Your ultimate guide to Valorant shotguns

Valorant’s shotgun arsenal provides unique tactical advantages that can completely shift round outcomes when utilized correctly. Understanding when to deploy these close-quarters specialists requires deep knowledge of both weapon mechanics and economic strategy.

To maximize your effectiveness in Valorant, mastering the economic system is absolutely essential. Each round begins with a strategic buy phase where agents invest earned credits into weapons and abilities that support their planned approach.

Credit acquisition follows clear patterns: victorious teams receive 3,000 credits while defeated squads earn 1,900 credits for that round. Individual performance also generates income through eliminations and successful spike plants.

Every purchase decision should directly contribute to your team’s tactical execution. Shotguns represent specialized tools that excel in specific combat scenarios, offering cost-effective solutions for particular situations. For comprehensive strategic planning, consult our Complete Guide to understand broader tactical frameworks.

Bucky

Priced at only 900 credits, the Bucky stands as the most affordable primary weapon excluding sidearms. This economical powerhouse dominates in close-quarters engagements where positioning and timing create lethal opportunities.

Despite its limited five-round capacity, the Bucky delivers devastating damage at optimal ranges. Within seven meters, headshots instantly eliminate opponents with damage values of 19/22/44 for body/leg/head shots respectively. This one-shot kill potential makes it perfect for holding tight angles and defensive positions.

Damage significantly decreases at distance, dropping to 14/17/34 beyond optimal range. However, the Bucky’s alternate fire capability transforms its utility – activating Air Burst mode by right-clicking launches a canister that detonates after 7.5 meters, effectively creating a medium-range engagement option that surprises unprepared enemies.

Pro Tip: Use Bucky’s Air Burst to pre-fire common holding positions or deny area access, similar to how you’d utilize utility in our Class Guide for tactical advantages.

Judge

The Judge operates as a fully automatic shotgun with exceptional firing speed, available for 1,500 credits. This weapon perfectly suits players who thrive in chaotic close-range encounters and aggressive playstyles.

Agents wielding the Judge frequently execute site rushes or rapidly peek angles to surprise and eliminate unaware opponents. While dealing less damage than the Bucky (14/17/24 close-range and 11/13/26 at distance), its 3.5 fire rate and expanded seven-round magazine create overwhelming pressure in confined spaces.

Some tactical Judge users employ ambush strategies, concealing themselves within site interiors and awaiting approaching enemies. They emerge unexpectedly and unleash devastating automatic fire, leveraging the weapon’s rapid discharge rate. Players adopting this approach must carefully monitor enemy positioning patterns, as this high-risk, high-reward tactic demands precise execution.

Advanced Technique: Combine Judge rushes with agent abilities like Jett’s dash or Raze’s satchels for unpredictable aggression that breaks defensive setups.

Both shotguns maintain viability across various combat situations, making selection dependent on specific scenarios and individual playstyle preferences. The Bucky typically serves defensive purposes while the Judge enables aggressive strategies. Both remain budget-friendly options that excel at punishing positional mistakes.

When playing mobile agents like Jett, you can create engagement opportunities rather than waiting passively. Her dash ability combined with shotgun power creates deadly hit-and-run tactics.

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Don’t challenge long sightlines with shotguns, avoid predictable positioning patterns, and never underestimate the importance of economic management between rounds.

For weapon-specific mastery beyond shotguns, explore our detailed Weapons Unlock guide covering all arsenal options.

Agent Synergy Recommendations: Jett’s mobility complements both shotguns, Raze’s explosive entry creates perfect shotgun follow-up opportunities, and Omen’s teleportation enables unexpected flanking maneuvers.

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