Black Ops 6: 21 BEST Shotguns in Multiplayer (March 2025)

The landscape of Black Ops 6 Multiplayer is ever-evolving, and in March 2025, the shotgun category continues to be a pivotal choice for players engaging in close-quarters combat. The current meta favors aggressive playstyles, where shotguns can deliver devastating damage in tight spaces. Their importance lies in their ability to quickly eliminate opponents in objective-based modes and confined areas.

This ranking of the top 21 shotguns is based on a comprehensive Tier assessment, evaluating factors such as damage output, effective range, mobility, and overall ease of use. Data-driven analysis and community feedback form the backbone of this evaluation.

#1: Marine SP

The Marine SP Shotgun, holding an A Tier, presents a compelling option for players seeking a balance of power and usability. While specific details regarding its attributes are not available, its Tier placement suggests a strong performance relative to other shotguns in its class. Its strengths likely lie in a combination of adequate damage output and manageable handling characteristics. However, without detailed stats, pinpointing specific advantages or disadvantages remains speculative. Further analysis would require direct comparison with other A Tier and potentially S Tier shotguns to fully contextualize its position within the meta.

#2: ASG-89

The ASG-89 Shotgun, classified as an A Tier weapon, offers a competitive edge in Black Ops 6 Multiplayer. The specifics of its performance remain unlisted, its A Tier ranking implies a strong overall effectiveness. Its strengths likely reside in a balanced approach, potentially offering a good rate of fire, manageable recoil, and reasonable damage output. Without precise data, identifying key weaknesses is challenging. Further investigation is needed to determine if its performance justifies its Tier placement compared to other shotguns.

#3: MAELSTROM

The MAELSTROM Shotgun, a B Tier weapon, is a fully automatic shotgun known for its decent range and handling. However, it suffers from high recoil and a wide hip-fire spread, making it less effective in unmodded close-quarters combat. While its automatic firing capability provides a higher rate of fire, the trade-off is reduced accuracy, especially when firing from the hip. This weapon may require specific attachments to mitigate its recoil and improve its accuracy to be truly effective. It is a situational weapon that excels in specific scenarios where sustained fire is more important than pinpoint accuracy.

#4: Cigma 2B

The Cigma 2B Shotgun's performance in Black Ops 6 Multiplayer for March 2025 is difficult to assess due to lack of data. As a C Tier weapon, the Cigma 2B likely suffers from notable drawbacks that prevent it from competing with higher-tier shotguns. Potential weaknesses could include low damage output, poor range, slow handling, or a combination thereof. Without specific details, its strengths and optimal use cases remain unknown.

#5: HE-1

The HE-1 Shotgun's performance in Black Ops 6 Multiplayer for March 2025 is difficult to assess due to lack of data. As a C Tier weapon, the HE-1 likely suffers from notable drawbacks that prevent it from competing with higher-tier shotguns. Potential weaknesses could include low damage output, poor range, slow handling, or a combination thereof. Without specific details, its strengths and optimal use cases remain unknown.

#6: Bryson 800

The Bryson 800 Shotgun is a pump-action shotgun that falls into the D Tier. The Bryson 800 struggles to compete against meta weapons. This is likely due to a combination of factors, such as low damage per shot, slow rate of fire, and limited effective range. Its pump-action mechanism further reduces its fire rate, making it difficult to engage multiple opponents in quick succession. It may be viable in very specific, niche scenarios, but it generally underperforms compared to other available options.

#7: Reclaimer 18

The Reclaimer 18 Shotgun's performance in Black Ops 6 Multiplayer for March 2025 is difficult to assess due to lack of data. As a D Tier weapon, the Reclaimer 18 likely suffers from notable drawbacks that prevent it from competing with higher-tier shotguns. Potential weaknesses could include low damage output, poor range, slow handling, or a combination thereof. Without specific details, its strengths and optimal use cases remain unknown.

#8: Bryson 890

The Bryson 890 Shotgun is a pump-action shotgun in the D Tier. The Bryson 890 struggles to compete against meta weapons. Its pump-action mechanism results in a slow rate of fire, hindering its ability to quickly eliminate opponents. This weapon may be viable in very specific, niche scenarios, but it generally underperforms compared to other available options.

#9: Stormender

The Stormender Shotgun's performance in Black Ops 6 Multiplayer for March 2025 is difficult to assess due to lack of data. As a D Tier weapon, the Stormender likely suffers from notable drawbacks that prevent it from competing with higher-tier shotguns. Potential weaknesses could include low damage output, poor range, slow handling, or a combination thereof. Without specific details, its strengths and optimal use cases remain unknown.

#10: Expedite 12

The Expedite 12 Shotgun, classified as a D Tier weapon, is a semi-automatic shotgun with moderate damage output. However, its key weakness lies in its very short damage range, limiting its effectiveness to extremely close-quarters engagements. While its semi-automatic nature allows for faster follow-up shots compared to pump-action shotguns, its limited range makes it a situational weapon that is easily outgunned by other shotguns and weapon types at even moderate distances.

#11: Lockwood 300

The Lockwood 300 Shotgun, a D Tier weapon, is a double-barrel shotgun capable of one-shot kills when both barrels are fired simultaneously with the trigger action attachment. However, this comes at the cost of requiring a reload after every shot, significantly reducing its fire rate and making it vulnerable in sustained engagements. While its burst damage potential is high, its slow reload speed and limited magazine capacity make it a situational weapon best suited for players with precise aim and a preference for hit-and-run tactics.

#12: Riveter

The Riveter Shotgun, a D Tier weapon, is described as a full-auto, .410 shotgun built around an assault rifle receiver, designed to punch holes. The Riveter suffers due to its low damage per shot and high recoil. While its full-auto capability allows for a high rate of fire, its effectiveness is limited by its inability to consistently secure kills. It may find niche use in specific scenarios or with certain attachments, but it generally underperforms compared to higher-tier options.

#13: MX Guardian

The MX Guardian Shotgun's performance in Black Ops 6 Multiplayer for March 2025 is difficult to assess due to lack of data. As a D Tier weapon, the MX Guardian likely suffers from notable drawbacks that prevent it from competing with higher-tier shotguns. Potential weaknesses could include low damage output, poor range, slow handling, or a combination thereof. Without specific details, its strengths and optimal use cases remain unknown.

#14: Lockwood 680

The Lockwood 680 Shotgun, a D Tier weapon, is described as a highly effective and versatile 12-gauge pump shotgun that can be modified to excel in most scenarios, with consistent one-shot kills in multiplayer. Its pump-action limits its rate of fire, requiring precise aim and well-timed shots to be effective. While it may offer customization options to improve its performance, its inherent limitations place it at a disadvantage compared to higher-tier shotguns with better base stats and handling.

#15: KV Broadside

The KV Broadside Shotgun, a D Tier weapon, is a semi-automatic shotgun known for its powerful punch and very fast time-to-kill (TTK). However, this comes at the cost of slow mobility and aim-down-sight (ADS) speed, limiting its effectiveness in fast-paced engagements. While its high damage output can quickly eliminate opponents, its sluggish handling makes it vulnerable to more agile players and in situations requiring quick reactions. Its strengths are best utilized in defensive positions or when pre-aiming around corners, compensating for its slower ADS speed.

#16: Lockwood MK2

The Lockwood MK2 Shotgun's performance in Black Ops 6 Multiplayer for March 2025 is difficult to assess due to lack of data. As a D Tier weapon, the Lockwood MK2 likely suffers from notable drawbacks that prevent it from competing with higher-tier shotguns. Potential weaknesses could include low damage output, poor range, slow handling, or a combination thereof. Without specific details, its strengths and optimal use cases remain unknown.

#17: Haymaker

The Haymaker Shotgun, a D Tier weapon, is described as highly effective at close range and designed to clear rooms with rounds to spare. While its magazine-fed design allows for a higher capacity, its overall effectiveness is diminished by factors such as low damage per pellet, inconsistent spread, and significant damage drop-off at even moderate distances. While it may be useful for suppressing enemies in confined spaces, its inability to consistently secure one-shot kills and its poor range make it a situational weapon that is easily outgunned by higher-tier options.

#18: Stormender

The Stormender Shotgun's performance in Black Ops 6 Multiplayer for March 2025 is difficult to assess due to lack of data. As a D Tier weapon, the Stormender likely suffers from notable drawbacks that prevent it from competing with higher-tier shotguns. Potential weaknesses could include low damage output, poor range, slow handling, or a combination thereof. Without specific details, its strengths and optimal use cases remain unknown.

#19: MX Guardian

The MX Guardian Shotgun's performance in Black Ops 6 Multiplayer for March 2025 is difficult to assess due to lack of data. As a D Tier weapon, the MX Guardian likely suffers from notable drawbacks that prevent it from competing with higher-tier shotguns. Potential weaknesses could include low damage output, poor range, slow handling, or a combination thereof. Without specific details, its strengths and optimal use cases remain unknown.

Conclusion

In March 2025, the shotgun meta in Black Ops 6 Multiplayer showcases a clear hierarchy, with A Tier shotguns dominating close-quarters combat and D Tier weapons struggling to keep pace. The top-performing shotguns offer a blend of high damage output, manageable recoil, and effective range, making them versatile choices for aggressive players.

The Marine SP excels in medium-range engagements, while the ASG-89 dominates close-quarters combat. The MAELSTROM is effective in suppressing enemies in confined spaces.