M90 Shotgun — Stats & Guide
The M90 Close Assault Weapon System is the UNSC's premier close-quarters firearm, delivering a devastating blast of 8-gauge buckshot with each pump-action cycle. At point-blank range it can drop most enemies in a single shell, and even shielded Elites buckle after two well-placed shots. The M90 is the go-to weapon for Flood containment, indoor firefights, and any situation where enemies are too close for comfort.
Damage
250
Fire Rate
1/s
DPS
250
Magazine
12
Max Ammo
60
Range
short
Headshot Multiplier
1.5x
Tier
A
Stat Visualization
Overview
The M90 Close Assault Weapon System is the UNSC's premier close-quarters firearm, delivering a devastating blast of 8-gauge buckshot with each pump-action cycle. At point-blank range it can drop most enemies in a single shell, and even shielded Elites buckle after two well-placed shots. The M90 is the go-to weapon for Flood containment, indoor firefights, and any situation where enemies are too close for comfort.
Best Use Cases
- Flood combat forms — a single close-range shell to the chest is an instant kill on any combat form
- Covenant close-quarters — ambush Elites around doorways where their ranged advantage disappears
- Breeching rooms — push into tight interiors on Truth and Reconciliation and 343 Guilty Spark
- Shotgun-Magnum combo — blast an Elite's shields down with one shot, then quick-switch to the Magnum for a headshot
Strengths & Weaknesses
✅ Strengths
- +Massive burst damage (250 per shell at close range)
- +12-shell magazine provides sustained close-range threat
- +One-hit-kill potential against most enemy types at close range
- +Excellent against Flood combat forms of all varieties
❌ Weaknesses
- −Damage drops off severely beyond 15 meters
- −Slow pump-action fire rate leaves you vulnerable between shots
- −Ineffective at medium or long range engagements
- −Limited reserve ammo (60 shells) demands conservative use
Pro Tips
- Is the M90 Shotgun the best weapon against the Flood?: Yes, the M90 is widely recognized as the single best anti-Flood weapon in Halo CE. A single shell to the body of a human or Elite combat form will kill it instantly at close range, making the shotgun a lifesaver during the cramped, frantic encounters in 343 Guilty Spark and The Library. Keep a full magazine before entering any Flood-infested area and always reload after each wave. Shotgun ammo is usually placed near Flood spawn points on those missions, so keep an eye out for shell pickups.
- What is the M90 Shotgun's effective one-hit-kill range?: The M90 reliably one-shots unshielded enemies like Grunts, Jackals, and Flood combat forms out to roughly 8-10 meters. Against shielded Elites, expect to fire two shells at close range to strip shields and secure the kill, or one shell followed by a quick Magnum headshot. Beyond 15 meters, the pellet spread widens enough that only a fraction of the damage connects, so always close the gap before pulling the trigger.
- How should I manage the M90's slow reload speed?: The M90 reloads one shell at a time, meaning a full reload from empty takes several seconds. Develop the habit of topping off individual shells during brief pauses in combat — each shell loaded is immediately available to fire. Never let the magazine drop to zero in an active firefight; if you run dry mid-engagement, swap to your secondary weapon immediately rather than standing still to reload.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the M90 Shotgun the best weapon against the Flood?
Yes, the M90 is widely recognized as the single best anti-Flood weapon in Halo CE. A single shell to the body of a human or Elite combat form will kill it instantly at close range, making the shotgun a lifesaver during the cramped, frantic encounters in 343 Guilty Spark and The Library. Keep a full magazine before entering any Flood-infested area and always reload after each wave. Shotgun ammo is usually placed near Flood spawn points on those missions, so keep an eye out for shell pickups.
What is the M90 Shotgun's effective one-hit-kill range?
The M90 reliably one-shots unshielded enemies like Grunts, Jackals, and Flood combat forms out to roughly 8-10 meters. Against shielded Elites, expect to fire two shells at close range to strip shields and secure the kill, or one shell followed by a quick Magnum headshot. Beyond 15 meters, the pellet spread widens enough that only a fraction of the damage connects, so always close the gap before pulling the trigger.
How should I manage the M90's slow reload speed?
The M90 reloads one shell at a time, meaning a full reload from empty takes several seconds. Develop the habit of topping off individual shells during brief pauses in combat — each shell loaded is immediately available to fire. Never let the magazine drop to zero in an active firefight; if you run dry mid-engagement, swap to your secondary weapon immediately rather than standing still to reload.
When should I use the M90 over the Magnum?
Use the M90 whenever you are fighting in confined spaces, such as ship corridors, indoor complexes, or narrow canyon passes where enemies cannot engage you from long range. The Magnum is better for open outdoor encounters and against Hunters, but the moment you step inside a structure, the M90 should be in your hands. Missions like Truth and Reconciliation and The Maw practically demand a shotgun loadout for the interior sections.
Can the M90 kill Hunters and shielded Elites?
Hunters are best dealt with using the Magnum to shoot their exposed back, but the M90 can work if you circle behind them and fire point-blank into their orange weak spot. For Elites, two rapid shells will drop most ranks, but on Legendary you may need three and must stay very close to land all pellets. The safest approach is to one-tap the Elite's shields with the shotgun, then headshot with the Magnum before they recover.
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