In real life, a shotgun is a devastating weapon often favored for its utility in home defense and recreational hunting. The sound of a shotgun racking a shell to fire is known as one of the most psychologically intimidating sounds to the human ear and the last thing a robber wants to hear. 

 A shotgun shell, traditionally, fires a spray of metallic beads in an explosive spread at high velocity in the direction of whatever it is you’re shooting at. Some would say that a shotgun blast is potentially lethal up to about 300 yards minimum before the spray of beads becomes more of a very painful nuisance.

In video games, the science of the shotgun is as follows: Deadly in close to moderate range, absolutely useless at long range. Whereas more precision-based firearms have no trouble doing damage at a distance, with a shotgun, if your target is a bit too far, you would deal more damage by trying to hurt its feelings.

That’s not to say that shotguns are useless just because you need to get a little bit closer. Like with all weapons in Fallout 76, a player with the proper perks and legendary effects can turn any weapon in the brass section of the symphony of destruction. There is a reason the Two-Shot Explosive Shotgun is either number one or number two on almost everyone’s Christmas list.

Despite their storied history with Fallout 76 from being one the most overpowered weapons in the game to players begging they be un-nerfed to their former glory, we are taking a look at three of the best shotguns in Fallout 76…

...What’s that? One second folks, they just passed me a memo. Ah...Yes...We are taking a look at basically...All the shotguns in Fallout 76...Until they add more (Wastelanders won’t be out until April…)

3. Pump-Action Shotgun

Fallout 76: Weapon Spotlight: Instigating Explosive Pump Action Shotgun

I present to you the common shotgun, before the war used by law enforcement and civilians for home defense, now used to keep mutants and ghouls from eating your face. A single barrel weapon that requires pumping, or racking as some say, the forestock to eject the spent shell and reload for the next shot.

Weapon Stats:

• Damage: 55/65/75/85/95

• Fire Rate: 5

• Range: 36

• Accuracy: 24

• Weight: 7

• Ammo: Shotgun Shell

What makes the Pump-Action Shotgun awesome:

• A reliable weapon for those who are set on the Shotgun life that is easy to acquire from locations in the world.

• Benefits from shotgun related perks that allow each pellet from the resulting spray to do critical damage.

• Along with damage perks, perks like Enforcer give a chance for each pellet, roughly 8 fired at one time, to cripple a target.

How to Get the Pump-Action Shotgun: 

• Helvetia, in the church’s steeple, houses one location on a red chair.

• Commonly loot among Scorched and Mole Miners.

• Behind the counter at the Giant Teapot.

Fallout 76 Pump Action Shotgun Location

2. Combat Shotgun

Two Shot Explosive Combat Shotgun, Fallout 76 Gameplay

Shotguns are sometimes said to be slow. Fire, then rack, fire, then rack. Lather, rinse, repeat. Let’s not even get started on reloading them. The Combat Shotgun remedies this by being drum fed, creating an automatic shotgun designed to go on the offensive. 

Combat Shotguns are a weapon that has survived throughout the Fallout series, making an appearance since the first Fallout back in 1998.

Weapon Stats:

• Damage: 60/70/80/90

• Fire Rate: 20

• Range: 36

• Accuracy: 16

• Weight: 9.8

• Ammo: Shotgun Shell

What makes the Combat Shotgun awesome:

• Keeps the player in the action by being semi or fully automatic.

• Unlike the Pump-Action shotgun having a fixed clip capacity of 8, the Combat Shotgun can be upgraded for larger capacity.

• Benefits from all damage increasing shotgun perks, granting the player speed and destructive capability.

How to Get the Combat Shotgun:

• One can be found upstairs of the barn at Southampton Estate.

• Sometimes dropped by Mole Miner Diggers

• Crafting plans can be found as rewards for various events and quests in Savage Divide and the Ash Heap

Fallout 76: Weapon Spotlights: Two Shot Explosive Combat Shotgun

1. Double Barrel Shotgun

Fallout 76: Weapon Spotlights: Two Shot Explosive Double Barrel Shotgun

When people talk about the Two-Shot Explosive Shotgun, they are often referring to this little number. With superior base damage to the others on this list, it is balanced with a fixed ammo capacity as the Pump-Action Shotgun and a slow reload speed, however, you only get two shots versus the Pump-Action’s eight. Often found in loot as sawn-off shotguns that can be upgraded to it’s longer barreled versions.

Weapon Stats:

• Damage: 80/90/100/115

• Fire Rate: 36

• Range: 36

• Accuracy: 14

• Weight: 6

• Ammo: Shotgun Shell

What makes the Double-Barrel Shotgun awesome:

• The harder-hitting shotgun on this list, trading fire rate for damage output. You shoot less but hit harder.

• Benefits from the usual perks to increase damage and effectiveness.

• Works best to blow away weaker enemies and soften larger, more formidable targets before switching to a Combat Shotgun when and if they get too close.

How to Get the Double-Barrel Shotgun:

• One makes its home in the Portside Diner behind the counter. 

• Mole Miners often carry these weapons in their subterranean lairs.

• The Scorched that wander around in Belching Betty most commonly use these shotguns. 

Fallout 76 Weapon Guide- Double Barrel Shotgun (All Spawn Locations)

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