Ideally, I would use AA12 and HS. AA12 for the speed and HS alt fire for the power. Some people say regular shotty is faster and can fire during reload vs the AA12, but I just sacrifice a few shots to get 20 more before the skrakes or fp's get me.
Became a aa12 + Hunting Shotgun support specialist. After all, you need as much firepower as possible when playin Hell on Earth =p
Maybe it's my play style but I rarely ever run out of ammo even though I usually end killing the most zed in each round.AA12 + Hunting Shotty is nice but the lack of ammo is even bigger problem on HoE so Id rather pick the regular shotgun over AA12 to conserve ammo.
Unless you relied on your team to take out all random trash and save your big guns for the big guys and crowds.
Maybe it's my play style but I rarely ever run out of ammo even though I usually end killing the most zed in each round.
I always aim for the head and I try to line up as many zed as possible before I fire.
the AA12 just because there are so many zed on six man suicidal games that sometimes I just don't have time to reload the PS fast enough to keep up with those horrible spiders.
So therefore I always carry AA12 + Hunting Shotgun. And since i'm lvl 6 and have room for 24 kg, I can carry katana aswell.. Just in case..
I use HS as my main weapon. AA12 when:
1) All my ammo is gone for HS
2) The situation gets too hairy to handle for the HS due to the reloading time
3) Facing bigger zeds as FP and scrake...
Interestingly enough, I use the AA12 as my main weapon and the HS as my backup, but I follow the same thought process. I just went through a Hard game in Bedlam the other night, with the team mostly camping out in the L hallway near the main entrance. I covered the short hall leading to the main entrance with help from a firebug, and the AA12 held out ammo-wise (with strategic reloads) and the HS was there for when a huge crowd tried to squeeze in or if I had to give a Scrake a welcome home.
When I see a scrake I always start with HS and then I switch to AA12, cuz it normally rages right after. The same with FP.
...With Scrakes, I'll use AA12 until it charges, then unload the double barrel to knock it down. That's pretty reliable...
The Hunting Shotgun is far more effective at CC than the AA-12.