With the start of Season 3, a new shotgun was introduced in Fortnite: Battle Royale. However, using it is not as straightforward as the previous shotguns. We will show you all the important information and how to use it effectively to make it really powerful.
What is this new shotgun? The new “Charged Shotgun” is a shotgun that you can charge to unleash its full potential. That’s also where the name “Charged” comes from, meaning loaded shotgun.
You can find it in chests, on the ground, and in supply drops. The mythical version can be found from the mini-boss Kit, who is located at Catty Corner.
There have been many shotguns and pump guns in Fortnite, but the new one plays quite oddly at first glance.
Why is the new shotgun odd? The new shotgun can feel strange to play with. This is because it has mechanics that haven’t existed before, such as:
- You can charge it to make it even stronger
- There is a delay when shooting
- A shot is only triggered when you release the button
This is how powerful the new shotgun is
How much damage does the new shotgun do? Let’s first look at how strong the new shotgun actually is. We will list how much damage it does at each rarity level. (via fortnitegamepedia)
| Rarity | Body Hit | Headshot |
| gray/common | 80 (uncharged) 120 (charged) | 120 (uncharged) 180 (charged) |
| green/uncommon | 85 (uncharged) 127 (charged) | 127.5 (uncharged) 190.5 (charged) |
| blue/rare | 89 (uncharged) 133 (charged) | 133.5 (uncharged) 199.5 (charged) |
| purple/epic | 93 (uncharged) 139 (charged) | 139.5 (uncharged) 208.5 (charged) |
| gold/legendary | 98 (uncharged) 147 (charged) | 147 (uncharged) 220.5 (charged) |
| mythic | 102 (uncharged) 155 (charged) | 153 (uncharged) 229.5 (charged) |
Only with the epic version can you take down an opponent with full health with a headshot. However, the shotgun must be charged for that.
What you need to know about the new pump gun
How big is the magazine? A magazine holds 3 shots before you need to reload. The mythical version of the shotgun has a larger magazine that holds 5 shots.
How long does it take to reload the weapon? When you need to reload, it takes between 4 and 5 seconds, which can feel quite long in the heat of the game.
How can I charge the shotgun? To charge the weapon, you need to hold down the shoot button. Once the weapon is charged, you can release it and the shot will be fired. Reloading takes 1 second.
The new shotgun has a shooting delay: Those who want to use the shotgun normally without charging it will notice a delay. This is because the shotgun does not shoot when you press the button, but only when you release the button.
How to use the shotgun to your advantage
Playing with the new shotgun is not easy since it works differently than previous shotguns. However, if you are well acquainted with the weapon, you can use this knowledge strategically in combat.
While the shotgun is always stronger when charged, it is not suitable for every situation. If you are in a build battle, it is more important to focus on building and editing. If you want to charge the shotgun, you won’t be able to build during that time and will be left vulnerable.
Do not use the weapon to sneak up on opponents. Charging is loud, and your opponent will notice you. If you do not react quickly enough, your opponent will have an advantage.
Every shot counts with such a small magazine. So only shoot when you are sure you can hit your opponent.
Always remember the shooting delay. This is very important, as we are talking about seconds that can cost you the victory. So always keep in mind: The weapon only shoots when you release the button!
If you consider all these points, you should soon turn the new shotgun into a deadly weapon that no one can stop you with.
But not only a new shotgun was brought to us in Season 3. There were also some changes to fire in Fortnite. Explosive items can now even burn down your buildings.
