RE4 Remake Best Shotgun [All Guns Ranked]

There are four shotguns in Resident Evil 4 Remake and each one is best at blowing the plagas brains out. The answer to the question of the best shotgun RE4 Remake is not easy as all four weapons offer dynamic playstyle for Leon. We have ranked all shotguns based on stats, upgrade cost, pros & cons, and the overall playstyle they offer.

Comparison Table

The following table reflects the Level 5 upgrade stats of all four shotguns in Resident Evil 4 Remake. 

Riot Gun

The Riot Shotgun is easily the best shotgun RE4 Remake under the semi-automatic category, offering superior firepower and accuracy. This weapon becomes essential when facing Chainsaw Ganados and other menacing foes.

Weapon Stats

How To Get

To obtain the Riot Shotgun, players must advance to Chapter 6 and purchase it from the Merchant for 28,000 Pesetas. It is the second shotgun available in the Village after the W-870.

Pros

• High power and precision
• Versatile for both long-range and one-on-one battles
• Tight spread for accurate targeting
• Less expensive upgrades compared to the Striker

Cons

• May require increasing Attache Case size to accommodate its bulk
• Can be easily missed if not acquired in Chapter 6

Best Weapon Usage

Striker

The Striker Shotgun is a powerful and fast-firing weapon in the Resident Evil 4 remake, known for its unique exclusive perk and high ammo capacity. Though it may not be the best shotgun RE4 Remake, however, it still has excellent speed and an exclusive perk that makes it highly effective in certain situations.

Weapon Stats

How To Unlock 

To unlock the Striker Shotgun, players must progress to Chapter 10 and locate the Merchant, who will sell the weapon for 38,000 Ptas.

Pros

• Fastest shotgun in RE4 Remake
• High ammo capacity, especially with the exclusive perk
• Effective against bosses, like Verdugo, and high-health enemies

Cons

• Weakest shotgun when considering other shotguns’ perks
• Least precise among all shotguns

Best Weapon Usage

As a returning Resident Evil 4 player, I absolutely love using the Striker Shotgun in situations where speed and ammunition are crucial. It’s an absolute powerhouse during boss battles and encounters with high-health enemies, thanks to its rapid-fire capabilities that allow me to quickly deal significant damage.

But what I believe really sets the Striker Shotgun apart is its exclusive perk of doubling its ammo capacity. This means that I can focus on the fight without worrying about running out of ammunition, which is incredibly valuable in fast-paced gameplay.

W-870

The W-870 Shotgun is the best shotgun RE4 Remake for early-game hours, providing a balanced performance and relatively low upgrade costs. Although its firepower is weaker than other shotguns, it remains a reliable choice throughout the game.

Weapon Stats

How To Get

To acquire the W-870 Shotgun, players must reach the Village Square in Chapter 1. They should take the left pathway, stealthily bypass the horde, enter the northmost house near the Church, and barricade the door. The shotgun can be found on the second floor in a glass case mounted on the wall.

Pros

• Affordable upgrade costs
• Available early in the game
• Can be sold and repurchased

Cons 

• Weaker firepower than other shotguns
• No attachment options

Best Usage of W-870

As an early-game weapon, I find that the W-870 Shotgun is best utilized in close-quarters combat and crowd-control situations. It’s an excellent choice for dealing with early-game enemies and hordes in RE4 Remake, and it’s one of the first weapons players obtain in the game.

What I particularly appreciate about the W-870 Shotgun is its affordability and balanced performance. It’s not the most powerful weapon in Resident Evil 4 Remake, but it gets the job done and is suitable for long-term use. This means that I can invest in upgrades without breaking the bank [Leon’s Ptas], which is always a plus.

Skull Shaker

The Skull Shaker Shotgun, exclusive to the Resident Evil 4 remake, is a compact, powerful sawed-off shotgun available through DLC purchases. This weapon, which is almost the same size as Hand Cannon, excels at close-range combat, offering immense damage and a unique firing animation.

Weapon Stats

How To Get

To obtain the Skull Shaker, players must purchase the Digital Deluxe edition of the game or buy it individually from the digital store. After acquiring the gun, head to the nearest typewriter to transfer it from storage to your inventory.

Pros

• Compact size for easy inventory management
• High damage output at close range
• Unique firing animation

Cons

• Limited magazine size
• Must be purchased as DLC
• Outperformed by later-game shotguns

Best Usage Of Skull Shaker

Since I am a returning RE4 player and Skull Shaker is a new weapon addition to the remake version of the game, I find that the Skull Shaker Shotgun is best utilized in close-quarters combat situations. This is because in these situations I need to deal significant damage to nearby enemies. The weapon’s widespread firing pattern is incredibly effective at quickly eliminating threats at close range.

When I upgrade the Skull Shaker’s magazine size and power, it further enhances its performance and makes it even more lethal in combat. However, I do recognize that other shotguns may surpass it in the later stages of the game, especially when facing tougher enemies with higher health.

But despite its limitations, I still find the Skull Shaker Shotgun to be a valuable addition to my arsenal, especially when dealing with hordes of weaker enemies. Its ability to quickly dispatch multiple targets at close range is incredibly satisfying and makes me feel like a true powerhouse in RE4 Remake.

Which Is The Best Shotgun In RE4 Remake?

Now that you know the overall performance of the best shotgun RE4 Remake, here is eXputer’s take on which shotgun is the best in each category.  

Best For Power & Precision: Riot Gun

The Riot Gun excels in delivering high power and precision, making it an ideal choice for players who prioritize accuracy and damage output. With its tight spread, this shotgun is versatile for both long-range and one-on-one battles. The Riot Gun is especially effective against powerful enemies like Chainsaw Ganados and shines in boss battles, providing the necessary firepower to tackle the toughest opponents.

Best For Speed & Ammo Capacity: Striker

The Striker Shotgun is known for its speed and high ammo capacity, making it the fastest shotgun in the Resident Evil 4 remake. This weapon is perfect for situations where rapid-fire and abundant ammunition are essential, such as boss battles and encounters with high-health enemies. The Striker’s exclusive perk of doubling its ammo capacity allows players to focus on the fight without worrying about running out of ammunition.

Best Early-Game Shotgun: W-870

As an early-game weapon, the W-870 Shotgun provides a balanced performance and relatively low upgrade costs. It’s a reliable choice for close-quarters combat and crowd-control situations, especially against early-game enemies and hordes. The W-870’s affordability and balanced performance make it a solid investment for players in the initial stages of the game.

Best for Close-Quarters Combat: Skull Shaker

The Skull Shaker Shotgun is a compact, powerful sawed-off shotgun that excels in close-quarters combat. Its widespread firing pattern is incredibly effective at quickly eliminating threats at close range. Upgrading the Skull Shaker’s magazine size and power further enhances its performance, making it even more lethal in combat. While it may be outperformed by other shotguns in later stages, the Skull Shaker remains a valuable addition to any arsenal when dealing with hordes of weaker enemies.

Wrapping Up

This brings us to the end of the best shotgun RE4 Remake guide where we have ranked all four weapons you can experience in the game. 

Next:

• RE4 Remake: All Clockwork Castellans Locations
• RE4 Remake Gemstone
• RE4 Remake: Merchant’s Wandering Dead Request
• RE4 Remake Mercenaries Characters