The Devotion presumably was made by Wonyeon Defense, as it has a similar design to the second iteration of the Hemlok BF-R that was made by them after the Battle of Demeter. It was rather unique for its time, as it was the first ever pilot weapon that used an RPM ramp-up mechanic. The fast fire rate made it a popular option with pilots who wanted an alternative to the Spitfire that ripped through targets almost instantly, thus being employed as a weapon used in the Frontier War.
Design and performance
The weapon functions similarly to the Accelerator mod for the XO-16BTR from the original Titanfall, in that its fire rate increases greatly the longer the trigger is held. Like the mod, this is counterbalanced somewhat by the fact that its starting rate of fire is incredibly slow on the first few rounds. Once the user reached maximum firerate, this weapon will make short work of enemies at range for as long as the trigger is held. It has uses a special type of blue tracer rifle cartridges that is only found in this weapon alongside the Havoc Energy Rifle.
Much like the Spitfire, it uses a box magazine to contain rounds. While it does appear to have a bipod at the front, this is purely cosmetic as it sees no use in any of the games the weapon appears in.
Field notes
Use this weapon from further ranges, as the initial ramp-up makes it difficult to use up close where any close-range weapon with higher DPS can quickly eliminate you.
If you do find yourself in a situation where you are in CQC with a devotion, find cover and fire the first few rounds and then peek to attack once the fire rate has reached full RPM
Don't fire this weapon in short bursts like a Spitfire, Rampage or L-STAR, because as mentioned before, the initial ramp-up is slow and it goes back to the initial fire rate each time you let go of the trigger.
Avoid staying in one place and firing, as the blue beam given by this weapon can alert enemies rather quickly.
Strengths
High rate of fire once ramped up
Lesser recoil
Large magazine size
High DPS
Very fast bullet travel
(Apex Legends) highest DPS of all weapons when ramped up
Weaknesses
burns through ammo quickly
Weak up close
(Apex Legends) inaccurate hipfire
(Apex Legends) relies on several attachments to be viable at endgame
(Apex Legends) needs Turbocharger to be usable up close
Titanfall 2
The Devotion debuts in Titanfall 2 as a Light Machine gun that ramps up the longer the player holds the trigger.
The Devotion demands something different from its handler than most weapons: commitment. A cyclical, energy - assisted firing action increases its rate of fire the longer its trigger is held. This added “spin - up” time can make the Devotion a risky choice in heated situations. However, upgrading it with a Turbocharger hop - up decreases its spin - up significantly and makes the fealty worthwhile.
— In-game description.
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The X-55 Devotion also appears in Apex Legends as an energy weapon LMG. Its behavior is mostly the same as in previous appearances, though the weapon can be modified with attachments for improved functionality. Unlike the first iteration, users can now reduce the time it takes to ramp up in max fire rate with the Turbocharger. Aesthetically, the weapon gains yellow strikings against a dark paint job, with its original beige coating and white stripes removed. Its paint noticeably appears more worn and torn than in Titanfall 2.
1x HCOG Classic: The original HCOG from Titanfall, this time providing a simple red dot reticle instead of the old yellow chevrons, with a 1x magnification.
1x Holo: A circular shaped optic providing a red circle and dot as a reticle, with a 1x magnification.
1x-2x Variable Holo: A slightly thicker 1x Holo optic, with an option to toggle its magnification to 2x and back at any time.
2x HCOG Bruiser: The updated HCOG model from Titanfall 2, this fixed 2x optic features a red chevron and range markings with a clear sight picture like its predecessor.
3x HCOG Ranger: Returning from Titanfall 2, this 3x magnified optic allows a user to engage at medium ranges, featuring a red "dot & cross" reticle not unlike a sniper's scope.
2x-4x Variable AOG: This optic is perfect for rapidly switching between medium and moderately long range encounters with its variable 2x/4x zoom. It comes with a similar circular reticle as the 1x Holo.
The Devotion returns in Apex Legends Mobile, mostly being unchanged from its previous iteration design-wise. It is now a Supply Drop Weapon that uses Mythic Energy Ammo, and as such cannot be found on the ground, only being found in Care Packages that drop periodically during a match. It comes with limited ammo that doesn't take space in a players inventory, and once that ammo runs out, the player must drop the weapon as it is useless and cannot be refilled with ammo.
Weapon attachments
The Devotion comes with the following all built in and maxxed out (alongside a 2x bruiser which can be swapped out for another attachment)
1x HCOG Classic: The original HCOG from Titanfall, this time providing a simple red dot reticle instead of the old yellow chevrons, with a 1x magnification.
1x Holo: A circular shaped optic providing a red circle and dot as a reticle, with a 1x magnification.
1x-2x Variable Holo: A slightly thicker 1x Holo optic, with an option to toggle its magnification to 2x and back at any time.
2x HCOG Bruiser: The updated HCOG model from Titanfall 2, this fixed 2x optic features a red chevron and range markings with a clear sight picture like its predecessor.
3x HCOG Ranger: Returning from Titanfall 2, this 3x magnified optic allows a user to engage at medium ranges, featuring a red "dot & cross" reticle not unlike a sniper's scope.
2x-4x Variable AOG: This optic is perfect for rapidly switching between medium and moderately long range encounters with its variable 2x/4x zoom. It comes with a similar circular reticle as the 1x Holo.
Devotion render. Note the lack of a box magazine and the compact version (top) lacking a stock.
"RSPN Custom" Elite Warpaint.
Low-poly Devotion in Titanfall: Assault
Apex Legends concept art.
Trivia
According to artist Robb Shoberg, the Devotion's overall design was originally envisioned for use by the Hemlok BF-R.
Furthermore, the Devotion seen in Titanfall: Assaultbears markings that say "Hamlock MKII". Assuming "Hamlock" is a misspelled "Hemlok", it is possible the Devotion is in fact part of the same family. A harder-to-read decal with "HEMLOK MK.II" can be seen on the in-game model of the Devotion. This supports the idea that the Devotion and Volt are LMG and SMG variants of the Hemlok BF-R, respectively.
Pre-release art depicts the Devotion with a standard stick magazine, almost identical to the Volt - however, the final game only permits use of a heavier box magazine.
The weapon itself is very loosely based on the Stoner 63, a Vietnam War-era weapon that could either be used as an assault rifle or a belt-fed LMG much like the Devotion, but with the front end resembling an FN SCAR and the stock of an ACR.
The name could be derived from the idea of the shooter having to be "devoted" to holding down the trigger to increase the weapon's rate of fire instead of firing in bursts.