Decoding the Broken Shotgun in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

The Broken Shotgun in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is a key consumable item that, on its own, is unusable as a weapon. However, its true purpose lies in its potential for transformation. By combining it with a Repair Kit, the Broken Shotgun can be converted into the significantly more powerful M21 Shotgun. Alternatively, it serves as a crucial element in a clever puzzle within the game’s Main Hall, allowing players to strategically swap it for the M37 Shotgun initially on display. This swap prevents a trap from being triggered, granting early access to a vital weapon.

The Twofold Purpose of the Broken Shotgun

The Broken Shotgun’s value manifests in two distinct yet interconnected ways:

• Weapon Upgrade: Repairing the Broken Shotgun is the most direct and rewarding use. The M21 Shotgun it creates is a double-barreled powerhouse, delivering significantly higher damage per shot than the standard M37 Shotgun. While its two-round capacity necessitates more frequent reloading, its increased stopping power and tighter spread make it invaluable against the horrors lurking within the Baker estate.

• Puzzle Solution: In the Main Hall, the initial M37 Shotgun is protected by a pressure-sensitive trap. Removing it causes the ceiling to descend, potentially leading to a quick and gruesome death. However, swapping the M37 with the Broken Shotgun circumvents this deadly mechanism, allowing players to safely acquire the working shotgun early in the game. This strategic maneuver is essential for survival, especially on higher difficulty settings.

Obtaining the Broken Shotgun

The Broken Shotgun isn’t simply handed to you. It requires some exploration.

• The Attic and the Model Shotgun: To acquire the Broken Shotgun, you’ll need to locate the Model Shotgun within the Main House Attic. Once you have the model, return to the Main Hall.

• The Shotgun Room Puzzle: In the Shotgun Room within the Main Hall, you’ll find the M37 Shotgun secured to the wall. Interact with it to initiate the trap. Place the Model Shotgun in the vacant space. This will reset the trap and allow you to take the M37 Shotgun.

• Retrieving the Broken Shotgun: Now, you need to retrieve the Broken Shotgun. Return to the Shotgun Room and swap the Model Shotgun for the Broken Shotgun.

Repairing the Broken Shotgun

Once you possess the Broken Shotgun, finding a Repair Kit is paramount. Repair Kits are scarce resources, so use them wisely.

• Locating Repair Kits: There are only two Repair Kits available in the game. One is located outside the Main House, and the other is found within the Testing Area.

• The Repair Process: Open your inventory and combine the Repair Kit with the Broken Shotgun. This will instantly transform it into the formidable M21 Shotgun.

Strategic Considerations

Deciding when and how to utilize the Broken Shotgun is a crucial strategic element of Resident Evil 7.

• Early Power vs. Puzzle Solution: Players must weigh the immediate advantage of acquiring the M37 Shotgun early against the long-term benefits of crafting the M21 Shotgun. If you’re confident in your combat abilities, solving the puzzle first might be preferable. However, if you’re struggling with early encounters, the increased firepower of the M21 might be worth prioritizing.

• Repair Kit Management: Since Repair Kits are limited, you must also consider the Broken Handgun. Repairing it yields the M19 Handgun, a reliable sidearm. Weigh your weapon preferences and ammunition availability before committing a Repair Kit to either the shotgun or the handgun.

The M21 Shotgun: A Force to Be Reckoned With

The M21 Shotgun is a significant upgrade over the starting M37. Its key advantages include:

• Higher Damage Output: Each shot deals substantially more damage, making it more effective against stronger enemies.

• Improved Knockback: The M21’s powerful kick can stagger or knock down enemies more reliably, creating valuable breathing room during intense encounters.

• Tighter Spread: The tighter pellet spread ensures more consistent damage at longer ranges.

However, its drawbacks include:

• Two-Round Capacity: The need for frequent reloads can be a disadvantage in fast-paced combat situations.

• Ammunition Consumption: Shotgun ammo is generally scarcer than handgun ammo, requiring careful resource management.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the Broken Shotgun better than the Broken Handgun in RE7?

The “better” choice depends on your playstyle and resource management. The Broken Shotgun, when repaired, becomes the powerful M21, ideal for dispatching tough enemies quickly. The Broken Handgun, once repaired, yields the M19, a reliable and ammo-efficient sidearm. If you prefer a more powerful option against strong foes, choose the shotgun. If you value ammo conservation and a consistent weapon, go for the handgun.

2. Where can I find the Broken Shotgun in Resident Evil 7?

The Broken Shotgun is not directly found. You obtain it by first acquiring the Model Shotgun from the Main House Attic, then using it to replace the working M37 Shotgun in the Shotgun Room of the Main Hall. Once you take the M37, you can then swap the Model Shotgun for the Broken Shotgun.

3. What is the point of the Model Shotgun in RE7?

The Model Shotgun serves as a key to solving the trap puzzle in the Shotgun Room. It acts as a substitute for the working M37 Shotgun, allowing players to remove the real shotgun without triggering the falling ceiling.

4. How many Repair Kits are there in Resident Evil 7?

There are only two Repair Kits in Resident Evil 7. They are precious resources, so choose wisely which broken weapon to repair.

5. Should I fix the Broken Handgun or the Broken Shotgun first?

This depends on your playstyle. The M21 Shotgun offers significantly more stopping power, while the M19 Handgun is more ammo-efficient. Assess your current needs and resource availability. If you’re struggling with tougher enemies, prioritize the shotgun. If you’re low on handgun ammo, the handgun might be a better choice.

6. What is the strongest shotgun in Resident Evil 7?

While the game features other shotguns, like the enhanced M37, the M21 Shotgun you get from repairing the Broken Shotgun is arguably the strongest early-game shotgun, known for its high damage and tight spread. The Albert-01R (unlocked later) is also a very powerful contender.

7. Can you keep both shotguns in Resident Evil 7?

Yes, by using the Model Shotgun to solve the Shotgun Room puzzle, you can initially obtain the M37 Shotgun. Then, you can obtain the Broken Shotgun and eventually repair it into the M21 Shotgun, effectively having two shotguns.

8. Is shotgun ammo craftable in Resident Evil 7?

No, shotgun shells cannot be crafted in Resident Evil 7. You must find them throughout the game. This makes ammo conservation even more critical.

9. What is the best weapon in Resident Evil 7?

The .44 MAG, or Magnum, is considered the most powerful weapon in Resident Evil 7 due to its exceptional damage output. However, its ammunition is scarce and usually reserved for special encounters.

10. Does difficulty affect the Broken Shotgun’s usefulness?

Yes. On higher difficulties, such as Madhouse, the increased enemy health and damage output make the M21 Shotgun even more valuable for quickly dispatching threats.

11. Is the Broken Shotgun useful in “Not a Hero” DLC?

The context of the question here is from other games, and not necessarily from the “Not a Hero” DLC. Therefore, this question is irrelevant.

12. What happens if I don’t replace the Shotgun in the Main Hall?

If you take the M37 Shotgun from the wall without replacing it with the Model Shotgun or the Broken Shotgun, the ceiling trap will activate, potentially killing you instantly.

13. What is the difference between the M37 and the M21 shotguns?

The M37 is a pump-action shotgun with a larger magazine capacity but lower damage per shot. The M21 is a double-barreled shotgun with higher damage per shot but a smaller two-round capacity and thus requires more frequent reloads.

14. Can I sell the Broken Shotgun?

No, the Broken Shotgun cannot be sold. Its only purpose is to be repaired into the M21 Shotgun or used to solve the Main Hall puzzle.

15. Is there a way to get infinite ammo for the M21 Shotgun?

Yes, by completing the Madhouse difficulty, you unlock the Infinite Ammo item, which, when placed in your inventory, grants infinite ammo to all your weapons, including the M21 Shotgun.

Conclusion

The Broken Shotgun in Resident Evil 7 is more than just a broken weapon. It represents a strategic choice, a puzzle-solving tool, and a pathway to acquiring a significant advantage in a terrifying world. Understanding its purpose and potential is key to surviving the horrors of the Baker estate. To learn more about the intersection of games and learning, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.