Why shotguns still decide close fights
Most box fights and final-circle collisions still end on a shotgun trade. Chapter 7 Season 3 narrowed the shotgun pool, which makes the choice simpler: learn two guns well instead of five.
See the full pool ranking in the weapons tier list, or build a full hotbar in the loadout builder.
Current shotgun options
Extending Focus Shotgun Season standout. Hipfire for close pressure; ADS for tighter mid-range pellets. Strong default for both Builds and Zero Build.
Best for: Players who want one shotgun that covers push and peek ranges.
Striker Pump Shotgun Classic high-damage pump. Lower fire rate, higher punish on a clean first shot. Build or slide after every shot.
Best for: Confident first-shot aimers and box fighters.
Maven Auto Shotgun Full-auto forgiveness. Lower per-shot spike than Striker, better when you are spraying a moving target.
Best for: Aggressive players who miss the first pellet often.
Chaos Reloader Shotgun Reload-while-stowed shotgun when it appears in the current pool or LTMs. Useful early if you find it; swap to Extending Focus / Striker when those are available. Always trust the in-game loot pool over older patch notes.
Fundamentals that still win
- Crack with shotgun, finish with Stinger / Rapid Fire SMG.
- Place cover after every pump shot.
- Do not chase beyond shotgun range without an AR or Lancehead.
Quick pick
- New / inconsistent aim: Maven Auto
- Default meta pick: Extending Focus
- High mechanical confidence: Striker Pump