Black Ops 6: Top 21 SHOTGUNS Dominate RANKED (Season 4!)

Season 4 of Black Ops 6 Ranked has brought significant changes to the competitive landscape, with a renewed emphasis on close-quarters combat. In this fast-paced environment, shotguns have emerged as a dominant force, capable of delivering devastating damage in tight spaces. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each shotgun is crucial for gaining a competitive edge.

This guide focuses on the top 21 shotguns in Black Ops 6 Ranked, providing a comprehensive tier-based ranking to help players optimize their loadouts. Shotguns are particularly important in objective-based modes and smaller maps, where close-range engagements are frequent.

The ranking criteria is based on a meticulous evaluation of each weapon's performance, considering factors such as damage output, effective range, mobility, and overall versatility. This analysis aims to provide players with the knowledge needed to select the best shotgun for their playstyle and dominate the competition.

#1: Marine SP

The Marine SP Shotgun is categorized as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. Its performance is notably lacking compared to other shotguns in its class. The Marine SP Shotgun struggles to compete effectively in the current meta due to its low damage output and limited range.

While it may offer some utility in extremely close-quarters engagements, its inconsistencies and lack of versatility make it a suboptimal choice for Ranked play. Players often find themselves at a disadvantage when using this weapon against opponents wielding higher-tier shotguns or other meta weapons. Its weaknesses outweigh any potential strengths, relegating it to the lower tiers of weapon viability.

#2: ASG-89

The ASG-89 Shotgun is categorized as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. Its performance is notably lacking compared to other shotguns in its class. The ASG-89 Shotgun struggles to compete effectively in the current meta due to its low damage output and limited range.

While it may offer some utility in extremely close-quarters engagements, its inconsistencies and lack of versatility make it a suboptimal choice for Ranked play. Players often find themselves at a disadvantage when using this weapon against opponents wielding higher-tier shotguns or other meta weapons. Its weaknesses outweigh any potential strengths, relegating it to the lower tiers of weapon viability.

#3: MAELSTROM

The MAELSTROM Shotgun is classified as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. As a fully automatic shotgun, it offers a unique approach to close-quarters combat, providing sustained fire capabilities. However, its high recoil and large hip spread significantly hinder its accuracy, especially at longer ranges.

While the MAELSTROM boasts good range and handling for an automatic shotgun, these advantages are overshadowed by its considerable drawbacks. The weapon's high recoil makes it difficult to control during extended engagements, and the wide hip spread reduces its effectiveness when firing from the hip. These factors contribute to its lower tier ranking, making it a less favorable option compared to other shotguns in the current meta.

#4: Bryson 800

The Bryson 800 Shotgun is categorized as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. As a pump-action shotgun, it relies on delivering high damage in a single shot, but it falls short compared to the current meta weapons. The Bryson 800's primary weakness lies in its insufficient damage output, making it difficult to secure one-shot kills consistently.

While pump-action shotguns can be effective in skilled hands, the Bryson 800 lacks the necessary power to compete with other weapons in its class. Its inability to consistently eliminate opponents in a single shot puts players at a disadvantage, especially in fast-paced Ranked matches. The weapon's limitations make it a less viable option for those seeking to maximize their performance in Black Ops 6 Ranked.

#5: Bryson 890

The Bryson 890 Shotgun is categorized as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. As a pump-action shotgun, it relies on delivering high damage in a single shot, but it falls short compared to the current meta weapons. The Bryson 890's primary weakness lies in its insufficient damage output, making it difficult to secure one-shot kills consistently.

While pump-action shotguns can be effective in skilled hands, the Bryson 890 lacks the necessary power to compete with other weapons in its class. Its inability to consistently eliminate opponents in a single shot puts players at a disadvantage, especially in fast-paced Ranked matches. The weapon's limitations make it a less viable option for those seeking to maximize their performance in Black Ops 6 Ranked.

#6: Expedite 12

The Expedite 12 Shotgun is categorized as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. As a semi-automatic shotgun, it offers a moderate damage output with a very short damage range. The Expedite 12's primary weakness lies in its limited effective range, making it challenging to secure kills beyond extremely close quarters.

While the semi-automatic action allows for faster follow-up shots, the weapon's low damage and range severely restrict its viability in most combat scenarios. Players often find themselves needing multiple shots to eliminate opponents, which can be a significant disadvantage in fast-paced Ranked matches. The Expedite 12's limitations make it a less favorable option compared to other shotguns with better range and damage profiles.

#7: Lockwood 300

The Lockwood 300 Shotgun is categorized as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. As a powerful double-barrel shotgun, it has the potential to kill in one shot when using the trigger action attachment that fires both barrels simultaneously. However, it requires reloading after every shot, which is a significant drawback.

While the one-shot kill potential is appealing, the constant need to reload after each shot severely limits its effectiveness in sustained engagements. This makes the Lockwood 300 highly situational and less versatile compared to other shotguns that offer faster follow-up shots or larger magazine capacities. Its limitations make it a risky choice for Ranked play, where adaptability and sustained firepower are crucial for success.

#8: Riveter

The Riveter Shotgun is categorized as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. Designed as a full-auto, .410 shotgun built around an assault rifle receiver, the Riveter is intended to be a hole-punching machine. However, its performance in practice does not live up to its design.

Despite its full-auto capability, the Riveter struggles with inconsistencies in damage output and a lack of effective range. This combination of factors makes it difficult to compete against other shotguns and weapons in the current meta. While it may offer some utility in extremely close-quarters combat, its drawbacks make it a suboptimal choice for Ranked play.

#9: MX Guardian

The MX Guardian Shotgun is categorized as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. Its performance is notably lacking compared to other shotguns in its class. The MX Guardian Shotgun struggles to compete effectively in the current meta due to its low damage output and limited range.

While it may offer some utility in extremely close-quarters engagements, its inconsistencies and lack of versatility make it a suboptimal choice for Ranked play. Players often find themselves at a disadvantage when using this weapon against opponents wielding higher-tier shotguns or other meta weapons. Its weaknesses outweigh any potential strengths, relegating it to the lower tiers of weapon viability.

#10: Lockwood 680

The Lockwood 680 Shotgun is categorized as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. While it is described as a highly effective and versatile 12-gauge pump shotgun that can be modified to excel in most scenarios, its actual performance in Ranked play is underwhelming. Despite its potential for consistent one-shot kills in multiplayer, it often falls short in competitive matches.

While the Lockwood 680 may perform adequately in casual game modes, its limitations become apparent in the more demanding environment of Ranked. Its inconsistencies and lack of distinct advantages make it a less favorable option compared to other shotguns that offer more reliable performance and versatility.

#11: Reclaimer 18

The Reclaimer 18 Shotgun is categorized as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. Its performance is notably lacking compared to other shotguns in its class. The Reclaimer 18 Shotgun struggles to compete effectively in the current meta due to its low damage output and limited range.

While it may offer some utility in extremely close-quarters engagements, its inconsistencies and lack of versatility make it a suboptimal choice for Ranked play. Players often find themselves at a disadvantage when using this weapon against opponents wielding higher-tier shotguns or other meta weapons. Its weaknesses outweigh any potential strengths, relegating it to the lower tiers of weapon viability.

#12: Stormender

The Stormender Shotgun is categorized as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. Its performance is notably lacking compared to other shotguns in its class. The Stormender Shotgun struggles to compete effectively in the current meta due to its low damage output and limited range.

While it may offer some utility in extremely close-quarters engagements, its inconsistencies and lack of versatility make it a suboptimal choice for Ranked play. Players often find themselves at a disadvantage when using this weapon against opponents wielding higher-tier shotguns or other meta weapons. Its weaknesses outweigh any potential strengths, relegating it to the lower tiers of weapon viability.

#13: KV Broadside

The KV Broadside Shotgun is categorized as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. As a semi-automatic shotgun, it packs a powerful punch and boasts a very fast time-to-kill (TTK). However, its slow mobility and aim-down-sight (ADS) speed significantly hinder its overall effectiveness.

While the KV Broadside's fast TTK makes it deadly in close-quarters engagements, its drawbacks limit its versatility in Ranked play. The slow mobility makes it difficult to navigate the map quickly and react to changing combat situations. Additionally, the slow ADS speed puts players at a disadvantage in gunfights, especially against opponents with faster handling weapons. These factors contribute to its lower tier ranking, making it a situational pick rather than a reliable choice for most scenarios.

#14: Lockwood MK2

The Lockwood MK2 Shotgun is categorized as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. Its performance is notably lacking compared to other shotguns in its class. The Lockwood MK2 Shotgun struggles to compete effectively in the current meta due to its low damage output and limited range.

While it may offer some utility in extremely close-quarters engagements, its inconsistencies and lack of versatility make it a suboptimal choice for Ranked play. Players often find themselves at a disadvantage when using this weapon against opponents wielding higher-tier shotguns or other meta weapons. Its weaknesses outweigh any potential strengths, relegating it to the lower tiers of weapon viability.

#15: Haymaker

The Haymaker Shotgun is categorized as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. While it is described as highly effective at close range and capable of clearing rooms with rounds to spare, its actual performance in Ranked play is underwhelming. Despite its potential for mag-fed combat, it often falls short in competitive matches.

While the Haymaker may perform adequately in casual game modes, its limitations become apparent in the more demanding environment of Ranked. Its inconsistencies and lack of distinct advantages make it a less favorable option compared to other shotguns that offer more reliable performance and versatility.

#16: Stormender

The Stormender Shotgun is categorized as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. Its performance is notably lacking compared to other shotguns in its class. The Stormender Shotgun struggles to compete effectively in the current meta due to its low damage output and limited range.

While it may offer some utility in extremely close-quarters engagements, its inconsistencies and lack of versatility make it a suboptimal choice for Ranked play. Players often find themselves at a disadvantage when using this weapon against opponents wielding higher-tier shotguns or other meta weapons. Its weaknesses outweigh any potential strengths, relegating it to the lower tiers of weapon viability.

#17: MX Guardian

The MX Guardian Shotgun is categorized as a D-Tier weapon in Black Ops 6 Ranked for Season 4. Its performance is notably lacking compared to other shotguns in its class. The MX Guardian Shotgun struggles to compete effectively in the current meta due to its low damage output and limited range.

While it may offer some utility in extremely close-quarters engagements, its inconsistencies and lack of versatility make it a suboptimal choice for Ranked play. Players often find themselves at a disadvantage when using this weapon against opponents wielding higher-tier shotguns or other meta weapons. Its weaknesses outweigh any potential strengths, relegating it to the lower tiers of weapon viability.

Conclusion

In summary, Season 4 of Black Ops 6 Ranked showcases a diverse range of shotguns, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The top-performing shotguns, categorized in the higher tiers, excel in delivering consistent damage, maintaining effective range, and offering versatile handling. Many shotguns fall into the D-Tier, struggling to find a place in the current meta.

For instance, the top-tier shotguns dominate in close-quarters combat, providing unparalleled lethality in tight spaces. Another excels in mid-range engagements, offering a balance of damage and accuracy. A third excels at clearing rooms. Understanding these nuances is crucial for optimizing loadouts and achieving success in Black Ops 6 Ranked.