Fortnite – Heavy Shotgun Guide

The highly-anticipated Heavy Shotgun is now available in Fortnite Battle Royale, giving players a powerful new way of defending themselves during battle. The Heavy Shotgun is a new variant of the shotgun class that arrived with patch update v3.3.1. Below you’ll find everything you need to know about Heavy Shotgun in Fortnite, including damage stats, rarity, and tips for using this lethal new weapon.

Fortnite Heavy Shotgun Guide

Like most shooter games, shotguns in Fortnite have typically been intended for close-range combat. This is where the Heavy Shotgun stands out from its classmates in Battle Royale. The Heavy Shotgun is known for having a higher range than the other shotgun varieties, which means players wielding a Heavy Shotgun will be able to fire at opponents at mid-range or sometimes further.

Heavy Shotgun Stats

The Heavy Shotgun can be found randomly inside Treasure Chests, Supply Llamas, and Supply Drops. This weapon comes in both Epic (purple) and Legendary (orange) rarities, making it the first Legendary Shotgun to arrive in Fortnite Battle Royale.

Given its rarity, make sure you hold onto the Heavy Shotgun when you come across one while looting the battlegrounds. Below you’ll find a chart that breaks down the stats for both versions of the Heavy Shotgun in Fortnite. 

Tips for Using the Heavy Shotgun in Fortnite

• Fire at medium range. Take advantage of the Heavy Shotgun’s reach by reserving it for medium range battles. It will still work at close range of course, but don’t be afraid to bust out this lethal weapon to fight enemies a bit further away.
• Don’t be afraid to ADS. While you wouldn’t typically aim down sights with a shotgun in Fortnite, the increased range on the Heavy Shotgun will be more effective if you zoom in on your target. The Heavy Shotgun does not have a scope, but it certainly feels like you’re aiming with a rifle rather than a shotgun.
• Aim for the head. The Heavy Shotgun doesn’t seem to have as much spread as some of the other shotgun variants, which has to do with this weapon’s increased range and accuracy. Aim for your opponent’s head to ensure you are getting the most bang for your buck when using the Heavy Shotgun in Fortnite.

Alongside the Heavy Shotgun came a series of new Week 5 challenges for Battle Pass owners to complete in Fortnite. Head over to our Anarchy Acres treasure map guide as well as our guide to visiting three gas station locations in Fortnite to mark off two of the challenges for Week 5 in Fortnite Battle Royale.