Shotguns, are they just flat out superior other primaries?

[Artimise Flare]

So I've been watching some relatively high level streamers, and based on what I've been seeing, it looks like shotguns are just outright superior to nearly every primary, even at higher levels. Specifically whatever that full automatic shotgun you can unlock with warbonds. I'm only level 9 at the moment, so I don't have personal experience with them, but even the starter shotgun seems exceptionally solid if not superior to the base assault rifle.

Not calling for nerfs or anything, I just find it intriguing, since they seem to excel and roughly 80-90% of the content thus far.

Excellent alpha, decent magazine capacity, solid range.

The only thing I think they tend to struggle with is reserve ammunition, but when everything you fight dies in a shot or two, to include medium sized mobs, why would you choose anything else out of curiosity? Most of the time it seems like range isn't really a concern, since you'll be fighting enemies within its effective range regardless, and the things you are not, turrets and summoned support strats soften up the enemy before you or they close in.

Am I missing anything here, or is my casual observation of what I'm seeing reasonable? Do shotguns have any other particular weaknesses? I think all of them have at minimum light armor piercing capabilites, so I guess the only major weakness is not being able to punch through heavier armored enemies, but that's a problem for nearly all primary and secondary weapons as far as I'm aware.

[InfluentJam]

It's really just the Breaker. It's almost support weapon level but in the primary slot. It's got the damage of a pump but it's an auto. All the other autos have lower damage to compensate for the higher rate of fire. It's like they made a mistake on the damage stat or something.

I think they just need to nerf the Breaker. All the other primaries are usable but the Breaker being so good makes them less appealing. I wouldn't want them to buff everything to Breaker level either. I don't think that would feel right. I don't think the game needs that level of power creep yet.

[@%thesock10150alpha49]

Yes

[KhanIndustries]

I also agree that other guns need to be brought up to the level of the breaker instead of a breaker nerf. The other primaries just feel so weak.

[Vampire Detective]

I am enjoying Breaker until they nerf it. It has range, too. In Helldivers 1, I used the Scythe the majority of the time I played it. In Helldivers 2, breaker is my weapon of choice.

With that said, network issues and quickplay+matchmaking are priority right now. Balancing weapons will be next.

[Neru]

ngl being able to shot accurately even from the far distance with any slug is enough to tell this game is an unbalance mess, then there's also conveniently reload which dont eat the whole magazines like any other guns.
Guess we'll have to put the debate of why anti-material over railgun on hold for now.

[Marabu]

Originally posted by InfluentJam:

It's really just the Breaker. It's almost support weapon level but in the primary slot. It's got the damage of a pump but it's an auto. All the other autos have lower damage to compensate for the higher rate of fire. It's like they made a mistake on the damage stat or something.

I think they just need to nerf the Breaker. All the other primaries are usable but the Breaker being so good makes them less appealing. I wouldn't want them to buff everything to Breaker level either. I don't think that would feel right. I don't think the game needs that level of power creep yet.

I agree, I would't buff the others. Rather nerf the breaker and balance the weapons. I rarely see flamers or instance, why's that.

[TrollanKojima]

Originally posted by Vektor Noirsang:

Edit: i see people wanting a breaker nerf, i disagree, a buff to every weapon should be the move

This. It's not a PvP game - Buff the other weapons so they all have situational use - Explosive Liberator for soft parts on bugs, like sacs. Penetrator Liberator for hitting Automatons/Chargers hard. It shouldn't feel like I'm firing a bean bag at a bug, when I hit it with explosive rounds.

Balance the weapons by giving them proper use cases, instead of us all mainlining the same three.

[Mr. Alucard]

Main weapons all need buffs, not nerfs because one does not suck as much as the others. Breaker still needs nearly 2 magazines for a stalker and 2 magazines for bile spewer. Breaker is just barely good while other weapons are just ♥♥♥♥♥. For real, stop trying to break the game further

[Marabu]

Whether buff or nerf: the weapons must all have a use, that's the most important thing.

[IcecubePAL]

The first auto shotgun that you can get is boss. That's the only primary I use. I set it on semi and just click as fast as I need to.

[Bregastor]

Originally posted by Mr. Alucard:

Breaker still needs nearly 2 magazines for a stalker

What?
No It does not i can easily obliterate stalkers way before my mag is empty.
Breaker is definitely a good weapon, far from the "barely good" you speak of.

It does not require a nerf tho.

[The Dess 2023 GOTY Edition]

Originally posted by Artimise Flare:

So I've been watching some relatively high level streamers, and based on what I've been seeing, it looks like shotguns are just outright superior to nearly every primary, even at higher levels. Specifically whatever that full automatic shotgun you can unlock with warbonds. I'm only level 9 at the moment, so I don't have personal experience with them, but even the starter shotgun seems exceptionally solid if not superior to the base assault rifle.

Not calling for nerfs or anything, I just find it intriguing, since they seem to excel and roughly 80-90% of the content thus far.

Excellent alpha, decent magazine capacity, solid range.

The only thing I think they tend to struggle with is reserve ammunition, but when everything you fight dies in a shot or two, to include medium sized mobs, why would you choose anything else out of curiosity? Most of the time it seems like range isn't really a concern, since you'll be fighting enemies within its effective range regardless, and the things you are not, turrets and summoned support strats soften up the enemy before you or they close in.

Am I missing anything here, or is my casual observation of what I'm seeing reasonable? Do shotguns have any other particular weaknesses? I think all of them have at minimum light armor piercing capabilites, so I guess the only major weakness is not being able to punch through heavier armored enemies, but that's a problem for nearly all primary and secondary weapons as far as I'm aware.

The default liberator is fine with bugs ESPECIALLY when you shoot their legs. Pro tip. ;]

[Grahf]

Originally posted by WhiteCrow:

Originally posted by Satyrical:

Shotguns just kind of do everything. You have the wide area sprayers, the dot applier, the Breaker, and the Slugger is what the Dominator wishes it could be.

So yeah, in general the entire shotgun category is a bit too juiced compared to others.

Man I wish I didn't blow the medals on the Dominator. That thing is pure ass. Slow RoF, bucks like a bronco, the damage it does isn't justified on how unwieldy it is. The swivel and turning during aiming seems really bad and slow. So disappointed.

It's a liability to take unless you have someone babysit you with it, or you feel like chewing through all your secondary ammo to get you out of jams.

Prob skill issue have to actually aim with the thing just got it and its killing ♥♥♥♥ just fine.

[Patzerli]

I will stay with the Diligence Marksman Rifle. It feels good and I love snipers. But the "Upgrade", the Diligence Counter Sniper sucks hard. Less Ammo, just a liiiiiittle bit more damage, more recoil, and it feels so heavy to move in first person. You have no chance to keep smaller fray at bay.

[Saltzpyre 2 Is Out]

Originally posted by WhiteCrow:

Originally posted by Satyrical:

Shotguns just kind of do everything. You have the wide area sprayers, the dot applier, the Breaker, and the Slugger is what the Dominator wishes it could be.

So yeah, in general the entire shotgun category is a bit too juiced compared to others.

Man I wish I didn't blow the medals on the Dominator. That thing is pure ass. Slow RoF, bucks like a bronco, the damage it does isn't justified on how unwieldy it is. The swivel and turning during aiming seems really bad and slow. So disappointed.

It's a liability to take unless you have someone babysit you with it, or you feel like chewing through all your secondary ammo to get you out of jams.

The state of the dominator is so tragic, that gun is completely useless. You hand me a bolt gun and tap me on the shoulder to tell me this gun does less damage then a 12ga shotgun, has more recoil, a smaller mag, worse handling, probably the longest reload in the entire game, and is just straight up inaccurate? Why even bother?