Games likeCoD Warzonego through many different metas as new weapons are added and old ones go through changes. This can make it difficult to make players' favorite weapons viable options, and any fans of the shotguns available in the game could feel some disappointment. The shotguns have fallen out of the game’s meta after a batch of nerfs hit the typically powerful guns. This has seen the weapons fall out of favor with the community, though it doesn’t mean they are completely useless.
Especially in a game likeWarzonewhere it all depends on luck on what weapons a person may find, sometimes a player just has to roll with what they are given. Because of this, they should be aware of the loadouts that work best for these close-range options in case they find a need to use one.
8Lockwood Mk2
A Potent Duo
The top loadout for shotguns involvesusing the Lockwood Mk2as a dual-wield threat. This is done with the JAK Wardens conversion kit that gives players double the firepower of a normal Lockwood Mk2. It creates one of the most mobile shotgun builds available in the game and can have players crossing enormous amounts of ground in no time at all.
However, the bullet velocity on these guys is not fantastic, and it also doesn’t have the best time to kill. As such, it may take a few shots to actually take an enemy down. However, these can fire off several rounds pretty quickly to make up for that, and their recoil is pretty solid, so those shots can definitely land.
7Marine SP
Fast And Fun
Making the most out of a weapon’s strengths is the difference between victory and defeat in the game, and using this loadout will put theMarine SP on the map. Using the Rapid Fire fire mod will boost the already impressive firing rate of this shotgun, making it a true force to be reckoned with as it rattles off shots quicker than expected.
However, this doesn’t mean that players can just shoot off at random; they will need to utilize some other attachments to help with accuracy. These are the Long Barrel and Modified Choke that really help with this part of the process.
6ASG-89
A Semi-Automatic Threat
Usingits semi-automatic firing, the ASG-89 can shred through multiple targets in quick succession, so long as players can land those hits and keep its recoil under control. This loadout aims to do just that through not only boosting firing rate with its fire mod, but also keeping those quick shots on target as much as they possibly can be.
It’s really the recoil that will prove to be the most unwieldy part of this loadout. The Long Barrel and Modified Choke can help with that, but it is still going to be a consistent factor in this loadout. Players need to be ready to accommodate this when using it in the game.
5Maelstrom
Stay Moving, Stay Shooting
Usingthe mobility of the Maelstromwill make it the best version of itself that it can be. Using the Commando Grip and Long Barrel will make sure you can then rattle off a shot in a heartbeat once an enemy is encountered. Then the use of the Extended Mag I will help if some of those shots are missed, so players can easily try again to land a hit.
The only downside is that this weapon doesn’t do a ton of damage, and it’s going to take a bit before an enemy can be defeated. However, with the right timing and aim, this loadout is more than able to drop an enemy before they can retaliate.
4Reclaimer 18
Hit Them Hard
Using the Reclaimer 18will rely on hitting shots that pack a decent enough punch to do some damage to the target. With the right attachments, such as the 12 Gauge Dragon’s Breath, the damage output will be high enough to be decent.
The fire rate isn’t very high, though, which can be tricky. Once a player misses their shots, it can be iffy for them to get another one off in time to take the target out. It also comes with some hefty recoil that will need to be controlled after each shot.
3MX Guardian
Jack Of All Trades
There are few shotguns with as good of recoil at its base as the MX Guardian. It has a really great pattern that players can use the Bryson Choke to help control even more. This makes getting shots off much easier, especially when using the Burst-Fire Trigger mod to make the gun even more potent.
It does have some slow reload time and also lacks some punch when it comes to its shots. The reload time can be overcome by landing the shots, while the lack of firepower is compensated by the high firing rate. This still isn’t enough to rank it above other options, however.
2Riveter
Quickly Dish Out The Pain
The Riveter is an impressively powerful shotgun that has great damage output, a good rate of fire, and also comes with good mobility. These combine into a package that can do fairly well when fighting up close with an enemy.
Its usage at a distance can quickly disappear, though, which makes it really only viable in select situations. While it may do just fine in those, its lack of viabliity elsewhere in the game makes it hard to recommened beyond its place on this list.
1Haymaker
A Monster When Close
Much like the Riveter, the Haymaker is an exceptional tool when fighting in close-quarters combat. It has good damage output with solid handling. When in a tight space, players can easily clear out the competition with this weapon.
However, it loses a lot of viability quickly once players begin to engage at a range. It just doesn’t land those powerful shots that it needs, making it far from the best shotgun available in the game for anyone looking to use them.
