NoLagVPNKey Takeaways
- The MX Guardian shotgun dominates as the META choice due to its high damage output and fast TTK in close-quarters combat.
- Many shotguns are outclassed in Warzone Ranked, landing in the D tier due to their underperformance against the current meta weapons.
- Weapon performance is evaluated based on statistical data like TTK, recoil, and mobility, along with practical application in various combat scenarios.
This tier list ranks shotguns in Warzone Ranked for April 2025, categorizing weapons from META to E tiers based on their effectiveness. The tier system is structured as follows: META (best), A (excellent), B (good), C (average), D (below average), and E (weakest).
The current Warzone meta favors weapons with high damage output and mobility, crucial for dominating close-quarters combat in Verdansk.
Rankings are determined through a combination of statistical analysis (TTK, recoil patterns, damage range) and practical testing in live matches. Factors such as ease of use, versatility across different combat scenarios, and overall impact on win rate are also considered. This tier list reflects weapon balance changes and adjustments made up to April 2025.
META Tier
META-tier weapons represent the absolute best choices in the current Warzone environment. These weapons consistently outperform others due to superior stats, ease of use, and overall effectiveness in a variety of combat situations.
MX Guardian
Tactical Stance
The MX Guardian shotgun secures its place in the META tier due to its exceptional close-quarters performance. Its key strengths include a rapid time-to-kill and manageable recoil, making it highly effective in tight spaces. Statistically, the MX Guardian boasts a TTK that rivals other top-tier weapons, while its recoil pattern remains predictable even during sustained fire. This shotgun excels in aggressive, fast-paced engagements, but its effectiveness diminishes at longer ranges due to damage drop-off.
D Tier
D-tier weapons are considered below average in Warzone. These weapons have significant drawbacks that make them difficult to use effectively compared to higher-tier options and are generally not recommended for competitive play.
KV Broadside
- Tactical Stance
The KV Broadside resides in the D tier due to its mixed performance in Warzone. While it boasts a very fast time to kill, its slow mobility and ADS speed hold it back. In practice, the KV Broadside's limited mobility makes it difficult to use effectively in fast-paced engagements, while its slow ADS speed puts players at a disadvantage in reactive gunfights. The weapon's strengths are often overshadowed by its handling issues.
Bryson 800
The Bryson 800 is placed in the D tier due to its underperformance in the current meta. As a pump-action shotgun, its fire rate is inherently slower, putting it at a disadvantage against faster-firing weapons. The weapon struggles to compete effectively against meta weapons in typical Warzone engagements.
Expedite 12
- Tactical Stance
The Expedite 12 sits in the D tier due to its limited effectiveness in Warzone engagements. While it functions as a semi-automatic shotgun, its moderate damage output is offset by a very short damage range. Its limited range and damage make it difficult to secure kills against armored opponents.
Lockwood 300
The Lockwood 300 lands in the D tier due to its impracticality in the fast-paced Warzone environment. While capable of one-shot kills with the trigger action attachment, its requirement for reloading after every shot significantly reduces its fire rate. This limitation makes it difficult to recommend over more versatile and forgiving options.
Bryson 890
- Tactical Stance
The Bryson 890 is placed in the D tier due to its underperformance in the current meta. As a pump-action shotgun, its fire rate is inherently slower, putting it at a disadvantage against faster-firing weapons. The weapon struggles to compete effectively against meta weapons in typical Warzone engagements.
Riveter
The Riveter is placed in the D tier due to its underperformance in the current meta. While it is a full-auto shotgun, its damage is not high enough to compete against the meta weapons. The weapon struggles to compete effectively against meta weapons in typical Warzone engagements.
Lockwood 680
The Lockwood 680 is placed in the D tier due to its underperformance in the current meta. While it is a pump-action shotgun, its damage is not high enough to compete against the meta weapons. The weapon struggles to compete effectively against meta weapons in typical Warzone engagements.
Haymaker
The Haymaker is placed in the D tier due to its underperformance in the current meta. While it is a mag-fed shotgun, its damage is not high enough to compete against the meta weapons. The weapon struggles to compete effectively against meta weapons in typical Warzone engagements.
Reclaimer 18
The Reclaimer 18 is placed in the D tier due to its underperformance in the current meta. While it is a shotgun, its damage is not high enough to compete against the meta weapons. The weapon struggles to compete effectively against meta weapons in typical Warzone engagements.
Lockwood MK2
The Lockwood MK2 is placed in the D tier due to its underperformance in the current meta. While it is a shotgun, its damage is not high enough to compete against the meta weapons. The weapon struggles to compete effectively against meta weapons in typical Warzone engagements.
MX Guardian
- Tactical Stance
The MX Guardian is placed in the D tier due to its underperformance in the current meta. While it is a shotgun, its damage is not high enough to compete against the meta weapons. The weapon struggles to compete effectively against meta weapons in typical Warzone engagements.
Stormender
The Stormender is placed in the D tier due to its underperformance in the current meta. While it is a shotgun, its damage is not high enough to compete against the meta weapons. The weapon struggles to compete effectively against meta weapons in typical Warzone engagements.
Stormender
The Stormender is placed in the D tier due to its underperformance in the current meta. While it is a shotgun, its damage is not high enough to compete against the meta weapons. The weapon struggles to compete effectively against meta weapons in typical Warzone engagements.
Conclusion
In April 2025, the shotgun meta in Warzone is characterized by a clear divide. The META tier is dominated by the MX Guardian, which offers a blend of high damage and ease of use. Most other shotguns fall into the D tier, struggling to compete effectively against the current meta weapons. Based on recent balance adjustments, future updates may shift the meta.
Methodology
The methodology for this tier list involves a combination of statistical analysis and practical in-game testing. Key statistics such as TTK (Time to Kill), recoil patterns, mobility, and ADS (Aim Down Sight) time are weighted heavily. Testing occurs in live Warzone matches to simulate real combat scenarios. Higher tiers prioritize weapons with faster TTK, manageable recoil, and versatility across various combat ranges.