XM1014 Tactics

As with the M3, aiming for the head is usually the best tactic.
Be careful of how you aim this weapon. Due to the high recoil and considerable pellet spread, you may miss your target(s) and thus leaving you vulnerable to counter-attack. To be sure, aim low (preferably at the chest) and you may score a headshot. However, be aware of the high spread of the pellets so it may be more suitable to aim at the stomach or the chest of targets.


If at close or medium quarters, empty your entire magazine on the enemy.
At long range, switch to any other weapon besides the M4. However, remember that shotgun pellets in Valve games have longer ranges than would be expected in other FPS games, so this weapon's effective range is much greater than would be expected.


It may not be as powerful as its pump-action counterparts, but an XM1014 user can afford to fire two or three shots on one enemy. You can use up to 7 rounds if you run into bunched up enemies at close ranges.


Be warned that firing the XM1014 at full auto is very inaccurate. Sometimes, you cannot kill a single enemy even when expelling 7 shots. The trick to use XM1014 is by firing it in bursts which can kill a single enemy with just 1 ~ 2 shots.


Although the XM1014 has a high rate of fire, it is not always wise to engage multiple enemies on your own, especially if they are fanned out.


Always reload after the fight because this weapon can empty its magazine in seconds. You may need more than one round to kill an enemy target, especially in Global Offensive.


In Global Offensive, the XM1014 is best used as a support weapon, as it has lower firepower than its previous versions. Dueling with a group of enemy players alone can be dangerous.


If you sneak behind someone and they don't see you, it takes one blast in the head to down them. Headshots at close proximity with the XM1014 is almost always lethal. This only works in older games or when the enemy has a lower health.


In CS:GO, if you do want to sneak around the enemy team, its recommended you do it in small maps, also, pack a pistol that works for you in case the enemy is out of the effective range of XM1014.


Avoid holding down the the trigger to fire continuously, as it will be really inaccurate.


Switch to a pistol if encountering enemies at long range since the high pellet spread will make the XM1014 very inaccurate. If your pistol is less effective to counter an enemy at long range, retreat to a safe spot. You can either wait for them to come to you or find an alternate route.