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APEX PREDATOR

Legendary / Power / Rocket Launcher

Is it you or I that tops the food chain, o challenger mine?

These do something now! Give it a try

Archetype

Adaptive Frame

Adaptive Frame

A well-rounded grip, reliable and sturdy.

Stats

Blast Radius
50
Velocity
49
Stability
43
Handling
44
Reload Speed
44
Reload Time  
Aim Assistance
68
Inventory Size
33
Zoom
20
Airborne Effectiveness
3
Recoil
61
Rounds Per Minute 20
Magazine 1
Selected Perks
Popularity: Overall Select 4 perks to see their popularity.  
Popularity: Perks  
Popularity: Trait Combo  
Popularity: MW Bonus  
Credits

Perk Playground

Curated Roll

Not all curated rolls actually drop in-game. Learn more

Random Rolls

Item is eligible for random rolls. Learn more
Item has recommended perks from trusted community theorycrafters. Learn more      Hide Recommendations
This item is craftable. Hover over perks below to see the requirements to craft a roll with them.
Show Enhanced Perks

TIP: Theorycrafter Recommendations

The blue/red/gold icons & glows below are Theorycrafter Recommendations. They are the perks that trusted community theorycrafters like for this weapon and can disagree with what is most popular. The colors indicate the game mode for which they prefer the perk.
Color Icon Game Mode
Blue PVE
Red PVP
Gold PVE & PVP
Learn More

Popular Trait Combos

This weapon can be crafted or enhanced. Enhanced and normal perks are combined in the stats below.
Reconstruction
+ Bait and Switch
54.98% of Rolls
Reconstruction
+ Explosive Light
16.63% of Rolls
Reconstruction
+ Bipod
7.36% of Rolls
Tracking Module
+ Bipod
4.98% of Rolls
Reconstruction
+ Vorpal Weapon
2.51% of Rolls
Danger Zone
+ Explosive Light
2.04% of Rolls
Tracking Module
+ Explosive Light
.71% of Rolls
Incandescent
+ Explosive Light
.65% of Rolls

Popular Individual Perks

Based on 155.4K+ copies of this weapon, these are the most frequently equipped perks.
Crafted versions of this weapon below Level 10 are excluded.
This weapon can be crafted or enhanced. Enhanced and normal perks are combined in the stats below.
  • 53.7%
     
  • 14.1%
     
  • 12.6%
     
  • 6.1%
     
  • 4.8%
     
  • 4.8%
     
  • 3.4%
     
  • 68.4%
     
  • 10.3%
     
  • 9.4%
     
  • 8.5%
     
  • 3.2%
     
  • 82.6%
     
  • 7.9%
     
  • 2.8%
     
  • 2.1%
     
  • 1.9%
     
  • 1.3%
     
  • 1.0%
     
  • 57.4%
     
  • 20.8%
     
  • 13.4%
     
  • 4.1%
     
  • 1.8%
     
  • 1.3%
     
  • 1.0%
     
  • 100.0%
     

Masterwork Popularity

Based on 145.8K+ copies of this weapon, these are the most frequently equipped masterworks:
Of those 145.8K+ copies, 17.0K+ (11.6%) were fully masterworked.
Range
.0% of Rolls
Stability
.0% of Rolls
Blast Radius
21.3% of Rolls
Handling
21.9% of Rolls
Reload Speed
26.4% of Rolls
Velocity
30.2% of Rolls

Mod Popularity

Based on 102.0K+ copies of this weapon with a mod equipped, these are the 8 most frequently used:
Quick Access Sling
55.6% of Rolls
Aerodynamics
11.8% of Rolls
Targeting Adjuster
9.7% of Rolls
Counterbalance Stock
6.4% of Rolls
Tactical
5.3% of Rolls
Freehand Grip
5.1% of Rolls
Icarus Grip
2.4% of Rolls
Sprint Grip
1.2% of Rolls

Your Rolls

TIP: Popularity Ranks

The letters F thru S below are Popularity Ranks. They measure how popular your roll is versus the most popular roll for this weapon among the global community. The most popular roll is ranked S+. The least popular is ranked F-. Popular doesn't necessarily mean "good"; unpopular doesn't necessarily mean "bad". Use what you enjoy!

Learn More

TIP: Theorycrafter Recommendations

The blue/red/gold icons & glows below are Theorycrafter Recommendations. They are the perks that trusted community theorycrafters like for this weapon and can disagree with what is most popular. The colors indicate the game mode for which they prefer the perk.
Color Icon Game Mode
Blue PVE
Red PVP
Gold PVE & PVP
Learn More

TIP: API Perk Swap

The Bungie API now allows us to swap weapon perks for you*. Click individual perks below to swap them in-game. Click "Equip Popular Perks" to pick the perks that result in the highest popularity rank (if you're not already using them).
* You must be in orbit, a social space, or logged off.
 
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Lore

Apex Predator

Is it you or I that tops the food chain, o challenger mine?

The massive Vex construct that was the Ahamkhara towered over them, and Taeko-3 tried not to be bored. Being bored might lead to idle wishes, and that would be bad right now. She thought again about the name she'd squinted at on the porcelain chit when she'd drawn lots back at the Tower. Two-name Guardians always struck her as a little pretentious.

"Gallida?" The Warlock didn't look up from the drawing she was making; she just held up a finger. "The rear ventral plate, please?" Graciously, the construct shifted its superstructure and allowed the researcher a detailed look at the thing's internal workings. "And… there." The Warlock turned toward Taeko. "You may proceed."

"Finally." As Gallida ran clear, and the beast warbled a Vex war cry, Taeko hefted the massive launcher up over her shoulder and sighted down the line. "Girl's gotta eat!"

Add Review

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Top
Show reviews since:
Season 21 Icon
18
This rocket is the absolute definition of "zero to hero."

Previously, it was quite possibly one of the worst rocket launchers in the game, with a tiny selection of perks that all (save for Auto-Loading Holster) were ill-conducive to a rocket launcher in any gametype, be it PvE or PvP. Come the Last Wish reprisal, and... it's juiced. Like, the other reprised weapons are juiced, too, but this is JUICED. So many top tier perks in both columns: Demolitionist, Reconstruction, Incandescent, Bait and Switch, Vorpal, Explosive Light, Surrounded... as all of the IGN reviews say, "it's got a little something for everyone."

Two perks stand out amongst the rest, though: Reconstruction and Bait and Switch. Previously only on other raid weapons, the combination of these two perks is something to behold. Reconstruction, for one, is good on other weapons, but it becomes godly on a rocket launcher. Since Reconstruction will round up on its reloads and rockets have one shot, you get your ENTIRE magazine reloaded in the blink of an eye, instead of a measly 10% on other weapons. Add the fact that Reconstruction will DOUBLE your magazine, and you have Auto-Loading Holster on steroids. Bait and Switch, on the other hand, is S-tier in its own regard. Explosive Light has widely been regarded as the go-to perk for rocket damage: 25% extra damage for simply picking up Orbs of Power is nothing to scoff at. However, that damage can fall off pretty quickly when you a) don't have many Orbs around, or b) run out of Explosive Light stacks. Bait and Switch ensures that you always have a reliable method of proccing the extra damage--35% extra damage, compared to Explosive Light's 25%. Get off three rockets in the 10-second window of Bait, and you have more overall damage than Explosive Light, even at maximum stacks.

In short, this is one of if not the best rocket in the game as of Season 21. Juiced stats, juiced rolls, and a sexy, sexy firing sound to top it all off.
18
Reply      Report Posted 2 years ago
Season 21 Icon
14
I kinda wish they kept kill clip on this thing because that is such a hilariously awful perk on a rocket it's incredibly funny to me
14
Reply      Report Posted 2 years ago
Season 21 Icon
10
Don't know why you are being downvoted Ambitious Assassin and Kill Clip was just so stupidly fun on a rocket. Was it good? Hell no. Was it fun? Yes, yes it was.
10
Reply      Report Posted a year ago
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Season 23 Icon
0
Bait and Switch doesn't proc on the first rocket. So it isn't until the 4rth rocket that it exceeds the damage of explosive light: 100% + 135% + 135% + 135% = 505%
Vs
125% + 125% + 125% + 125% = 500%
0
Reply      Report Posted 10 months ago
Season 21 Icon
6
Just like all the other Last Wish weapons that got a perk overhaul, this weapon probably shines the absolute most. Reconstruction on a Rocket Launcher is already incredible in the first place. Pair it with Bait and Switch and you might just have the best Legendary Rocket Launcher in the game at the moment, especially for boss DPS. Alternatively you can also rock Explosive Light for more general content without constant hotswapping. It's a matter of preference, both options are great as hell!
(Oh yeah, and of course... it's craftable. Get your god roll top-of-the-line Rocket Launcher with little effort, folks!)

In all seriousness, if you still intend to bully Kalli for weapon patterns, this should be the #1 weapon you want to go for. You won't regret it.
6
Reply      Report Posted 2 years ago
Season 21 Icon
4
Bottom Line:
This thing is absolutely insane. Bungie really knocked it out of the park with these Last Wish weapons. Almost every single one is best-in-class, and this is no exception. If Cold Comfort replaces Bump in the Night, this thing steamrolls The Hothead. Granted, this is Solar and Hothead is Arc, so it isn’t an exact replacement, but it’s better in pretty much every other way. I rock this thing with Quick Launch, Impact Casing, E-Reconstruction, E-Bait-And-Switch, and it’s ridiculous. Do you prefer explosive light over bait and switch? It has Enhanced Explosive Light. Demolitionist over Reconstruction? It has Enhanced Demolitionist. You want Tracking Module? It has that enhanced, too. This thing has pretty much everything, and I personally think it’s the best rocket launcher in the game right now.
4
Reply      Report Posted 2 years ago
Season 21 Icon
-3
*Best legendary rocket launcher in the game
-3
Reply      Report Posted 2 years ago
Season 22 Icon
4
So potential idea for BROKEN damage.
Reconstruction with Bipod can make a max of 4 rockets in the mag.
Pair that with the new hunter mothkeepers arms to get 3 instant reloads on strand.
Dump 4 rockets, throw grenade (instant reload), deal damage with something else, repeat for all 3 reloads until total rockets are gone...
Total mag dump super quick.
4
Reply      Report Posted a year ago
Season 23 Icon
4
Bait and Switch with Gjallarhorn, Explosive Light without.
4
Reply      Report Posted a year ago
Season 23 Icon
3
The numbers don't lie. This is the best weapon in the game for boss damage bar none with Enhanced Reconstruction + Bait and Switch; that goes without saying. For general play, Enhanced Reconstruction + Explosive Light will be the best bet or maybe Enhanced Reconstruction + Bipod. This thing is stacked to the brim with all the best rocket perks in the game. If you don't have this, get farming Kalli ASAP when she is farmable and I recommend using deepsight harmonizers on this weapon before anything else.

It's also good in PVP but I prefer Heavy GLs there.
3
Reply      Report Posted a year ago
Season 23 Icon
2
Crafted with Reconstruction and Explosive light. Best Rocket launcher in the game currently for dps
2
Reply      Report Posted a year ago
Season 21 Icon
2
Apex Predator used to be the meme gun out of Last Wish: Dropped too frequently, had poor perks, and was just awful. With Season of the Deep's reprisal, it's entered its redemption arc to become the best Solar legendary rocket launcher in the game, and the 2nd best legendary rocket overall.

In PvE: Against crowds, it does okay for a rocket. You can roll it as an add clear rocket with Incandescent and Explosive Light if you really want to, but Apex's strength is with its single target damage. Reconstruction will load a rocket every 4 seconds (3.5 with Enhanced) and will also count down while reloading manually, meaning if you're patient and don't fire immediately after reloading, you can effectively get a clown cartridge proc and significantly increase your DPS. Combine that with Bait & Switch, a whopping 35% damage increase, you have yourself a complete beast to melt bosses with. And the cherry on top? B&S applies to your wolfpack rounds, unlike Explosive Light.

In PvP: Rockets can do pretty decently with clearing a point or shutting down a super since they do well with single target damage. You want to get blast radius as large as possible to prevent enemies from squirming away near death, but you're probably better off using a GL if you want to kill multiple people who aren't clustered up.

PvE: Quick Launch - Impact Casing - Reconstruction - Bait & Switch - Handling MW

PvP: Volatile Launch - High Velocity Rounds - Incandescent/Demolitionist - Explosive Light - Blast Radius MW
2
Reply      Report Posted a year ago
Season 21 Icon
1
DPS MONSTER
There's nothing more to say
1
Reply      Report Posted 2 years ago
Season 21 Icon
1
if you ever wondered why stability is a stat on rocket launchers, here you go

this thing is extremely powercrept, an extremely good craftable rocket launcher that could roll everything you could possibly want. Reconstruction is an insane perk and pairs well with bait and switch or explosive light. Bipod is a DPS loss over the two but is a really funny bit.
1
Reply      Report Posted 2 years ago
Season 21 Icon
5
Yeah, Bipod needs to have less of a penalty. Either remove the radius/reload penalty, or lower the damage reduction down from 40% to like 25% minimum.
5
Reply      Report Posted 2 years ago
Season 21 Icon
6
Bungie just recently reduced the damage penalty of Bipod from 40 to 25, so good guess on that.
6
Reply      Report Posted a year ago
Season 22 Icon
1
King of Rocket Launchers on DPS due Reconstruction and Bait and Switch. Hands down.
1
Reply      Report Posted a year ago
Season 23 Icon
1
Best rocket for rotations in the game. Cold comfort got nothing on this.
1
Reply      Report Posted a year ago
Season 22 Icon
0
Ok, I've used 3 of these ever and here's what I got:

Quick Launch - Impact Casing - Reconstruction - Bait and Switch
I had no clue this was the god roll and with my comical switching habit before firing my rocket, this thing slaps like a drake tank. I've knocked almost 1/3 bar off a Goliath Tank with this thing and a few other damage bonuses from wells and it is crazy. Add on the 2 rockets and you got yourself a room sweeper. This is a viable use in PvE mostly where you can switch between weapons but in PvP, you'd likely die before you can get Bait & Switch active. Still a direct impact from the rocket will do the job fine.

Quick Launch - Impact Casing - Reconstruction - Bipod
As a fun fact, this was my first raid weapon after discovering the wish wall and the Shuro Chi hidden chest. Bipod stacks with Reconstitution which means you can get an absolute maximum of 4 rockets. Add a damage well and you've basically got a health annihilator. I often run this only for PvE due to the lack of rocket ammo in PvP and the fact you've got better options.

Quick Launch - Black Powder - Tracking Module - Bipod
This roll sucks and I'm yet to scrap it

Overall, its a hella solid pick and you can crack shields on hero nightfall instantly without elemental matching.
0
Reply      Report Posted a year ago
Season 23 Icon
0
Praise RNGesus. Had one in my vault :quick/volatile launch impact reconstruction bait and switch. Somehow this thing was laying in the bottom of my vault. Instant Masterworked blast radius. I havnt done so much damage to a boss in a while; feels amazing.
0
Reply      Report Posted a year ago
Season 22 Icon
0
Not much to add that hasn't been said, one of the best rockets hands down. That being said, HARD recommendation to surrounded for Ir Yut, letting you dish out up to about 16.3 rockets worth of damage including wolfpack rounds and surrounded being active vs 13.6 rockets worth of damage with bait assuming 2 rockets to proc bait with perfect swap timings.
0
Reply      Report Posted a year ago
Season 21 Icon
0
Can you believe that a weapon no one even thought about in the first loot iteration of Last Wish now is one of the contenders for the best rocket launcher in the game? Zero to hero, baby.
0
Reply      Report Posted a year ago
Season 21 Icon
0
Bipod would be a great perk to go with Reconstruction but the penalty for using it is way too high. The only way I could see it being a desirable perk is if the radius/reload penalty was removed or the damage reduction was reduced by 15% to 20%. I think most people would rather

Reconstruction on Rocket launchers is practically a combination of Auto Loading Holster and Clown Cartridge. Definitely the pick to go for there. Slideways is interesting but kind of dangerous for boss dps in my opinion.

The damage perks to go for is Explosive Light or Bait and Switch right now. Unless Bungie buffs up Bipod, I don't think any other perk is really worth going for.
0
Reply      Report Posted 2 years ago
Season 21 Icon
0
The idea of reconstruction in any rocket launcher is already incredible to think about. But to be able to pair that with bait and switch, you're looking at a perfect dps rocket launcher. If you can swap correctly, you can do some crazy damage to a boss.

In general, it has other crazy perks as well like demo or EL. And for god sake don't put bipod on this thing.
0
Reply      Report Posted 2 years ago
Season 21 Icon
0
Guys I got this gun crafted now. It has reconstruction and bait and switch. real nice.
0
Reply      Report Posted 2 years ago
Season 23 Icon
0
As others have stated, this is one of, if not the absolute best, rocket launchers in the game. As of writing this, anybody who hasn't gotten their hands on the crafting recipe, and doesn't have the ability to run Last Wish, can go and complete Riven's Wishes (weekly quests given by Mara Sov as part of Season of the Wish, you've only got about 4 weeks left!) to get free red borders of it. Trust me when I say this: Anybody who hasn't crafted one by now DEFINITELY SHOULD, as this rocket launcher is probably among the best, and most accessible (at least right now) DPS weapons you can get your hands on.

Third column is a no-brainer: Enhanced Reconstruction is the go-to, and it's not even close. 90% of the time, the launcher will generate the second rocket just as the reload animation ends, meaning you should virtually always get those two rockets off consecutively. That said, if you mash fire and reload like other launchers, you might be too fast for the perk to work, so keep that in mind.

Fourth column is where it gets trickier: you have your choice of several different damage perks. Frenzy, Vorpal Weapon, and Collective Action are all outclassed, and Surrounded is too niche due to the close range enemy requirements (you could make it work for certain raid bosses, but it usually isn't worth the trouble), which leaves us with Explosive Light and Bait-and-Switch. EL is more passive, but doesn't get as much damage. BnS, despite the extra work, is the real winner, and can pair nicely with anything that deals lingering damage (we're all thinking about Witherhoard, let's be honest). It mostly comes down to preference: BnS for min-maxing, and EL for ease of use.
0
Reply      Report Posted 8 months ago
Season 23 Icon
0
Late to the party, but finally crafted one.

For PvE:
Quick Launch
Impact Casting
Reconstruction
Bait & Switch

Enhanced perks or not (although I would at least get the enhanced version of Reconstruction for the half-second quicker refill), probably the go-to heavy for majority of boss dps phases. Even with the recent update and nerf to B&S, it's still top-tier. If you don't raid enough, use your wish tokens to get the pattern. It's a must if you want top damage on higher level content.
0
Reply      Report Posted a year ago
Season 21 Icon
-3
Hey so my vault is a full on museum of old vaulted content and weird stuff. I jumped on this site to clear useless stuff out and i noticed something strange about apex predator. i have 3 from 3 different seasons. Forsaken, Arrivals, and Deep. the forsaken version isn't vaulted like all other normal legendries from forsaken are. And on the rolls my Arrivals has black powder trait as gold for PvE/PvP while the Deep one doesn't view black powder as a viable trait at all and ranks it as F traits. maybe that is because the available pool changed
-3
Reply      Report Posted a year ago