MSBG 500 Shotgun Guide
Where to find the MSBG 500 shotgun in Resident Evil Requiem, full stats, damage values, best upgrades, and why it dominates Leon's close-range fights. Complete location guide.
High close-range burst
Shotgun Shells
5
1.2
1.0
680 (base close range) / 1,100 (headshot point-blank)
~720 (close range, sustained)
Uncommon
Short
Leon
| Type | Shotgun |
| Damage | High close-range burst |
| Damage / Shot | 680 (base close range) / 1,100 (headshot point-blank) |
| DPS | ~720 (close range, sustained) |
| Ammo | Shotgun Shells |
| Ammo Rarity | Uncommon |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Rate of Fire | 1.2 |
| Reload Speed | 1.0 |
| Range | Short |
| Durability | Standard |
| Stability | 1.5 |
| Precision | 1.0 |
| Character | Leon |
Found in the kitchen pantry shortly before Leon's first encounter with Chunk in Chapter 2.
The MSBG 500 becomes available during Leon's first playable section in Chapter 2.
Progress through the staff corridors until you reach the cafeteria. The kitchen door is on the right side of the dining hall.
Inside the kitchen, locate the pantry door. The MSBG 500 sits on a shelf next to a box of shotgun shells.
- Highest burst damage at close range in Leon's campaign.
- Can stagger most bosses with a well-placed headshot.
- Excellent for crowd control in tight corridors.
- Shotgun shells are more common in Leon's action-heavy sections.
- Short effective range; damage drops sharply beyond 10 meters.
- Pump action limits rate of fire between shots.
- Small magazine without upgrades, punishing missed shots.
- Ineffective against distant or flying enemies.
Increases magazine from 5 to 8 shells, reducing downtime in boss fights and multi-enemy encounters.
Faster pump action lets you unload shells more quickly, increasing close-range burst DPS.
Higher per-shot damage, making point-blank shots even more lethal against bosses.
Leon:
- Clearing tight rooms with 2-4 enemies in one or two shots.
- Staggering bosses like Chunk and Blister Borne when they get close.
- Finishing off fast enemies that close the distance before you can aim a handgun.
- Conserving handgun ammo by one-shotting common zombies at close range.
- Aim for the head at point-blank range to maximize damage and stagger.
- Don't get surrounded; the MSBG 500 punishes poor positioning.
- Keep a handgun ready for distant targets that the shotgun cannot reach.
- Prioritize Capacity first so you can fire more shots before the slow reload.
- Use it to interrupt enemy grabs and lunges in narrow hallways.
The MSBG 500 is a pump-action shotgun used by Leon in Resident Evil Requiem. It is found near the kitchen where Leon first encounters Chunk, and it remains a staple for Leon’s combat-heavy sections throughout the game. This guide covers the exact MSBG 500 location, full stats, damage values, best upgrades, and boss strategies.
Why the MSBG 500 Matters for Leon
Leon’s campaign leans into action sequences with multiple enemies closing in at once. The MSBG 500 is designed for exactly that. A single point-blank shot can kill common enemies outright, and headshots can stagger mini-bosses long enough to reload or reposition. Its biggest weakness is range, so pairing it with a handgun is essential.
Where to Find the MSBG 500
The MSBG 500 is located in the kitchen pantry during Chapter 2. You reach this area shortly before Leon’s first encounter with Chunk.
Step-by-Step Location
- Play through Leon’s Chapter 2 sequence until you enter the cafeteria.
- Enter the kitchen door on the right side of the dining hall.
- Open the pantry door inside the kitchen.
- Pick up the MSBG 500 and the shotgun shells next to it.
This weapon is not missable. The pantry is directly along the main path to the Chunk boss fight.
MSBG 500 Stats and Damage Values
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Base Damage (close range) | 680 per shot |
| Headshot / Point-blank | 1,100 per shot |
| Approximate DPS | 720 sustained |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 shells |
| Ammo Type | Shotgun Shells |
| Ammo Rarity | Uncommon |
| Effective Range | Short |
| Stability | 1.5 / 5 |
| Precision | 1.0 / 5 |
The MSBG 500 is all about burst damage. Two well-placed headshots at close range can stagger most standard bosses, but beyond 10 meters the damage falls off sharply.
Best Upgrades for the MSBG 500
Upgrade order matters because the base weapon has a slow pump action and small magazine:
- Capacity — Increases magazine from 5 to 8 shells. This is the most important upgrade because reloading mid-fight leaves Leon vulnerable.
- Fire rate — Speeds up the pump action, increasing close-range burst DPS.
- Power — Boosts per-shot damage, making the MSBG 500 even more lethal against bosses.
MSBG 500 vs S&S M232
| Feature | MSBG 500 | S&S M232 |
|---|---|---|
| Damage | Very high (close) | Medium |
| Range | Short | Medium |
| Crowd Control | Excellent | Good with headshots |
| Boss Stagger | Excellent close range | Average |
| Ammo Type | Shotgun Shells | 9mm Handgun Ammo |
| Best Character | Leon | Grace |
Use the MSBG 500 for tight rooms and bosses, and switch to a handgun for anything beyond 10 meters.
Best Bosses to Use the MSBG 500 Against
Chunk
The Chunk boss fight happens immediately after you pick up the MSBG 500. Chunk is slow but hits hard. Use the shotgun to stagger him after he attacks, then unload shells into his exposed head while he recovers.
Blister Borne
Blister Borne has cysts that can be popped with precise fire, but when it gets close the MSBG 500’s spread lets you damage multiple cysts at once while staggering the boss.
Tips for Using the MSBG 500
- Aim for the head at point-blank range to maximize damage and stagger.
- Don’t get surrounded; the MSBG 500 punishes poor positioning.
- Keep a handgun ready for distant targets that the shotgun cannot reach.
- Prioritize Capacity first so you can fire more shots before the slow reload.
- Use it to interrupt enemy grabs and lunges in narrow hallways.
Visual Guide
| Weapon | Type | Damage | Capacity | Ammo | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSBG 500 | Shotgun | High (close range) | 5 | Shotgun Shells (Uncommon) | Close-range crowd control, boss stagger |
| B934 | Handgun | Low-Medium | 8 | 9mm Handgun Ammo (Common) | Early chapters, conserving ammo |
| S&S M232 | Handgun | Medium | 9 | 9mm Handgun Ammo (Common) | Headshot staggers, standard enemies |
| Requiem Rifle | Rifle | Very High | 5 | Rifle Ammo (Rare) | Bosses, mini-bosses, long-range precision |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the MSBG 500 in Resident Evil Requiem?
It is found in the kitchen pantry in Chapter 2, shortly before Leon's first encounter with Chunk.
Is the MSBG 500 good for boss fights?
Yes. It is excellent for staggering bosses like Chunk and Blister Borne at close range. It is less effective when those bosses are far away or flying.
What ammo does the MSBG 500 use?
It uses Shotgun Shells, which are common in Leon's campaign sections but rare in Grace's areas.
What chapter do you get the MSBG 500?
Leon obtains the MSBG 500 in Chapter 2, shortly before the Chunk boss fight.
Can you miss the MSBG 500?
No. The MSBG 500 is placed along the main path through the kitchen. You will pass the pantry before reaching Chunk.
What is the best upgrade for the MSBG 500?
Capacity is the best first upgrade because the base magazine of 5 shells is too small for multi-enemy rooms and boss fights.
Is the MSBG 500 better than the S&S M232?
They serve different roles. The MSBG 500 dominates close-range burst damage and crowd control, while the S&S M232 is better for medium-range precision and ammo efficiency. Leon benefits more from the MSBG 500.
Does the MSBG 500 have good range?
No. Its effective range is short. Damage drops sharply beyond 10 meters, so switch to a handgun for distant targets.
Can Grace use the MSBG 500?
No. The MSBG 500 is exclusive to Leon during his campaign sections.
Should I save shotgun shells for bosses?
Yes, especially for Chunk and Blister Borne. Shotgun shells are uncommon, so use handgun ammo for common enemies when possible and save shells for stagger opportunities.
About This Weapon Guide
This MSBG 500 guide is part of the Requiem Guide weapons database. We record stats, locations, damage values, and upgrade effects from gameplay across multiple difficulties to help you choose the best loadout for every chapter and boss.
For boss-specific strategies, visit the Boss Guide. For enemy tactics and item locations, see the Enemy Database and Items Database.
More Weapons
B934
Grace's starting handgun in Resident Evil Requiem. Reliable early game but outclassed by the S&S M232. Full stats, location, upgrades, and best use cases.
Kotetsu
How to unlock the Kotetsu in Resident Evil Requiem: post-game melee weapon location, unbreakable durability, best use cases for challenge mode and New Game+, and stats.
S&S M232
Where to find the S&S M232 handgun in Resident Evil Requiem, full stats, damage values, best upgrades, and why it outperforms the B934. Complete location guide for Grace's best pistol.
Requiem Rifle
Where to get the Requiem rifle in Resident Evil Requiem, full stats, damage values, best upgrades, and boss strategies. Complete location guide for Grace's most powerful rifle.