Maven Auto vs Thunder: Which shotgun is better for close combat in Fortnite Chapter 4?

There are four shotguns in the loot pool of Fortnite Chapter 4 Season 1: Maven Auto, Thunder, Combat, and The Dub. However, since the latter two have to be acquired via special means, they can't be considered standard weapons of choice.

The Maven Auto and Thunder are powerful weapons and can be used to devastating effect at close range. However, they function a bit differently. In terms of stats and how they affect the flow of combat, each shotgun is good for a specific purpose.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the opinions of the writer

---

Comparing the Maven Auto and Thunder in Fortnite Chapter 4 Season 1

The Maven Auto Shotgun, as its name implies, is a fully automatic weapon. As long as the trigger is held down, it will shoot until all slugs in the magazine have been exhausted. Since there are six shots per magazine, any foe facing down the barrel of this gun will meet an untimely end.

What makes this weapon even deadlier is the fact that unlike most traditional shotguns in Fortnite, it also inflicts decent damage at mid-range. In desperate situations, players can use it as a sort of SMG to keep opponents at bay.

Although the weapon's DPS is nearly double that of the Thunder Shotgun, its damage threshold is a bit lower in comparison. However, what it lacks in raw firepower, it makes up for in fire rate.

While the Maven Auto Shotgun seems like a clear winner, the Thunder Shotgun is not a pushover in combat. Since it fires two slugs at once, it can deal up to 92 damage per shot. With a magazine size of eight slugs, players can shoot four times in total before having to reload.

Having said that, with a low fire rate, the time spent between each shot will have to be planned out extremely well to avoid being counter-attacked.

Given that the Thunder Shotgun deals more damage in Fortnite Chapter 4 Season 1, it comes as no surprise that the maximum damage threshold for critical hits is 195. Players using this weapon can easily one-hit opponents that have low HP. Although the Maven Auto Shotgun performs fairly decently, it's not as powerful.

In short, the Maven Auto Shotgun is good for spam attacks, while the Thunder Shotgun is the perfect weapon for calculated and timed shots. Depending on the situation and type of terrain the player finds themselves in, one shotgun is bound to be better than the other in Fortnite.

Stats showcasing the fundamental difference between the Mave Auto and Thunder Shotgun

Stats	Maven Auto Shotgun	Thunder Shotgun
DPS	107.8	69.92
Damage	77	92
Magazine Size	6	8
Fire Rate	1.4	0.76
Reload Time	5.78s	5.8s
Structure Damage	36	50
Headshot Multiplier	1.75x	1.85x
Maximum Damage	120-140	170-195

---

Maven Auto Shotgun is a better choice for close-range combat

The Maven Auto Shotgun is a better choice for close-range combat in Fortnite. With the ability to spam attacks and shoot six times in mere seconds before having to reload, it's the perfect weapon for casual players and beginners. As mentioned earlier, what it lacks in firepower, it makes up for in speed.

Since most players will not be looking to or be capable of landing headshots to end fights quickly, spamming attacks will allow them to deal sustained damage to their opponents. With a bit of luck and a decent amount of combat skills, players will be able to defeat enemies with ease.