Warzone Shotgun tier list - Every shotgun ranked from best to worst for Season 5 Reloaded

The Call of Duty: Warzone Season 5 Reloaded update is finally here! Raven Software has released its content roadmap, which includes the start of the enigmatic limited-time event called "The Numbers", later this month. There are also several new additions, including new Warzone game modes: Iron Trials '84 and Clash, a new Operator, new melee weapon, Judge Dredd skin, bug fixes, and of course, weapon balance changes.

The Shotgun weapons class did not receive any balance changes in the latest patch. We've therefore updated our list based on each weapon's performance in the previous season. Raven Software noted that weapon balance changes were primarily to ensure that the effectiveness of each weapon "scaled appropriately with the skill required to wield them." With that said, here's our updated list of the best shotguns to use in Warzone Season 5 Reloaded, ranked from best to worst.

Warzone Season 5 Reloaded Shotgun tier list

There are 9 shotguns in Warzone Season 5 Reloaded. Each shotgun has its own inherent pros and cons, with some being natural, standalone "meta" weapons, whilst others require customized loadouts to unlock their full potential.

Description of the tiers

• S-Tier: Meta picks for Warzone Season 5 Reloaded. With the right attachments, these shotguns could be considered overpowered.
• A-Tier: While perhaps not considered the best, these weapons are strong and viable choices that will blow your enemy to smithereens.
• B-Tier: These weapons require the perfect loadout to compete with players wielding S- or A-tier weapons.
• C-Tier: These shotguns shouldn't be your primary weapon and should be used circumstantially with another weapon. 
• D-Tier: Don't pick these up even if there aren't other options.

Shotgun tier list

We endeavour to always have our tier lists as accurate as possible. The developers may, however, choose to either nerf or buff weapons throughout the season as well. When this occurs, we will update this list.

We've listed all 9 shotguns in Warzone Season 5 Reloaded, ranked from best to worst according to each weapon's performance in the previous meta.

We note that we did not include the "broken" Marshal in this list because it is technically classed as a Pistol.

S-Tier:

• JAK-12
• Gallo SA12

The Gallo SA12 remains a strong weapon to use in Warzone for multiple seasons now. We've decided to move the JAK-12 up to our S-Tier list given its surge in popularity last season. The JAK-12 is based heavily on the AA-12 and has been dominating the meta with its great range and explosive damage.

A-Tier:

• Origin 12
• Streetsweeper

Both the Streetsweeper and Origin 12 received nerfs in previous seasons but they remain solid choices to use in Verdansk. We'll admit that they're probably not comparable to other A-Tier guns in the Assault Rifle or SMG weapon classes but they certainly still get the job done.

B-Tier:

• VLK Rogue
• R9-0

The VLK Rogue and R9-0 are decent options but you're better off using one of the S-Tier or A-Tier weapons.

C-Tier:

• Hauer 77

The Hauer 77 technically belongs in the D-Tier but we'll cut it some slack. It can be underrated but relies on the perfect situational loadout to truly shine.

D-Tier:

• 725
• Model 680

If we could remove these weapons from the list altogether, we would. Don't use them - they suck.

So there you have it, all the Shotguns ranked from best to worst at the start of Warzone Season 5 Reloaded. Disagree with our list? We don't care. Want to be more disappointed? Check out our Assault Rifle, SMG, LMG, Sniper and Tactical Rifle tier lists.

• Read more: Warzone Iron Trials '84 mode: How it works and all rewards detailed

For everything else Call of Duty players might desire, check out our dedicated section filled to the brim with gun guides, news, leaks and much more.

Header image via Activision.

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