The wiki states that the Sturdy Caravan Shotgun (one of the pre-order bonus weapons) is not affected by Shotgun Surgeon, can anyone verify on PC?

Edit - I forgot to actually say what I came in this thread to say! When using shotguns against high armored targets, besides having Shotgun Surgeon (which is quite powerful in general), you just need to use 12/20 gauge slugs. Not only to slugs decrease the spread of your weapon by 65%, it compresses the damage into one projectile. This makes shotguns incredibly dangerous against pretty much anything in the game. The only real downside is that even with slugs, most shotguns have fairly significant spread, so you don't really want to engage at anything beyond medium distance. Not really a problem with high Sneak or simply being a straight-up boss and getting in your enemies' faces. Some enemies will even conveniently close distance with you only to get a face full of OMG OUCH IS BAD.

That lever action shotty is sooo cool, unfortunately kinda weak for late game and for some reason it doesn't get any mods.

Don't worry you can still put a scope on your 9mm pistol :facepalm:

Really none?

Oh well it doesn't really need mods when I use it :hehe:

Yes, the Riot Shotgun is awesome, but against high DT enemies it is still useless with normal ammo sadly.

Not a big deal considering slugs are quite common.

Me too, no NV shotgun will ever compare to this.

I miss the combat shotgun...

This, shotguns in fallout are useful for exactly the same thing they're useful for in real life. Small, fast targets that are difficult to hit with a bullet. For anything else in close range, I'd rather just use an SMG. Though I can see how SS would be good for armored targets.

Shotguns are ok but I'd rather just use a Sniper Rifle or an Assault Rifle. The main downfull to the shotguns late game is you need to be right next to the opponent if you don't wanna worry about DT or taking a lot of damage.

Nah, I find them useful. my first game I carried the hunting shotgun and the A.M.R. The h.s was loaded with slugs and I had S.S. Made quick work of most things up close. Heck it even makes a great mid range sniper with slugs.

Also, I would like everyone to be aware (there was a HUGE (discussion on this over at the bad company two forums) that a sabot slug (sadly not in game) fired from a 12G shot gun has nearly the EXACT same hitting power of a .50 muzzle loader at similar ranges with the same accuracy. Shotguns surely are the king of multipurpose weapons, choke them with 3" magnums, or load slugs.

That's a lot of fire power IRl. Sadly the ones we have seem to preform rather middle of the road.

If you like the sawed off get the Big boomer, 2 shells at once, also like they said the shotgun surgeon perk helps a ton. Personally I love the hunting shotgun with the weapon mods, turn the sub up and fire away, feeling it in your chest, does mad damage for my guy. But I miss the Terrible Shotgun as well, was my favorite on Fo3 and always the first gun I got, Honestly one of the only guns I ever wanted to use..

I'll second the use of a 12ga Hunting Shotgun (with regular ammo) against Cazadors. Use the Hunting Rifle to soften them up at a distance and to draw them off one-by-one, then finish them off with the 12ga HS (although the 10mm SMG does a nice job as well). I do have the choke and extended tube installed, so I get less spread and 8 shots instead of 5.

Not much left for ED-E and Veronica by the time they get within close range.

Sure the shotguns arn't good against armored targets, but i normally only use my Riot Shotgun against melee foes (feral ghouls etc.). Plus, Athority glasses + Kings leatherjacket (or whatever it's called) + Leveraction Shotgun = The Terminator :gun:

Seriously, folks. Shotguns are godlike against armor. The only real disadvantage to using shotguns is long/extreme range. Otherwise the raw DPS combined with Shotgun Surgeon and slugs instead of buckshot against armor is totally disgusting.

You'd think. Unfortunately, DT for applies for whole body. Sniped someone in combat armor in the head, no helmet, looked like the left eye. The DT shield icon showed up and little damage got through. I was under caution so I didn't get the sneak crit but still...

either that or use the hunting shotgun its the best one besides its unique version

Regardless of the regular or slug ammo, the beam bag ammo is awesome. On the mother deathclaw, I fired 2 shots and knocked her out for about 10 seconds. I then wailed on her with my power fist till she woke up. rinse and repeat

I'm sure either that perk doesn't work, or some things have a lot of DT...

currently my riot shotgun with slugs and Surgeon decimates things at high level.

Hunting shotgun+long barrel+ slug rounds=goodbye kitty