Starfield prides itself on giving players a remarkable amount of freedom with how they will deal with combat encounters. While there are many ways it accomplishes this, one of the most obvious is in its divers range of weaponry. Starfield players can choose between multiple weapon categories, each containing several unique options the player can choose from. Once players find their preferred weapon type, they will then begin to discover within each class, there are some weapons that stand out.
Shotguns, which are one of Starfield's most powerful weapon types, can be found throughout the Settled Systems. This weapon, perhaps more than any other in the game, are incredibly useful in their most basic form. Still, there are a few unique shotguns that rise above the crowd, and even deserve serious consideration as some of the best weapons in the game. This list will explore the best shotguns Starfield has to offer, and will show players exactly where they can be found.
5 Old Earth Shotgun
The Old Earth Shotgun is the only weapon on this list that is technically not a 'unique' drop, but it is still worth including for its incredible stopping power when modified correctly. Finding a higher tier version of the gun - rare, epic, or legendary - can result in the damage rating reaching extremely high levels. This will become more likely as the player makes their way through Starfield, with the best chances coming above level 30.
Where to Get the Old Earth Shotgun:
Because this is not a unique weapon, it is a bit difficult to pinpoint or predict exactly when and where it will be available. Lower level versions of the gun should make their way into a playthrough fairly early. The Sol system would seem like the most likely place to start when searching for any of Starfield's Old Earth weapons, for obvious reasons. Several have been looted from both Mars and Luna, Earth's Moon. Players will also have a good chance of finding the gun available for purchase in Cydonia, on Mars, and Akila City, on Akila.
4 Experiment A-7
Experiment A-7 is a modified Breach, one of the more powerful shotguns in the game. Where this gun truly sets itself apart is in its special trait, known as Exterminator, which increases its damage by 30% when fighting against aliens. This makes Experiment A-7 nearly unstoppable when out exploring worlds with dangerous fauna. Due to its lack of availability early in Starfield's main story, this gun should be considered for the late-game stages only.
How to Get Experiment A-7 in Starfield:
Experiment A-7 has a tiny window of opportunity that, if missed, will close up until the next playthrough. During the 'Entangled' main mission, the player will be tasked with collecting supplies from Ethan Hughes, the Head of Security at Nishina Research, before heading out to deal with the mission's core issue. During this small segment, players must speak to Ethan, ask him for more help, and then pass one of Starfield's Persuasion checks.
It will be obvious when this section comes up as it is a mission objective, so pay close attention to when it changes. Players can save before speaking with Ethan if they wish to try again after a failed attempt. It is also wise to bring Hippolyta, which increases persuasion chances by 20% for five minutes, or certain alcoholic beverages, which have a similar effect.
3 Boom Boom
Boom Boom is a version of the small Shotty shotgun, which can be extremely fun to use. Unlike many of the other weapons on this list, the Shotty - and Boom Boom by extension - reload incredibly fast, allowing for a much faster shotgun experience. Boom Boom also has the incredibly chaotic effect of adding a random explosive shot whenever it feels like it. With a 20 round clip, and a much faster trigger, this gun feels more like an extremely powerful pistol than a shotgun.
How to Get Boom Boom in Starfield:
Boom Boom is available for purchase at Neon Tactical, in the city of Neon. While the main quest will take players to Neon, there is nothing stopping them from heading there at any point in the game. The gun will cost approximately 20,000 credits, depending on certain factors, including whether the player has Starfield's Commerce skill activated.
2 Rapidshot
Rapidshot is a version of the Breach, and very similar to Experiment A-7 in several key ways. However, it is the main difference between the two that places it higher on this list. While players will only have a very short window to acquire A-7, there is no limit on when thy can get Rapidshot. This gun takes the extreme power of the Breach, and speeds up its use considerably, adding a faster magazine and trigger. It is also modified to be fully automatic, though its small shell count means that utilizing this feature will lead to excessive reloading times. Overall, it is this weapons accessibility early in the game that earns it the number two spot on this list.
How to Get Rapidshot in Starfield:
From the moment players enter New Atlantis, they will be able to purchase Rapidshot from UC Distribution, which is located in the city's commercial district. Expect to pay between 20,000 - 25,000 credits, depending on Commerce skill level.
1 Jake's Hangover Cure
While Jake's Hangover Cure is an amazing weapon, it is the Big Bang itself that deserves the top spot on this list. Jake's Hangover Cure is a version of the weapon that is essentially only available to players willing to steal it, then deal with the consequences. That is not to say it isn't worth it. As a version of the Big Bang, this weapon does two types of damage, ballistic and particle beam. Unfortunately, as far as combat skills go, it is only counted as a particle beam shotgun. Still, whenever the weapon is modded at a workbench, both damage types are increased. It is possible to reach over 300 damage this way. Though this is not the highest possible damage for a shotgun, the two types seem to have a particularly devastating effect against all enemies.
How to Get Jake's Hangover Cure or the Big Bang is Starfield:
To get Jake's Hangover Cure, players will need to enter Jake's Bar in the Well, and take it from behind the counter. Even with every conceivable stealth skill, it is nearly impossible to get the weapon and get out without anyone noticing the theft. In this case, Jake's Hangover Cure is only a basic level weapon, making the name the only thing unique about it. Players can purchase a Big Bang from UC Distribution, or many other weapons and general goods dealers around the settled system. Once players reach level 15, it seems to be far more common as loot. Upgrading a rare, epic, or legendary Big Bang will result in a far more powerful shotgun. In fact, they may be the best weapon in Starfield.
Starfield is available now on Xbox Series X/S and PC.