Shotguns

Ogden RA-5 Repeating 12-bore Shotgun

Used by Shotgunners amongst the Rebels, United India Company, and Royal Army, the RA-5 Repeating Shotgun is able to unload a series of 12-bore shells to deadly effect at close range while still holding enough rounds to be moderately effective at even mid-range.

Fighting with this weapon

As one would expect from a shotgun, this weapon is most effective at close range. Because it fires a spread of pellets, the closer you are to your target

the more of that “spread” hits it. Additionally, the pellets significantly weaken in power at mid-range, making engagement beyond that distance a waste of ammunition. Don’t let this deter you though; at close range, a single blast can kill most targets, and at extremely close range it can blow an unarmoured head clean off! Additionally, the RA-5 is loaded one shell at a time, allowing you to top off your magazine during any down time; you can also interrupt a longer reload if the situation is dire. Lastly, a good shot from the RA-5 staggers most foes, giving you time to close the gap while lining up a second shot.

Fighting against this weapon

Beware, like the M84 Marksman Carbine, this weapon knocks you backwards if it lands a good hit on you. At close range, even getting hit in the arms while blind-firing can result in being knocked backwards out of cover, making you an easy target for any follow-up attacks. As such, it’s safest to eliminate Shotgunners and their RA-5’s before they get into range. If that fails, wait to fire between their shots to avoid getting staggered. If you have an opportunity to run away, you may be able to catch a Shotgunner performing the RA-5’s lengthy reload, but if he manages to get close again he stops reloading to resume firing.

Worcester ‘Three Crown’ Magnesium 12-bore Coach Gun

This brutal weapon literally shreds targets at close range by firing all three barrels simultaneously to create a massive gout of a molten magnesium shards. It may have to be reloaded after every firing, but in skilled hands there is never any immediate opposition left alive to take advantage of such an opportunity. This monster can be found in the hands of Rebel and United India Company Shotgunners alike. Even more terrifyingly, it is also used by some fully armoured Heavies, making for a foe that means almost certain death for you should he reach close range.

Fighting with this weapon

Because the Three Crown’s power is severely diminished even by mid-range, closing the gap with your foes is a must. However, the real skill of the Three Crown is in finding the right angle to catch multiple foes in a single blast. All enemies within its deadly cone of fire take damage, meaning you can easily eliminate two or more foes with a single pull of the trigger. This can be particularly important, as immediately after pulling said trigger, you need to reload before firing again. However, you can offset this risk by blind-firing the weapon. Since accuracy is hardly a concern, why bother aiming? With this same approach, you can also become a highly mobile killing machine, using sprinting and hip-fire to quickly close distance with your foes while barely losing any momentum to fire. Be careful though; timing your attack wrong can result in your taking a hail of gunfire while exposed in the open.

Fighting against this weapon

Like the RA-5, this deadly weapon can send you reeling with a good hit at close range, and it leaves you incapacitated after only two shots. Unfortunately, if this does happen, being behind cover won’t likely save you. The wielder will most likely move around and execute you before you can use Blackwater. Therefore, eliminating Shotgunners wielding the Three Crown should be your highest priority, while Heavies wielding the Three Crown should not only be your highest priority, but you should consider retreating to increase the distance between yourself and their deadly fire! Fortunately, there is a way to very effectively deal with this problem! The C-81 Maschinenpistole and a full meter of Blacksight can easily eliminate even a pair of Three Crown Shotgunners or a single Heavy, so if you find these particular foes to be troublesome, it may be worth it to carry a C-81 specifically for dealing with them.