Resident Evil 4 Remake: Skull Shaker vs W-870 Shotguns Comparison
As a survival horror expert whose completed Resident Evil games on the hardest settings, few things bring me more satisfaction than blasting apart hordes of ganados with a powerful shotgun.
In Resident Evil 4 Remake, two of the most formidable shotguns vying for a spot in your arsenal are the Skull Shaker and W-870. Both can quickly thin out groups with their incredible stopping power. But they actually cater to different styles of play.
In this Resident Evil 4 Remake Skull Shaker vs. W-870 comparison, we go over the main differences between the two weapons to help you decide which shotgun best fits your playstyle and priorities.
Overview of the Skull Shaker and W-870
First, let‘s quickly recap what each shotgun brings to the table:
- Skull Shaker – Faster fire rate and reload speed, less ammo capacity. Exclusive to the Deluxe Edition or can be purchased separately. Features the iconic "Terminator Reload" animation.
- W-870 – Available from the start. Higher damage per shot and ammo capacity, but lower fire rate.
So in simple terms:
- The Skull Shaker is optimized for speed and handling huge mobs quickly
- While the W-870 trades rate of fire for more powerful individual shells
Below we’ll analyze their capabilities across various attributes to showcase their differences clearly.
Damage Output: W-870 Brings More Raw Power
When it comes to sheer stopping power, the W-870 outclasses the Skull Shaker:
- +30% damage per bullet at base levels
- +10% damage when fully upgraded
I always prioritize weapons with higher damage output as one-shot-kills conserve precious ammo. And the W-870 has proven extremely reliable for dropping ganados quickly with clean headshots.
Meanwhile, the Skull Shaker’s strength lies in its volume of fire over raw damage per shell. We’ll analyze that next.
Skull Shaker vs W-870 – Damage Per Shot
| Shotgun | Damage (Level 1) | Damage (Max) |
|---|---|---|
| Skull Shaker | 4.4 | 9.1 |
| W-870 | 5.8 | 10.1 |
Firing Speed: Skull Shaker Wins in Rate of Fire
While the W-870 hits harder, the Skull Shaker can pump out more total damage by firing shots rapidly:
- +13% faster firing rate in base form
- +9% faster when fully upgraded
I tend to use the Skull Shaker against large mobs or enemies with multiple weak points. By unloading rounds quickly, I can stagger and disrupt challenging foes.
Meanwhile, the W-870 rewards patience and precision – each blast needs to count! Prioritize high value, armor cracked, or stunned targets.
Reload Speed Comparison
Nothing leaves you more vulnerable than a shotgun running empty! Let‘s examine their reload speeds:
- Initially both only insert 1 shell at a time
- The W-870 reaches 5 shells per reload
- But the Skull Shaker tops out at 6 shells at once!
If you‘ve mastered the risk-reward of firing both barrels rapidly, the Skull Shaker keeps the lead launching action going with quicker reloads.
Ammo Capacity – W-870 Can Carry More Shots
However, reloading less often is also valuable. In terms of raw ammo capacity before needing to pump more shells:
- The W-870 starts with 5 shells
- Expanding to an excellent 10 shells when fully upgraded
- Meanwhile the Skull Shaker begins with just 2 shells, up to 6 max
I tend to run out of ammo too quickly with just the Skull Shaker equipped. So I pair it with a reliable magnum like the Handcannon to eliminate singular threats.
But if you diligently make every shell count, the W-870 provides plenty of sustain between resupplies.
Skull Shaker vs W-870 Ammo Capacity
| Skull Shaker | W-870 | |
|---|---|---|
| Base Ammo Capacity | 2 shells | 5 shells |
| Maximum Ammo Capacity | 6 shells | 10 shells |
Shared Exclusive Upgrade – 2X Power!
Fortunately both shotguns can unlock the exact same special upgrade by:
- Fully upgrading either shotgun first
- Then paying 80k Pesetas to the Merchant
This upgrade doubles the weapon‘s damage output – turning both into absolute monsters! The W-870 can nearly kill elite enemies in one blast.
And I love running the Skull Shaker with 2X power active – the high rate of fire lets me mow down groups before they can even react.
So regardless of your pick, don‘t neglect grabbing this incredible upgrade! It‘s expensive but oh so satisfying…
The Skull Shaker‘s Stylish Terminator Reload
A purely cosmetic perk of the Skull Shaker is its unique Terminator inspired reload animation. Leon will spin the shotgun in one hand before pumping it, looking like a total badass reloading just like Arnold Schwarzenegger in T2.
While this doesn‘t directly improve performance, successfully pulling off the cool reload gives a nice sense of flair and satisfaction for upgrading the weapon fully.
How to Acquire Each Shotgun
Their different acquisition methods also weigh on your decision:
-
You can claim the reliable W-870 right away in Chapter 1-1 inside a village house
-
Obtaining the Skull Shaker requires:
- Buying Resident Evil 4 Remake Deluxe Edition
- Getting the Trauma Pack DLC
- Or paying $1.99 for the Skull Shaker itself
So the W-870 has that going for it – a powerful shotgun available from the very start for free! Hard to argue with that value.
But the Skull Shaker is a fine upgrade for later with some money to spare, especially if you desire faster handling.
Key Differences Summary
Before choosing, let‘s summarize the core advantages of each contender:
| Skull Shaker | W-870 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | Less per shot | More damage per blast |
| Fire Rate | Faster firing speed | Slower pace between shots |
| Reload Speed | Quicker reloads when upgraded | Slower reloads |
| Ammo Capacity | Less shells per reload | More shells before empty |
| Animations | Has Terminator Reload flair | No special reload animation |
| Acquisition Difficulty | Must purchase DLC/deluxe edition | Free early game pickup |
Skull Shaker vs W-870 – Which Shotgun is Best?
Now time for the big question: Skull Shaker or W-870 – which shotgun should YOU pick?
I recommend the Skull Shaker for players who:
- Need to deal rapid damage to large mobs
- Value swift handling and reload speed
- Love stylish flair from cooler animations
- Don‘t mind spending extra cash on premium weapons
The W-870 is the best fit for those who prefer:
- Higher damage per individual shell
- Larger ammo capacities between reloads
- A free and powerful early game shotgun
- Slow and steady over rapid spraying
Personally, I rely heavily on the W-870 during opening areas when ammo capacity matters more early on. It hits brutally hard right out the gate and serves me well for precise shots.
But by mid-game, adding the Skull Shaker covers my weakness in crowd control against ganado hordes. Alternating between both weapons makes me nigh unstoppable!
The pair complement each other beautifully – so my ultimate advice is to grab both once you have the funds to upgrade them fully. You won‘t regret it!
Any Other Questions?
Do you have any other questions about comparing Resident Evil 4 Remake‘s shotguns that I didn‘t cover? Hit reply and I‘d be happy to provide additional details from my extensive experience using both the Skull Shaker and W-870 shotties!
Stay locked and loaded out there my shotgun amigos!
