Only useful in some situations,maps and gametypes. I mostly play Big Team Battle and Dominion, if playing BTB i will NEVER touch a shotgun because its completely useless in that gametype, Dominion on the other hand ill use it as often as i can just to defend posts, maybe even attack with it sometimes. The USNC shotgun is pretty good, the alien shotgun i dont like it as much.. less reliable than the USNC shotty for me .. and the boltshot i always carry it. I guess I just had to get used to Halo 4's version of Shotguns but as for comparing to other Halo's i cant say anything since I didnt use them in reach and Halo 3.. havent used shotguns since Halo 2 till now :-P
