If you’re playing Arc Raiders, you’ve probably come across the Il Toro shotgun. It’s an uncommon pump-action weapon with high close-range damage, and most players find it extremely effective when used correctly. This guide explains how the Il Toro works in practice, what to expect from it, and how to upgrade it efficiently.
The Il Toro is a pump-action shotgun that uses standard Shotgun Ammo. In general, it’s designed for close-quarters combat. Most players use it for encounters inside buildings or tight spaces, where its large bullet spread and high damage output really shine.
Some practical points to keep in mind:
Damage: Each shot deals 67.5 damage on average. At close range, a single body shot can severely weaken an enemy, and two hits can usually take down a standard Raider if all pellets connect.
Range: Its effective range is about 20 units (meters or in-game units), so it’s not reliable for long-range engagements. Most players pair it with a sidearm or a rifle for open areas.
Stability and Agility: With stability at 80.6 and agility at 61.1, it’s relatively easy to handle and maneuver, especially compared to heavier shotguns.
In short, the Il Toro is devastating in close quarters but weak at range, and its low stealth rating (18) means you can’t easily sneak up with it.
Unlike some other shotguns, the Il Toro reloads one shell at a time, not the whole magazine. Most players quickly learn to manage this by only reloading a few shells at a time during a fight instead of emptying the entire magazine.
Magazine size: It starts at 5 shells and can be upgraded to 8 in the later Il Toro IV version.
Ammo type: Always use Shotgun Ammo. Carry extra because you’ll burn through it quickly in close fights.
Reloading strategy is key. In practice, players often keep the shotgun loaded with just 3–4 shells in combat scenarios where movement and reaction time matter.
One common question is: “Can Il Toro one-shot every enemy?” The answer is no. Most Raiders without armor go down with two body shots if every pellet hits. However:
Heavy Shielded Raiders: They can survive two shots, though they’ll be very weak afterward. Players often pair the Il Toro with a melee attack or a follow-up weapon to finish shielded enemies.
Headshots: Unnecessary in most close-range fights since the spread covers multiple pellets, but aiming slightly higher helps maximize damage on armored targets.
In general, the Il Toro is about positioning and timing rather than pinpoint precision.
The Il Toro has four upgrade levels, from Il Toro I to Il Toro IV. Each stage improves fire rate, magazine size, and durability. Here’s how most players approach upgrading:
Il Toro I → Il Toro II: Adds +17.5% fire rate, +1 magazine size, and +10 durability. Requires simple components and workbench access.
Il Toro II → Il Toro III: Adds +35% fire rate, +2 magazine size, and +20 durability. Requires heavier components.
Il Toro III → Il Toro IV: Adds +50% fire rate, +3 magazine size, and +30 durability. This is the max level.
Practical tip: Most players focus on upgrading fire rate first, because faster follow-up shots increase your chances of taking down tough enemies quickly. Durability and magazine size naturally follow.
To craft these upgrades, you need the Il Toro blueprint, which can be obtained from the vendor Tian Wen or through arc raiders blueprints trade. Once you have the blueprint, you’ll need mechanical components and gun parts. In general, players stockpile components to ensure they can craft or repair the shotgun without downtime.
Like any weapon, the Il Toro takes damage with use. Each level has specific repair costs in mechanical components and gun parts.
Il Toro I: 2× mechanical components + 2× simple gun parts.
Il Toro II: 3× mechanical components + 3× simple gun parts.
Il Toro III: 4× mechanical components + 4× simple gun parts.
Il Toro IV: 5× mechanical components + 5× simple gun parts.
Most players repair the weapon before it breaks completely because downtime in raids can be costly. Recycling the shotgun is also straightforward, giving back the materials you initially used.
The Il Toro allows multiple modifications:
Shotgun-Muzzle: Can improve spread or recoil.
Underbarrel: Usually adds melee or additional utility.
Shotgun-Mag: Increases magazine size.
Stock: Helps with stability or agility.
In practice, most players focus on increasing magazine size and stability first, because this makes the weapon more reliable in sustained firefights. Agility mods are secondary unless you rely heavily on fast movement and dodging.
From experience, these strategies work well:
Close-Quarters Ambush: Use tight spaces where the spread maximizes damage.
Flank Shielded Enemies: Attack from angles where fewer pellets hit the shield.
Quick Reloading: Reload one shell at a time between kills instead of waiting for the full magazine.
Pairing Weapons: Keep a ranged weapon handy for open areas. Most players carry a rifle or SMG alongside the Il Toro.
Overall, the Il Toro is about timing, positioning, and managing ammo and reloads. Used correctly, it’s a reliable tool for most mid-level raids.
The Il Toro shotgun in Arc Raiders is a high-damage, close-range weapon. Most players focus on its upgrades, proper ammo management, and pairing it with other weapons for versatility. Understanding its limitations against range and heavy shields is key. By following practical strategies for reload timing, positioning, and upgrade prioritization, you can maximize its effectiveness in most raid scenarios.