ARC Raiders Best Shotgun Comparison: IL Toro vs Vulcano

IL Toro vs Vulcano: Which Shotgun Deserves the Title of ARC Raiders Best Shotgun?

When it comes to selecting the ultimate close-range weapon in ARC Raiders, the debate always returns to shotguns. Among them, two standout options dominate player discussions: the IL Toro pump-action and the Vulcano semi-automatic. This comparison aims to determine which one truly earns the label of ARC Raiders best shotgun by analysing key factors: damage output, effective range, stability, handling and overall utility in high-pressure missions.

Key Stats & Weapon Class Differences

According to the official weapons database for ARC Raiders, IL Toro is a pump-action shotgun with a base damage of 67.5, fire-rate of 14.3, range rating 20, stability 80.6 and agility 61.1. Its large bullet spread and sharp fall-off make it ideal for extreme close-quarters scenarios, but its “Weak” armor-penetration also limits its versatility against heavily armored ARC machines. 
By contrast, the Vulcano is listed as a semi-automatic shotgun with base damage 49.5, fire-rate 26.3, range rating 26, stability 68.6 and agility 70.3.Although its raw damage per shot is lower than IL Toro’s, its higher fire-rate and slightly better range make it a compelling contender for a more consistent, faster paced close-range weapon.
From the “Shotguns” category table: IL Toro shows a relative DPS of 965.3 at range 20, while Vulcano shows 1,302.9 at range 26. These figures indicate that despite its lower damage per shot, Vulcano’s semi-auto nature enables greater throughput in rapid engagements.

Which Excels Where?

In tight indoor corridors, extraction missions or situations where ambush and flanking matter most, IL Toro shines in its pure one-shot potential. A well-placed pump-action blast at point-blank can instantly eliminate an unarmored opponent. Its large spread pattern means you don’t need perfectly aimed slugs — you just have to be very close. That said, the downside is its extremely limited effective range and the fact that it handles poorly when targets are armored or repositioning emerges.

By contrast, Vulcano handles more gracefully in dynamic close-quarters fights. Its semi-automatic fire-rate gives you multiple follow-up shots. The slightly extended range rating (26 vs 20) means you can engage aggressors a little earlier, and the higher agility supports faster repositioning and movement in combat. For players who expect frequent rotations, flanking, and mixed opponent types (human raiders + ARC machines), this flexibility makes Vulcano a strong pick.

Load-out Synergy and Mission Fit

Choosing the best shotgun for your playstyle in ARC Raiders means also considering your gear, squad role, and mission objectives. If your focus is “burst clearance”  sneaking into a compound, hitting one target hard and then repositioning  IL Toro offers the highest peak damage. Pair it with suppressors, shotgun-spread modifiers and a lightweight secondary so you’re not weighed down.
For a more “fluid assault” role that expects multiple engagements, flanks, and retreats, Vulcano integrates better. Use mods that improve reload speed and fire-rate, and combine it with mobility perks so your shotgun role remains agile and effective.

Which Qualifies as ARC Raiders Best Shotgun?

In the final analysis, both IL Toro and Vulcano deserve consideration as candidates for “ARC Raiders best shotgun”   but for different reasons.

• If your priority is maximum damage in the narrowest scenarios, IL Toro leads.

• If your priority is consistent performance, mobility and adaptability across mission types, Vulcano is the wiser choice.

For most players looking for a dependable close-range weapon that fits into a versatile squad and adjusts to mixed engagements, Vulcano earns the edge. But for the specialist who thrives in predictable, confined environments and wants one-shot potential, IL Toro still holds value.
Ultimately, the question isn’t simply “which shotgun is better?”  it’s “which shotgun best fits your role, load-out and mission in ARC Raiders?”

Damage, DPS and Burst Power Analysis for ARC Raiders Shotguns

When analyzing the contenders for the title of ARC Raiders best shotgun, the two primary weapons in focus are the IL Toro (pump-action) and the Vulcano (semi-automatic). To identify which shotgun truly excels in close-quarters combats and raid Missions, we must break down three critical performance categories: damage per shot, DPS (damage per second), and burst-power potential. These metrics, combined with considerations like magazine size, reload mechanics, and spread behavior, define how a shotgun performs in real gameplay scenarios.

Damage Per Shot: Peak Lethality

The first metric to inspect when comparing shotguns in ARC Raiders is raw damage per shot especially crucial in tight engagements where you need to eliminate an enemy with a single hit. According to the official weapon database, the IL Toro delivers a base damage of 67.5 per shot.  In contrast, the Vulcano lists a base damage of 49.5 per shot. This difference highlights the IL Toro’s advantage in raw single-shot power.

However, damage per shot doesn’t tell the full story. Shotguns in ARC Raiders also contend with large bullet spread patterns, sharp damage fall-off at range, and varying armor penetration values. For instance, the IL Toro’s “Weak” rating for ARC armor penetration means its high damage may not translate effectively against heavily armored enemies or ARC units. On the other hand, while Vulcano also has “Weak” armor penetration, its semi-automatic fire-rate gives more opportunities for follow-up shots to finish off targets.

In practical terms: if you are pursuing moments of maximum lethality one-shot eliminations in confined spaces the IL Toro remains highly viable. Yet if you need flexibility and a more consistent elimination rate under pressure, the lower per-shot damage of the Vulcano might be compensated by speed and volume.

DPS (Damage Per Second) & Sustained Output

Damage per second (DPS) is the next critical layer. It reflects how quickly a weapon can apply damage over timeessential in scenarios involving multiple adversaries, rapid duels, or when you miss your first shot. According to the weapons table in the ARC Raiders wiki, the IL Toro shows a relative DPS figure of 965.3, at a range rating of 20.  Meanwhile, the Vulcano reports a relative DPS of 1,302.9 at a range rating of 26. That statistic alone conveys that, despite its lower per-shot damage, the Vulcano’s higher fire-rate (26.3 vs 14.3) delivers significantly more sustained damage over time.

The implication for marksmanship in ARC Raiders is clear: in engagements where you are likely to fire multiple shells, reposition, or face multiple opponents, the Vulcano gives you a higher throughput. The IL Toro may drop an enemy with a perfect hit, but if you miss or engage several foes in quick succession, its slower cadence might leave you vulnerable.

Thus when selecting the ARC Raiders best shotgun, you must evaluate whether your load-out demands raw one-shot eliminations or consistent pressure and follow-up capability.

Burst Power, Spread Pattern & Ideal Engagement Distance

Burst power is the ability of a shotgun to deliver a lethal burst in a very short timeframeoften within one shell or two. Here the IL Toro’s high damage makes it dangerous in very close range. Its large bullet spread and short effective range (range rating 20) mean that you have to be extremely close virtually melee-range to maximize effect. Moreover, articles from the community highlight that the IL Toro’s shotgun spread, slow firing rate, and weak armor penetration make it a “mid-tier trap” unless used in very specific conditions.

Conversely, the Vulcano offers a balance: its range rating of 26 gives marginally more usable distance, and the semi-automatic operation means you can deliver follow-up shells before the opponent reacts. Its stability rating (68.6) and agility (70.3) support faster recovery and repositioning.  The tight spread pattern helps it remain effective at slightly greater distances compared to IL Toro, enhancing its utility in dynamic raid scenarios where movement and multi-target fights are common.

In summary:

• If your objective in ARC Raiders is to maximize burst power with one-shot potential in close-quarters, IL Toro leadsbut with highly situational usability.

• If you aim for flexibility and better spread control, follow-up shots and a slightly wider engagement envelope, the Vulcano becomes the stronger candidate.

Effective Range, Spread Pattern & Stability Breakdown in ARC Raiders

When evaluating shotguns for close-quarters dominance, the title of “ARC Raiders best shotgun” hinges not only on raw damage, but equally on how well the weapon performs in terms of effective range, pellet spread pattern, and overall stability. These three elements define your real-world utility in tight maps, extraction raids and PvP skirmishes.

How far can you reliably score a kill?

The range rating published in the official weapons database clearly illustrates that shotguns in ARC Raiders have limited reach—and each model diverges in its effective zone. For example, the IL Toro is listed with a range value of 20 while the Vulcano comes with a range rating of 26. 
In practical terms, that means the IL Toro demands extremely close proximity for maximum effect—essentially point-blank or one vault away—while the Vulcano gives you a modest margin to engage just slightly farther.
For missions in ARC Raiders where you expect to clear rooms, breach enemies and react fast, understanding this “kill envelope” is critical. A shotgun ranked as the best needs not just a high damage per shot, but also enough range to adapt when enemies aren’t directly on top of you.

Spread Pattern & Pellet Behavior

Shotguns function differently than rifles or SMGs—they rely on pellet spread and short-range burst damage. In ARC Raiders, the IL Toro is described as having a large bullet spread and sharp fall-off. That means while you may land one-shot kills at very close range, as you move out or an enemy moves, your accuracy drops substantially.
By contrast, the Vulcano is acknowledged for a good spread pattern but still a steep range fall-off.  Its semi-automatic nature lets you follow up first-shot misses and its slightly tighter spread gives you more forgiving engagements.
In terms of shotgun load-out planning for ARC Raiders best shotgun candidates, you want to ask:

• How much deviation can I tolerate before I’m missing a one-shot kill?

• Will I enter engagements at literally melee-range, or will I face cross-room pushes?

• Does the spread pattern allow me to reliably hit moving targets or must I rely on perfect positioning?

If your playstyle is “push and vault, one major blast then reposition,” the IL Toro spread is acceptable. If instead you’re expecting multiple rapid engagements, or the possibility of hitting moving targets slightly farther out, the Vulcano spread pattern offers more leeway.

Stability & Handling

Stability ratings matter because even in close-quarters fights things go sideways: you get hit, you move while firing, you reposition between shots. In comparing the two shotguns, the IL Toro shows a stability of 80.6 and an agility of 61.1. 
Meanwhile, the Vulcano carries a stability of 68.6 and agility of 70.3. 
What these numbers suggest: the IL Toro might offer slightly more static stability (beneficial when stationary and aiming for one shot), but its lower agility means you’re slower to reposition or recover. The Vulcano, with stronger agility, gives you the advantage in mobility—vital when using shotguns in high-tempo raids, flank maneuvers, or when you must reposition quickly between targets.
In the context of ARC Raiders, a shotgun that is stable but immobile may win one duel but lose the next because you can’t reposition or recover fast enough. The best shotgun, therefore, balances spread control with handling smoothness and movement support.

Practical Application & Engagement Analysis

Putting the numbers into practice:

• Scenario: You breach a room, three enemy raiders and one ARC unit. With IL Toro you rush in, one blast kills a raider, you reposition. If you face an ARC unit or someone with armor, your Win potential drops significantly because you may need a follow-up shot and your one-hit kill margin shrinks.

• Alternate scenario: With Vulcano you approach slightly more cautiously, you land a first shotgun burst, if it fails you have semi-auto follow-up capability, your agility lets you sidestep fire, reposition and engage again. Your spread gives you more margin of error.
  Thus when assessing ARC Raiders best shotgun, the Vulcano frequently wins in “real mission” adaptability. The IL Toro maybe wins in “ideal scenario” one-shot metal-rush, but that’s less frequent in mixed mission play.

Mobility, Reload Speed & Handling

In the quest to determine the ARC Raiders best shotgun, evaluating mobility, reload speed, and handling is just as critical as reviewing damage output or range. These factors often separate a weapon that performs well in ideal settings from one that excels under real-world extraction-raid conditions in ARC Raiders. A shotgun’s ability to keep up with movement, reposition quickly, reload under pressure, and handle smoothly under fire can be the deciding factor in close-quarters engagements.

Movement Speed and Engagement Readiness

Shotguns in ARC Raiders are tailored for aggressive, up-close combat, but each model comes with distinct handling weights and agility ratings. For example, the IL Toro pump-action shotgun has an agility value of 61.1, and a weight of 8 kg, according to the official weapon page.  In contrast, the Vulcano semi-automatic shotgun lists an agility rating of 70.3 and the same weight of 8 kg. 
In gameplay terms, the higher agility of the Vulcano means you can vault, dodge, and reposition faster. This mobility advantage is especially relevant in missions where rapid room-clearing, flank routes, and unpredictable enemy encounters happen. Meanwhile, the IL Toro’s lower agility suggests that it requires more careful positioning and deliberate movement — you’re sacrificing some movement speed for raw damage potential.

When evaluating for the ARC Raiders best shotgun, ask this: Will your primary engagement style involve aggressive mobility, rapid transitions between cover and ambush points? Or will you rely on one-shot ambush setups where mobility is less important? The answer will influence whether you favour a shotgun with higher movement agility or superior damage at the cost of speed.

Reload Speed & Follow-Up Readiness

Reloading under fire is one of the most dangerous moments in an extraction shooter like ARC Raiders. A shotgun with slower reload or cumbersome reload animation will leave you vulnerable in a multi-enemy breach. The IL Toro’s pump-action mechanism reloads shells one by one — the Wiki notes “Ammo is reloaded individually” for the IL Toro. This reload style slows down your follow-up readiness dramatically, especially when you need to dump multiple shells into one or more targets.
On the other hand, the Vulcano’s listing reveals built-in upgrades such as “13 % Reduced Reload Time” at its second tier and “26 % Reduced Reload Time” at the third tier. These mods directly improve how fast you can recover from a blast and continue engaging. Faster reload means you’re less likely to be caught mid-reload when enemies rush you or when you need a secondary burst in a gang fight.
Therefore, for a shotgun to qualify as the ARC Raiders best shotgun, it should offer reload speed that supports rapid engagements, follow-up fire, and multi-target clearouts — not just a single lethal shot.

Handling Characteristics: Spread, Recoil & User Control

Handling encompasses more than just how fast you can move or reload; it includes how manageable the weapon feels when swinging around corners, the recoil behaviour, and how quickly you can fire in succession. The vulnerability window opens whenever you miss your first shot or need to transition rapidly from one target to another.
With the IL Toro, the large bullet spread and sharp range fall-off are well-documented. This means that smoother handling and follow-up capability are more crucial, yet the pump-action design limits how quickly you can recover.
The Vulcano, by contrast, benefits from semi-automatic fire, higher agility, and reload-time improvements — all contributing to a weapon model that handles more fluidly in fast engagements and provides the user with better control in chaotic scenarios.
In real-world raid conditions, shotguns often require quick pivoting, bursting multiple targets, or fighting while on the move. A shotgun model that pairs better with these dynamics has a strong claim to being the ARC Raiders best shotgun, even if it sacrifices some peak damage.

Practical Load-out Implications and Mission Fit

When building your load-out around close-quarters weapons in ARC Raiders, the mobility, reload speed and handling traits affect your overall performance. If you favour breaching tight interiors, juggling between throwing and firing, or clearing waves of ARC units and enemy raiders, a shotgun like the Vulcano that excels in rapid mobility and handling may serve you better.
If, on the other hand, your strategic role is to execute a heavy ambush, hide in a chokepoint and deliver a devastating single blast, the IL Toro might fit — but you must ensure you control movement, minimise reload vulnerability, and compensate for handling limitations via team support or equipment perks.
Skill-tree choices and gear mods should align with your shotgun’s handling profile: mobility perks, reduced reload time mods, and stability attachments help maximise the real-world usability of your shotgun and elevate its status as the ARC Raiders best shotgun for your style.

Best Shotgun for Your Playstyle in ARC Raiders

When it comes to selecting the ARC Raiders best shotgun, the ideal choice depends less on raw numbers and more on how the weapon suits your role, mission objectives, team composition, and personal engagement style. Here, we provide expert recommendations tailored to several distinct playstyles—so you can choose the shotgun that aligns with you, not just the highest DPS stat.

Assault/Breacher Role

For players who lead the charge, slot into door-breach points, clear rooms and engage multiple enemies in quick succession, the shotgun must deliver reliable suppression, strong mobility and quick transitions. In this scenario:

• The weapon needs excellent close-range performance, tight spread pattern, and a semi-automatic or fast follow-up capability.

• The shotgun should support mobility, allowing you to sprint-vault, clear a room, then move forward without delay.
  Therefore the semi-automatic shotgun benefits this style more than a slow-pump action. A repeated advantage in the meta for the semi-automatic model is its higher damage per second (DPS) and ability to maintain pressure rather than relying on moment-one shots.
  When building your load-out: combine reduced reload time mods, mobility perks (vault speed, sprint recovery), and attach handling upgrades. In team composition, pair this shotgun role with a teammate covering mid-range or overwatch so your push isn’t left unsupported.

Defensive/Anchor Role

When your squad’s mission is holding an extraction zone, defending a perimeter or controlling a bottleneck, your shotgun choice must excel in single-point defense rather than constant sprint-and-flush. In those situations:

• A more powerful pump-action shotgun may be appropriate if you expect enemies to come at you, allowing one-shot eliminations at very close quarters.

• You prioritise stability, one-hit kill potential and less movement. The weapon may trade agility for power, but that makes sense here.
  In these roles, the pump-action model can shine—but you must compensate with gear that boosts reload speed, armour penetration and head-shot consistency. Your movement will be minimal, so handling drawbacks are less relevant. It is in this context that some players argue the pump-action contender deserves the title of ARC Raiders best shotgun—but only within this mission-type niche.

Flexible Generalist Role

If your role varies across raids—sometimes you flank, sometimes you cover, sometimes you walk corridors—the optimal shotgun is one that balances mobility, follow-up potential and close-quarter lethality. In this case the semi-automatic shotgun frequently emerges as the smarter pick.
Benefits include:

• Higher throughput in chaotic fights

• Faster repositioning after each shot

• Adaptability against both human raiders and ARC-units with moderate armour
  To build for this role: attach mods improving magazine size, reload speed, and add a secondary weapon that covers mid-range engagements. Ensure your skill-tree allocates points into mobility and conditioning so you remain effective when movement is required.

Mission-Specific Considerations

Not all raids in ARC Raiders are the same. Prior to deployment, ask:

• Are we assaulting a tight indoor facility with tangled hallways? If yes, favour maximum burst power.

• Are we extracting through open zones with enemy flanks? If yes, favour mobility and follow-up capacity.

• Are we facing ARC units with heavy armour plating? If yes, pick a shotgun with better armour penetration, higher single-shot damage or mods targeting that weakness.
  This scenario-based selection helps you elevate your choice from “which shotgun is best” to “which shotgun is best for this mission and my role” in ARC Raiders.

Final Verdict: Which Shotgun Reflects Your Playstyle Best?

• For aggressive entry and sustained close-combat: the semi-automatic shotgun is the strongest contender for ARC Raiders best shotgun due to its mobility, follow-up capacity and adaptability.

• For dedicated defense, room-clearers or chokepoint specialists: the pump-action shotgun may claim the title in narrow contexts—but demands perfect positioning and team support.

• For generalist load-outs across mission types: choose flexibility, build for mobility, and ensure your shotgun supports your broader role rather than just raw numbers.
  By aligning your shotgun choice with your squad role, engagement zone and mission type, you avoid picking a “top-tier” weapon that underperforms for you. Instead, you choose a weapon that truly becomes your best in ARC Raiders.
  Ultimately, the best shotgun might not be someone’s “top DPS pick”, but your pick—the one that reliably works in your hands, your style and your extraction runs.