The EVA-8 is what you get when you give a mad designer an unlimited budget. And I love it so much for what it is, but, what is the EVA-8 Auto? The EVA-8 Auto is a semi-automatic shotgun in Apex Legends that fires its rounds in an “8”-shaped spread; hence its name. Now, if you’re like me and you’re wondering: “How do they manage to make the pellets spread in a specific pattern?”. Well then… I have no idea. Apex is infamous for its peculiar designs, though, admittedly, some are more peculiar than others.
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EVA-8: The Cleaner
I like to call the EVA-8 “The Cleaner”. The reason for that nickname is because of what it can do if you catch an enemy in a confined space like a room. Metaphorically at least, it “cleans” the room… Literally, it probably does quite the opposite I imagine, but since Apex doesn’t have any gore, we can’t see it.
I’d go so far as to say that the EVA-8 is probably the best weapon in the game to bring to a close-quarters fight, much better than the R-99 or even the C.A.R. SMG. Especially if it’s fully upgraded.
The Stats of the EVA-8
Now let’s see what it can do.
| Target | Mods | DMG | 100 | 150 | 175 | 200 | 225 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head (1.25x) | – | 81 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Head | Lvl. 1 | 72 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Head | Lvl. 2 | 72 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Head | Lvl. 3/4 | 72 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Body | – | 63 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Body | Fort | 54 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Legs (1x) | – | 63 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Legs | Fort | 54 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Very impressive. Not the lowest damage, that title goes to the Mozambique. But not the best either. Yet, in the end, it can still do the highest amount of DPS based solely on the fact that it’s semi-automatic.
Attachments for the EVA-8
Here’s what you can attach to it:
- Shotgun Bolt
- Standard Stock
- Double Tap Trigger
- 1x HCOG “Classic”
- 1x Holo
- 1x-2x Variable Holo
- 2x HCOG “Bruiser”
- 1x Digital Threat
Ideal EVA-8 Set-Up
And here’s how you would ideally equip your gun during the course of a match.
Start by locating an Epic Shotgun Bolt as soon as possible. Following that, grab a Double Tap Trigger Hop-Up. In the end, grab an Epic Standard Stock. For optics, go with either a 1x HCOG “Classic” or a 2x HCOG “Bruiser”.
The EVA-8’s fire rate is its greatest strength, so boosting it by upgrading your shotgun bolt should be your highest priority as it increases your base fire rate further. The Hop-Up is essential as it outright doubles your damage, though at the cost of ammunition consumption. One final thing to mention, you probably won’t be having engagements with this thing past a couple of dozen yards, so equip an optic that has a good profile that won’t obscure your screen. Oftentimes I find that the iron sights work quite well on it, so, in reality, you probably don’t even need an optic at all.
The EVA-8 Compared to the Other Shotguns
As it currently sits, the EVA-8 is the king of the shotguns and will probably remain in that position permanently. The thing that sets the EVA-8 apart from the others is obviously its fire rate, but also the fact that it fires the most pellets per shot. Now, more does not always equal better, as this can be a double-edged sword. Yes, you have a higher fire rate and more potential damage, but that doesn’t always guarantee you’ll land all the shots.
That’s why patience and a steady aim are paramount when using the EVA-8. If you waste an entire magazine without hitting anything, then, not only are you going to have to go through a lengthy reload but you’ll also probably be slapped around by the enemy player/s.
Potential Balance Changes for the EVA-8 in the Future
As was iterated a couple of times through this article, the EVA-8 is the king of the shotguns, as there is simply nothing that can come close to its performance. It’s so good in fact that it’ll probably be slapped with a big fat nerf in the future. The most likely change will be the removal of its Double Tap Trigger Hop-Up. Or, god forbid, its damage might even get lowered. Then it’ll be a bit hard to justify it as the “king of the shotguns.”
