Warzone Shotgun Tier List: The *REAL* Best Shotguns (Season 3)

This tier list ranks shotguns in Warzone Battle Royale, assessing their effectiveness in Season 3. The tier system ranges from Meta (the best, most dominant weapons) to E (the least effective). Each tier represents a weapon's overall performance, considering factors like time-to-kill (TTK), range, mobility, and ease of use.

The current Warzone meta favors weapons effective at multiple ranges, but shotguns remain potent in close-quarters combat. This ranking considers how well each shotgun performs within its intended role and against the broader weapon pool. Statistical data, community feedback, and in-game testing inform the placement of each weapon.

This tier list reflects the weapon balance as of the latest patch. Any significant weapon tuning or game mechanic changes will be factored into future updates.

A Tier

A-tier weapons in Warzone are excellent choices, nearly reaching meta status. These weapons are highly competitive and can challenge meta weapons when used effectively, though they may have slight disadvantages in certain situations.

MX Guardian

The MX Guardian in Warzone's A tier is a strong contender due to its effectiveness in close-quarters combat. Its key strengths include a rapid fire rate and manageable recoil, allowing for quick follow-up shots. Statistically, the MX Guardian offers a competitive TTK within its effective range. However, its damage falloff at longer distances and limited magazine size are notable weaknesses. This weapon excels in tight indoor environments and aggressive pushing strategies, but struggles in open areas against ranged opponents.

B Tier

B-tier weapons in Warzone are strong and viable choices for many situations. These weapons may not be the absolute best in any category, but they offer a good balance of stats and can be effective with the right attachments and playstyle.

KV Broadside

The KV Broadside is a B-tier shotgun in Warzone known for its high damage output and fast time to kill in close quarters. However, its slow mobility and ADS speed are significant drawbacks. Statistically, the KV Broadside excels in close-range TTK, but its effectiveness drops off significantly at even moderate distances. This weapon is best suited for clearing rooms and tight corridors, but struggles in open areas where mobility and ADS speed are crucial.

Riveter

The Riveter is a B-tier shotgun in Warzone, offering a fully automatic firing mode that delivers a high volume of fire in close quarters. Its strengths include a rapid rate of fire and decent damage per shot. However, the Riveter suffers from significant recoil and limited effective range. In terms of statistical performance, the Riveter's TTK is competitive at very close ranges, but its accuracy diminishes rapidly as distance increases. This weapon excels in aggressive, close-quarters engagements but struggles against opponents at medium to long range.

Lockwood MK2

The Lockwood MK2 in Warzone's B tier is a lever-action marksman rifle that behaves like a shotgun. Its strengths lie in its high damage per shot and decent range for a shotgun-type weapon. However, it suffers from a slow rate of fire and a small magazine capacity. Statistically, the Lockwood MK2 can deliver one-shot kills in close to mid range, but its slow follow-up shots make it unforgiving. This weapon excels in skilled hands that can make each shot count, but struggles in sustained firefights.

Bryson 890

The Bryson 890 is a B-tier pump-action shotgun in Warzone. Its strengths include high burst damage potential in close quarters. However, its pump-action mechanism results in a slow rate of fire, limiting its effectiveness in sustained engagements. Statistically, the Bryson 890 can achieve a fast TTK with a well-placed shot, but its overall performance is inconsistent due to its fire rate. This weapon excels in scenarios where a single, powerful shot is sufficient, but it struggles against multiple opponents or when follow-up shots are needed.

Bryson 800

The Bryson 800 is a B-tier pump-action shotgun in Warzone. Its strengths include high burst damage potential in close quarters. However, its pump-action mechanism results in a slow rate of fire, limiting its effectiveness in sustained engagements. Statistically, the Bryson 800 can achieve a fast TTK with a well-placed shot, but its overall performance is inconsistent due to its fire rate. This weapon excels in scenarios where a single, powerful shot is sufficient, but it struggles against multiple opponents or when follow-up shots are needed.

Expedite 12

The Expedite 12 is a B-tier semi-automatic shotgun in Warzone. Its strengths include a decent fire rate and manageable recoil. However, its damage output is relatively low compared to other shotguns, and it suffers from a very short damage range. Statistically, the Expedite 12 has a moderate TTK within its limited effective range. This weapon excels in very close quarters where its semi-automatic action allows for rapid follow-up shots, but it struggles against opponents at even slightly longer distances.

Marine SP

The Marine SP is a B-tier shotgun in Warzone. Its strengths include good range and handling. However, it suffers from a low rate of fire. Statistically, the Marine SP has a moderate TTK within its effective range. This weapon excels in close quarters where its handling allows for rapid follow-up shots, but it struggles against opponents at even slightly longer distances.

MAELSTROM

The MAELSTROM is a B-tier fully automatic shotgun in Warzone. Its strengths include a high rate of fire and decent range. However, it suffers from high recoil and large hip spread, making it difficult to control. Statistically, the MAELSTROM's TTK can be competitive at close ranges, but its effectiveness diminishes due to its recoil. This weapon excels in aggressive, close-quarters combat, but struggles against opponents who can maintain distance or have better recoil control.

Haymaker

The Haymaker is a B-tier combat shotgun in Warzone that excels in close-range engagements. Its strengths include a high rate of fire and large magazine capacity, allowing players to quickly clear rooms. However, its range is limited, and recoil can be difficult to manage. Statistically, the Haymaker boasts a competitive TTK at very close ranges. This weapon is most effective in tight spaces where its rapid-fire capabilities can be fully utilized, but it struggles in more open environments.

Stormender

The Stormender is a B-tier weapon in Warzone. Its strengths include good range and handling. However, it suffers from a low rate of fire. Statistically, the Stormender has a moderate TTK within its effective range. This weapon excels in close quarters where its handling allows for rapid follow-up shots, but it struggles against opponents at even slightly longer distances.

Lockwood 680

The Lockwood 680 is a B-tier pump-action shotgun in Warzone known for its versatility. Its strengths include the ability to be modified for various combat scenarios. However, its pump-action limits its rate of fire. Statistically, the Lockwood 680 can achieve one-shot kills in close quarters. This weapon excels in skilled hands that can make each shot count, but it struggles in sustained firefights.

C Tier

C-tier weapons in Warzone are decent options but come with limitations or are only effective in specific situations. These weapons may require a specific playstyle or loadout to be successful and are generally outclassed by higher-tier options.

ASG-89

The ASG-89 is a C-tier shotgun in Warzone. Its strengths include good range and handling. However, it suffers from a low rate of fire. Statistically, the ASG-89 has a moderate TTK within its effective range. This weapon excels in close quarters where its handling allows for rapid follow-up shots, but it struggles against opponents at even slightly longer distances.

MX Guardian

The MX Guardian is a C-tier shotgun in Warzone. Its strengths include good range and handling. However, it suffers from a low rate of fire. Statistically, the MX Guardian has a moderate TTK within its effective range. This weapon excels in close quarters where its handling allows for rapid follow-up shots, but it struggles against opponents at even slightly longer distances.

D Tier

D-tier weapons in Warzone are below average and have significant disadvantages compared to other options. While they can be used, they are generally not recommended for competitive play due to their limitations.

Reclaimer 18

The Reclaimer 18 is a D-tier shotgun in Warzone. Its strengths include good range and handling. However, it suffers from a low rate of fire. Statistically, the Reclaimer 18 has a moderate TTK within its effective range. This weapon excels in close quarters where its handling allows for rapid follow-up shots, but it struggles against opponents at even slightly longer distances.

Stormender

The Stormender is a D-tier shotgun in Warzone. Its strengths include good range and handling. However, it suffers from a low rate of fire. Statistically, the Stormender has a moderate TTK within its effective range. This weapon excels in close quarters where its handling allows for rapid follow-up shots, but it struggles against opponents at even slightly longer distances.

Lockwood 300

The Lockwood 300 is a D-tier double-barrel shotgun in Warzone. Its primary strength lies in its potential for a one-shot kill with the trigger action attachment, firing both barrels simultaneously. However, it requires a reload after every shot, severely limiting its fire rate. Statistically, while capable of a very fast TTK in that single shot, the long reload time makes it highly inconsistent. This weapon excels in very specific, controlled engagements but is easily outmatched in most combat scenarios.

Conclusion

In summary, the shotgun meta in Warzone Season 3 presents a range of options, though most fall into the B tier, indicating viable but not dominant choices. The distribution suggests a lack of clear top-tier shotguns, with many weapons offering situational advantages. Given recent weapon tuning and game mechanic changes, it is anticipated the meta will evolve, potentially elevating some B-tier options or introducing new contenders. Players should experiment with different shotguns to find what best suits their playstyle within the current landscape.

Methodology

The methodology for this tier list involves a combination of statistical analysis, practical testing, and community feedback. Key criteria include time-to-kill (TTK), effective range, recoil control, mobility, and ease of use. TTK is weighted most heavily (30%), as it directly impacts weapon lethality. Recoil control and effective range are also significant (25% each), determining a weapon's consistency and versatility. Mobility and ease of use are considered (10% each) for their impact on overall handling and accessibility. Weapons were tested in both private matches and public lobbies to assess performance across various combat scenarios. Higher tiers prioritize weapons with balanced stats and consistent performance, while lower tiers include weapons with niche applications or significant drawbacks.