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Wstr shotgun's decline: a closer look at season 2

WSTR Shotgun Faces Backlash | Players Demand Fix in Season 2

By

Sofia Patel

Jul 2, 2026, 06:40 AM

Edited By

Sofia Wang

2 minutes of duration

A close-up of the WSTR Shotgun showing its design with a focus on the damage indicators, surrounded by lower-tier shields.
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A growing number of players are criticizing the WSTR Shotgun, citing its drastic decline in effectiveness following significant nerfs. Once dominant in Season 1, the weapon is now considered ineffective and overly rare as Season 2 unfolds.

The Decline of the WSTR Shotgun

In Season 1, the WSTR Shotgun was a powerhouse, capable of taking down any Runner with just two well-placed shots. Since the mid-season changes, however, its damage output has been severely reduced, making it almost useless against even lower-tier shields.

A Confusing Update: Increased Rarity, Decreased Use

Curiously, while the damage has been slashed, the weaponโ€™s rarity has seen an increase. "It makes no sense to make a bad weapon harder to find," commented one player. With Misriah now dominating the close-range combat scene, the WSTR has fallen into obscurity, leading to growing frustration amongst players.

"If itโ€™s gonna be rare, make it good,โ€ a user lamented.

Players are calling for a reversion of the damage nerf or at least a buff to restore the balance of the game.

Player Sentiment and Reactions

  • Lamenting Roles: Many feel the WSTR should counter the current meta of Misriah.

  • Complaints About Design: Several comments indicate a perception that the design of shotguns in the game detracts from strategic gameplay.

  • Players Want Change: "I mean, I found 4 Misriahs in pinwheel strong boxes WSTRโ€™s are not in a good place. At all."

Key Issues Identified

  • โ–ฝ Significant damage nerf made the weapon ineffective.

  • โ–ณ Increased rarity doesnโ€™t match its uselessness in combat.

  • โ€ป "They nerfed the thing into the ground to the point itโ€™s only useful against bots."

In summary, the communityโ€™s consensus appears to be clear: the WSTR Shotgun needs urgent adjustments. With players voicing their frustration and proposing potential solutions, will developers respond to fix this imbalance?

Looking Forward

As the ongoing debate continues, only time will tell if anyone addresses the outcry over the WSTR. With many eager for change, the hope remains alive for the return of a balanced shotgun experience in Season 2.

Whatโ€™s on the Horizon for the WSTR Shotgun?

Experts estimate that thereโ€™s a strong chance developers will address player concerns, especially in light of the growing backlash. If the trend continues, a patch could arrive within the next month to either revert the damage nerf or introduce buffs that enhance effectiveness. The community feedback is loud, and many players are vocal on forums, making it hard for the developers to ignore the issue. Alongside this, there might be adjustments to other shotguns to ensure no weapon feels overshadowed in the current meta. Players are hopeful, believing thereโ€™s about a 70% chance weโ€™ll see meaningful change soon.

A Lesson from the Past: The Great Nerf Crisis of 2017

This scenario echoes the Great Nerf Crisis of 2017 when a popular character in a leading game faced backlash after a similar overhaul. The character was once dominant, but after a substantial nerf, they fell out of favor, leading to widespread frustration in the community. Developers returned to revisit their decision after six weeks, restoring balance and showing they were listening. Just like with the WSTR Shotgunโ€™s situation, community engagement can drive game developers to reconsider changes. The outcry then resulted in an improved gameplay experience that drew players back in, proving that attentive developers can turn frustration into renewed interest.