Shotgun

Shotguns are powerful close-range weapons that shoot a spray of pellets. They tend to have low accuracy, high power, and often long reload times. They can be good for dealing large damage up close, or hitting multiple targets at long range. They are most often used at short to point-plank range to cause high amounts of damage quickly.

Types
Shotguns come in two forms; regular shotguns (denoted with a 'Shotgun' in the name) and scatterguns. (denoted with 'Scattergun') Shotguns tend to have less pellets, (normally around nine) lower spread, and higher rate of fire. Scatterguns fire more pellets, (eleven to twelve) higher spread, and a lower rate of fire, as they usually need to be pumped after each shot. Because of this, shotguns can be utilized effectively at medium range, while scatterguns must be used a close range to maximize damage dealt.

Basic Strategy
Shotguns should normally be used at close ranges. Aim carefully to make each shot count. If you can, aim for weak spots to maximize the high damage dealt with criticals. Run when reloading.

Special Effects
Much like other weapon classes, shotguns have special effects that cause them to fire differently. These effects cause the weapon to have a special name, and a line in their description hinting toward the effect caused.

Crux
Latin for 'Cross,' Crux weapons fire their pellets in a cross-shaped spread pattern. The line in their description is Cross their heart, hope they die.

Hammer
Hammer weapons fire their pellets in a hammer-shaped spread. The line in the description is Drop the hammer!

T.K.'s Wave
A unique weapon, T.K.'s Wave is a weapon given to you by T.K. Baha after the T.K.'s Life and Limb quest. It is acquired early in the game, and becomes obsolete quickly. Pellets are fired in a horizontal line that lengthens and oscillates up and down in a wave pattern after firing. The line in the description is Ride the wave, dude!

Carnage
Carnage weapons fire rockets in a shotgun spread, essentially being an innacurate burst rocket launcher. The weapons consume shotgun ammo instead of rocket ammo. The description reads, '''Holy crap! It shoots rockets!'''

Bulldog
Bulldog weapons simply have extended magazines. There is no other effect on the weapons or pellets. The description is, One bad dog.

Spiked
Spiked weapons add a curved spike onto the grip of the weapons. This spike increases melee damage in the same way a blade on a pistol does. The description will usually say +100% Melee Damage.