When you're clearing buildings in Fort Lyndon or facing down the final squad in Battlefield REDSEC, your shotgun choice can make or break those crucial close-quarters encounters. You need a weapon that delivers devastating damage before your opponent can react. With only three shotgun options available in REDSEC's battle royale mode, picking the right one means understanding their strengths and how they fit your aggressive playstyle. Let's break down which shotgun dominates those intense indoor firefights.
What Makes Shotguns Dominate in REDSEC?
Shotguns fill a critical niche in your weapon arsenal. While assault rifles and SMGs handle mid-range engagements, shotguns excel when you're breaching compounds or holding tight corridors. The beauty of shotguns in REDSEC lies in their ability to eliminate armored opponents before they can leverage superior positioning.
You'll want a shotgun equipped when:
- Pushing into buildings during final circles
- Defending narrow chokepoints
- Engaging enemies who round corners unexpectedly
- Finishing downed opponents quickly
Tip
Shotguns aren't class-specific in REDSEC. You can add them to any build, making them incredibly versatile for balanced loadouts.
Shotgun stats comparison
REDSEC Shotgun Breakdown: Know Your Options
Before we crown a winner, here's what you're working with:
The third shotgun option exists but falls behind these two frontrunners in practical combat scenarios.
Why the 18.5KS-K Takes the Crown
The 18.5KS-K stands as the ultimate REDSEC shotgun for one simple reason: it balances lethality with follow-up potential. This semi-automatic beast delivers rapid-fire punishment that forgives minor aiming mistakes while still packing serious stopping power.
Combat Advantages That Matter
You'll appreciate the 18.5KS-K's superior handling when things get chaotic. The weapon's control characteristics let you track moving targets better than competing shotguns, which matters immensely when enemies are sliding and jumping to avoid your shots.
The high rate of fire becomes your safety net. Miss your first shot? You've got immediate follow-ups without the agonizing pump delay. This rapid-fire capability shines when facing multiple opponents or when your target has armor equipped.
Key performance metrics:
- 85 damage per shot means two-shot kills on unarmored enemies
- Semi-automatic action allows continuous fire without manual cycling
- Superior control reduces recoil between shots
Important
The 18.5KS-K excels in aggressive pushes where you need to eliminate multiple enemies quickly. Its forgiving nature makes it ideal for players still mastering shotgun aim.
How to Unlock the 18.5KS-K
Getting your hands on this epic-tier weapon requires dedication. You'll need to complete the Point Blank 2 Challenge, which has specific requirements:
- First complete the Point Blank 1 Challenge (prerequisite)
- Secure 25 kills using any shotgun
- Get 5 kills without reloading during those 25 eliminations
The no-reload requirement sounds intimidating, but here's your strategy: engage solo players or isolated targets. Wait for clean opportunities rather than forcing fights against full squads. One well-executed building push can net you those 5 consecutive kills.
Want to optimize your overall weapon setup while grinding this challenge? Check out our Battlefield REDSEC Weapon Tier List to see how shotguns rank against other weapon categories.
The M87A1: Your Starting Powerhouse
Don't sleep on the M87A1 just because it's your default shotgun. This pump-action monster delivers the highest per-shot damage in REDSEC's entire weapon roster at 135 damage. That's not a typo—this shotgun hits harder than sniper rifles in close quarters.
When Raw Power Beats Fire Rate
The M87A1 transforms skilled players into one-shot killing machines. Land a headshot on an unarmored opponent? They're eliminated instantly. Even armored enemies go down in two well-placed shots, which you can deliver faster than they can react if you position correctly.
Damage comparison:
- M87A1: 135 damage (50 points higher than 18.5KS-K)
- One-shot headshot potential against unarmored targets
- Two-shot elimination against armored opponents
The pump-action mechanism becomes manageable once you master positioning. You're not meant to miss with this weapon. Each shot should count, making it perfect for patient players who excel at corner-holding and defensive play.
Optimizing Your M87A1 Build
Since the M87A1 comes unlocked from the start, you can immediately customize it. Add a laser sight as your Top Accessory to improve hip-fire accuracy. This modification helps you land those critical headshots without aiming down sights, which maintains your mobility during fights.
Remember to add your modded M87A1 to your custom loadout so it's available during matches. The default version works fine, but those attachments give you the edge in competitive situations.
Warning
The M87A1's pump-action delay punishes missed shots severely. If you whiff your first shot against a competent opponent, you're likely going down. Practice your aim before relying on this weapon in high-stakes situations.
18.5KS-K vs M87A1: Making Your Choice
Your playstyle determines which shotgun serves you better:
Choose the 18.5KS-K if you:
- Prefer aggressive building pushes
- Want forgiveness for imperfect aim
- Face multiple opponents frequently
- Value consistent damage over peak damage
Choose the M87A1 if you:
- Excel at positioning and patience
- Consistently land headshots
- Play defensively in buildings
- Want maximum damage per trigger pull
Most players benefit from starting with the M87A1 while grinding toward the 18.5KS-K unlock. This gives you time to develop shotgun fundamentals before transitioning to the more versatile semi-automatic option.
Loadout selection interface
Building Around Your Shotgun Choice
Every effective REDSEC loadout pairs one close-range weapon with one long-range option. Your shotgun handles the former beautifully, but you need coverage for open areas and medium-range engagements.
Recommended pairings:
- Assault Rifle + Shotgun: Balanced versatility for all situations
- DMR + Shotgun: Long-range poke with close-quarters security
- SMG + Shotgun: Double down on aggressive indoor dominance
For complete loadout optimization across all weapon types, explore our Best Battlefield REDSEC Loadouts guide to see how top players structure their arsenals.
Advanced Shotgun Tactics
Mastering shotgun mechanics separates good players from great ones:
Positioning fundamentals:
- Always fight near cover you can retreat behind
- Force enemies into doorways and corridors
- Use audio cues to pre-aim corners
- Keep your back to walls during building clears
Engagement timing:
- Wait for enemies to commit before revealing position
- Reload during lulls, never mid-fight
- Close distance before firing when using M87A1
- Spam fire with 18.5KS-K when enemies are close
Pro Tip: Jump-shotting with the 18.5KS-K maintains accuracy while making you harder to hit. The M87A1 loses too much precision during jumps, so keep your feet planted with the pump-action.
Class Synergies Worth Considering
While shotguns work with any class, certain combinations amplify their effectiveness. The Assault class's armor and healing abilities let you take riskier close-range fights. The Support class's ammo boxes ensure you never run dry during extended building fights.
Want to optimize your class choice around shotgun play? Our Battlefield REDSEC Best Loadouts for Every Class breaks down the ideal weapon pairings for each role.
Common Shotgun Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players fall into these traps:
Range miscalculation: Shotguns lose effectiveness beyond 10 meters. If you can't close distance quickly, swap to your secondary weapon.
Reload timing: Never reload with enemies nearby unless you're in cover. The M87A1's slow reload animation gets you killed.
Tunnel vision: Focusing too hard on one enemy while using shotguns leaves you vulnerable to third parties. Clear threats methodically.
Poor positioning: Fighting in open areas negates your shotgun's advantages entirely. Always maneuver toward enclosed spaces.
The Verdict: Which Shotgun Dominates?
The 18.5KS-K earns the crown as REDSEC's best shotgun through its combination of damage output, fire rate, and handling. While the M87A1 delivers superior raw damage, the semi-automatic's forgiving nature and rapid follow-up shots make it more reliable across varied combat scenarios.
Start your journey with the M87A1 to develop shotgun fundamentals and complete your challenges. Once you unlock the 18.5KS-K, you'll have the ultimate close-range weapon for aggressive REDSEC gameplay. Master both, and you'll dominate every building fight the battle royale throws at you.