Warzone Season 1 Shotgun Tier List: Dominate Close Quarters NOW!

This tier list evaluates Shotgun performance in Call of Duty Warzone Battle Royale for Season 1. Weapons are categorized into Meta, A, B, C, D, and E tiers, reflecting their effectiveness in the current game environment. Meta weapons represent the absolute best, offering statistical advantages and widespread use by top players. A-tier weapons are highly competitive, just shy of Meta status, while B-tier weapons are viable but require more skill. C-tier weapons are good with specific use cases, and D-tier weapons are generally outclassed. E-tier weapons are not recommended for competitive play. Season 1 marks a significant overhaul with the full integration of Black Ops 7 mechanics into Warzone. Key updates include the activation of Omnimovement, which increases base sprint and ADS movement speeds, impacting close-quarters engagements where shotguns are prevalent. The methodology for this ranking considers several critical factors: Time to Kill (TTK), effective damage range, mobility, and handling characteristics such as ADS time and sprint-to-fire speed. Weapons are tested across various engagement distances and scenarios within the Battle Royale mode to assess their practical application and overall combat efficacy. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide an objective overview of the shotgun landscape in Warzone Season 1.

A Tier

A-tier weapons in Warzone are excellent choices that closely rival the performance of Meta-tier options. These shotguns offer strong statistical profiles and are highly competitive, often possessing minor disadvantages that prevent them from reaching the absolute top tier. They are capable of dominating engagements when utilized effectively.

Akita

The Akita, a full-auto shotgun, secures its A-tier placement due to its excellent mobility and handling characteristics. This allows for rapid repositioning and quick target acquisition in close-quarters engagements. Its balanced performance is observed through a competitive close-range TTK, though this is offset by high recoil and a notably short effective range. The Akita excels in aggressive, fast-paced combat scenarios where its full-automatic fire can quickly eliminate multiple targets within very tight spaces.

M10 Breacher

The M10 Breacher, a pump-action charge shotgun, earns its A-tier ranking through its unique firing mechanic. Holding the trigger to charge improves hip and ADS spread, allowing for more consistent damage at slightly extended close ranges. This feature provides a tactical advantage in predicting enemy movements. While its pump-action nature means a slower rate of fire compared to automatic options, its damage potential and spread control contribute to a reliable close-range TTK when shots are accurately placed. It excels in situations where precise, impactful shots are prioritized.

Echo 12

The Echo 12, a rechambering double-barrel shotgun, is an A-tier contender due to its significant damage potential and effective range for its weapon class. Its ability to fire two powerful shots back-to-back can result in extremely fast eliminations at close to moderate shotgun ranges. While requiring a rechambering action after two shots, its high burst damage output provides a substantial advantage in one-on-one close-range encounters. The Echo 12 excels in situations demanding immediate, high-impact damage against single or closely grouped opponents.

B Tier

B-tier weapons are strong and highly viable in most Warzone scenarios, offering reliable performance. These shotguns can consistently secure eliminations and are effective choices, though they may have noticeable disadvantages compared to higher-tier options. They provide a solid foundation for players seeking competitive close-range firepower.

Marine SP

The Marine SP holds a B-tier position due to its consistent damage output and acceptable handling for a shotgun. While lacking standout statistical advantages, its reliability in standard close-quarters engagements makes it a viable option. It typically offers a moderate TTK within its effective range. The weapon performs adequately in most indoor and tight-space combat scenarios, providing a dependable alternative when higher-tier options are unavailable or preferred for specific playstyles. Its balanced attributes make it a solid choice for general close-range utility.

Reclaimer 18

The Reclaimer 18 is placed in the B-tier, recognized for its balanced performance across key shotgun metrics. It delivers consistent damage within its intended range, coupled with reasonable mobility for its class. The weapon's TTK is competitive in close-range skirmishes, making it a reliable choice for aggressive pushes. It excels in situations requiring a blend of stopping power and maneuverability, allowing players to engage effectively in various close-quarters scenarios without significant drawbacks. The Reclaimer 18 serves as a strong, all-around shotgun option.

MX Guardian

The MX Guardian secures a B-tier ranking due to its effective close-range lethality and versatility. This shotgun provides a respectable TTK within its optimal damage range, making it a potent weapon in tight spaces. Its handling characteristics are generally favorable, allowing for responsive engagements. The MX Guardian excels in situations where rapid target acquisition and consistent damage are paramount, such as clearing rooms or defending objective points. While it may not possess the absolute dominance of Meta weapons, its overall performance makes it a strong contender.

KV Broadside

The KV Broadside, a semi-auto shotgun, is a B-tier weapon known for its very fast time to kill (TTK) at close range. This makes it exceptionally lethal in direct engagements. However, its placement in B-tier is influenced by its slower mobility and ADS speed, which can hinder aggressive, fast-paced playstyles. The KV Broadside excels in holding defensive positions or pushing tight corridors where its rapid damage output can be maximized, provided its user can mitigate its slower movement characteristics.

Riveter

The Riveter, a full-auto .410 shotgun built on an assault rifle receiver, is a B-tier weapon offering a unique combat profile. Its full-automatic fire provides a high rate of damage, making it a "hole-punching machine" in extremely close quarters. While its .410 caliber may limit its effective range compared to traditional shotguns, its rapid-fire capability ensures a competitive TTK within its optimal distance. The Riveter excels in highly aggressive, point-blank engagements where sustained fire can quickly overwhelm opponents.

Lockwood MK2

The Lockwood MK2, while a marksman rifle, is likely being considered in this shotgun context for its close-range potential with specific setups. As a B-tier weapon, it offers high damage per shot, capable of significant impact in very close engagements. Its strength lies in precision, rewarding accurate aiming with quick eliminations. However, its single-shot nature and slower follow-up shot speed necessitate precise execution, contrasting with the spread patterns of traditional shotguns. It excels in situations where a skilled player can consistently land critical shots at close range.

Bryson 890

The Bryson 890, a pump-action shotgun, is positioned in B-tier. While it delivers substantial damage per shot, its overall power is not sufficient to consistently compete against the current meta weapons. Its pump-action mechanism results in a slower rate of fire, impacting its TTK in rapid engagements. The Bryson 890 performs adequately in controlled, close-range encounters where its user can ensure accurate first shots. It struggles in situations demanding quick follow-up shots or against multiple opponents due to its operational speed.

Bryson 800

The Bryson 800, another pump-action shotgun, is a B-tier weapon. Similar to its counterpart, the Bryson 890, it offers considerable damage per shot but falls short of meta-level power. Its reliance on a pump-action mechanism limits its fire rate, making it less forgiving in high-pressure scenarios. The Bryson 800 is effective in deliberate close-range combat where tactical positioning allows for impactful, well-timed shots. It is generally outclassed by faster-firing or higher-damage alternatives in the current Warzone meta.

Expedite 12

The Expedite 12, a semi-automatic shotgun, is a B-tier weapon characterized by moderate damage output. Its primary limitation is a very short effective damage range, which necessitates extremely close engagements for optimal performance. Within this limited range, its semi-automatic fire allows for quicker follow-up shots compared to pump-action shotguns, contributing to a competitive TTK. The Expedite 12 excels in highly confined spaces and aggressive pushes where its user can consistently close the distance to enemies.

C Tier

C-tier weapons are considered good options that possess specific limitations or are best suited for particular use cases in Warzone. These shotguns can be effective in certain scenarios but generally struggle to perform consistently across all close-range engagements against higher-tier weapons. Their utility often depends on player skill and tactical deployment.

MAELSTROM

The MAELSTROM, a fully automatic shotgun, is a C-tier weapon. It offers good range for a shotgun and decent handling characteristics. However, its high recoil and large hip spread significantly impact its consistency and effective TTK, especially beyond very close distances. While its full-auto nature provides rapid fire, controlling the spread is crucial for maximizing its damage. The MAELSTROM can be effective in extremely tight, chaotic engagements where sustained fire is more important than pinpoint accuracy, but it demands careful recoil management.

Haymaker

The Haymaker, a mag-fed combat shotgun, is a C-tier weapon that is highly effective at close range. Its magazine-fed system allows for sustained fire without frequent reloads, making it suitable for clearing rooms. However, its overall damage potential or consistency may not match higher-tier options, leading to a less competitive TTK in some scenarios. The Haymaker excels in situations requiring continuous close-range pressure against multiple opponents, where its magazine capacity provides an advantage, but it may struggle against well-armored targets.

Stormender

The Stormender, a unique weapon, is placed in C-tier. While its primary function is not traditional lethal damage, its utility in disabling enemy equipment and vehicles provides specific tactical advantages. In direct combat scenarios, its damage output as a shotgun is limited compared to conventional firearms, making its TTK less competitive. The Stormender excels in support roles, disrupting enemy tactics and clearing pathways. Its effectiveness as a primary combat shotgun is constrained, relegating it to situational use in close-quarters engagements.

Lockwood 680

The Lockwood 680, a versatile 12-gauge pump shotgun, is a C-tier weapon. It is known for consistent one-shot kills in multiplayer, but its performance in Warzone, with armor plates, presents limitations. While capable of high burst damage, its pump-action mechanism and the need for multiple shots against armored opponents can lead to a less favorable TTK compared to faster-firing options. The Lockwood 680 excels when precision and tactical timing are paramount, allowing for impactful shots, but it struggles in sustained engagements or against multiple enemies.

ASG-89

The ASG-89 is positioned in C-tier, offering a moderate performance profile among shotguns. It provides acceptable damage output within close ranges, but its overall consistency or handling may not match higher-tier weapons. The weapon's TTK is viable in specific close-quarters scenarios, but it often requires precise aiming to maximize its effectiveness. The ASG-89 can be a decent choice for players comfortable with its characteristics, performing adequately in situations where its strengths align with the engagement, but it is generally outclassed by more dominant options.

MX Guardian

The MX Guardian is placed in C-tier, indicating a weapon with specific strengths but also noticeable limitations in Warzone Season 1. While it can deliver solid damage at very close ranges, its overall consistency or effective range may be outshined by higher-tier shotguns. Its TTK is competitive in ideal conditions, but slight deviations can significantly impact performance. The MX Guardian excels in extremely tight, unpredictable close-quarters battles, but its utility diminishes rapidly as engagement distances increase or when facing multiple, well-positioned opponents.

D Tier

D-tier weapons are considered average and are generally outclassed by other options available in Warzone. While they can be used, their significant disadvantages in performance make them less effective in most combat situations. Players opting for D-tier weapons will likely face increased challenges against opponents using higher-tier firearms.

Stormender

The Stormender is categorized in D-tier for its limited combat effectiveness as a primary weapon in Warzone. Its design prioritizes utility functions, such as disabling equipment, over lethal damage output. Consequently, its time to kill (TTK) against armored opponents is significantly higher than conventional shotguns, making it an unfavorable choice for direct engagements. While it offers unique tactical support, its performance in gunfights is notably subpar, relegating it to niche roles rather than a reliable close-quarters combat tool.

Lockwood 300

The Lockwood 300, a powerful double-barrel shotgun, is placed in D-tier due to its significant limitations in Warzone. While capable of a one-shot kill with the trigger action attachment, allowing both barrels to fire simultaneously, this requires extreme precision and ideal conditions. Its critical weakness is the mandatory reload after every two shots, severely impacting its sustained damage output and making it highly unforgiving in engagements against multiple enemies or if the initial shots miss. Its inconsistent TTK and high risk-reward profile reduce its overall viability.

Conclusion

The Shotgun meta in Warzone Season 1 is characterized by a diverse distribution across the A, B, and C tiers, with fewer weapons dominating the absolute Meta tier. This indicates a relatively balanced state where several shotguns are highly viable, each offering unique strengths for close-quarters combat. The B-tier, in particular, features a substantial number of strong weapons, suggesting that many shotguns can be effective with skilled application. The introduction of Omnimovement and increased base sprint/ADS movement speeds in Season 1 has subtly shifted the emphasis towards highly mobile and responsive shotgun play. Weapons that excel in quick engagements and rapid repositioning are likely to see continued preference. Future meta shifts could occur with further weapon balancing patches or as players adapt to the new movement mechanics, potentially elevating certain B-tier weapons or introducing new Meta contenders based on their synergy with aggressive playstyles.

Methodology

Weapon testing for this tier list involved comprehensive evaluation within the Warzone Battle Royale environment for Season 1. Each shotgun was assessed across multiple criteria, with specific weighting applied to factors crucial for close-quarters dominance. Time to Kill (TTK) was a primary metric, heavily weighted at 35%, reflecting its importance in rapid engagements. Mobility, encompassing sprint speed, ADS speed, and sprint-to-fire time, accounted for 30% of the evaluation, as it directly impacts a player's ability to initiate and disengage from fights. Damage Range and Consistency, including pellet spread and effective damage falloff, constituted 20%, ensuring weapons could reliably perform within their intended range. The remaining 15% was allocated to Recoil Control and Handling, assessing ease of use and follow-up shot potential. Testing occurred in various combat scenarios, including indoor clearing, urban skirmishes, and open-field pushes, to simulate real-world Warzone engagements. Weapons demonstrating superior TTK, high mobility, and consistent damage within their optimal range were prioritized for higher-tier placements.