How To Get Tactical Shotgun 99 Nights Forest (March 2026) Ultimate Guide

Updated by Shruti Agarwal
January 9, 2026
RobloxGaming

Looking to dominate the forest with the most powerful close-range weapon in 99 Nights? The Tactical Shotgun is an S-tier weapon that can turn the tide of any battle, but obtaining it requires strategy, preparation, and a bit of luck. As someone who has spent countless hours exploring every corner of this mysterious forest, I’m here to share everything you need to know about acquiring and mastering this devastating weapon.

Quick Overview: Tactical Shotgun at a Glance

Feature	Details
Weapon Type	Ranged (Shotgun)
Damage	Up to 150 damage (10 per pellet × 15 pellets)
Magazine Capacity	3 shells
Reload Time	5 seconds
Ammo Type	Shotgun Ammo
Rarity	Very Rare
Best Range	Close-quarters combat
Obtainment	Ruby Chests, Workshop crafting

Why the Tactical Shotgun is a Game-Changer

The Tactical Shotgun stands out as one of the most formidable weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest for several compelling reasons. When you’re facing hordes of cultists or aggressive wildlife, this weapon delivers unmatched close-range devastation. Each trigger pull unleashes 15 pellets that spread out, dealing massive damage when enemies are within optimal range.

What makes this weapon particularly special is its ability to one-shot common enemies like wolves, rabbits, and frogs with a single well-aimed blast. This efficiency becomes crucial during the later nights when enemy spawns become more aggressive and numerous.

Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining the Tactical Shotgun

Method 1: Ruby Chest Hunting (Primary Method)

Ruby Chests represent your best chance at finding the Tactical Shotgun. These rare chests feature a distinctive appearance with black, scaly textures and red trim with lock details. Here’s how to maximize your chances:

Locate Ruby Chests: These spawn primarily in the deepest parts of the forest and within the Cultist Stronghold
Be the First Opener: Once opened, Ruby Chests automatically downgrade to Gold Chests, so being the first to open is crucial
Prepare for Combat: The Cultist Stronghold requires serious preparation – stock up on healing supplies and bring reliable ranged weapons
Clear the Stronghold: This combat gauntlet resets every 20 minutes and offers the best Ruby Chest spawn rates

Method 2: Workshop Crafting

The Tactical Shotgun can also appear as a possible recipe at the Workshop. While this method requires luck, it provides a guaranteed way to obtain the weapon once the recipe appears:

Check the Workshop Regularly: Recipes rotate, so frequent visits increase your chances
Gather Required Materials: Be prepared with sufficient resources for crafting
Craft When Available: When the recipe appears, craft immediately to secure your Tactical Shotgun

Method 3: Gold Chest Drops

While less common than Ruby Chests, Gold Chests can also yield the Tactical Shotgun, though at a much lower drop rate. Focus on:

High-level areas deep in the forest
Cultist Stronghold reward rooms
End-game content areas

Essential Preparation Before Hunting

Required Resources

Before embarking on your Tactical Shotgun hunt, ensure you have:

Healing Supplies: Bandages, medical herbs, or healing items
Backup Weapons: Reliable ranged weapons for clearing the Cultist Stronghold
Ammunition: Extra ammo for your current weapons
Diamonds: For potential trading or emergency purchases

Optimal Class Selection

While any class can obtain the Tactical Shotgun, some classes have advantages:

Ranger: Starts with a Revolver, providing immediate ranged capability
Assassin: Offers both melee and ranged options from the start
Hunter: Provides Bear Traps for crowd control

Mastering the Tactical Shotgun

Understanding the Mechanics

The Tactical Shotgun fires 15 pellets per shot, with each pellet dealing 10 damage. This means:

Maximum Damage: 150 damage at point-blank range
Damage Falloff: Significant damage reduction at longer distances
Ammo Efficiency: One shell fires all 15 pellets
Spread Pattern: Wider spread at longer ranges

Combat Strategies

Close-Quarters Dominance

Position yourself within optimal range (5-10 blocks)
Use natural cover to approach enemies safely
Time your shots between enemy attacks

Reload Management

The 5-second reload time requires careful timing
Switch to secondary weapons during reload
Plan reloads during safe moments or between enemy waves

Ammo Conservation

Each Tactical Shotgun found comes with 43 ammo (3 loaded, 40 reserve)
Prioritize shots for maximum effectiveness
Use the Ammo Furnace or Ammo Crate for resupply

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Ammo Management Strategies

Biofuel Farming: Less known but effective – Biofuel works in the Ammo Furnace
Oil Drill Investment: If available, provides steady ammo production
Ammo Crate Crafting: Costs 20 Scrap per box but provides reliable resupply
Multiple Shotguns: Each new shotgun found provides additional starting ammo

Optimal Usage Scenarios

Cultist Stronghold Clearing

Perfect for dealing with cultist hordes
Multiple pellets hit grouped enemies
High damage output for quick clears

Boss Fights

Effective against larger targets
Maximum damage at close range
Combine with dodging for optimal results

Base Defense

Excellent for defending your campfire
Wide spread hits multiple attackers
High damage per shot conserves ammo

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Long-Range Engagement: The shotgun’s effectiveness drops dramatically at distance
Poor Reload Timing: Getting caught reloading during combat is often fatal
Wasting Ammo: Missing shots is costly due to ammo scarcity
Ignoring Cover: The shotgun requires close-range engagement, making positioning crucial
Solo Stronghold Attempts: The Cultist Stronghold is best tackled with a team

Weapon Comparison and Tier Context

The Tactical Shotgun ranks among the top weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest:

Weapon	Tier	Range	Damage	Rarity
Tactical Shotgun	S	Close	150	Very Rare
Flamethrower	S	Close	DoT	Rare
Laser Cannon	A	Long	High	Event
Rifle	B	Long	Medium	Common
Revolver	C	Medium	Low	Common

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Why Can’t I Find the Tactical Shotgun?

Ruby Chest Rarity: These chests are extremely rare and spawn in limited locations
Competition: Other players may be opening chests before you
Bad Luck: Drop rates are inherently low for this weapon

Is the Tactical Shotgun Worth the Effort?

Absolutely! Despite the acquisition difficulty, the Tactical Shotgun provides:

Unmatched close-range damage
Efficient ammo usage (15 pellets per shell)
Crowd control capabilities
End-game viability

What’s the Best Strategy for Consistent Acquisition?

Master the Cultist Stronghold: Learn enemy patterns and optimal routes
Team Up: Coordinate with other players to clear content faster
Regular Workshop Checks: Never miss a potential crafting opportunity
Patience and Persistence: This weapon requires dedication to obtain

Community Insights and Meta Considerations

Based on community feedback and my extensive gameplay experience, the Tactical Shotgun remains a meta-defining weapon in 2026. Its combination of high damage output and ammo efficiency makes it invaluable for:

Speed Running: Faster clear times for challenges
High-Level Survival: Essential for surviving later nights
Team Support: Provides crowd control for team strategies
PvP Scenarios: Dominates in close-quarters combat

Future-Proofing Your Investment

With regular updates to 99 Nights in the Forest (as seen in the recent Snow Melting Update and Christmas events), the Tactical Shotgun’s position in the meta remains stable. However:

Stay Updated: Follow official channels for balance changes
Diversify Your Arsenal: Don’t rely solely on one weapon
Adapt Strategies: Be prepared to adjust your playstyle as the meta evolves

Conclusion

The Tactical Shotgun represents the pinnacle of close-range combat in 99 Nights in the Forest. While obtaining it requires dedication and strategy, the payoff is immense. Whether you’re clearing the Cultist Stronghold, defending your base, or taking on the forest’s most dangerous threats, this weapon will serve you well.