A viable shotgun build?

[LeBurns]

So how do you make shotguns even useful in this game. I've tried them a few times and it seems they barely do any damage unless I'm standing 5 feet the target.

I know I can buff the damage with skills. I can stand still (eating lead/laser the whole time) to narrow the spread, which helps a little (I think).

What seems weird is when they are used against me they tear me apart, but I can't get the same results, so I feel like I'm missing something.

Thanks.

[Neo]

I find shotguns very powerful, it's one of the first gun perks i leveled up to max. Sometimes you have a chance on hit to stun and knock them down too.

I think other than the obvious shotgun perk, there is the ballistic perk and the particle perk (there is a particle shotgun) and also make sure you mod your gun with the best mods.

[sarcastic_godot]

Later on, with weapon cradtign, you can modify a shotgun's magazine to use slug ammo. That gives them quite the punch at range, but they're still somewhat less accurate than other guns. Also some types of ammo used in shotguns - like Flechette ammo - are somewhat less effective against heavier armor.

[Ihateeverybody]

"I like to keep one around, for Close Encounters" - Hicks, Aliens.

They are meant to be used at close to mid range. Thats their whole deal. From Mid to Far, you want a Rifle. For Extreme range you want a scoped rifle.

[Emphoise]

Originally posted by LeBurns:

So how do you make shotguns even useful in this game. I've tried them a few times and it seems they barely do any damage unless I'm standing 5 feet the target.

I know I can buff the damage with skills. I can stand still (eating lead/laser the whole time) to narrow the spread, which helps a little (I think).

What seems weird is when they are used against me they tear me apart, but I can't get the same results, so I feel like I'm missing something.

Thanks.

get a fully modded advanced big bang, its a very ammo efficient weapon (one or 2 hit kills everything at close range, maximum difficulty +75% NG+10).

(dont forget to level the PB skill too, or corresponding skill of your shotgun of choice).

Yeah you have to be close, but its 1 heavy fuse per kill and more convenient than a scoped weapon in close quarters.

[ReadyToPlay]

I use Big Bang as well. Also, use the Creators' Peace power to make your enemies temporarily stop attacking. Then pound them with Big Bang.

[Skumboni]

I never thought of using a short range weapon at all, I like shooting them from farther away than their ammo can travel. Get a gun with range and damage.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3098287568

[LeBurns]

Originally posted by Skumboni:

I never thought of using a short range weapon at all, I like shooting them from farther away than their ammo can travel. Get a gun with range and damage.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3098287568

I've done the sniper to death. Short range I generally use a pistol or small full auto like Kodama. But Shotgun 'should' work short range. But it just seems like I never do much damage with it unless I'm standing 5 feet away, which prompted this question.

With Shotgun is seems I need to carry three weapons types, Long, Medium and Short, because I just can't seem to do much damage medium range with a shotgun. Since I turn on weighted ammo this becomes a problem. I really need to be able to focus on two weapons, but it just seems Shotgun can't fill the role of both Medium and Short. I can try again though.

[StormhawkV]

If you get your hands on a concussive Big Bang you can down human enemies without killing them. They stay on the ground for so long you can clear the rest of the map and come back to kill them with a knife or something. It's hilarious. Make sure to install the double barrel muzzle attachment in this case.

[titanopteryx]

There's shotgun upgrades that increase its effectiveness at range. Choke and Slug ammo for instance.

[The Dude]

I love the new doom themed shotgun (free DLC). I modded it to fire explosive rounds so much fun! Don't shoot anything close though you will disintegrate yourself as well! Also if your into the red mile it makes it so you can not be staggered so you can just run and not have the annoying staggering.

[sarcastic_godot]

Originally posted by LeBurns:

[...]
What seems weird is when they are used against me they tear me apart, but I can't get the same results, so I feel like I'm missing something.

Thanks.

What you might be missing:

There's a hidden difficulty imbalance in higher NG+

NG1 	NG2 	NG3 	NG4 	NG5
+15% 	+30% 	+44% 	+57% 	+69%          Damage Received by Player	
-5%       -10% 	-15% 	-20% 	-25%         Enemy Damage Received 	
	
NG6 	NG7 	NG8 	NG9 	NG10
+79% 	+88% 	+94% 	+99% 	+100%     Damage Received by Player	
-30% 	-35% 	-40% 	-45% 	-50%       Enemy Damage Received 	  

(Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/Starfield/comments/175068f/secret_new_game_changes_starfields_damage/?rdt=63511)

[Emphoise]

Originally posted by StormhawkV:

If you get your hands on a concussive Big Bang you can down human enemies without killing them. They stay on the ground for so long you can clear the rest of the map and come back to kill them with a knife or something. It's hilarious. Make sure to install the double barrel muzzle attachment in this case.

A big bang should 1 or 2 hit kill the near entirety of enemies in the game, so the knock down effect isnt really relevant. Just get as much damage as possible.

[Liquid Inc]

Big Bang is one of the good guns, and just because it's a shotgun doesn't mean it's range is bad. It's basically a rifle; range isn't much of an issue.

No one's mentioned the Coachman...? That gun with the ammo switch to Hornets Nest is absolutely lethal. (To you as well, if you fire at things too close. I don't recommend trying to use this from cover. It WILL end badly lol)
Early game you can get an "Extended Mag Coachman". Don't know how a double barrel shotgun can have an extended mag, but just go with it....
I've never seen a higher level one though, so it's probably not meant to happen, or the higher level versions are bugged. Either way, enjoy a four shot explosive double barrel shotgun

[Emphoise]

Originally posted by Liquid Inc:

Big Bang is one of the good guns, and just because it's a shotgun doesn't mean it's range is bad. It's basically a rifle; range isn't much of an issue.

Pellets spread wider the farther the target is so you lose a ton of damage compared to melee range.

Big bang pellets can all crit individually so the damage is absurd at close range, and a lot less impressive from afar. Also, no scope (no +50% damage with the perk).

[Liquid Inc]

Originally posted by Emphoise:

Pellets spread wider the farther the target is so you lose a ton of damage compared to melee range.

Big bang pellets can all crit individually so the damage is absurd at close range, and a lot less impressive from afar. Also, no scope (no +50% damage with the perk).

Yup, but there are weapon mods to help minimise that spread, like the Focal Lens. i could shoot and kill things at long range with ease with it, and that's good enough for me. Normal targets at long range+ were birds and flying animals... I'd shoot down anything in range for xp

It was usually better at killing long range targets than anything else i picked up (With the exceptions of some of the Mag weapons (but they're much more thirsty for ammo) or the Va'ruun rifle. You tend to get it earlier than those as well.)

Annihilator rounds were the cherry on top, though did limit when you could use it due to area damage + allies......

It's always a "go-to" weapon IMO.