Summary
- Different shotguns in Fallout 3 offer unique stats and uses, with some being more powerful and durable than others.
- The Combat Shotgun prioritizes accuracy and has a higher magazine capacity but lacks durability compared to other shotguns.
- The Double-Barrel Shotgun has the best DPS and is great as an emergency weapon, but the Terrible Shotgun deals more damage per shot.
Similar to the range of shotguns available in Fallout 4, there are just 2 base shotguns in Fallout 3 (with one more being DLC) with some unique variants (that funnily enough look the same) thrown in for good measure. Thankfully, each of the 5 on offer is quite different from the other in their stats and potential use to the player. Perhaps due to the limited number, all are useful at certain points, but players will find some far more powerful later in their post-apocalyptic adventures.
Fallout 4: Every Shotgun, Ranked
Though Fallout 4 doesn't feature many shotguns, some can prove to be incredibly useful. Here's how they compare to one another.
Each shotgun in Fallout 3 can be found in a certain way and has a wide array of stats (damage, rate of fire, spread, e.g) to consider. To simplify this process, we have compiled a list ranking all the shotguns in Fallout 3 from least to most useful. Knowing the best shotgun to use at certain points in the game can be the difference in difficult close-range encounters where a high damage-per-second (DPS) is needed to defeat tough enemies.
5 Sawed-Off Shotgun
Spread The Damage
- Damage: 50
- Rate of Fire: 2.25
- Magazine Capacity: 2
A double-barrelled shotgun with the barrels cut off, the Sawed Off-Shotgun offers relatively high damage of 50 per shot, amounting to around 110 dps. But with only 2 shots in the chamber and a reload time of over 3 seconds, players will need to be very accurate to use this weapon. Unfortunately, the spread on this weapon is the most for all shotguns, which will only help when shooting at a large group of enemies.
As a fairly ordinary weapon, it can be found in a diverse range of places. This includes the bodies of raiders in and around the Capital Wasteland, in the media archive section of Arlington Library, or at the Meresti Raiders Dock. Compared to other shotguns, it is relatively weak and with poor durability, (it will break after around 160 shots), players should look towards other options at the earliest possible moment.
4 The Kneecapper
Only A Minor Upgrade
- Damage: 75
- Rate of Fire: 1.875
- Magazine Capacity: 2
A unique variant of the sawed-off shotgun, the Kneecapper offers improvements over its base weapon in some areas and drawbacks in others. Firstly, it has a far tighter spread which should allow a greater number of pellets to hit where the player wants. Also, the damage has been increased by 50%, meaning a higher DPS of 140. These very good additions are undermined by a slower rate of fire and a durability concern. (Now only requires 111 shots to break)
Fallout 4: Best Pistols, Ranked
Fallout 4 is home to a variety of unique pistols for players to make use of. Here are the best ones available in the game.
These changes leave this weapon being a small upgrade on the sawed-off shotgun but not a big enough upgrade to place it above any other shotgun in the game. The weapon can only be obtained from Ronald Laren who lives in a settlement called Girdershade as one of only two occupants.
3 Combat Shotgun
Accuracy Prioritized
- Damage: 55
- Rate of Fire: 1.5
- Magazine Capacity: 12
The combat shotgun is the first weapon on this list to have more than 2 bullets in the chamber. Furthermore, it also has a chance at a critical hit multiplier that can lead to up to 27 more damage per shot. With a low spread, this weapon can deal precise damage without having to reload after 2 shots. Even when players do need to reload, the reload time is no slower than the Sawed-Off Shotgun.
A major drawback is its durability; when in its best possible condition, it can only fire around 145 rounds before breaking. This gives it the worst durability of any shotgun. Combat shotguns are widely accessible in the game: raiders, Talon Company mercs, and slavers will often be carrying one. For a specific location, one can be bought at Flak 'N Shrapnel's in Rivet City.
2 Double-Barrel Shotgun
Immense 'Emergency Weapon'
- Damage: 85
- Rate of Fire: 2.25
- Magazine Capacity: 2
Dealing by far the best DPS of all shotguns is the double-barrel shotgun. At around 190 dps it is best utilized as a secondary weapon that can be switched to when in a moment of great peril. A quick reload time of 2 seconds for both rounds means that it will be ready quickly. Players can pump out astonishing amounts of damage at close ranges, with an extra 30 damage per shot for a critical hit.
Fallout 3 - 8 Best Energy Weapons To Acquire
Pew-pew! Plasma, lasers, electricity, and alien tech make this list of the best Energy Weapons.
Only available in the Point Lookout add-on, it can be acquired in the Naval Recruiting Center or during the quest Hearing Voices. The weapon is used by many in the add-on so players should keep a look out.
1 The Terrible Shotgun
Terrible For Your Enemies
- Damage: 80
- Rate of Fire: 1.5
- Magazine Capacity: 12
A unique variant of the combat shotgun, the Terrible Shotgun deals far more damage per shot. If players hit all their shots and get some critical hits, they can deal well 1,000 damage per magazine clip. Although the spread is more than on the original weapon, it is a price worth paying to acquire an end-game-worthy weapon.
This shotgun is only available in one place: the merchant Smiling Jack in Evergreen Mills. Players can steal it from him or kill him and take it with no damage to Karma due to his position as a raider.
- Released
- October 28, 2008
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Engine
- Gamebryo
- Franchise
- Fallout
