With the last update that Valve released, they reworked the spread of the shotguns to be more like recoil patterns instead of the randomly generated spread that they were before. Gone are the days of "88 in 5" and "1 shot Nova headshot from catwalk". Now, the shotguns, based on their unique recoil patterns, can be aimed a little more properly instead of repeatedly clicking on the head and hoping your spread is lucky.

This does not mean that the shotgun is now the dominant viable weapon (stick to rifles, SMGs, and AWPs); it just means that the shotguns can be utilized better with the advent of consistent spread. Currently, the update is in beta, so the changes are not actually in the game yet, but you can go into a server and type "weapon_accuracy_shotgun_spread_patterns 1" in order to activate the changes.





XM1014:

The XM1014 is 2000$, available on both CT and T side, with the lowest number of pellets at 6, which do the lowest number of damage each at 20. However, it obviously has the fastest firerate, being the only automatic shotgun, and possesses the highest armor penetration and range (3000 units).

Figure 1: XM1014 Spread

The XM1014 spread has a square on the left side of the crosshair with one pellet on the bottom right side. In order to maximize damage with the XM1014, utilize the two bullets directly above the crosshair. This means aim slightly downward of the head (neck level) at close range and more at the chest and stomach region at long range.





Nova:

The Nova is 1200 dollars, available to both CT and T side, with the highest number of pellets at 9 doing 26 damage each. It has the lowest armor penetration and penetration power (meaning it cannot shoot through walls). However, it possesses the highest range, tied with the XM1014 for 3000 units.

Figure 2: Nova Spread

The Nova's spread is fairly simple and nice. It has a chromosome/X like shape that is slightly tilted. One of the slants of the X lies directly on the vertical axis of the crosshair while the other slant cuts through this vertical axis. There are 5 bullets on the vertical slant, which means that when you are close range, aim a little up and to the right the maximize the number of pellets, and when you are at far range, aim at the chest/stomach to maximize the number of pellets along the vertical axis hitting the target.





Mag-7:

The Mag-7 is 1800$, is only available to CTs, and has 8 pellets which do 30 damage each. It has the lowest magazine size (5), highest mobility (225), and intermediate range (1400 units).

Figure 3: Mag-7 Spread

The Mag-7 spread has a square in the upper right quadrant of the crosshair with one pellet on the bottom left that is miles off the target. The square consists of 5 pellets tightly grouped above the crosshair, with the other two pellets forming the other side of the upper right square. In order to aim this spread, aim slightly below the head when up close to maximize the 5 bullets hitting and when farther away, aim lower and lower (neck, chest, stomach) to try to get all 5 bullets to hit.

Sawed Off:

The Sawed Off is 1200 dollars, available only on the T side. It has 8 pellets doing 32 damage each. However, it has the worst range at 650 units, meaning that after 650 units, your bullets disappear from this world forever never to reach your target. In addition to this, it possesses the worst accuracy among the shotguns (standing, crouched, running, etc.)

Figure: Sawed Off Spread

The spread of the Sawed Off has 3 pellets in a triangle around the crosshair with the rest of the pellets thrown around the crosshair in a flower like pattern. This, coupled with the 650 unit range, means that you have to be right up in their grill in order to shoot them in the head. Aim for the head with this gun and be as close as possible. The spread rework does not really change the strategy of this gun nor the way of aiming it. If you are far away from the opponent, you are better off pulling out your side arm or praying that one of your pellets reaches your opponent's head.





Last Notes:

Even though the patterns are more consistent, inaccuracy is still applied to each bullet, meaning that the patterns should look approximately the same, but with the individual bullets being moved around a bit. Also, the patterns are for the first shot only; if you fire shots quickly, the spread pattern will change rapidly.

Quite obviously, if you jump or run around, the pattern will also change. If you are curious about additional stats of the shotguns, look here. For more information about the update in general, click this. All the pictures were taken in the Recoil Master map with movement lock on.

Conclusion:

With the shotgun update, you can try to use the shotguns more skillfully. In a more honest light, shotguns may continue to be used as joke weapons and for highly aggressive and adventurous people (JW, Hiko), but at least there is a way to better aim the shotguns. Try to utilize them correctly and as best as you can!

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