NICKMERCS declares the CAR SMG the fastest TTK weapon in Apex Legends, surpassing the Volt and R99 in Season 12 meta.
Pro Player Spotlight: NICKMERCS’ Meta-Defining Pick
Top Twitch streamer and FaZe Clan competitor Nick ‘NICKMERCS’ Kolcheff has ignited community discussion by nominating the CAR SMG as the most overpowered firearm in Apex Legends’ current Season 12: Defiance.
Several weeks into Season 12, the competitive landscape has settled, allowing players to fully assess new legend Mad Maggie and the sweeping weapon meta changes. The most significant shift occurred in the ground loot pool, where fan-favorite weapons like the Volt SMG and Flatline assault rifle were relocated to care packages and replicators, respectively. This vacuum has propelled previously underrated weapons into the spotlight. For players seeking a dominant close-range option capable of shredding enemy health bars with blistering speed, NICKMERCS’ endorsement of the CAR SMG provides a clear, data-backed answer.
Respawn EntertainmentSeason 12 of Apex Legends, titled Defiance, launched on February 8, 2022, dramatically altering weapon availability.
The evidence came during a high-stakes ranked match on Olympus, where NICKMERCS, teamed with fellow streamers Daltoosh and Deeds, secured a dominant 23-kill victory. His loadout and performance during this game became the cornerstone of his argument.
Analyzing the CAR SMG’s Devastating Performance
During the pivotal match, NICKMERCS wielded a Wingman pistol for precision shots and the CAR SMG for close-quarters dominance. He delivered over 1,700 damage and secured seven eliminations, with the CAR being responsible for the majority of his rapid kills. In the post-game analysis on his February 20 YouTube video, he expressed awe at the weapon’s performance, directly comparing it to the coveted care package Volt.
“Is the CAR better than the care package Volt? That’s insane to think about. But the CAR is absolutely ridiculous,” NICKMERCS stated. “Its fire rate is the key. When your shots are on target, the damage counter rockets to 200 so fast it’s unreal. I haven’t crunched the exact numbers, but the Time-To-Kill (TTK) feels like the quickest in the entire game right now.”
While some players may counter that one-shot weapons like the Kraber sniper rifle have a technically faster TTK, they ignore practical factors like rarity, ammunition constraints, and skill ceiling. The CAR’s strength lies in its reliability as ground loot. Its combination of a 930 RPM (Rounds Per Minute) fire rate, manageable recoil pattern with practice, and the unique ability to use both Light and Heavy ammo magazines makes it a versatile and consistently deadly choice for the final circles.
Mastering the CAR: Tips, Strategies, and Common Pitfalls
Practical Tips and Strategies:
To leverage the CAR’s potential as NICKMERCS does, attachment priority is crucial. Always seek a Purple or Gold Extended Magazine to mitigate its high ammo consumption. A Barrel Stabilizer is essential for controlling its initial horizontal kick, making follow-up shots easier. For the optic, a 1x Holographic or Classic sight offers the best balance of target acquisition and peripheral vision for its intended close-to-mid range role.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them:
1. Overestimating Effective Range: The CAR excels within 0-30 meters. Beyond that, damage drop-off and recoil make it inefficient. Pair it with a medium-range weapon like a 30-30 Repeater or R-301.
2. Poor Recoil Management: Its pattern pulls up and slightly to the right. Practice in the Firing Range, pulling down and left to compensate. Start by mastering the first 15 rounds, as this is often all you need for a knock.
3. Running Dry in Fights: Its high fire rate empties magazines quickly. Disciplined trigger control—firing in short bursts for medium range—and constant ammo awareness are mandatory. Never engage a full squad without at least 240 rounds in reserve.
Optimization Tips for Advanced Players:
• Ammo Type Swapping: Use its dual ammo capability strategically. Early game, use whichever Extended Mag you find first. Late game, prioritize Heavy Ammo mags for the slight per-bullet damage increase.
• Movement Synergy: The CAR is perfect for aggressive, movement-based legends like Octane, Horizon, or Mad Maggie. Its hip-fire accuracy is solid, allowing you to maintain strafe speed while outputting maximum damage.
• Peek-Firing: Due to its fast TTK, you can adopt a peek-fire playstyle around cover. Expose yourself just long enough to unleash a devastating burst, then retreat before the enemy can react fully.
The Verdict: Is the CAR Truly the King of TTK?
NICKMERCS’ claim that the CAR possesses the fastest TTK is rooted in practical, encounter-based experience rather than raw spreadsheet math. In the chaotic, movement-heavy skirmishes that define Apex Legends’ high-level play, a weapon’s theoretical TTK is less important than its achievable TTK in the hands of a skilled player. The CAR’s low bullet deviation, high DPS (Damage Per Second), and forgiving magazine size with the right attachments allow players to consistently realize its maximum potential.
However, it’s not an absolute, context-free winner. The Kraber will always win in a single shot. The Mastiff or PK Peacekeeper can output higher burst damage in a single peek. The CAR’s reign is in the sustained, close-range duel where its blistering fire rate and manageable recoil shine. It rewards aggressive positioning and accurate tracking.
The conclusion from a pro like NICKMERCS is clear: within the current Season 12 ecosystem, the CAR SMG stands as the most reliable and brutally efficient ground-loot weapon for securing quick eliminations. His advice is straightforward: the next time you see a CAR on the ground, pick it up, kit it out, and experience firsthand why it has become the meta-defining SMG for aggressive players worldwide.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » NICKMERCS reveals his new favorite weapon in Apex Legends for fastest TTK NICKMERCS declares the CAR SMG the fastest TTK weapon in Apex Legends, surpassing the Volt and R99 in Season 12 meta.