How much damage does the pump shotgun do headshot?

The Pump Shotgun's headshot damage varies by its rarity, ranging from 147 to 203 damage. This substantial damage output makes the Pump Shotgun a dominant weapon for close-quarters combat in Fortnite.

Understanding Pump Shotgun Headshot Damage

The Pump Shotgun has a critical headshot multiplier that significantly increases its damage when shots connect with an opponent's head. Initially, this multiplier was 2.0x, but it was later adjusted to 1.75x. Despite this reduction, headshots remain incredibly powerful, often capable of eliminating opponents in a single shot, especially at higher rarities and full health.

Headshot Damage by Rarity

The exact headshot damage dealt by the Pump Shotgun depends on its specific rarity. Higher rarity Pump Shotguns naturally deal more base damage, which translates to even higher headshot damage.

Here's a breakdown of the Pump Shotgun's headshot damage values across different rarities:

These damage figures highlight why landing headshots with a Pump Shotgun is crucial for quickly dispatching enemies. Even a common Pump Shotgun can deal significant damage to an opponent's health pool, potentially eliminating them if they have no shield or low health.

Key Factors Affecting Shotgun Damage

While headshot damage is critical, other factors also influence the overall effectiveness of the Pump Shotgun in a firefight:

• Pellet Spread: Shotguns fire multiple pellets. For maximum damage, all pellets must hit the target, ideally in the head.
• Range: Shotguns are most effective at close range. Damage significantly drops off at longer distances due to pellet spread and damage falloff mechanics.
• Body Shots: While headshots are preferred, even body shots from a Pump Shotgun can deal considerable damage, especially against unshielded opponents.

Mastering the Pump Shotgun involves understanding its damage profiles and practicing precise aim to consistently land those high-damage headshots.