Call of Duty: Warzone Temporarily Disables Popular Shotgun

Call of Duty: Warzone Temporarily Deactivates the Reclaimer 18 Shotgun

The popular Reclaimer 18 shotgun in Call of Duty: Warzone has been unexpectedly disabled by developers, with no immediate explanation given. The announcement, made via official Call of Duty: Warzone social media, has ignited a flurry of speculation among players.

Warzone boasts an extensive arsenal, constantly expanding with weapons from new Call of Duty titles like Black Ops 6. This vast selection, while offering variety, presents balancing and technical challenges. Integrating weapons originally designed for games like Modern Warfare 3 can lead to imbalances or glitches within Warzone's unique environment. Developers face the ongoing task of managing new and existing content to maintain both relevance and stability.

The Reclaimer 18, a semi-automatic shotgun inspired by the SPAS-12, is the latest casualty of this ongoing balancing act. The official announcement simply stated its temporary removal "until further notice," offering no details regarding the cause or return date.

The Reclaimer 18's Sudden Removal Sparks Debate

The lack of explanation prompted immediate speculation. Some players suggest a problematic "glitched" blueprint version, potentially offering unfair advantages. Videos and images circulating online appear to showcase the weapon's unusually high lethality.

Player reactions are mixed. Many applaud the developers' proactive approach to addressing potential imbalances, suggesting a temporary removal is preferable to leaving an overpowered weapon in the game. Some players even called for a review of the JAK Devastators aftermarket parts, which allow dual-wielding of the Reclaimer 18, creating a highly effective, albeit potentially frustrating, combat style. While some players fondly remember the power of "akimbo shotgun" builds from past games, others found them overly dominant.

However, other players express disappointment, arguing the action is overdue. Since the problematic blueprint, "Inside Voices," is exclusive to a paid Tracer Pack, some see the situation as unintentional "pay-to-win" mechanics. They argue for more thorough testing before releasing such paid content.