Quick answer
The supplied walkthrough calls the Shotgun one of the game’s best weapons and recommends saving for it on Island 2. Early on, a sharpened knife is a cheaper bridge. No verified patch-wide damage table was available.
Best sourced pick: Shotgun
The Destructoid walkthrough buys only the Shotgun from the Forest island’s first weapon selection and calls it one of the best options in the game. That is a practical recommendation from a completion run—not an official tier list.
Its real value is focus: saving for a dependable main weapon avoids scattering money across several half-finished setups.
A sensible weapon route
| Stage | Pick | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Lighthouse | Knife or brass knuckles | Both bridge the starter loop; the walkthrough favors a sharpened knife. |
| Forest / Island 2 | Shotgun | The walkthrough’s preferred investment for tougher catches and bosses. |
| Later game | A weapon you can fully equip | Reliable handling plus attachments supports the Fully Equipped achievement. |
Buy for the problem in front of you
- Low damage: improve one controllable weapon.
- Unsafe reloads: create space before chasing a higher damage number.
- Slow campaign pace: reserve money for the boat engine.
- Achievement goal: finish all attachments on one weapon before branching out.
Logbook note: Exact DPS, prices and a complete weapon roster were not verified in the supplied archive. This guide does not invent a statistical ranking.
Source ledger
Sources
- Destructoid complete walkthrough — Island order, boss steps and equipment observations.
- Steam global achievements — Official achievement names and requirements.
- How to Fish beginner guide — First-hour route, upgrade priorities and trophy handling.