Waterpipe Shotgun

Can one-shot scientists in the head with a slug.

The waterpipe shotgun is often used in "all or nothing" situations, since people don't care about risking it due to its cheap cost.. a good option to quickly try taking someone outside your base that has just killed you and taken your stuff (without risking another kit), and at the same time pretend you have mostly low tier gear in your base.
Also a weapon of choice for doorcampers, besides the DB. For doorcamping, unlike with the DB, the best strategy is to wait at the corner of the door (or a wall), have them exit their base and close the door, to then roll up behind them and shoot them in the back. The reason being is that the shot might be survivable, if they are standing far enough inside the base when opening the front door (who stands on the ledge while exiting?), and with a waterpipe you got really limited range and just a single shot, so they can easily close the door on you.
It is also often used as a troll or griefing weapon, again, due to its low cost. E.g killing people at outpost and similar acts..

more or less an upgraded eoka pistol, longer reload times, more building cost and requiring a t1 workbench as well as its blueprint, the waterpipe shotgun has a range of disadvantages towards the eoka pistol, however all of these are oversighted due to the waterpipe shotgun's reliability (not having to hope your gun will go off) and accuracy (aiming and spread) thus making it in my opinion, the better gun all around

can take the place of a crossbow in your kit when loaded with slugs and will perform better than a crossbow. A great kit to roam with is riot helmet, bandana, jacket, longsleeve shirt/hoodie, pants, hide boots and leg armor. have a waterpipe or db with slugs as battle opener and a revy or nailgun as finisher, same protection as an arctic suit while sticking out less and being way cheaper to craft.

Still my favorite weapon. Something I learned recently is that you can hold it in your hands and have an extra eoka in your hotbar so if the first shot doesn't kill, you can pull out the eoka for a nice kill. Like a cheaper DB, costing 105 metal, 225 wood and no pipes. And if the eoka goes off on the first strike it is actually roughly the same speed as the double barrel shotgun.

Just use Double Barrel Shotgun. It is better in every aspect.

Since waterpipes are fairly cheap, having 2 in your hotbar can act as a double bar if you don't have one. This is good for fast combat.