A dice with two sides

Alright, with almost all the weapons covered and my computer destroyed so I can't experiment any further, I'm going to move on with another player type- one that we all hate for the instant shock they gave us whenever we turn a corner. Yes, I'm going to talk about Shotgunners today. I'm going to teach you how to turn their own blasters against them. Although somewhat rare in Counterstrike, they still presented a great risk, especially in tight areas, and as they are rare, few people specialize in dealing with them. To face one head-on, especially one with high-end accuracy, would be a gamble, like rolling a dice with only two sides, one representing life and the other death.

Regrettably, as my computer has broken down, crippling me to the point of inactivity, I'm not able to take a good photo of a Shotgunner. But I'm sure it would be easy to envision one. Just put the shotgun image I have in the guns menu in the hands of a player model and there you have it.

So, the first thing I'm going to touch on would be the general behavior of these shockers first. First, their weapon preference is pretty straightforward and predictable. Most would go for the m3 Super 90, a pump action shotgun, because:

1) It has higher firepower. A point-blank shot could do 90+ damage to an armored target if it is aimed at the chest. Any pellet that hits the head would guarantee a one-shot kill.

2) It is highly effective against unarmored targets. Even a medium-range blast could kill an unarmored target.

3) It is very easy to direct and aim. With the low rate of fire due to the pumping action required, the recoil would not affect the accuracy of each shot at all.

4) And lastly, the m3 Super 90 has arguably the most consistent accuracy in the world of CSS. No matter what you do, be it jumping or running, the pellets would still go in the general direction of where you're pointing your gun at. The only thing deciding whether the victim lives or die is the accuracy of the shotgunner.

Shotgunners are very unpredictable, depending on the accuracy of the user. If they are inaccurate and unsteady, then even at close range they are not much of a threat. But before you know it, you would be dead the second you meet one. Below this paragraph is the knowledge you need to increase your chances in the edge of chaos, so that you won't lose a $5000 machine gun just because a guy with a $1700 shotgun decided to meet you for a duel.

Offensive Shotgunners

Anyone who is offensive would not be keen to stay put and wait for their prey to come into their hunting zone. They seek what they want. But as a result, they may get more than what they bargained for- provided that you know what you're doing.

The shotgun is a weapon designed for short-range combat, and is less effective at range. Use this to your advantage. Do not fight them in a tight area, or a narrow alley. Strike when you're far out in the open. The spread of their shotgun pellets would also mean less damage done to you. Crouch to reduce your chances of getting hit. For as long as you are holding a rifle, sniper rifle or machine gun, it would end quickly. But if you are holding an SMG or only a pistol, the Shotgunner would escape. Anyone with a lump of brain would know that you'll be in a major disadvantage if your gun doesn't shoot straight at far range. If possible, seek cover, as it decreases your chance of getting hit more so than against other forms of firearms.

Sometimes, during an event of a long-range skirmish, a shotgunner would switch to his sidearm, which would increase the risk of death in your part. Respond by moving instead of lying prone on the ground, as stay immobile would render you vulnerable to pistol bullets, which are straight to the point, sometimes with the end point at your forehead.

Defensive Shotgunners

Defensive Shotgunners are much more trickier to dispose of, as their barricaded position would mean that they are harder to kill. But fear not, for their weapon is also infamous for their slow rate of fire. The mathematics would be simple- less shells discharged = less chance of successful hits. Combine this with a flashbang and it would almost be impossible for them to hit you.

The main idea is to blind them, then come from the area they are guarding, but you must make doubly sure that your flashbang got them. They could be hiding behind a crate or wall, and this would mean a flashbang would have no effect, so you must exercise caution. Throw in a second one behind their cover if you know your first one missed.

Alternatively, you could take alternative routes, places where there are more cover for you to hide behind. Shotgun pellets cannot penetrate walls and objects. Use this to your advantage. Also, if there are any doors or entry points far from their hiding spot, take it- as it would render their shotgun less effective. Note however, that you must get behind cover quickly after entering their hunting zone before they switch to their pistol and take you out.

Common Tactics

So in other words, you need to exploit the many weaknesses of their weapon. As the shotgun is not known for their versatility, it would be difficult for them to react to a battle with no advantages to their side. Below are some tactics to scrape off both the offensive and defensive Shotgunners off your boots:

1) Use flashbangs at tight areas. As the shotgun has a slow rate of fire, their chances of hitting you while blind would decrease, and your chances of success would increase by a skyscraper.

2) If it is possible, engage them from behind cover- Shotgun pellets cannot penetrate objects and walls, so your chances of getting hit would be minimized greatly. The main reason is to take advantage of the spread of their pellets. If you combine this tactic with engaging them from afar, you would be almost invincible against a shotgunner.

3) If you have no choice but to engage one at near-range open combat, fire at full automatic to dish out as much damage as possible to decrease his chance for a second shot. Any one successful shotgun blast would either decrease your lifespan by almost a lifetime, or kill you.