As a long-time professional gamer and Resident Evil guide writer, I‘ve used the powerful W-870 shotgun to smash through hordes of ganados. Once fully upgraded, no other gun can match its raw stopping power up close.
Claiming the W-870 Early On
You can grab the W-870 extremely early in RE4 remake inside a house near the Village Square. Compared to your weak starting handgun, it provides a massive power spike.
I always rush straight here before encountering enemies. Stealth right up to the house entrance then sprint inside. There are often 1-2 ganados roaming the streets who will storm the house, so immediately run upstairs once inside. Smash the display case to grab the W-870 then loot ammo from the side table.
With the shotgun in hand, quickly blast any pursuers coming up the stairs or out the windows. Be ready to switch to your knife if they make it too close.
Compared to other weapons available this early:
Pros
- Much higher damage
- Fast reload speed
- Abundant ammo from dead enemies
Cons
- Slow rate of fire
- Very short effective range
The raw stopping power more than makes up for any shortcomings when used properly.
Upgrade Path
Fully tuning the W-870‘s stats transforms it into a devastating room-clearing weapon viable even in later areas. Here‘s a detailed look at each attribute per upgrade level:
| Level | Power | Ammo Capacity | Reload Speed | Fire Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5.6 | 5 shells | 0.6 sec | 0.45 sec | – |
| 2 | +15% (6.72) | +1 (6) | +100% (1.2 sec) | +13% (0.51 sec) | 3,000 PTAS |
| 3 | +16% (7.84) | +1 (7) | +50% (1.8 sec) | +10% (0.56 sec) | 6,000 PTAS |
| 4 | +14% (8.96) | +1 (8) | +33% (2.4 sec) | +13% (0.63 sec) | 9,000 PTAS |
| 5 | +13% (10.1) | +2 (10) | +25% (3.0 sec) | +35% (0.85 sec) | 12,000 PTAS |
- The Level 4 and 5 damage bonuses may seem small but provide huge boosts – capable of 1-shot killing enemies that previously required 2-3 hits.
- Reload speed slows significantly when upgrading but remains very solid. Faster than all other shotguns.
- Fire rate is the W-870‘s biggest weakness, making Level 5‘s 35% gain extremely valuable.
My Priority Upgrade Order
- Level 2
- Level 3
- Level 4
- Level 2 Fire Rate
- Max everything out
Total cost = 30,000 PTAS which is easily affordable. I don‘t recommend only upgrading partially – the W-870 needs to be fully maxed for endgame.
Compared to the other shotguns, a tuned W-870 has:
- Much higher damage than Semi-Auto Shotgun, Striker Shotgun
- Faster reload than Striker
- More ammo capacity than Striker
- Better handling and rate of fire than Riot Gun
No other shotgun balances power, speed and ammo so perfectly.
Demolishing Enemies
As a pro player, I‘ve developed specialized tactics to get the most out of the W-870 against various foes. Here are the best uses:
Villagers/Cultists
Aim upper torso for a 1-hit kill. Lesser armored enemies get shredded easily so don‘t be shy blasting groups. I charge right into crowds, firing and popping shells. Use Phase 3 upgraded Striker as backup for quicker bursts.
Chainsaw Ganados
Bait them to sprint at you then blast the leg to incapacitate. Quickly circle for a finisher headshot before they recover. If no obstacles nearby, use machine gun fire to occupy as you retreat.
Colmilladors
These wolves are fast and attack in packs – risky for the W-870. Instead, snipe from afar with Blacktail or TMP. I save W-870 ammo unless cornered, then aim for upper body shots.
Regenerators
Almost useless – switch to your high-powered magnum immediately. Explosive crossbow bolts also work very well. You‘ll waste tons of shells trying to kill these with your shotgun!
Bosses
Don‘t bother – the W-870 lacks the range and sustained DPS for bosses. However, it‘s excellent for quickly clearing adds summoned during boss fights to better focus fire. The wide spread is perfect for cleaning up stray enemies.
Final Verdict: All RE4 Players Should Grab This Shotgun
The W-870 available almost right away in Resident Evil 4 Remake offers new and veteran players alike a powerful option to brutally cut down ganados. Smart upgrading takes it to top-tier status in both damage and speed. While more advanced weapons come later, mastering this shotgun early on makes the campaign markedly easier. No other gun quite compares in completely shredding groups at close range.
The simple ethos for success with the W-870 shotgun: Get close and aim for the chest!
