S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Shotgun Guide

Shotguns own close range

Against mutants rushing you in a building or a dark anomaly field, a shotgun ends the threat in one or two shells. The mutants guide covers the enemies; up close, the shotgun beats any rifle.

Range falls off fast

Past a few meters, pellets spread and damage drops. Do not bring a shotgun as your only weapon into open country. The best weapons page helps you pair it with a rifle for the long shots.

Mods that help

A tighter choke and a decent sight improve the shotgun more than cosmetics. The weapon attachments page covers compatibility; keep it simple and reliable.

Great for early survival

A shotgun plus shells is affordable and lethal against the early mutants that threaten new stalkers. The early gear guide often leans on one before better rifles appear.

Load for the threat

Shotguns are devastating up close and useless at distance, so pair yours with a rifle for the long shots. The best weapons page helps you choose, and the mutants guide shows where the close-range power matters most. Keep it simple with a tighter choke and a decent sight.

Early survival workhorse

A shotgun and shells is affordable and lethal against the early mutants that threaten new stalkers, so it earns its slot before the fancy rifles show up.

The shotgun owns the bunker

Underground and inside ruined buildings the shotgun’s spread is devastating, so keep one for the close work the rifle cannot do. The combat tips page covers closing safely. A Zone run without a close-range answer ends at the first corner.

Load for the close

The shotgun’s spread wants buckshot for men and slugs for the armored, so carry the round that fits the corridor you are about to enter. The weapon attachments page covers the chokes that tighten the pattern. A shotgun loaded for the wrong range is a loud miss.

Related guides

• STALKER2 Mutants Guide
• STALKER2 Best Weapons
• STALKER2 Weapon Attachments