Apex Legends players devastated as Flatline & Longbow removed from floor loot

Alec Mullins

Apex Legends’ floor items will look a bit different in Season 12 when both the VK-47 Flatline and the Longbow DMR get pulled from the loot pool. 

There are a number of huge changes coming to Apex in Season 12: Defiance. From Legend changes like Crypto’s buff and Caustic’s big nerf, to the seasonal care package changes which will bring the Alternator back to the ground loot, players are set to experience a big shakeup from the current state of the game.

Not all of these changes are being viewed fondly though, as the decision to take the Flatline and the Longbow into the Replicator hasn’t been too well received by the fanbase.

Apex Legends players upset after Flatline & Longbow taken out of loot pool

Apex Legends S8 skins
The Longbow saw an uptick in popularity thanks to the Sentinel being vaulted for a while in Season 11.

This is the first time any weapon has been moved to the material-eating machine since Season 6 where a new gun would be taken out of the rotation each day and locked in until the next daily reset.

That concept is staying the same for this go-around but instead of changing daily, both weapons will be locked away for the whole of Season 12.

On top of being taken out of the ground loot options, the beloved Flatline is also getting a one-point damage reduction to help keep it in line with its competition.

One commenter noted that they thought the assault rifle was in a great spot before this and are worried that Respawn has gone a step too far this time: “I feel it’s the most balanced weapon in the game. This makes me sad.”

Another player had questions about the changes to the Longbow and whether or not this change was warranted: “Why the Longbow though? Was it even used enough to deserve that?”

Given the popularity of the Flatline particularly, this change will surely shake up the meta when the new season begins on February 8.

About The Author

Alec Mullins is an FPS writer focusing on Call of Duty and Apex Legends and their respective esports scenes. He worked at TheGamer before joining Dexerto. On the weekends, you'll find him watching the CDL and jamming to The Mountain Goats. You can find Alec on Twitter @LifeAsAlec