Special weapons
Shotguns
Shotguns ranked by endgame role, perk package, competition, and total score.
WEAPON | INFO | PERKS | ANALYSIS | ||||||||||||||
🖼️ | Name | Season | Energy | Frame | Source | Stun | Ammo | ⬆️ | Barrel | Mag | MW | Perk 1 | Perk 2 | Origin Trait | Notes | # | Tier |
 | Threat Level | 29 | Kinetic | Rapid | Pantheon |  | 52 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Tactical Mag | HandlingReload | Cascade PointOne-Two PunchLead from Gold | All-StarTrench BarrelChaos Reshaped | Elliptical Orbit | most potent double damage/RoF shotgun ever, Kinetic Synthesis synergy, insane perk pool | 1 | S |
 | Found Verdict | 29 | Arc | Aggressive | Vault of Glass |  | 34 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Aggregate ChargeDiscordRewind Rounds | Trench BarrelOne-Two PunchGear Shift | Timelost Magazine | insane per-shot roam damage, great for raw Trench DPS, excellent origin for an aggressive | 2 | S |
 | Perfect Paradox | 29 | Kinetic | Rapid | World, Banshee |  | 54 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Tactical Mag | HandlingReload | PugilistStopping PowerThreat Detector | One-Two PunchTrench BarrelAll-Star | Cast No Shadows | highest QoL overall 12P shotgun | 3 | S |
| Heritage | 12 | Kinetic | Pinpoint Slug | Deep Stone Crypt |  | 49 | Yes | Fluted Barrel | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | RedirectionReconstruction | Cascade PointAggregate ChargeRecombination | Bray Inheritance | possibly the highest 1mag burst damage of any legendary special | 4 | S |
 | Basso Ostinato | 29 | Void | Rapid | Neomuna |  | 50 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Tactical Mag | HandlingReload | Grave RobberDemolitionistDiscord | One-Two PunchTrench Barrel | Nanotech Tracer Missiles | best energy slot 12P, also has free damage on origin | 5 | S |
| Unvoiced | 29 | Void | Pinpoint Slug | Sundered Doctrine |  | 46 | Yes | Fluted Barrel | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | RedirectionFourth Time's the Charm | Elemental HoningBait and SwitchVorpal Weapon | Subjugation | worse than Heritage for Redirection purposes, still no other equivalent in energy slot though | 6 | A |
| Felwinter's Lie | 29 | Solar | Shot Package | Iron Banner |  | 34 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Cascade PointSlickdraw | Bait and SwitchTrench BarrelOne-Two Punch | Skulking Wolf | has potential use with Parasite swap rotations, only Cascade + damage aggressive | 7 | A |
| IKELOS_SG_v1.0.3 | 29 | Solar | Rapid | Seraph's Shield |  | 60 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Tactical Mag | HandlingReload | Grave Robber | One-Two PunchTrench BarrelSurrounded | Rasputin's Arsenal | basically Basso but with Surrounded and worse origin | 8 | A |
| The Deicide | 29 | Arc | Rapid | Nessus |  | 51 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Tactical Mag | HandlingReload | DiscordAuto-Loading HolsterLead from Gold | One-Two PunchTrench BarrelCascade Point | Fail-deadly | no Grave but Fail-deadly makes up for it, has pretty decent QoL perks otherwise | 9 | A |
| One Small Step | 29 | Stasis | Rapid | Moon |  | 53 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Tactical Mag | HandlingReload | Grave RobberLead from Gold | One-Two PunchTrench Barrel | Loss | Perfect Paradox alternative with no CNS and standard perks | 10 | A |
| A Sudden DeathRotN version | 26 | Void | Aggressive | Rite of the Nine |  | 38 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | One-Two PunchDiscord | Trench BarrelRedirection | Gravity Well | 12P + Trench aggressive is still novel, has Redirection and useful origin too | 11 | A |
| A Sudden Death | 29 | Void | Aggressive | Prophecy |  | 38 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | One-Two PunchDiscordReconstruction | Trench Barrel | Crossing Over | no Redirection and Gravity Well, still has core perk combo though | 12 | A |
| Imperial Decree | 29 | Kinetic | Aggressive | Xur |  | 39 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Auto-Loading Holster | Trench BarrelSurrounded | To Excess | classic high QoL ALH Trench/Surrounded aggressive | 13 | A |
| Pure Recollection | 27 | Void | Heavy Burst | Tenet of Bravery, Shaxx |  | 40 | Yes | Fluted Barrel | Appended MagRicochet Rounds | HandlingReload | Envious ArsenalHigh-Impact Reserves | Bait and SwitchWithering Gaze | Roar of Battle | best shotgun for dying quickly, also best Withering frame of all options | 14 | A |
| Arcane Embrace | 27 | Arc | Heavy Burst | Tenet of Bravery |  | 42 | Yes | Fluted Barrel | Appended Mag | HandlingReload | Fourth Time's the CharmReconstructionGrave Robber | Aggregate ChargeSurrounded | Search Party | in theory best sustained damage option, unfortunately Kinetic Synthesis exists | 15 | A |
| Until Its Return | 29 | Strand | Rapid | Xur |  | 54 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Tactical Mag | HandlingReload | Auto-Loading HolsterOverflow | SurroundedCascade PointTrench Barrel | Unsated Hunger | ALH/Overflow + burst perks, useless origin and no double damage unfortunately | 16 | A |
| Starscape Null | 27 | Solar | Lightweight | Epic Desert Perpetual |  | 29 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Rewind RoundsReconstructionEnvious Arsenal | One-Two PunchAggregate ChargeTrench Barrel | Frame of Reference | rotation-oriented lightweight, unfortunately not the best frame for this use case | 17 | B |
| Swordbreaker | 29 | Strand | Lightweight | Crota's End |  | 25 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | SliceDemolitionist | One-Two PunchSurroundedChaos Reshaped | Cursed Thrall | Slice on a decent frame is interesting, unfortunately struggles to find a use | 18 | B |
| Xenoclast IV | 29 | Arc | Lightweight | Zavala |  | 23 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Grave RobberLead from Gold | One-Two PunchTrench BarrelSurrounded | Vanguard Determination | now enhanceable, so basically a lower shot count IKELOS-adjacent pick | 19 | B |
| Last Man Standing | 29 | Solar | Aggressive | Gambit |  | 33 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Grave RobberLead from Gold | One-Two PunchTrench BarrelDiscord | Gun and Run | not a great frame for 12P, has Trench, Discord in wrong column | 20 | B |
| Fractethyst | 29 | Stasis | Precision | Shattered Throne |  | 45 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | One-Two PunchLead from Gold | Trench Barrel | Ignoble Deeds | A Sudden Death roll on worse frame, not the worst though | 21 | B |
| MIDA Macro-Tool | 27 | Arc | MIDA Synergy | Tenet of Bravery, Shaxx |  | 44 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Grave RobberDiscord | One-Two PunchTrench Barrel | Roar of Battle | Grave + 12P/Trench core on a mediocre frame | 22 | B |
| Compass Rose | 29 | Solar | Precision | Tenet of Bravery |  | 45 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Grave Robber | One-Two PunchTrench Barrel | Dream Work | same as MIDA just no Discord and better origin | 23 | B |
| Astral Horizon | 28 | Kinetic | Aggressive | Trials |  | 40 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Lead from GoldStopping Power | All-StarOne-Two PunchVorpal Weapon | Wild Card | in theory best kinetic Parasite swap option, but not very appealing otherwise | 24 | B |
| Trachinus | 27 | Stasis | Rapid Slug | Tenet of Bravery |  | 50 | Yes | Fluted Barrel | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Lead from GoldRapid Hit | Chill ClipPrecision Instrument | Tenacity | probably the best Chill Clip shotgun, not that useful overall given existing Overload intrinsic | 25 | B |
| Gunnora's Axe | 29 | Solar | Pinpoint Slug | Iron Banner |  | 42 | Yes | Fluted Barrel | Extended MagRicochet Rounds | HandlingReload | Threat DetectorHeal Clip | Cascade PointPrecision InstrumentIncandescent | Suros Synergy | a more precise option than Pure Recollection for dying, definitely more niche though | 26 | B |
| Prophet of Doom | 29 | Arc | Precision | Garden of Salvation |  | 48 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | ReconstructionEnvious Arsenal | One-Two PunchGear ShiftJolting Feedback | Photoinhibition | no Grave Robber but has some perk diversity, JF can jolt in one shot | 27 | B |
| Seventh Seraph CQC-12 | 29 | Solar | Lightweight | Cosmodrome |  | 27 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Discord | Chain ReactionSurroundedTrench Barrel | Eyes Up | probably the best pairings for a pure Discord shotgun | 28 | C |
| Ded Gramarye IV | 29 | Arc | Lightweight | Banshee |  | 19 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | DiscordSlickdraw | Chain ReactionSurroundedVorpal Weapon | Wild Card | like CQC but no Trench and Wild Card instead | 29 | C |
| Dead Weight | 17 | Arc | Rapid | Gambit |  | 49 | No | Barrel Shroud | Tactical Mag | HandlingReload | Grave RobberAuto-Loading HolsterLead from Gold | SurroundedTrench BarrelOne-Two Punch | Field-Tested | held back by lack of enhancement, but perk pool is actually very decent | 30 | C |
| Python | 29 | Void | Aggressive | Gambit |  | 37 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Overflow | Trench BarrelOne-Two PunchWithering Gaze | Gun and Run | good Trench frame but first column is underwhelming, has Withering for some reason | 31 | C |
| Someday | 29 | Kinetic | Precision | Pale Heart |  | 37 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | One-Two PunchLead from Gold | RecombinationVorpal Weapon | Dealer's Choice | 12P + Recombination is completely unheard of, unfortunately not that useful | 32 | C |
| Matador 64 | 29 | Arc | Precision | Grasp of Avarice |  | 45 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Lead from GoldSupercharged Magazine | One-Two PunchGear Shift | Unburied Treasure | mediocre 1st column + 12P on a bad frame | 33 | C |
| Deadpan Delivery | 22 | Arc | Aggressive | Zavala |  | 28 | No | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | DiscordOverflowSlickdraw | One-Two PunchTrench Barrel | Vanguard's Vindication | no enhancements, but overall not a bad aggressive with standard perks | 34 | C |
| Sojourner's Tale | 25 | Solar | Pinpoint Slug | Xur, Dares |  | 43 | Yes | Fluted Barrel | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Auto-Loading HolsterDiscord | Precision InstrumentIncandescentHarmony | Splicer Surge | only Discord slug, otherwise not very notable at all | 35 | C |
| Precipial | 27 | Void | Precision | Kepler |  | 45 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | One-Two PunchReconstruction | Vorpal WeaponDiscord | Exhaustive Research | 12P + Vorpal is somewhat novel but lack of support everywhere else makes this unappealing | 36 | C |
| Reckless Endangerment | 29 | Kinetic | Lightweight | Solo Ops |  | 26 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Grave Robber | Trench BarrelAll-Star | Vanguard Determination | not a great frame for Trench spamming, Grave is nice but no 12P | 37 | C |
| Hawthorne's Field-Forged Shotgun | 28 | Stasis | Lightweight | Tenet of Bravery, Banshee |  | 10 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Lead from GoldGrave Robber | Chill Clip | Field-Tested | worse due to range limitations vs. Trachinus, also lower shot count | 38 | C |
| Scavenger's Fate | 25 | Void | Precision | Xur, Kell's Fall? |  | 42 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Discord | Vorpal WeaponSurroundedDestabilizing Rounds | Dark Ether Reaper | decent Discord roam option especially with origin but no other use case | 39 | C |
| Blasphemer | 29 | Kinetic | Pinpoint Slug | Moon |  | 48 | Yes | Fluted Barrel | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Fourth Time's the Charm | All-Star | Loss | pretty good with Kinetic Synthesis, unfortunately frame sucks | 40 | C |
| Fortissimo-11 | 29 | Kinetic | Pinpoint Slug | Zavala |  | 45 | Yes | Fluted Barrel | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Fourth Time's the Charm | Vorpal WeaponFocused FurySurrounded | Vanguard Determination | FTTC + decent damage perk core | 41 | D |
| Nessa's Oblation | 29 | Void | Pinpoint Slug | Root of Nightmares |  | 49 | Yes | Fluted Barrel | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Fourth Time's the Charm | Vorpal WeaponFocused Fury | Harmonic Resonance | same as Fortissimo, just no Surrounded | 42 | D |
| Supercluster | 29 | Strand | Pinpoint Slug | Starcrossed |  | 46 | Yes | Fluted Barrel | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Fourth Time's the CharmSliceLead from Gold | Cascade PointVorpal WeaponSurrounded | Dragon's Vengeance | same as Nessa, just no Focused Fury | 43 | D |
| Without Remorse | 29 | Solar | Lightweight | Presage |  | 22 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Threat Detector | One-Two PunchVorpal Weapon | Extrovert | outdated QoL-focused 1mag 12P option | 44 | D |
| Retold Tale | 29 | Void | Precision | Dreaming City |  | 38 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Quickdraw | One-Two PunchWithering Gaze | Advanced Reflexes | bad frame, awful 1st column, has Withering though | 45 | D |
| Wastelander M5 | 29 | Kinetic | Lightweight | Dares |  | 26 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | PugilistLead from Gold | One-Two PunchTrench Barrel | Hot Swap | very dated lightweight 12P option, no reload assists | 46 | D |
| Retrofuturist | 29 | Void | Lightweight | Crucible |  | 20 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Auto-Loading Holster | Trench BarrelVorpal WeaponHigh Ground | Roar of Battle | not a good Trench frame, okay perks in 2nd paired with ALH | 47 | D |
| Ragnhild-D | 29 | Kinetic | Aggressive | Banshee |  | 37 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Auto-Loading Holster | One-Two Punch | Häkke Breach Armaments | the original kinetic 12P pick, unfortunately an aggressive despite ALH | 48 | D |
| Hand in Hand | 20 | Arc | Aggressive | Banshee |  | 32 | No | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Slideshot | Trench BarrelOne-Two PunchCascade Point | Field-Tested | no good refill perk, standard aggressive perks in 2nd column | 49 | D |
| The Comedian | 15 | Void | Aggressive | Zavala |  | 40 | No | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Lead from Gold | Trench BarrelVorpal Weapon | Stunning Recovery | same as Hand in Hand with Lead instead of Cascade, arguably worse origin | 50 | D |
| Mindbender's Ambition | 29 | Solar | Aggressive | Zavala |  | 40 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Threat Detector | One-Two PunchVorpal Weapon | Problem Solver | no Trench or loader perk on an aggressive, origin not bad | 51 | D |
| Deadlock | 29 | Stasis | Precision | Crucible |  | 48 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Quickdraw | One-Two PunchVorpal Weapon | None | like Retold but without Withering option or origin trait | 52 | D |
| No Reprieve | 29 | Stasis | Pinpoint Slug | Xur |  | 41 | Yes | Fluted Barrel | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Triple Tap | Focused FurySurrounded | Right Hook | no loader perk but Triple Tap + Focused Fury isn't bad | 53 | E |
| Legato-11 | 25 | Solar | Pinpoint Slug | Banshee |  | 38 | Yes | Fluted Barrel | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Auto-Loading Holster | Focused FuryCascade PointVorpal Weapon | Suros Synergy | no ammo gen perk, decent perk spread in 2nd column | 54 | E |
| First In, Last Out | 11 | Arc | Pinpoint Slug | Xur |  | 40 | No | Fluted Barrel | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Auto-Loading Holster | Vorpal WeaponSurrounded | None | like Legato but no Focused Fury | 55 | E |
| Bonechiller | 29 | Void | Pinpoint Slug | Europa |  | 40 | Yes | Fluted Barrel | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Triple TapAuto-Loading HolsterLead from Gold | Precision Instrument | Winterized Gear | better 1st column than other E slugs, but awful damage perk spread | 56 | E |
| The Inquisitor | 29 | Arc | Pinpoint Slug | Trials |  | 52 | Yes | Fluted Barrel | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Grave Robber | Cascade PointVorpal Weapon | Roar of Battle | Cascade Point on a slug, otherwise very mediocre | 57 | E |
| Riiswalker | 29 | Kinetic | Lightweight | Iron Banner |  | 25 | Yes | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | DiscordSlickdraw | Vorpal Weapon | Skulking Wolf | outdated frame and spread for pellet swapping | 58 | E |
| Toil and Trouble | 4 | Kinetic | Aggressive | Dares |  | 40 | No | Barrel Shroud | Assault Mag | HandlingReload | Auto-Loading Holster | Full Auto Trigger System | None | literally no damage perk | 59 | F |
| Wishbringer | 5 | Solar | Rapid | Shaxx, Dares |  | 64 | No | Barrel Shroud | Tactical Mag | HandlingReload | Grave Robber | Auto-Loading Holster | None | not even Full Auto RoF increase | 60 | F |