Warzone Shotgun Tier List: Season 2 Reloaded - META to Trash!

This tier list analyzes the viability of shotguns in Warzone Battle Royale. Weapons are categorized into tiers—Meta, A, B, C, and D—based on their performance and effectiveness in the current game environment. Meta weapons represent the strongest options, offering statistical advantages and widespread use among top players. A-tier weapons are excellent and highly competitive, while B-tier weapons are viable but require more skill. C-tier weapons are average, effective only in specific scenarios, and D-tier weapons are below average, with significant disadvantages.

Rankings are determined through a combination of statistical analysis (TTK, recoil, mobility), practical testing in Warzone matches, and consideration of the current meta trends. This analysis reflects weapon performance and player feedback, aiming to provide a comprehensive guide to shotgun selection.

A Tier

A-tier weapons are excellent choices that nearly reach meta status. These weapons are highly competitive and can challenge meta weapons effectively in skilled hands. They may have minor disadvantages, but their overall performance makes them strong contenders in most situations.

MX Guardian

The MX Guardian shotgun resides in the A tier due to its solid performance. Its key strengths include a good damage output and manageable recoil, making it effective in close to mid-range engagements. Statistically, its TTK is competitive, and the recoil pattern is relatively predictable.

However, it may struggle against meta weapons in long-range scenarios or against highly mobile opponents. The MX Guardian excels in situations where controlled bursts can maximize its accuracy and damage potential.

B Tier

B-tier weapons are strong and very viable choices in most combat situations. These weapons may not be the absolute best, but they can still perform effectively with the right player skill and loadout. They often have noticeable disadvantages compared to meta options.

KV Broadside

The KV Broadside is placed in the B tier due to its high damage output. It has a very fast time to kill but is offset by its slow mobility and ADS speed. In close quarters, the Broadside can quickly eliminate enemies, but its handling makes it less effective in more open environments.

The KV Broadside excels in tight corridors and building interiors where its weaknesses are less exposed.

Riveter

The Riveter falls into the B tier as a fully automatic shotgun built around an assault rifle receiver. The Riveter's strengths lie in its fully automatic fire, allowing for sustained damage output in close quarters. However, its recoil can be difficult to manage, and it may struggle at longer ranges compared to other shotguns.

The Riveter is effective in scenarios where its rapid fire can overwhelm opponents, but it requires careful recoil control to maintain accuracy.

Lockwood MK2

The Lockwood MK2 is in the B tier due to its unique lever-action design. This shotgun stands out for its precision and range compared to other shotguns, but its lever-action mechanism results in a slower rate of fire.

It excels in situations where accuracy and controlled shots are prioritized, but it may struggle in fast-paced, close-quarters combat against fully automatic weapons. The Lockwood MK2 is best suited for players who can capitalize on its accuracy and range advantage.

Bryson 890

The Bryson 890 is placed in the B tier as a pump-action shotgun. While it delivers substantial damage, its pump-action mechanism results in a slower rate of fire compared to semi-automatic or automatic shotguns. It is not powerful enough to compete against the meta weapons.

The Bryson 890 is most effective in scenarios where a single, well-aimed shot can eliminate an enemy, but it requires careful timing and positioning to compensate for its slower firing rate.

Bryson 800

The Bryson 800 is placed in the B tier as a pump-action shotgun. While it delivers substantial damage, its pump-action mechanism results in a slower rate of fire compared to semi-automatic or automatic shotguns. It is not powerful enough to compete against the meta weapons.

The Bryson 800 is most effective in scenarios where a single, well-aimed shot can eliminate an enemy, but it requires careful timing and positioning to compensate for its slower firing rate.

Expedite 12

The Expedite 12 resides in the B tier as a semi-automatic shotgun. While it offers moderate damage output and semi-automatic fire, its very short damage range limits its effectiveness in many combat situations. Its TTK is competitive within its optimal range, but it struggles against opponents at even slightly longer distances.

The Expedite 12 is best suited for extremely close-quarters combat where its rapid follow-up shots can quickly eliminate enemies.

Marine SP

The Marine SP shotgun is placed in the B tier due to its balanced performance. It offers a good mix of damage, range, and handling, making it a versatile option for various combat scenarios. While it may not excel in any single area, its overall reliability makes it a viable choice for players who prefer a well-rounded shotgun.

The Marine SP is effective in a variety of situations.

MAELSTROM

The MAELSTROM shotgun is in the B tier as a fully automatic weapon. It offers good range and handling, but suffers from high recoil and large hip spread. The MAELSTROM's fully automatic fire allows for sustained damage output, but its recoil can be difficult to manage, especially at longer ranges.

The MAELSTROM excels in scenarios where its rapid fire can quickly eliminate enemies, but it requires careful recoil control and benefits from attachments that improve stability.

Haymaker

The Haymaker shotgun is placed in the B tier, recognized for its effectiveness in close-range engagements. As a mag-fed combat shotgun, it can clear rooms with rounds to spare. Its high rate of fire and substantial damage output make it a formidable weapon in tight spaces.

The Haymaker excels in aggressive, close-quarters combat scenarios where its rapid follow-up shots can quickly overwhelm opponents.

Stormender

The Stormender shotgun is placed in the B tier due to its unique characteristics. It stands out for its ability to lock onto and eliminate aerial threats such as drones and killstreaks. While it may not be the best choice for direct player-versus-player combat, its utility in countering enemy equipment and scorestreaks makes it a valuable asset to any team.

The Stormender excels in situations where controlling the airspace and denying enemy killstreaks are crucial.

Lockwood 680

The Lockwood 680 is a pump shotgun in the B tier due to its versatility and effectiveness. This 12-gauge pump shotgun can be modified to excel in most scenarios. It is known for consistent one-shot kills in multiplayer, but its performance in Warzone requires more careful consideration.

The Lockwood 680 is effective in close-quarters combat where its high damage output can quickly eliminate enemies, but it requires precise aiming and timing to compensate for its slower rate of fire.

C Tier

C-tier weapons are good options that have some limitations or are better suited for specific use cases. These weapons can be effective in the right hands and situations, but they may struggle in general gameplay against higher-tier options. They often require a specific playstyle or loadout to maximize their potential.

ASG-89

The ASG-89 is placed in the C tier due to its situational effectiveness. While it can be effective in certain scenarios, its overall performance is limited compared to higher-tier shotguns. The ASG-89 may struggle in fast-paced engagements or against opponents with superior positioning.

It is best used in specific situations where its strengths can be maximized.

MX Guardian

The MX Guardian is placed in the C tier due to its situational effectiveness. While it can be effective in certain scenarios, its overall performance is limited compared to higher-tier shotguns. The MX Guardian may struggle in fast-paced engagements or against opponents with superior positioning.

It is best used in specific situations where its strengths can be maximized.

D Tier

D-tier weapons are average but are typically outclassed by other options. These weapons are usable but have significant disadvantages that make them difficult to use effectively in most situations. Players may choose them for novelty or challenge purposes, but they are generally not recommended for competitive play.

Reclaimer 18

The Reclaimer 18 is placed in the D tier due to its limited effectiveness in most combat scenarios. Its performance is generally outclassed by higher-tier shotguns, making it a less desirable choice for competitive play. The Reclaimer 18 may struggle in both close and medium-range engagements.

It is best used as a last resort or for players seeking a greater challenge.

Stormender

The Stormender is placed in the D tier due to its limited effectiveness in most combat scenarios. Its performance is generally outclassed by higher-tier shotguns, making it a less desirable choice for competitive play. The Stormender may struggle in both close and medium-range engagements.

It is best used as a last resort or for players seeking a greater challenge.

Cigma 2B

The Cigma 2B is placed in the D tier due to its limited effectiveness in most combat scenarios. Its performance is generally outclassed by higher-tier shotguns, making it a less desirable choice for competitive play. The Cigma 2B may struggle in both close and medium-range engagements.

It is best used as a last resort or for players seeking a greater challenge.

Lockwood 300

The Lockwood 300 is placed in the D tier due to its high-risk, high-reward nature. While it can potentially eliminate an enemy with a single shot using the trigger action attachment, it requires reloading after every shot, leaving the user vulnerable. It requires reloading after every shot.

This makes it highly situational and less reliable compared to other shotguns. The Lockwood 300 is best suited for skilled players who can capitalize on its one-shot potential.

HE-1

The HE-1 is placed in the D tier due to its limited effectiveness in most combat scenarios. Its performance is generally outclassed by higher-tier shotguns, making it a less desirable choice for competitive play. The HE-1 may struggle in both close and medium-range engagements.

It is best used as a last resort or for players seeking a greater challenge.

Conclusion

In summary, the current shotgun meta in Warzone is diverse, with the B tier containing the most weapons, indicating a wide range of viable options. Higher tiers are populated by shotguns with superior stats. Given recent patches and updates, the meta may shift as players adapt to changes in weapon balance.

Continuous monitoring of weapon performance and community feedback is essential for staying ahead of potential meta shifts.

Methodology

The methodology for this tier list involved a comprehensive evaluation of each shotgun's performance in Warzone. Key criteria included TTK (Time to Kill), recoil control, mobility, damage range, and ADS (Aim Down Sight) time. TTK was weighted most heavily, reflecting its importance in determining weapon effectiveness. Recoil control and mobility were also significant factors, impacting a weapon's ease of use and versatility.

Testing was conducted in both private matches and public Warzone games to assess weapon performance in real-world scenarios. Statistical data was combined with subjective observations to create a balanced ranking system. Weapons in higher tiers demonstrated superior TTK, manageable recoil, and good mobility, making them more effective in a variety of combat situations.