Call of Duty: Warzone disables reclaimer 18 shotgun

Many have urged the developers to revisit the balancing of this weapon to ensure a smoother gameplay
An undated image of  Call of Duty: Warzone characters. — IGN
An undated image of  Call of Duty: Warzone characters. — IGN

Call of Duty: Warzone has temporarily disabled the Reclaimer 18 shotgun. The announcement came through the game’s official social media accounts, but no detailed reason was provided.

Players suspect the shotgun’s removal is linked to issues with its "Inside Voices" blueprint, many shared clips and screenshots showing the weapon’s unusually high damage, sparking rumours of a glitch. 

Some players welcomed the move, agreeing it was necessary to maintain fairness in the game, while others voiced frustration over the delay.

Call of Duty's powerful yet controversial shotgun

The Reclaimer 18 shotgun is popular among players for its power and versatility. However, the introduction of JAK Devastator parts, allowing dual-wielding, made it extremely powerful at close range. 

This setup reminded some players of older “akimbo shotgun” builds, which were both nostalgic and controversial. Many have urged developers to revisit balancing this weapon to ensure a smoother gameplay experience.

Call of Duty players divided over the shotgun’s removal

Some fans criticised the timing of the decision, especially since the glitched blueprint was part of a paid Tracer Pack. They argued that the problem turned into a "pay-to-win" situation, which could have been avoided with more testing before the pack's release.

The Reclaimer 18’s temporary removal reflects the ongoing challenge developers face in balancing Warzone’s extensive weapon arsenal. With new weapons added regularly, ensuring fair gameplay remains a priority. Players hope for a quick fix and better testing processes for future updates.