The weapon with Apex Legends’ distinctive continuous-fire overheating mechanic is the L-STAR.
The L-STAR is an energy-ammunition light machine gun that fires large plasma projectiles. Instead of using a conventional reload cycle, it builds heat while firing. Holding the trigger too long causes the weapon to overheat, temporarily preventing it from firing; controlled bursts allow the heat to dissipate.
The gun first arrived in Season 2, initially as a care-package weapon. Later updates moved it into the regular loot pool and added Energy Magazine interactions. L-STAR magazines do not work like ordinary magazines: they increase the number of shots possible before overheating and help the weapon cool more efficiently.
The Rampage, Spitfire and Devotion are also light machine guns, but their defining mechanics differ. The Rampage can be charged to increase its fire rate, the Devotion accelerates its rate of fire, and the Spitfire uses conventional ammunition and reloads. Their sustained-fire strengths can make the distinction easy to miss.