Pistols

These sidearms are typically weapons of last resort in normal engagements. However, as pistol-class guns are the only weapons you can use when you carry a meat shield (or a real shield, for that matter), it’s important to pick a pistol that you’re comfortable using. The new Gorgon burst pistol joins the ranks of the Snub and Boltok semi-automatic pistols from the original Gears of War.

Snub Pistol

Weapon Statistics

Damage Statistics (Player),Short/Medium/Long

Damage Statistics (AI)

Description: The Snub Pistol is the default COG sidearm. You have one with you at the start of the game, and it is a solid pistol. It has a good semi-auto rate of fire, a quick reload, and delivers decent damage. Most of the time, you should use heavier weapons, but there are special cases, notably when you’re using a Boomshield or meat shield.

Close Range: The Snub Pistol isn’t fantastic at close range. But you can fire pretty quickly from the hip without having to worry too much about aiming. This can come in handy if you’re backpedaling to get behind cover, though you may be better off Roadie Running or rolling to get away from close-range enemies.

Medium Range: It’s solid at medium range. With the Snub

Pistol’s zoom function, you can hit targets dependably. If you’re trying to down a Locust to use as a meat shield, using the Snub Pistol on a Drone’s legs is a reliable way to acquire made-to-order mobile cover.

Long Range: The Snub Pistol isn’t really effective at long range. The spread becomes noticeable at greater distances, even if you carefully aim each shot. Use a different weapon!

Cover: The Snub Pistol is average against targets behind cover. At closer ranges, it’s accurate enough that you can pick away at a foe’s exposed bits, but generally, there are better alternatives at hand.

Boltok Pistol

Weapon Statistics

Damage Statistics (Player),Short/Medium/Long

Damage Statistics (AI)

Description: This powerful revolver, favored by Locust forces, is a common sight. If you prefer its tradeoff of a bigger kick with a slower rate of fire, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one.

The Boltok is a good choice if you have a Boomshield, or if you use meat shields frequently.

Close Range: The Boltok Pistol isn’t too good at close range. Its slow rate of fire makes it a dangerous weapon to use up close. It does hit hard, but if you face more than one enemy, you don’t want to get stuck shooting them with this up close.

Medium Range: The Boltok Pistol is surprisingly effective at mid range, especially if you go for headshots. The Boltok packs a serious punch, and you can pop the heads off humanoid Locust with well-aimed shots. Go for a Perfect Active Reload if you use this weapon with any regularity.

Long Range: It’s not as bad as you’d expect at long range. Because you usually have to line up single shots to use the Boltok effectively, it tends to train you for accuracy. If you manage to score the hits, you can deliver surprising damage at a distance. Still, this isn’t an ideal distance weapon. If you really have nothing better, it can work for you.

Cover: Similar to the Snub Pistol, the Boltok isn’t bad against covered targets at medium distances. In some cases, it can be a lot better—if you can score headshots, you can take down Drones very efficiently.

Gorgon Pistol

Weapon Statistics

Damage Statistics (Player),Short/Medium/Long

Damage Statistics (AI)

Description: The Gorgon Pistol is a seldom-encountered weapon of the Locust Kantus. It fires a burst of shots, inflicting fairly high damage if the bulk of the burst connects. Its effectiveness fades at a distance, and the time between shots can get you in trouble against multiple opponents.

Close Range: The Gorgon Pistol is somewhat effective at close range. Against small numbers, you can take down targets pretty quickly, but the long delay between shots can be a death warrant if you’re dealing with a large enemy group. Very quick targets, which are difficult to hit with every shot in each burst, also present problems.

Medium Range: The Gorgon Pistol is solid at medium range. Pick your shots carefully, and you can do well against targets in the open, particularly if you have a meat shield or Boomshield.

Long Range: This weapon isn’t good at long range. The burst’s spread, plus the delay between shots, makes this pistol ineffective over long distances.

Cover: The Gorgon Pistol’s burst fire lacks the precision of the Snub or Boltok. Because its damage is spread over the shots in each burst, it is generally inefficient against targets in cover. You can take them down, but you can usually find a better weapon to do the job, wasting less ammo in the process.