Shotguns VS SMGs

[OathOfStone]

Apologies if this has been covered already, I did some searching and didn't come across it.

I currently have the Micro SP-3 SMG and I'm slowly biting and clawing my way through Hunting missions trying to save up for the next tier gun. Initially I liked the SMG but it's not really killing enemies fast enough, especially if I spawn 3 ghouls at a time or those shadow creatures.

Would the $4000 shotgun be a better buy than the $4200 SMG that comes next? I have a couple spare skills I can put into either specialty. Are the shadows and giant spiders easier to kill with a shotgun? I wear heavy armor as well and I'm pretty sucky and those dive rolls and evasions.

[󠀡󠀡]

For the Shadow beasts, I wear a night vision headpiece. As soon as the TV comes on in a house, or I get transported to shadow realm, press N and you can see them from farther away.

I have to say after trying out all 3 weapon types, I prefer shotgun and revolver so far.
The revolver does quite a bit of dmg and its precise, works really good for spider.

[Armstrong]

I killed my first boss (Kelpie), it died pretty fast. I was using 4k SMG, best light armor,3 gas canister, and I was fighting without hazmat boots and stimpacks.

Shotguns reloading, aiming and range sucks, so I prefer SMG. 40k SMG is even better.

[OathOfStone]

Which one is the best light armor? I guess I may have to save up $8000 and try them both, but I guess I should throw in some armor attachments too?

Also could someone explain what the toolkit does?

[Armstrong]

Originally posted by OathOfStone:

Which one is the best light armor? I guess I may have to save up $8000 and try them both, but I guess I should throw in some armor attachments too?

Also could someone explain what the toolkit does?

Ballistic Vest for $3500.
Just buy all Accessories, they will give you bonuses against boss, if you equip right ones.

Toolkit is needed for tuning traps.

[Neyreyan_Youtube]

Shotguns are not so good against them. Smg are better but actually also use a secondary pistol, maybe a revolver with long range to finish them off. I use heavy armor because i am lazy:P

[holy-death]

I beat Kelpie and Shadow bosses with a bare Pursuer Pump-Action shotgun (no attachments, no faster reload perk). It's also pretty good against the shadow beasts if you equip the UV ammo and aim properly.

Overall the shotgun is much better investment. You should be able to deal with most things with it, and it's possible to supplement the shotgun with a pistol for longer ranges (either one is good, although revolver requires you to be pretty good at aiming, because every shoot counts and it takes some time to reload).

[dgresevfan]

The $4000-ish SMG utterly obliterates everything less powerful than a ghoul in moments. Works fine for them and shadow beasts too. I prefer it to the shotgun.

[dgresevfan]

How the heck are you guys getting your hands on that revolver? You need the underslung shotgun attachment for that. The price is insane.

[mie001]

SMG, ammo is as cheap as water( $6 for 250 rounds, which is 8+ clips for most SMG). The most expensive SMG I have deals 7 dmg per hit so I can just hold my trigger until all the things in range dead

[FateWeaver]

Personally I prefer the shotguns, with the accuracy addons the spread is tight enough that you can shoot things dead almost at the edge of the screen. I almost one shot shadow beasts now with the most expensive normal shotgun, and with 6 shots I can wipe out almost the entire pack before I need to dodge.