CS:GO shotguns receive new recoil pattern in beta

Shotguns now have their own recoil pattern, thanks to new beta changes shipped by Valve in last night’s CS:GO update.

After years of having a stagnant shotgun meta that only involves the MAG-7, the game developer decided to give the heavy weapons their own consistent aim pattern similar to the rifles, pistols, and sub-machine guns. Each shotgun also has its own unique pattern, allowing players to vary their playstyles with whichever shotgun they wield.

Related: CS:GO September update buffs Glock-18, balances P250

“With skill, players should be able to use their knowledge of shotgun patterns to maximize their potential, using the right tool for the right situation, whether it’s using a wide pattern to clear a room of multiple opponents, a vertical one for holding a corner, or something in between for lurking,” Valve said in its “Holiday Spread” announcement.

In essence, each shot has a consistent shot spread based on whatever shotgun you’re using. Additionally, players can no longer run and gun and jump shot effectively with the heavy weapons, since the pellets will be much more random and spread out. That way shotguns will require a lot more skill, positional knowledge, and situational awareness.

YouTuber 3kliksphilip made a comprehensive yet concise video detailing the bullet spread patterns at different ranges and fire rates. 

If you want to try out the new shotgun spreads, you can enable the changes in an offline server with the developer console command “weapon_accuracy_shotgun_spread_patterns 1.”