Fortnite's Top-Rated Shotguns [The Best of the Best]

With Epic Games including a new shotgun every Fortnite Season it’s impossible to stay on top of the current close range meta in Fortnite Battle Royale. We’ve taken a deep dive into the stats of the best weapons in the shotgun class, so you can feel comfortable knowing you’re carrying the best shotgun in Fortnite.

Pump Shotgun

The Pump Shotgun is the best shotgun in Fortnite Battle Royale. There’s no better feeling than one pumping your foes in Fortnite Battle Royale with the Legendary Pump Shotgun.

New players to Fortnite Battle Royale may not be familiar with the Pump Shotgun’s monstrous stats.

• Damage Per Second - 81.2
• Damage - 116
• Headshot Multiplier - 1.75x
• Fire Rate - 0.7
• Magazine Size - 5
• Reload Time - 3.7s

With stats like that there is no other shotgun in Fortnite Battle Royale that can compete for the best weapon in the shotgun class.

Striker Pump Shotgun

The Striker Pump is the third shotgun to be introduced in Fortnite Season 1 of the new Fortnite Chapter 3. The Striker Pump Shotgun performs similarly to the Pump Shotgun, but does not pack the same damage output.

The Striker Pump Shotgun seems good at a first glance, but after comparing stats to the Pump Shotgun the shortcomings are more obvious.

• Damage Per Second - 68.64
• Damage - 105.6
• Headshot Multiplier - 1.65x
• Fire Rate - 0.65
• Magazine Size - 5
• Reload Time - 4.5s

The Striker Pump is beat out in almost every category by the Pump Shotgun. However, it is still a viable option in a Pumpless season like Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 1.

Double Barrel Shotgun

The Double Barrel Shotgun holds two shots in a clip, and can fire them off in quick succession. This combines to give the Double barrel Shotgun the highest damage per second amongst shotguns.

The drawback here is players will need to reload frequently with the Double Barrel Shotgun.

• Damage Per Second - 228
• Damage - 120
• Headshot Multiplier - 1.25x
• Fire Rate - 1.9
• Magazine Size - 2
• Reload Time - 2.7s

If you’re the kind of player who can manage to pop a couple reloads in a close range battle this is the shotgun for you!

Auto Shotgun

The Auto Shotgun is a new weapon for players to use in Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 1. This shotgun is the Tactical Shotgun equivalent of Fortnite Chapter 3.

The Auto Shotgun is good to keep yourself protected if you’re getting third partied, because of the Auto Shotgun’s speed.

• Damage Per Second - 138.6
• Damage - 92.4
• Headshot Multiplier - 1.5x
• Fire Rate - 1.5
• Magazine Size - 8
• Reload Time - 5.13s

You can see the Auto Shotgun acts similarly to the Tactical Shotgun, and even beats it out in a few categories.

Lever Action Shotgun

Epic Games added the Lever Action Shotgun to Battle Royale in Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 5. The Lever Action Shotgun suffers from the same problem many slow firing shotguns do in Fortnite.

They just don’t compete with the Pump Shotgun. Especially with the swap to spray weapon meta, there is no better slow firing shotgun than the Pump Shotgun.

• Damage Per Second - 108.6
• Damage - 114.3
• Headshot Multiplier - 1.45x
• Fire Rate - 0.95
• Magazine Size - 6
• Reload Time - 5.4s

That’s not to say the Lever Action isn’t powerful. In vaulted Pump Shotgun seasons like Fortnite Season 5 of Chapter 2 the Lever Action was the best option.

Tactical Shotgun

The Tactical Shotgun is the most reliable among the shotguns in Fortnite Battle Royale. A decent close range damage output, plus a large clip makes the Tactical Shotgun a solid choice for any player's inventory.

The worst feeling is being eliminated because you forgot to reload your Rocket Launcher or Heavy Assault Rifle, and you can't survive long enough for another Pump Shotgun shot.

• Damage Per Second - 132
• Damage - 88
• Headshot Multiplier - 1.5x
• Fire Rate - 1.5
• Magazine Size - 8
• Reload Time - 5.13s

As you can see, the speed on this shotgun is the Tactical Shotgun’s strength.

Charge Shotgun

The Charge Shotgun might be my favorite shotgun in Fortnite, but is by no means the best weapon. The charge shotgun has the ability to charge up a shot, and the longer the shot is charged the more damage it can output.

With a fully charged shot this shotgun can pack massive damage against players. The Charge Shotgun is the only other shotgun than the Pump Shotgun that can deal 200+ damage.

• Damage Per Second - 86.7
• Damage - 102
• Headshot Multiplier - 1.5x
• Fire Rate - 0.85
• Magazine Size - 5
• Reload Time - 3.9s

Combat Shotgun

The Combat Shotgun is the weaker precursor to the Heavy Shotgun. The Combat Shotgun shoots a pellet spray like most shoguns. However, the pellet spread on this weapon is far tighter than competing Fortnite weapons like the Pump Shotgun.

The tighter pellet spread allows for the Combat Shotgun to compete with Fortnite weapons like assault rifles. Unfortunately, the Combat Shotgun suffers from a low damage output.

• Damage Per Second - 107.1
• Damage - 63
• Headshot Multiplier - 1.5x
• Fire Rate - 1.7
• Magazine Size - 8
• Reload Time - 4.7s

The Combat Shotgun can compete with some weapons like the Suppressed Assault Rifle at close range, but will generally lack against other shotguns or submachine guns..

Heavy Shotgun

The Heavy Shotgun is the newest weapon amongst shotguns for players to use in Fortnite Battle Royale. This unique shotgun was released part way through Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 1. The unique feature of the Heavy Shotgun is the method of fire.

Most shotguns in Fortnite Battle Royale shoot a spread of pellets. The Heavy Shotgun fires a single accurate slug. The Heavy Shotgun is the sniper rifle of the shotguns in Fortnite.

• Damage Per Second - 128.7
• Damage - 99
• Headshot Multiplier - 1.75x
• Fire Rate - 1.3
• Magazine Size - 5
• Reload Time - 3.96s

As you can see by the Heavy Shotgun’s stats it packs a mean punch. Additionally, the accurate slug shot allows for high damage output at a long range.

Pair your favorite shotgun with a Rocket Launcher and your favorite assault rifle to be assured of some clean dubs. If you’re looking for a baller skin to equip while snagging these dubs check out The Best 50 Skins For You To Standout In Fortnite.