Learn how to craft and use Shotgun Auto Turrets
If you’ve ever wished there was some way you could have more shotguns firing at enemies at once, you need to check out Shotgun Auto Turrets. There are a couple of different kinds of turrets in 7 Days to Die. This particular variant utilizes a mounted shotgun to blast enemies to pieces. All you need is a functional power grid and lots of shells.
This guide will walk you through how to craft and set up Shotgun Auto Turrets in 7 Days to Die and offer advice on how they can be used to defend your base.
How to craft Shotgun Auto Turrets in 7 Days to Die
These high-level defenses are some of the most powerful in the game and are quite hard to come by. They can rarely be found in turret bundles, but if you want to make your own, you’ll need a Workbench, at least level 50 in the Traps crafting skill, and the following components:
- 1 Motion Sensor
- 62 Forged Steel
- 4 Shotgun Parts
- 15 Oil
- 15 Scrap Polymers
The Traps crafting skill can only be improved by finding and reading copies of the Electrical Traps skill magazine.
How to set up Shotgun Auto Turrets in 7 Days to Die
Auto turrets have their own unique interaction screen that may be confusing to those unfamiliar with it. To help simplify this interaction, we will briefly run through the basics of how this screen works.
1. Ammo
Shotgun Auto Turrets use shotgun shells and can hold up to three stacks of them at a time. Auto Turrets will only accept standard ammo and will not fire specialized ammunition such as armor-piercing or breaching slugs.
Once your turret is loaded, MAKE SURE that you press the “lock ammo” button. A turret will not fire until its ammo container is locked.
2. Targeting
The targeting widget allows players to adjust the settings of what their turrets will shoot at. By default, they are set to fire on zombies and strangers but can be adjusted to attack you, your allies, any combination of those four, or nothing at all.
How to use Shotgun Auto Turrets in 7 Days to Die
Now that your turrets are loaded, powered, and ready to fire, ensuring they have a good line of sight of what you want them to shoot is important. Unlike robotic turrets, auto turrets aren’t very smart, and shotgun variants have a much more limited range. Here are some tips to help make sure your turrets are as effective as they can be:
1. Vision Cones
When placing your turrets and while holding a wire tool, the vision cones of auto turrets will become visible. You want to ensure that the vision cones of your turrets are not obstructed and reach far enough to cover the area you want to be protected. It’s good practice to look at your turret’s camera preview to make certain it can see everything you want it to.
2. Protect Your Turrets
Turrets are relatively sturdy, but you still don’t want zombies ripping them apart and ruining your defenses. To protect your protectors, place them somewhere they cannot easily be reached from the ground. Auto turrets can fire through everything you can, so it’s perfectly viable to construct them behind iron bars or other barriers that bullets can pass through.
3. Kill Chutes
A particularly effective method of base defense centers around implementing kill chutes. These reinforced bottlenecks limit how many zombies can enter at a time and condense them into one place to make firearms and explosives more impactful. This is especially effective as it clusters enemies together, so no pellet is wasted.
Pros and cons of Shotgun Auto Turrets
Cons
- Auto turrets are expensive, requiring high-grade materials to craft and maintain.
- These devices consume copious amounts of ammo and must be reloaded regularly.
- This trap requires a constant flow of electricity to remain functional.
- Their vision cone is somewhat limited, requiring several turrets to cover large areas.
- Shells fired by them can damage or destroy structures.
Pros
- Shotgun Auto Turrets are extremely deadly and can easily wipe out entire hordes at close range.
- These traps make ample use of buckshot spread and are highly effective at close range and against crowds.
- Turrets can fire from raised locations and from behind permeable cover.
- These traps can be toggled on and off using devices like switches and trigger plates.
Tips and tricks for using Shotgun Auto Turrets
- Building cages around exposed turrets lets enemies get close enough to feel the blast’s full effects while preventing them from damaging the turret.
- Auto turrets work well in synergy with debilitating traps like Barbed Wire and Electric Fences.
- Shotgun turrets are excellent for cleaning enemies off your walls. Set them up behind a permeable fence and make quick work of anything on the other side.
- A shotgun turret hooked up to a trigger plate or tripwire can make an excellent ambush trap for unsuspecting players.
Final thoughts on Shotgun Auto Turrets
Nothing screams “stay off my property” like a shotgun blast. The Fun Pimps took that sentiment a step further by creating an automated shotgun. Now your defenses can chase off trespassers while you are away, grabbing loot and drinking coffee.
Looking for some other tips to help you get started in 7 Days to Die? Check out our 10 Tips for Getting Started and 7 Days to Die Beginner’s Guide.
