Sons of the Forest Shotgun Walkthrough Guide

Finding the Shotgun in SOTF

The Shotgun is one of the most powerful weapons in Sons of the Forest, capable of taking down even the toughest enemies with Buckshot at close range.

However, Shotgun ammo is scarce, so it is worth knowing how to switch ammunition types and use the right shells for each encounter. Before you can obtain the Shotgun, you’ll need to collect a few essential tools first: the Rebreather, the Zipline Rope Gun, and finally, the Shovel, which is necessary to dig up the grave where the weapon is buried.

To locate the Shotgun, open your GPS Tracker and head toward the purple GPS Locator marker in the northwestern corner of the map.

This marker highlights the grave, though it can be somewhat hidden by dense foliage. As you approach, listen for the increasing beeps from your GPS, which will help pinpoint the exact spot.

Look for a wooden cross with a red cloth tied to it, marking the burial site.

Once you’ve found the grave, equip your Shovel and start digging. After clearing the dirt, you’ll uncover a casket containing a deceased worker clutching the Shotgun.

Grab it, and you’re now armed with one of the best weapons in the game.

Unlike some other weapons, there is currently no known way to obtain the Shotgun without digging up the grave, meaning you cannot bypass the requirement for the Shovel.

NOTE: If you arrive before winter sets in, the cross may be harder to spot due to overgrown vegetation. However, after Day 10, the landscape will be covered in snow, making navigation trickier. If you’re exploring in winter, ensure you have a Torch or Lighter to stay warm.

Finding the Shotgun Rail in SOTF

The Shotgun Rail allows you to equip either the Laser Sight or Flashlight Attachment on the Shotgun. You’ll need to Combine the Shotgun Rail with your weapon before you can attach these upgrades.

There are four Shotgun Rail locations in Sons of the Forest. The easiest is at an abandoned camp in the north-western part of the island, where the Rail sits on top of a briefcase beside the tents.

A second Shotgun Rail is inside the Food and Dining Bunker. You need the Maintenance Keycard to enter. Follow the bunker through the flooded passageways until you reach the double doors, then turn left. The Shotgun Rail is on the shelf beside the VIP Keycard.

Another is inside the Entertainment Bunker. This route requires both the Maintenance Keycard and Guest Keycard. In the red-lit area, use the Guest Keycard on the locked door and continue past the laptop to find the Shotgun Rail on a desk.

The final Shotgun Rail is inside the Luxury Bunker, near the arm door. This is a late-game location because you must first progress through the Residential Bunker and use its computers to unlock access to the Luxury Bunker.

While exploring these camps, be on the lookout for additional supplies such as extra Shotgun ammo, Food Packs, and Cloth, which can be used for crafting or survival purposes.

Once attached to the Shotgun, the Shotgun Rail allows you to use either the Laser Sight or Flashlight Attachment, but only one can be equipped at a time.

Installation, removal, attachment locations, and the strengths of each option are covered in the dedicated weapon attachments guide.

With the Shotgun acquired and a Shotgun Rail ready for upgrades, you have one of the strongest close-range weapons in Sons of the Forest. Its high damage makes it especially useful against tougher mutants, although scarce ammunition means it is best saved for encounters where that firepower matters.

For more weapon locations, progression tools, bunker routes, survival systems, and walkthroughs, see our Complete Sons of the Forest Guide.