Are Pistols, SMGs or Shotguns better for Athena?

[BisectedBrioche]

I've been using all three and I just unlocked the grinder.

Which should I be looking to "craft"?

[Tealtyr]

All of the above!
That said, Athena likes Shotguns because she's up in the face of everything.
The only thing Athena doesn't like is things that you scope in for, also known as sniper rifles and everything made by dahl.

[Vinylicpuma3]

Pistols would be pretty good with Ceraunic Storm builds. I also like elemental tediores too. Massive damage. :)

[SeanTanamoBae]

I've been having a blast using contant laser beam weapons with the maelstrom skill. Racks up stacks fast. Otherwise shotguns have been very good to me.

[Maddie Gaming]

SMGs are really nice in general, though shotties and pistols need to have certain traits to be as good (Like having high fire rates, for example).

There's also lasers and Vladof ARs.

[(≖ ͜ʖ≖)]

My main weapons for building Maelstrom is Shock Rosie / HellFire / Storm Front. But anything with a good fire rate is valuable on Athena.