Warzone Shotgun Tier List: April 2025 - Is YOUR Favorite META?

This tier list analyzes the current state of shotguns in Warzone Battle Royale as of April 2025. Weapons are categorized into tiers—Meta, A, B, C, and D—based on their performance, versatility, and overall effectiveness in the current game environment. The Meta tier represents the most dominant weapons, while the A tier includes excellent alternatives that are just a step behind. B-tier weapons are viable but require more specialized use, while C and D tiers include situational or underperforming options.

The current Warzone meta favors weapons that excel in close-quarters combat and offer a balance of damage, range, and mobility. Factors such as time-to-kill (TTK), recoil control, and ADS speed are crucial in determining a weapon's ranking. This analysis considers recent game updates and patches that have impacted weapon performance, ensuring the tier list reflects the most up-to-date information.

A Tier

A-Tier weapons in Warzone are excellent choices, falling just short of meta status. These weapons are highly competitive and can challenge meta weapons effectively in the right hands, with only minor statistical or practical disadvantages.

MX Guardian

The MX Guardian in Warzone's A tier is characterized by its strong damage output and semi-automatic firing, providing a blend of power and ease of use. Statistically, it offers a competitive TTK within its effective range, coupled with manageable recoil. This shotgun excels in aggressive, close-quarters engagements, allowing for rapid follow-up shots. However, its effectiveness diminishes at longer ranges, where other weapon types offer superior accuracy and damage.

B Tier

B-Tier weapons in Warzone are strong and viable choices for players. These weapons can be effective in various combat situations, but they often require more skill and strategic positioning to outperform meta weapons. They typically have noticeable disadvantages that must be compensated for through player expertise and tactical awareness.

KV Broadside

The KV Broadside holds a B-tier position in Warzone due to its high damage output and rapid time-to-kill in close quarters. Its semi-automatic firing mode allows for quick follow-up shots, making it deadly in confined spaces. However, the KV Broadside suffers from poor mobility and a slow ADS speed, hindering its effectiveness in fast-paced engagements. This weapon excels in scenarios where players can pre-aim around corners, but it struggles in more open environments against more mobile opponents.

Riveter

The Riveter shotgun secures a B-tier ranking in Warzone due to its unique full-auto capability and high rate of fire. Built around an assault rifle receiver, it delivers consistent damage in close-quarters combat. However, its recoil can be difficult to manage, and its effective range is limited compared to other shotguns. The Riveter performs best in scenarios where sustained fire is needed, such as clearing rooms or engaging multiple opponents simultaneously.

Lockwood MK2

The Lockwood MK2 is a B-tier weapon in Warzone due to its high damage per shot and decent range. Its lever-action mechanism requires precise aiming and timing, rewarding skilled players with quick kills. However, its slow rate of fire and reload speed leave it vulnerable in fast-paced engagements. The Lockwood MK2 excels in situations where accuracy and one-shot potential are prioritized, but it struggles against weapons with higher fire rates in sustained combat.

Bryson 890

The Bryson 890 is a B-tier shotgun in Warzone, primarily due to its pump-action mechanism and moderate damage output. While it offers reliable damage in close quarters, it lacks the raw power to consistently compete with meta weapons. The pump-action limits its rate of fire, making follow-up shots slower compared to semi-auto or automatic shotguns. The Bryson 890 is most effective in strategic, deliberate engagements where each shot counts, but it struggles in aggressive, fast-paced scenarios.

Bryson 800

The Bryson 800 is a B-tier shotgun in Warzone, primarily due to its pump-action mechanism and moderate damage output. While it offers reliable damage in close quarters, it lacks the raw power to consistently compete with meta weapons. The pump-action limits its rate of fire, making follow-up shots slower compared to semi-auto or automatic shotguns. The Bryson 800 is most effective in strategic, deliberate engagements where each shot counts, but it struggles in aggressive, fast-paced scenarios.

Expedite 12

The Expedite 12 earns a B-tier ranking in Warzone due to its semi-automatic action and moderate damage output. While it allows for quicker follow-up shots compared to pump-action shotguns, its very short damage range limits its effectiveness in many combat scenarios. The Expedite 12 struggles against opponents at even slightly longer distances, making it highly situational. It excels in extremely close-quarters combat, such as clearing tight corridors, but is less effective in more open environments.

Marine SP

The Marine SP's placement in B tier is due to its strong damage potential balanced by specific drawbacks. While capable of rapid takedowns in close quarters, its handling and range limitations hold it back from the top tier. The Marine SP excels in tight indoor environments where engagements are guaranteed to be within its optimal damage range, but it struggles in more open areas where enemies can maintain distance.

MAELSTROM

The MAELSTROM shotgun is positioned in the B tier for Warzone due to its fully automatic firing mode and decent range. It provides good handling, which allows players to stay mobile during engagements. However, its high recoil and large hip-fire spread make it less effective at longer ranges and require careful aim control. The MAELSTROM is best suited for players who prioritize aggression and can manage its recoil effectively in close to mid-range encounters.

Haymaker

The Haymaker earns a B-tier ranking in Warzone due to its high effectiveness in close-range engagements and its magazine-fed design, which allows for quick reloads. This combat shotgun excels at clearing rooms with a generous supply of rounds. However, its damage drop-off at longer ranges and moderate recoil limit its overall versatility. The Haymaker is best suited for aggressive players who prioritize close-quarters combat and can maintain accuracy under pressure.

Stormender

The Stormender's placement in B tier is due to its unique utility and situational effectiveness. While not a conventional weapon for direct combat, its ability to disrupt enemy equipment and provide tactical advantages makes it a viable choice for specific strategies. The Stormender excels in scenarios where countering enemy gadgets is crucial, but it struggles in direct firefights against players with standard weapons.

Lockwood 680

The Lockwood 680 is a B-tier shotgun in Warzone, recognized for its versatility and potential for one-shot kills. This 12-gauge pump shotgun can be modified to perform well in various scenarios, offering consistent performance in close quarters. Its effectiveness shines in multiplayer modes where one-shot kills are more common. However, its pump-action mechanism and reliance on accuracy can be limiting factors in fast-paced Warzone engagements.

C Tier

C-Tier weapons in Warzone are good but come with notable limitations or are best suited for specific scenarios. While they can be effective under the right circumstances, they often struggle against higher-tier weapons in general gameplay. These weapons require careful consideration of their strengths and weaknesses to maximize their potential.

ASG-89

The ASG-89 is placed in the C tier due to its situational effectiveness and notable limitations. Its performance is highly dependent on specific scenarios, and it often struggles against higher-tier weapons in general gameplay. The ASG-89 requires careful consideration of its strengths and weaknesses to maximize its potential.

MX Guardian

The MX Guardian is placed in the C tier due to its situational effectiveness and notable limitations. Its performance is highly dependent on specific scenarios, and it often struggles against higher-tier weapons in general gameplay. The MX Guardian requires careful consideration of its strengths and weaknesses to maximize its potential.

D Tier

D-Tier weapons in Warzone are considered below average, possessing significant disadvantages that make them difficult to use effectively. These weapons are generally outclassed by other options in most combat situations. Players may find success with them in niche scenarios, but they are not recommended for competitive play.

Reclaimer 18

The Reclaimer 18 is placed in the D tier due to its significant disadvantages and limited effectiveness in most combat situations. It is generally outclassed by other options, making it a difficult weapon to use effectively. Players may find success with it in very niche scenarios, but it is not recommended for competitive play.

Stormender

The Stormender is placed in the D tier due to its significant disadvantages and limited effectiveness in most combat situations. It is generally outclassed by other options, making it a difficult weapon to use effectively. Players may find success with it in very niche scenarios, but it is not recommended for competitive play.

Lockwood 300

The Lockwood 300 is a D-tier shotgun in Warzone due to its significant limitations. While capable of one-shot kills with the trigger action attachment, which fires both barrels simultaneously, it requires a reload after every shot. This slow reload speed makes it highly vulnerable in sustained engagements. The Lockwood 300 is best suited for players who prioritize high burst damage and can accurately land their shots, but it struggles in fast-paced combat scenarios.

Conclusion

In April 2025, the shotgun meta in Warzone is diverse, with most weapons distributed across the B and C tiers, indicating a balanced but not particularly impactful class. The absence of shotguns in the Meta tier suggests that they are not dominant in the current long-range-focused environment. Recent patches have slightly adjusted weapon balance, but no significant shifts in the shotgun category have occurred. Future updates may introduce new attachments or stat adjustments that could potentially elevate certain shotguns into higher tiers, encouraging players to experiment with different loadouts.

Methodology

The methodology for this tier list involves a combination of statistical analysis and practical testing. Each weapon's TTK, damage range, recoil pattern, mobility, and ADS speed were analyzed using in-game data and community-sourced information. Practical testing was conducted in live Warzone matches to assess each weapon's performance in real-world scenarios. Criteria weighting prioritized TTK and recoil control for long-range engagements, while mobility and ADS speed were more heavily weighted for close-quarters combat. Weapons in higher tiers demonstrated a superior balance of these factors, providing consistent performance across various combat situations.