The SG‑97 Sweeper shotgun is rapidly becoming the new king of close‑quarters combat in Helldivers 2, so much so that many players argue classic shotguns like the M90A and other legacy shotguns are stuck in its long shadow. With its slam‑fire‑style “Super Shot” and generous 7‑round capacity, the SG‑97 Sweeper is already outclassing older shotguns in pure stopping power and versatility, fueling calls for Arrowhead to rebalance—or buff—the older options. If you are browsing helldivers 2 all shop items and do not want to wait for rotations, gamers often suggest U4GM as a convenient third-party marketplace.

Why the SG‑97 Sweeper Is Overperforming
The SG‑97 Sweeper brings a high‑damage buckshot pattern, medium armor penetration, and a deliberate fire‑rate‑by‑design that makes it feel meaty and punishing in close‑range pushes. Paired with armor passives like Reinforced Epaulettes or Fortified, players report clearing Terminid hordes and holding choke‑points with far more efficiency than older shotguns allow. That combination of raw power and predictable performance has many Helldivers treating the SG‑97 Sweeper as the “default” shotgun meta pick, even in solo play.

How Old Shotguns Are Being Left Behind
Classic shotguns in Helldivers 2—such as the M90A and other early‑game options—were once solid workhorses, but the current wave of new and heavily optimized weapons has made them feel underwhelming. Damage‑per‑shot, spread profile, and lack of armor penetration are common complaints, especially when stacked against the SG‑97 Sweeper’s cleaner handling and higher burst potential. Some players explicitly ask: “Would it be bad to revert shotgun nerfs and buff the weaker ones?”—highlighting frustration that older shotguns are no longer viable without feeling like a downgrade.

Community Demands for Shotgun Buffs
The dominant status of the SG‑97 Sweeper has amplified long‑running debates about Helldivers 2’s weapon balance. Community‑driven balance lists and Reddit threads have called for:

- Flat damage increases for weaker shotguns such as the M90A.

- Slight armor‑penetration upgrades or better recoil control to keep older shotguns relevant in the same roles.

- More frequent, clearly documented balance passes that don’t just nerf existing strong options but also uplift the rest of the arsenal.

Many fans argue that a healthy shotgun meta doesn’t mean banning the SG‑97 Sweeper, but rather ensuring other shotguns have a clear niche and can still feel competitive in the current meta.

What Arrowhead Could Do Next
To keep shotgun diversity alive, players expect Arrowhead to consider differentiated roles: let the SG‑97 Sweeper remain the high‑impact, slam‑fire powerhouse while giving classic shotguns better base stats, spread, or synergy with specific armor passives. Small precision buffs—like extra per‑shot damage or slightly improved handling—could make older shotguns feel viable without breaking the SG‑97 Sweeper’s positioning.

If Arrowhead ignores these concerns, the SG‑97 Sweeper may continue to dominate while older shotguns fade into “situational” or “nostalgic” choices, which runs counter to the game’s emphasis on variety and player freedom.