PUBG Mobile 4.1 launched November 6, 2025; global rollout ends November 12, 2025. Nerfs DBS/S12K by 10-20% pellet damage at/beyond point-blank. Meta shifts to Vector (574 DPS, 25% pro usage) and UMP45 (40% pro). SMG training boosts hybrid win rates +15%.
PUBG Mobile 4.1 Shotgun Nerf: The Quick Rundown
What's Getting Nerfed, Exactly?
Krafton slashed pellet damage by 10-20% on DBS, S12K, S686, S1897, M1014, and NS2000—starting right at point-blank and worse beyond. Before? DBS, S686, and S1897 cranked 26 damage per pellet (9 pellets, 234 max). S12K sat at 24 per pellet (216 max). Now? DBS and S686 drop to 20.8-23.4; S12K to 19.2-21.6. DPS plummets 200-300 points, turning them unreliable. Hop into training mode, test 0-10m, clock those TTKs against SMGs. Stick 'em to interiors only.
Patch Notes That Matter
Early access hit Vietnam and Korea on November 5—grab those 3,000 BP and 100 AG rewards while you can. Shotguns? B-tier at best, skip 'em unless it's an early S686 or S1897. 85% of pro teams ditched them outright; 80% of final circles run AR+DMR hybrids. Dive into the full patch notes, snag rewards, pivot to hybrids.
Why the Big Nerf Now?
It clamps down on that pellet RNG mess past point-blank. Pairs nasty with AR nerfs of 10-15% over 100m. Pros? Their win rates jumped 15% without shotguns—shotgun pick rate's under 10%, while M416 hogs 85%. Focus your game on 25-150m AR work, flank hard with 0-50m SMGs. Peek at pro streams; they're gold.
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DBS Shotgun: Deep Dive on the Changes
Before the Nerf—What Made It Beastly
DBS, that airdrop double-barrel monster: 26 per pellet (234 max point-blank). Shredded 0-10m TTKs. Gear up the duckbill (20% spread reduction), slap on slugs under 10m for recall value.
Aftermath: Damage, Fire Rate, Range Reality Check
Pellets tank 10-20% to 20.8-23.4. Can't hang with Vector's 574 DPS anymore—effective DPS craters after spread kicks in. Slugs indoors under 10m? Sure. Quick-swap to an SMG. Open 0-50m? Hard pass.
Burst Potential? Gutted.
Unreliable past point-blank. B-tier or bench it—under 10% pro loadouts. Drill SMG bursts 10-15 minutes daily, nail 70% accuracy at 50m, gyro sens at 300%. (Pro tip from the edit desk: I skipped this once; got smoked.)
S12K Shotgun: The Tweaks That Hurt
Core Stats Taking the Hit
S12K semi-auto star: 24 per pellet pre-nerf (216 max), now 19.2-21.6 after 10-20%. SMGs laugh it off. Slugs under 10m, buildings only—swap to UMP45 by 50m.
How Attachments Fare Now
Duckbill's still okay but weakened; extended mag? Meh, TTK lags Vector by 0.5s under 50m. Test those slugs, chase compensators on backups. Don't lean in.
Reload and Movement? Unchanged, But...
No tweaks here, but pros dumped it for SMG speed (40% Westerners on UMP45). Quick-swap drills, ADS no-scope sens 100-120%, 15-20 min tracking sessions.
Close-Range Meta Overhaul: Shotguns Out, SMGs In
Goodbye Dominance, Hello SMG Reign
0-50m fights? Vector, UMP45, AR hybrids rule. 85% pros ghost shotguns; hybrid wins up 15%, 80% finals AR+DMR. Flank with SMGs, AR burst 25-150m. No more shotgun rushes.
TTK Breakdowns in the Trenches
Vector's 574 DPS (31 dmg, 0.054s fire rate) smokes nerfed DBS/S12K. UMP45 suppressed to 50m, Vector TTK under 0.5s <50m. Run Vector with ext QD mag (33 rounds), compensator—25% pro sens setup.
Erangel, Livik, and Map Vibes
Tight POIs? DBS/S12K situational. Open areas? SMGs all day, +28% loot efficiency, 90% pros M416+Kar98k. Hold buildings with slugs, flank Vector-style, hybrid for circles.
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DBS vs S12K: Before and After Face-Off
Pre-Nerf: DBS 26/pellet (234 max), rapid double-tap; S12K 24/pellet (216), semi-auto grind.
Post-Nerf: 10-20% slash; DBS edges burst (airdrop rarity), S12K for velocity <10m.
Real Talk Usage: B-tier early game; ranked? Nah. Vector/UMP45 at 25-40% pro vs. shotguns <10%.
DBS for buildings, S12K slugs niche—default to SMGs.
Top Shotgun Swaps for 4.1
SMG Kings: UMP45, Vector
Vector: 574 DPS, ext mag 33 rounds, 25% Asian pro staple. UMP45: 40% Western pick, suppressor to 50m, +25% tracking edge. Vector gets compensator/ext QD; UMP suppressor. Sens 100-120%.
ARs That Close Gaps
FAMAS: 25-35 ext mags, compensator+quickdraw. M416 (85% pro, 482 DPS) + DMR (+60% punch). FAMAS CQC bursts, M416 hybrids, 70% hit sprays at 50m.
Loadout Blueprint
Primary: Vector/UMP45 0-50m.
Secondary: M416 + Kar98k.
Ditch: Shotgun carries; +15% wins await.
Prioritize SMG loot, building swaps, 3-7 day grind.
Adapting Your Game: New Meta Survival Guide
CQC Reposition in Steps
1) SMG lead. 2) AR for 25-150m angles. 3) Slugs <10m max. Pros nailed it in 3-7 days.
Pitfalls Pros Dodge
Spraying pellets past point-blank. No hybrid swaps. Skipping SMG sens (gyro 300%). 80% circles are hybrids. 10-15 min daily bursts on movers—+25% hits, 2-3 weeks to rewire.
Drills That Stick
50m Vector sprays (aim 70% hits), in-game tester, +28% POI loot. 15 min tracking, copy pro sens, eye PMGC data. (Editor's take: This routine saved my ranked climb—feels obvious now.)
Pros Weigh In: Reactions and Real Matches
Esports Shake-Up
Shotgun loadouts <10%; SMGs 25-40%, Team Secret/NOVA 90% shotgun-free, +60% DMR flex. Copy M416+Kar98k, kill the crutch.
Streamer Shifts
Top dogs flipped to Vector/UMP45, +15% wins—Asian pros 25% Vector. Watch, steal sens, adapt.
Ranked Stats Don't Lie
Hybrids +15%; shotguns niche, 80% finals. Track your numbers, tweak daily.
FAQ: Shotgun Nerf Fast Facts
Is DBS Still Top Tier?
No, B-tier situational post-10-20% nerf; <10m slugs only.
S12K Nerf Severity?
High CQC; 24 to 19.2-21.6/pellet; switch Vector 574 DPS.
How to Test Changes Yourself?
Training: pre/post TTK 0-50m, slugs, note spread.
Best Alternatives to DBS/S12K?
Vector (25% pro, ext mag), UMP45 (40% pro, suppressor).
Impact on Close-Range Fights?
SMG bursts; +15% hybrid wins, 85% pros drop shotguns.
When Did 4.1 Go Live?
November 6, 2025; global November 12.