Dominate Battlefield 6 Big Maps: M87A1 Best Weapon Pairings

The M87A1 shotgun occupies a distinct niche within the Battlefield 6 meta, renowned for its devastating close-quarters stopping power. On Big Maps, where engagement distances vary wildly from tight, destructible interiors to expansive open terrain, relying solely on the M87A1 presents significant tactical limitations. Its inherent strength in confined spaces is balanced by a severe lack of long-range viability, making proper weapon pairing not just beneficial, but crucial for consistent performance.

This article delves into the strategic advantages of optimal weapon combinations, transforming the M87A1 from a situational tool into a cornerstone of a versatile loadout. Readers will discover detailed analyses of secondary weapons that perfectly complement the M87A1, covering its weaknesses and amplifying its strengths across all combat scenarios. Understanding these pairings allows players to adapt to dynamic battlefield conditions, leverage squad synergy, and maintain an edge regardless of evolving sightlines or levolution events. Unlock the full potential of the M87A1 and dominate every engagement on Battlefield 6's vast landscapes.

Overview of the M87A1

The M87A1 is a pump-action shotgun chambered with 3" shells, delivering significant stopping power in Battlefield 6's close-quarters engagements. Its role in the current meta is defined by its unparalleled lethality within 15 meters, making it a dominant force in urban environments, breached buildings, and contested objective points. The weapon's primary strength lies in its high damage output and one-shot kill potential at very close ranges, offering a low Time to Kill (TTK) against single targets.

However, its effective range is severely limited, resulting in a rapid damage drop-off beyond short distances. This limitation makes the M87A1 highly vulnerable in open areas, against entrenched long-range opponents, or when adaptive sightlines shift due to destruction or levolution events. Furthermore, its pump-action mechanism results in a slower rate of fire compared to automatic weapons, demanding precise shot placement. Strategic weapon pairings are essential to mitigate these weaknesses. By combining the M87A1 with a secondary weapon capable of engaging at medium to long ranges, players can effectively cover the shotgun's limitations, maintain consistent damage output across varied distances, and contribute more effectively to squad synergy on Big Maps.

Best Guns to use with the M87A1

The following weapon recommendations have been meticulously selected to complement the M87A1's inherent close-range dominance. Each pairing addresses the shotgun's significant limitations in medium and long-range engagements, while simultaneously enhancing its strengths through improved versatility and adaptability. These combinations ensure players maintain combat effectiveness across Battlefield 6's diverse Big Maps, regardless of engagement distance or environmental changes.

#1 M4A1

The M4A1, an assault rifle with a high cyclic rate, serves as an excellent complement to the M87A1 shotgun. While the M87A1 excels in close-quarters combat with its high damage per shot, its severe range limitations are directly addressed by the M4A1's effective medium-to-long range capabilities. The M4A1’s balanced damage range and bullet velocity allow players to engage targets beyond the M87A1's lethal zone, providing a consistent damage output necessary for Big Maps. This pairing creates significant synergy: the M87A1 dominates interiors and tight chokepoints, while the M4A1 handles open lanes and distant threats.

Tactically, this combination offers unparalleled versatility. Players can clear buildings with the M87A1, then quickly switch to the M4A1 to suppress enemies in open ground or counter snipers. This adaptability is crucial in dynamic environments where destruction alters cover and levolution events reshape engagement distances. For optimal performance, a recommended loadout for the M4A1 includes attachments that enhance recoil control and extend damage range, such as a long barrel, vertical grip, and a holographic sight for quick target acquisition. The M87A1 benefits from a tighter pellet spread attachment for improved consistency and a laser sight for hip-fire accuracy in extreme close-quarters.

This pairing excels in objective-focused game modes on Big Maps, particularly during pushes on fortified positions or defending key control points. The M87A1 clears immediate threats upon entry, while the M4A1 provides covering fire and eliminates enemies attempting to flank or hold distant angles. Squad synergy is enhanced as the player can adapt to various combat roles, from breaching to providing suppressive fire. A potential limitation is the necessity for competent recoil management with the M4A1 to maximize its effective range, especially during sustained fire. Additionally, rapid weapon switching requires practice to execute seamlessly under pressure.

#2 SGX

The SGX, a 9.19mm PDW, pairs with the M87A1 by amplifying the player's close-range dominance and mobility. While both weapons are optimized for short-range engagements, the SGX offers a high rate of fire and superior mobility compared to the pump-action M87A1. The shotgun delivers devastating initial damage, and the SGX provides rapid follow-up shots or sustained fire to eliminate multiple targets quickly. This combination leverages the M87A1's raw stopping power for primary threats and the SGX's agility for swift target transitions and aggressive maneuvers.

The synergy benefits include enhanced sprint-to-fire time and aim-down-sight speed, crucial for reactive engagements in tight spaces and navigating destructible environments. This allows players to exploit evolving sightlines created by destruction, quickly reposition, and maintain offensive pressure. Tactically, this pairing is ideal for aggressive flanking, clearing buildings, and pushing through chokepoints where close-quarters lethality is paramount. The SGX's ability to be configured for improved ranged capabilities also offers a slight extension beyond the M87A1's extreme close-range, providing a more forgiving option for slightly longer distances within a close-to-medium band.

A recommended loadout for the SGX focuses on maximizing its close-range Time to Kill (TTK) and mobility, such as a short barrel, laser sight, and a high-capacity magazine. For the M87A1, attachments that tighten pellet spread and improve handling speed are beneficial. This pairing excels in scenarios requiring rapid assaults, such as capturing objectives in urban sectors or pushing through levolution-affected areas where cover is scarce and engagements are immediate. A potential limitation is the shared weakness at long ranges; while the SGX can be configured for improved range, it still struggles against dedicated long-range weapons. This pairing requires players to maintain awareness of their positioning to avoid open-field engagements.

#3 B36A4

The B36A4, a versatile carbine, provides a balanced and adaptable pairing for the M87A1 shotgun. Its inherent ability to be modified for both close-quarters and ranged encounters directly addresses the M87A1's primary weakness: its limited effective range. The B36A4 offers reliable damage and accuracy at medium ranges, effectively bridging the gap between the M87A1's devastating close-range power and the need for consistent engagement options on Battlefield 6's expansive Big Maps. This combination allows players to maintain combat effectiveness across a broader spectrum of distances.

The synergy benefits of this pairing are centered on adaptability and sustained pressure. The M87A1 clears immediate threats in tight spaces, while the B36A4 provides a robust solution for follow-up engagements or initial contact in open areas. This tactical flexibility is crucial for navigating dynamic environments, especially when destruction creates new sightlines or levolution events alter the flow of combat. Players can confidently push objectives, knowing they have a potent answer for both close-range breaches and suppressing distant threats. This pairing also supports squad synergy by allowing the player to contribute effectively in various roles, from point-man to mid-range support.

For a recommended loadout, the B36A4 should be configured with attachments that enhance its medium-range performance, such as a heavy barrel for bullet velocity, a vertical grip for recoil control, and an optical sight for target acquisition. The M87A1 benefits from attachments that improve its consistency and handling speed in close quarters. This pairing excels in mixed-engagement scenarios, such as advancing through a town with both tight alleys and open plazas, or defending a control point with multiple approach vectors. A potential limitation is that while versatile, the B36A4 may not outperform dedicated long-range weapons at extreme distances, nor dedicated SMGs in pure close-quarters mobility. It represents a balanced compromise.

Tactical Usage Tips

Effective utilization of M87A1 weapon pairings hinges on proactive weapon switching and environmental awareness. When moving through tight interiors or preparing to breach an objective, the M87A1 should be the primary ready weapon. Its immediate stopping power is unmatched in close-quarters. Upon exiting a building or encountering enemies at medium range, swiftly switch to the paired assault rifle (M4A1 or B36A4) to maintain consistent damage output. This rapid transition is paramount for controlling engagements across varied distances on Big Maps.

For aggressive pushes, especially through destructible cover or during levolution events, the SGX pairing allows for exceptional mobility and rapid follow-up fire after an initial M87A1 blast. Players should use the SGX's speed to reposition quickly, exploit new adaptive sightlines, and flank unsuspecting enemies. Maximizing synergy involves understanding each weapon's optimal range and switching before the engagement dictates, not during. For instance, if pushing into a known sniper lane, have the M4A1 or B36A4 ready. If entering a building, the M87A1 is the immediate choice. Always be mindful of squad synergy; communicate target acquisition and suppressive fire to ensure team effectiveness. Practice these transitions in training modes to build muscle memory, ensuring seamless execution in high-pressure combat scenarios.

Conclusion

Mastering the M87A1 in Battlefield 6 Big Maps transcends mere shotgun proficiency; it demands strategic weapon pairing. The M4A1 and B36A4 assault rifles offer robust solutions for extending the M87A1's effective range, providing balanced performance for players who value versatility across medium distances. For those preferring aggressive, high-mobility gameplay in close quarters, the SGX SMG amplifies the M87A1's devastating power with rapid follow-up shots and superior agility. Each pairing offers unique advantages, catering to different playstyles and tactical needs. The importance of strategic weapon combinations cannot be overstated, as they directly impact adaptability to evolving battlefield conditions, destruction, and levolution events. Experiment with these suggested pairings to discover which combination best complements individual combat preferences and elevate overall performance on Battlefield 6's vast landscapes.