Best Shotguns in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Discover everything you need to know about the best shotguns in Stalker 2 Heart of Chornobyl and the ranking to help you choose.

Best Shotguns in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Source: GSC Game World)
Best Shotguns in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Source: GSC Game World)

Stalker 2 Heart of Chornobyl, much like its predecessor, features a thrilling story about humanity and survival. Although the game’s primary focus is the moment-to-moment gameplay, it doesn’t come at the cost of its narrative. Similar to the original Stalker game, the sequel offers shotguns in the game that play a crucial role as a secondary weapon in close range. The Zone is filled with enemies and mutants that require enough damage to be killed and two to three shots of shotguns are enough to eliminate any enemy. Selecting the best shotgun is important and that’s where we jump in to help you decide which gun to equip.  

Shotguns Overview in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Toz-34 shotgun Stalker 2
Toz-34 shotgun Stalker 2

The Chornobyl Anomalous Zone is a dangerous area, where stalkers need to arm themselves in order to survive. Therefore, the members of the various factions have access to a large selection of equipment and weapons. Shotguns play a crucial role in the game when your primary weapon fails in a fight. Despite their limited use due to their short range, shotguns are a common sight in the Zone.

Cheap models like hunting shotguns made for great starting weapons among rookies. While more advanced designs such as combat shotguns are appreciated by veterans for their efficiency at killing mutants. You can purchase the shotguns from Traders in the game, loot from stashes, from dead enemies, or found randomly in the Zone depending on their rarity. These weapons cannot be equipped with a scope, so medium and long-range slug or dart shots must be made with iron sights. These have a slow rate of fire as compared to the other weapons in Stalker 2 Heart of Chornobyl.

It’s recommended to use shotguns as a secondary weapon due to the amount of damage they deal at close range. That being said, this weapon is best and performs excellent when encountering enemies in short range. We’ll discuss the best five shotguns to use in Stalker 2 depending on their overall stats and what makes each of them unique in combat. Each shotgun deals massive damage but each one has different durability.  

Explain what they are, why they are good, cons, what situations you should use them for, how you find them, and what you’re going to explain in best rankings

6 Best Shotguns in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl That You Must Use

Boomstick shotgun Stalker 2
Boomstick shotgun Stalker 2

Shotguns are devastating at close range and deal massive damage. The game offers 8 different shotguns including two DLC shotguns. Here are the best five shotguns to use in Stalker 2 Heart of Chornobyl.

  1. Ram-2: offers above-average range and rate of fire along with utterly high damage and penetration.
  2. Saiga D-12: offers high damage potential and high fire rate along with enough penetration
  3. SPSA-14: boosts excellent firepower and has the capability to kill any mutant in the Zone.
  4. M860 Cracker: offers massive damage along with the normal Rate of Fire.
  5. Toz-34: double-barreled shotgun offers heavy damage and has two shells at once.
  6. Boomstick: Very efficient in close quarters and has medium to low durability.

1. Ram-2

  • Caliber: 12″/70
  • Magazine Size: 14
  • Weight: 3.5kg
  • Value: 27550K
  • Inventory Size: 5×2

Combining the strengths of pump-action shotguns and double-barreled rifles, this highly unusual weapon is an anomaly even by the Zone’s standards. This is an ideal close-quarters weapon for eliminating enemies, making it the perfect secondary weapon for Assault Rifles or Snipers. Not even a single player can dislike Ram-2 due to the above-average range and rate of fire along with the utterly high damage and penetration.

Ram-2Stats
Damage5
Penetration3
Rate of Fire4.9
Range1.3
Accuracy2.4
Best Shotguns in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

However, this shotgun lacks a range that can get you in trouble. It only takes 2~3 shots to kill mutants like Bloodsucker or Psuiyo Dogs. Equip a Drowned weapon along with a Ram-2 to make a perfect combo that suits almost every scenario. You can purchase the Ram-2 from Wreck in the Yaniv station base. Compatible Ammo for Ram-2 are:

  • 12x70mm Buckshot
  • 12x76mm Slug
  • 12x76mm Expanding Dart

2. Saiga D-12

  • Caliber: 12″/70
  • Magazine: 8
  • Weight: 3.76 kg
  • Value: 23195K
  • Inventory: 5×2

Based on the AKM-74, this shotgun is favored among stalkers and professional military alike for its prowess as a powerful assault weapon. This weapon is one of the best ones to equip due to its damage potential and high Rate of Fire. Use the Armor-piercing bullets in Saiga D-12 to kill the enemies who are wearing Berill-5M Armored Suit in the game with only 2 shots.   

Saiga D-12Stats
Damage5
Penetration3
Rate of Fire4.9
Range1
Accuracy2
Best Shotguns in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

You can purchase this weapon from Trader Hamster at Zalissya in the Lesser Zone region or Trader Huron at Slag Heap. A high-capacity magazine for the Saiga D-12 smoothbore shotgun. Perfect for facing a pack of Fleshes or a group of bandits when you’d rather not bother with frequent reloading. The Compatible Ammo for Saiga D-12 are:

  • 12x70mm Buckshot
  • 12x76mm Slug
  • 12x76mm Expanding Dart

3. SPSA-14

  • Caliber: 12”/70
  • Magazine: 8
  • Weight: 4.4kg
  • Value: 16150K
  • Inventory Size: 5×2

A distinctive shotgun designed to accommodate various rounds, including police ammunition. Although weighty, it boosts excellent firepower. This weapon is quite heavy and deals heavy damage due to its ability to fire off shots at a very fast rate in combat. Control the recoil and kill the mutants like Controller and Bloodsucker encountered in the Zone.

SPSA-14Stats
Damage5
Penetration2.4
Rate of Fire4.9
Range1
Accuracy1.8
Best Shotguns in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

The SPSA-14 is random from enemies and loot stashes anywhere in the world except for Lesser Zone. Make your way to the east to Zaton to enhance the chance of getting this shotgun. You can pair this weapon this weapon with Shah’s Mate unique weapon to deal with any enemy or mutant trying to stop you from progressing in the game.

Compatible Ammo for SPSA-14 are:

  • 12x76mm Slug
  • 12x76mm Expanding Dart

4. M860 Cracker

M860 Cracker Shotgun Stalker 2
M860 Cracker Shotgun Stalker 2
  • Caliber: 12″/70
  • Magazine: 6
  • Weight: 3.14kg
  • Value: 1699K
  • Inventory Size: 5×2

A pump-action shotgun prized for its lightweight build and reliability, the M860 Cracker has earned a distinguished reputation as one of the world’s most famous shotguns and remains extremely popular in the Zone. It is the best shotgun to use when fighting at close range. This is extremely beneficial for countering mutants that tank much damage from foes and offers extreme damage and reliability.

You can down any armored enemy with two to three shots without switching to ammo calibers. There are 1~2 shotgun users in almost every enemy group, so you’ll have no shortage of shotgun ammo. This gun is the best secondary weapon to equip while progressing in the game when the gun is solid upgraded to reduce the spread and sudden weapon swapping.

M860 CrackerStats
Damage5
Penetration2.1
Rate of Fire3.1
Range1
Accuracy1.9
Best Shotguns in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Although the M860 Cracker weighs a lot this beast has a single firing mode that can eliminate any enemy and tear them apart. Purchase this shotgun from the Trader Huron at Slag Heap found in the north further away from the Northern Checkpoint. While completing The Price Goes Up mission, you can reach Slag Heap in the Garbage region.

Compatible Ammo for M860 Cracker are:

  • 12x70mm Buckshot
  • 12x76mm Slug
  • 12x76mm Expanding Dart

5. Toz-34

  • Caliber: 12″/70
  • Magazine: 2
  • Weight: 3.14kg
  • Value: 1699K
  • Inventory Size: 5×2

A common hunting rifle, widespread and cheap. Still beats a handgun when it comes to dealing with mutants. Toz-34 is also the best shotgun in Stalker 2 that deals a lot of damage, provides a high Rate of Fire, and is excellent at close range. However, you can only do two shots after a reload, and reloading this shotgun takes a lot of time.

This double-barreled shotgun is perfect while exploring the many abandoned buildings, sewers, and caves that populate the Zone. Due to its small magazine size and long reload time, its high damage is countered. This shotgun is better than the Boomsticks because it offers better accuracy, making it a perfect choice for when fighting in closed environments. TOZ-34 shotgun shares ammo with the Boomstick as well. This weapon only holds two shells at a time.

Toz-34Stats
Damage5
Penetration1.1
Rate of Fire4.9
Range1.3
Accuracy2.2
Best Shotguns in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Toz-34 has a single firing mode and 2~3 shots are enough to eliminate any mutants or enemies coming in the path. You can purchase this shotgun from the Trader Hamster at Zalissya in the Lesser Zone region. You’ll be able to reach Zalissya while completing the A Tough Awakening main mission. Toz-34 is also found when looting corpses and containers in the Zone. Take part in the Piece of Cake mission to get this shotgun from the body of a Slava Janitor while exploring a cave.

Compatible Ammo for Toz-34 are:

  • 12x70mm Buckshot
  • 12x76mm Slug
  • 12x76mm Expanding Dart

6. Boomstick

  • Caliber: 9×18
  • Magazine: 8
  • Weight: 1.94kg
  • Value: 1081K
  • Inventory Size: 4×1

This small and lightweight sawed-off hunting shotgun proved itself surprisingly useful in the ever-changing environment of the Zone. Very efficient in close quarters and comfortable for concealed carry. Boomstick is the best option for the novice Stalker in The Zone to tackle the mutants in the area. Shotguns can deal massive damage to end the fight completely but this one requires exposing oneself to foes to attack them. Boomstick has medium to low durability that allows this shotgun to jam in crucial fights. However, this weapon has a very short range and less accuracy making it a non-preferable shotgun while fighting enemies in intense battle. It can only hold two shells at a time.

BoomstickStats
Damage5
Penetration1.1
Rate of Fire4.9
Range0.55
Accuracy1.7
Best Shotguns in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

You can obtain the Boomstick from containers like safes or stashes within the Zone. While completing A Tough Awakening mission you’ll find some containers in the compound where you follow Richter. Defeat the enemies who are engaging Zhorik at a house during A Tough Awakening mission to get a drop loot of this weapon. Boomstick can also be purchased from Trader Hamster at Zalissya in the Lesser Zone region or Trader Huron at Slag Heap.

Compatible Ammo for Boombstick are:

  • 12x76mm Expanding Dart
  • 12x70mm Buckshot
  • 12x76mm Slug

FAQs about the best Shotguns in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Q1: What is the best overall Shotgun in the game?

Ram-2 is the best overall Shotgun to use because it has a high Rare to Fire along with a high penetration rate and can kill the enemy with only 2~3 shots.

Q2: What is the best Shotgun for beginners?

Saiga D-12 is the best shotgun for beginners because it can devastate high damage with a high firing rate. This weapon is best for killing enemies who are wearing special armor to protect themselves.

Q3: Are Shotguns good weapons?

Yes, shotguns are the best weapon to equip when fighting in close combat or when your primary weapon fails to perform.

Q4: What attachments can be used with Shotguns?

You can use Holographic Sight on the Ram-2, SPSA-14, and M860 Cracker and Open Collimator Sight on the Saiga D-12. 


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