Blunderbuss

The Blunderbuss is an Uncommon close-range firearm that trades precision for raw spread damage, firing a wide cone of projectiles that shreds anything unfortunate enough to be standing nearby. With 150 Pierce damage and D-rank Agility scaling, its base numbers look modest on paper, but the weapon's strength lies in its ability to hit multiple targets or guarantee damage against fast-moving enemies that would be difficult to track with a pistol or musket. In the tight corridors of shipwrecks and caves, the Blunderbuss truly comes alive.

Agility scaling means the Blunderbuss fits naturally into builds focused on speed and evasion rather than steady aim. The Marksman talent branch still provides useful bonuses such as reduced reload time and increased ranged damage, both of which help offset the Blunderbuss's lower per-pellet damage. The Marksman's Rig armor set is valuable here as well; the 15% ranged damage bonus applies to the full spread of pellets, and the 30% sprint stamina reduction lets you dash into optimal range before pulling the trigger. Getting close is essential with this weapon, so mobility upgrades are just as important as damage ones.

The best strategy with the Blunderbuss is to use it as a devastating opener at point-blank range. Sprint toward your target, activate the Take Aim! buff with a quick Cutlass strike, then swap to the Blunderbuss and fire directly into the enemy's face. At close range, most or all pellets will connect, delivering far more effective damage than the stat sheet suggests. Stone Bullets are perfectly adequate for this weapon given the high pellet count, so save your premium ammunition for muskets and pistols. The Blunderbuss is the ideal sidearm for melee-first players who want a powerful ranged burst when the opportunity presents itself.