Introduction
The scorched landscape of the Mojave Wasteland demands resilience, adaptability, and, most importantly, the right tools for survival. While laser rifles and plasma weapons certainly have their place, few armaments can match the raw stopping power and visceral satisfaction of a well-placed shotgun blast. In Fallout: New Vegas, shotguns are more than just simple firearms; they’re symbols of rugged self-reliance, capable of turning the tide in desperate close-quarters encounters. This guide will delve deep into the world of New Vegas shotguns, providing a comprehensive overview of every boomstick in the game (including DLC additions), ranking them based on effectiveness, discussing optimal ammo choices, and offering valuable tips for building a powerful shotgun-focused character who can dominate the Mojave.
Shotgun Arsenal: Stats and Acquisition Locations
Let’s start by taking a detailed look at the shotguns available in New Vegas. Each one possesses unique characteristics that make it suitable for different combat scenarios and playstyles.
Caravan Shotgun
A simple, double-barreled shotgun, the Caravan Shotgun is an early game weapon that can be found or purchased in several locations. With decent damage output for its level, it is best to use this weapon while building your character.
Sawed-Off Shotgun
The Sawed-Off Shotgun is a smaller variant with a wider spread. Because of the spread and lower damage, it is more useful at closer ranges than the Caravan Shotgun. This can be a powerful weapon in the early game due to its concealability.
Single Shotgun
Another early game weapon, the Single Shotgun has higher damage than the two previously mentioned, but it requires reloading after each shot.
Lever-Action Shotgun
A classic firearm with a relatively high rate of fire, the Lever-Action Shotgun is a solid choice for mid-game combat. Its damage output is decent, and the quick follow-up shots are quite useful. It is also a staple of the Western aesthetic that New Vegas embraces.
Combat Shotgun
This is an automatic shotgun that is very powerful at close range. Its high rate of fire more than makes up for its lower damage compared to some other shotguns.
Riot Shotgun
Building on the strengths of the Combat Shotgun, the Riot Shotgun offers increased capacity and a slightly faster reload speed. This makes it a fearsome weapon for crowd control and close-quarters engagements. Found in the later stages of the game, it is one of the best shotguns available.
Hunting Shotgun
The Hunting Shotgun can be found in the middle stages of the game, making it an effective damage dealer. This weapon is an all-around great weapon.
Big Boomer
This unique double-barreled shotgun packs a serious punch, dealing significantly higher damage per shot than most other shotguns. However, its slow reload speed makes each shot count. It can be purchased from a specific vendor in the game.
Dinner Bell
Acquired as a reward from a specific quest, the Dinner Bell is a unique shotgun with an incredibly wide spread. This makes it devastatingly effective at extremely close ranges, capable of crippling multiple enemies simultaneously.
Shotgun List Breakdown
Base Shotguns
Caravan Shotgun, Sawed-Off Shotgun, Single Shotgun, Lever-Action Shotgun, Combat Shotgun, Riot Shotgun, Hunting Shotgun
Unique Shotguns
Big Boomer, Dinner Bell
DLC Shotguns
(Note: Check each DLC for shotgun additions and list them here with descriptions and locations.)
Highest Damage Shotguns
Big Boomer, Dinner Bell, Hunting Shotgun
Highest DPS Shotguns
Riot Shotgun, Combat Shotgun, Lever-Action Shotgun
Ammo Choices for Maximum Impact
The effectiveness of your New Vegas shotguns hinges not only on the weapon itself but also on the ammunition you load into it. The Mojave Wasteland offers a variety of shotgun shells, each with its own distinct advantages and drawbacks. Understanding these options is crucial for maximizing your damage output and adapting to different combat scenarios.
Buckshot
The standard shotgun ammo. It offers a good balance of damage and spread, making it suitable for general combat. It’s readily available and relatively inexpensive.
Slug
For situations where you need more range and penetration, slug rounds are the answer. They deliver a single, powerful projectile with increased accuracy and armor-piercing capabilities.
Bean Bag
If you prefer a non-lethal approach, bean bag rounds offer a way to subdue enemies without killing them. These are useful for specific quests or role-playing scenarios where you want to avoid bloodshed.
Dragon’s Breath
Inflicting fire damage, Dragon’s Breath rounds set enemies ablaze, dealing damage over time. While not as effective against heavily armored foes, they are excellent for dispatching weaker creatures and causing panic.
Choosing the right ammo depends on the enemy you’re facing and your preferred combat style. Buckshot is a reliable all-around choice, slugs provide precision at range, bean bags offer non-lethal options, and dragon’s breath adds a fiery element to your arsenal.
Perks and Skills for the Discerning Shotgun Wielder
Building a successful shotgun character in New Vegas requires careful attention to your skill and perk choices. Maximizing your effectiveness with these weapons depends on investing in the right attributes.
Essential Skills
Guns
Naturally, the Guns skill is paramount for any shotgun-focused character. Increasing this skill improves your accuracy and damage with all firearms, including shotguns.
Repair
Maintaining your shotguns is crucial for their performance. A high Repair skill allows you to keep your weapons in optimal condition, preventing malfunctions and maximizing their damage output. It also allows you to craft weapon repair kits.
Other Relevant Skills
Survival
Knowing how to survive in the wasteland is always useful. High skill in Survival lets you craft shotgun ammo, allowing you to save money in the long run.
Strength
Some of the heavier shotguns require a significant Strength score to wield effectively. Investing in Strength ensures you can handle these powerful weapons without penalties to your accuracy or movement speed.
Beneficial Perks
Shotgun Surgeon
This perk is a must-have for any shotgun enthusiast. It significantly increases your critical hit chance with shotguns, allowing you to deliver devastating blows with each blast.
And Stay Back!
This perk adds a chance to knock down enemies with your shotgun blasts. This helps control crowds and gain a tactical advantage in close-quarters combat.
Bloody Mess
While not shotgun-specific, Bloody Mess increases your overall damage output, making your already powerful shotgun blasts even more deadly.
The Professional
This perk grants +20% critical damage with all guns, including shotguns, further enhancing their critical hit potential.
Shotgun Builds: Strategies for Mojave Mayhem
Here is an example build for a character focused on Shotguns:
S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Allocation
Strength: 7 (Allows you to wield most shotguns effectively)
Perception: 5
Endurance: 7 (Increased health and survival ability)
Charisma: 3
Intelligence: 6 (More skill points to distribute)
Agility: 6 (Increased action points for V.A.T.S.)
Luck: 6 (Increased critical hit chance)
Skill Progression
Focus primarily on Guns and Repair.
Invest in Survival for crafting ammo.
Allocate remaining points to skills like Lockpick or Speech based on your playstyle.
Perk Recommendations
Shotgun Surgeon
And Stay Back!
Bloody Mess
The Professional
Jury Rigging (For weapon repair)
Combat Tactics
The key to success with shotguns is closing the distance. Get up close and personal with your enemies, where your shotgun’s spread and damage potential can be fully unleashed. V.A.T.S. is your friend. Utilize V.A.T.S. to target specific body parts, such as legs to cripple enemies or heads for devastating critical hits. Be aware of your surroundings and switch ammo types as needed. Use buckshot for general combat, slugs for distant targets, and bean bags for non-lethal takedowns.
Essential Gear
Choose armor that balances protection with mobility. The Leather Armor provides decent protection without hindering your movement. A companion who can draw enemy fire or provide support, such as Boone or Veronica, can greatly enhance your combat effectiveness.
Unique Shotguns: A Cut Above the Rest
New Vegas offers a few unique shotguns with their own distinct characteristics and advantages. The Riot Shotgun is known for its fast firing rate and large capacity, the Dinner Bell is best at extremely close ranges, and the Big Boomer is known for its high damage, slow reload. Each of these unique weapons offers a unique combat experience, and makes them worth the investment.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
Crafting shotgun ammo can save you a ton of caps in the long run. Collect ingredients like lead, gunpowder, and empty casings to produce your own shells. You can save even more by repairing your shotguns often. Repair them using similar guns or by using a weapon repair kit. There are also locations that contain valuable ammo, such as gun stores and military locations.
Conclusion: Embrace the Boom
Shotguns in New Vegas are a force to be reckoned with. Their raw power, versatility, and brutal satisfaction make them a compelling choice for any Courier looking to carve a path through the Mojave Wasteland. By understanding the nuances of different shotguns, ammo types, skills, and perks, you can build a character capable of dominating close-quarters combat and emerging victorious from even the most challenging encounters. So, load up your favorite boomstick, venture forth into the wasteland, and let the echoes of your shotgun blasts be a testament to your unwavering resilience! Go forth and blast your way through the wasteland with your newfound knowledge of New Vegas shotguns.
