance updates, the weapon is listed and the following new features:

• Headshot multiplier is lowered from 3.0 to 2.0
• Damage is reduced from 145 to 140

This gave the Kraber rifle a nerf that not all players liked. Already in May 2022, for example, it was discussed on Twitter (via Twitter). Two days ago, there was another exchange on reddit about the topic.

What reddit users say in the discussion

User GhostxFilter posted a discussion about the weapon change under the heading “Kraber nerf was a mistake” (via reddit). He asks what the reason was and says, “The Kraber was in the care package since day one, the spawn rate for it was seemingly non-existent, and given the larger bullet drop and slower bullet speed, the one-shot headshot was absolutely a reward for skill with the weapon.” Further, the user thinks that the Kraber rifle is now useless:

[…]The only thing that has changed is the damage, and given the slow speed of the weapon, it is practically impossible to get a kill with it. Before, if you were killed by a Kraber, it meant that the person using it was good and that you were killed by an experienced player. Now, if you get killed by a Kraber, it’s entirely your fault because you’re an easy target.

If you get hit twice in a row, you have to reorient yourself because you managed to be slower than someone who fires another bullet and shoots at you a second time. Also, with the improved protective gear and the legends having more health than God himself, there was really no need to reduce the damage.

In my opinion, Kraber shouldn’t have been touched. It was really perfect the way it was. When I used to see or hear a Kraber, I’d think, “Uh oh… better be careful, there’s a Kraber on the way,” but now I see it in the game and just ignore it as another sniper.

Just my opinion on this.

GhostxFilter via reddit

What do users who agree with the criticism say? Under the discussion, some reddit users agree with the criticism and are unhappy about the nerf:

• jaCRLee: “Agree and also agreed with op. It was already hugely limited by the care package (it was rare, or with ammo in general). Hardly worth the pickup now when you have other weapons capable of killing faster. It also wouldn’t make sense to only allow one per game, that would make them practically non-existent. They should have left it at that. Especially if the helmets have already received a buff.”

What do commenters who disagree with the criticism say? Not everyone agrees with the criticism. Many users don’t see a problem in the nerf. They think that the Kraber rifle is still a good weapon:

• Impurity 41: “I feel like it’s a guaranteed 3,2,1 weapon for the team or a great push tool if you manage to get 2 of them” [Das ist eine Strategie im Spiel, bei der man sich im Team auf ein Ziel einigt und auf dieses gleichzeitig feuert]
• jape-the-neck-guy: “I think people underestimate how useful that much damage can be. Any kind of hit still requires them to take cover and heal, and you still need the right combination of helmet and shield to take even one headshot, and even if they can, they’re still damn close to getting shot. It wasn’t necessarily broken before, just unfair. It’s still damn powerful and a game changer to have. Assuming you can fire shots with that thing.”

Some also express a split opinion, with Fandomer explaining his opinion as “‘Now it’s just useless’ lmao no, it still gets 140 to body or head shots at the opponent who either gets 1-shotted or stands there with low hp. In mid/high ranks you will still die to 321 and Kraber, so I partially agree, nerfing it is pointless in my opinion.”

With that said, players are divided on what to make of the change to the familiar weapon. In any case, it seems that the issue is still present in the community.

What do you think about the Kraber rifle nerf? Feel free to let us know in the comments.

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