Call of Duty Wiki:Ask A Veteran/AA-12 Guide

Callofduty4 created this guide for the AA12''

The AA12 is an automatic shotgun which debuted in Modern Warfare 2. It is very powerful, but suffers a few shortcoming, almost all of which can be overcome through use of the correct perks, attachments and tactics.

Specs
Damage - 20-15 per pellet (up to a maximum damage of 160 - 120) Rate Of Fire - 400 RPM Recoil - Medium (Low with grip) Magazine Size - 8 (16 with ex. mags)

Pros

 * Automatic
 * High Damage
 * OK range for a shotgun
 * Great for sweeping rooms full of enemies
 * Quick reload

Cons

 * Small magazine size
 * Extremely low starting ammo amount

Attachments
Red Dot Sight (2/10) - Pointless, sights are rarely used on shotguns, and if they are to be used the AA12's iron sights are more than adequate.

Silencer (2/10) - Reduces the range to that of a Commando knife lunge. Very ineffective.

Grip (6/10) - Makes the AA12 more controllable, and reduces the swap to time.

FMJ (5/10) - Allows the AA12 to actually shoot through surfaces, but still not as effective as other attachments

Holographic Sight (2/10) - Same reasoning as the RDS.

Extended Mags (10/10) - Doubles the AA12's magazine capacity. Very useful, but only one magazine is granted, and scavenger must be used to get more ammo. Still by far the best attachment.

Perks
The AA12 benefits greatly from certain perks, and less so from others. Try and use perks which benefit combat of close-range weapons in general.

Tier 1

 * Scavenger - The most useful perk to use with the AA12 if using it as a main weapon.


 * Sleight of Hand - This mitigates the low magazine capacity. If using extended mags, this perk is completely useless.


 * Marathon - Makes rushing with the AA12 easier.

Tier 2

 * Stopping Power - Makes the AA12 more effective at range, and makes one-shot kills at close range more common.


 * Lightweight - Makes rushing with the AA12 easier.


 * Cold-Blooded - This perk is great for flanking the enemy.

Tier 3

 * Steady Aim - Boosts the AA12's effectiveness at longer ranges.


 * Commando - Good for when caught out of ammo at close range.


 * Ninja - Great for flanking the enemy.

Tactics
While shotguns are mainly used for rushing and assaulting the enemy, the AA12 can be effectively used as both an offensive and defensive weapon. Of course, there will be discrepancies between offensive and defensive classes. The AA12 is best used defensively to defend objectives in confined areas, such as bomb site A in Estate.

Rusher

 * AA12 Attachment - Extended Mags
 * Perk 1 - Marathon
 * Perk 2 - Lightweight
 * Perk 3 - Commando

Rusher 2

 * AA12 Attachment - Extended Mags
 * Perk 1 - Marathon
 * Perk 2 - Stopping Power
 * Perk 3 - Steady Aim

Flanker

 * AA12 Attachment - Extended Mags
 * Perk 1 - Marathon
 * Perk 2 - Cold Blooded
 * Perk 3 - Ninja

This class is great on larger maps where it is easy to flank the enemy. A silenced primary may be helpful, but not necessary.

Street Sweeper

 * AA12 Attachment - Grip
 * Perk 1 - Scavenger
 * Perk 2 - Stopping Power
 * Perk 3 - Steady Aim

Staying in tight alleyways such as those on Skidrow can net you plenty of kills.

Defender

 * AA12 Attachment - Extended Mags
 * Perk 1 - Scavenger
 * Perk 2 - Stopping Power
 * Perk 3 - Steady Aim

Camper

 * AA12 Attachment - Extended Mags
 * Perk 1 - Scavenger
 * Perk 2 - Cold Blooded
 * Perk 3 - Ninja