[CosbyPro]

In my various internet shadowrun browsings, I have heard mention that shotguns are not actually that good. I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me as to their pros and cons.

[Critias]

With buckshot/flechette ammo, not that great against most targets (because armor is so very very common).  With slugs, they can be a scary in-close option for someone who's relying on a single firearm skill (instead of having Pistols or Automatics or what-have-you, like a dedicated sniper-type).  They're a classic on the streets for intimidation value and relative bang-for-the-buck, availability on many is low, so they're often easy to get ahold of (or to toss after a gig if the heat is on).  Their base damage code is pretty solid, and they're good for what they're used for IRL (blasting single targets during close-in firefights, like roomsweeping).

Mechanically, there's all sorts of number-crunching out there about how full-auto bursts are scarier, range brackets can make bigger guns more attractive, there's a lack of accessories for them, and on and on and on.  And that's all valid, depending on the game, the power level, and the character.

But I still dig 'em, and for the right character they can just "fit" better than some hardcore mil-spec stuff.

[The Big Peat]

Pretty much what Critias said.

Besides, it's not like you can't buy an Auto Assault 16, or mod one of the burst fire shotguns should you absolutely want to pepper the room with terror. And why the hell wouldn't you want to?

As for range... a lot of shadowruns happen in very close-in environments. Not sure it's that big an issue. And if things are really wide open, the fact you can pick up a sniper rifle just as easily isn't too shabby.

[Black]

Damage wise, full autoshotguns are great at clearing corridors quickly if messily.

Rulewise, too bloody complicated. Maybe if someone in my games used then regularly, but for ocassional use, slows the game down while we try and work it out.

[Csjarrat]

well they are ok, i'd def use one if i had a dedicated sharpshooter who needed a backup weapon, but i wouldnt choose longarms over automatics.
the ability to walk around with an AR on FA with so much recoil comp it barely twitches just means that shotty's dont compare. i think its probably more a reflection of how good the automatics group is than how bad the longarms group is tbh!

[JustADude]

well they are ok, i'd def use one if i had a dedicated sharpshooter who needed a backup weapon, but i wouldnt choose longarms over automatics.
the ability to walk around with an AR on FA with so much recoil comp it barely twitches just means that shotty's dont compare. i think its probably more a reflection of how good the automatics group is than how bad the longarms group is tbh!

Except Longarms has the Barrette M-121. Load that thing up with APDS or Anti-Tank ammo and you've got yourself a big ol' "F* You" to whatever's on the other end of your shot. With a dedicated sharp-shooter using it, we're talking nearly guaranteed one-hit-kills against anything short of a Main Battle Troll, even through a brick wall.

That gun is worth it, all by itself, and the shotguns are simply a useful backup for situations where you can't hang back and snipe.

[Csjarrat]

well they are ok, i'd def use one if i had a dedicated sharpshooter who needed a backup weapon, but i wouldnt choose longarms over automatics.
the ability to walk around with an AR on FA with so much recoil comp it barely twitches just means that shotty's dont compare. i think its probably more a reflection of how good the automatics group is than how bad the longarms group is tbh!

Except Longarms has the Barrette M-121. Load that thing up with APDS or Anti-Tank ammo and you've got yourself a big ol' "F* You" to whatever's on the other end of your shot. With a dedicated sharp-shooter using it, we're talking nearly guaranteed one-hit-kills against anything short of a Main Battle Troll, even through a brick wall.

That gun is worth it, all by itself, and the shotguns are simply a useful backup for situations where you can't hang back and snipe.

totally, its a great gun. its no good for a combat street sam mind :-) and iirc, you need to take restricted gear to get one @ chargen which makes it an expensive option. if i had longarms, then i'd totally use a shotty, but i wouldnt take longarms just on the basis of using shottys.
i have to say, i like the auto assualt and things like that, but i would normally go to an FA rifle with R/C due to range, R/C, sound suppresion etc. pump action shotguns are just so badass though, i could see it being a good gun for a custom look 2 mod for intimidation :-)

[FuelDrop]

A full auto shotgun modded with high velocity is capable of shredding hordes of unarmoured foes like nothing else in the game:
Full auto splitting fire into 4 long bursts, with wide choke. that's 12 targets in one complex action, though they do need to be closely grouped. Still, when ghouls are rushing through a chokepoint then accept no substitutes.

Just remember to either pack a tripod or a gyromount, depending on budget.

[Unahim]

A full auto shotgun modded with high velocity is capable of shredding hordes of unarmoured foes like nothing else in the game:
Full auto splitting fire into 4 long bursts, with wide choke. that's 12 targets in one complex action, though they do need to be closely grouped. Still, when ghouls are rushing through a chokepoint then accept no substitutes.

Just remember to either pack a tripod or a gyromount, depending on budget.

What about a gren launcher? 2 grens in a chokepoint will chunky salsa anything as well.

[Csjarrat]

A full auto shotgun modded with high velocity is capable of shredding hordes of unarmoured foes like nothing else in the game:
Full auto splitting fire into 4 long bursts, with wide choke. that's 12 targets in one complex action, though they do need to be closely grouped. Still, when ghouls are rushing through a chokepoint then accept no substitutes.

Just remember to either pack a tripod or a gyromount, depending on budget.

What about a gren launcher? 2 grens in a chokepoint will chunky salsa anything as well.

that should work. not exactly a shotgun though eh? :-)

[FuelDrop]

A full auto shotgun modded with high velocity is capable of shredding hordes of unarmoured foes like nothing else in the game:
Full auto splitting fire into 4 long bursts, with wide choke. that's 12 targets in one complex action, though they do need to be closely grouped. Still, when ghouls are rushing through a chokepoint then accept no substitutes.

Just remember to either pack a tripod or a gyromount, depending on budget.

What about a gren launcher? 2 grens in a chokepoint will chunky salsa anything as well.

Meh, not as cool as a full auto shotgun spitting hundreds of ball bearings in a cone of indiscriminate death... particularly as it's not actually that indiscriminate. if you have an ally in the mix then the shotgun won't chunky salsa him like the grenades would.

Anyway, why only two grenades? you can mod a GL for full auto as well...

[Mournclaw]

By the way, regarding shotgun spread... what would a barrel extension do to it?

[PeterSmith]

Why shotguns? They're nice for a breaching role (Shock Lock rounds), and for me personally they're the only gun class I will load SnS into. And yes, I include the thee pistols that can fire shotgun rounds in that list.

[Unahim]

In our games they're the only guns you're -allowed- to load SnS in.

[Csjarrat]

By the way, regarding shotgun spread... what would a barrel extension do to it?

it would just extend the range of the rounds, so the spread would happen 10% further from the tip of the barrel, meaning it would be narrower cone (more accurate) of shot for slightly longer.