These Nova stats were checked on 2 November 2026 against csdb.gg, metabot.gg and the Counter-Strike Wiki. This page gives the full data sheet, explains each number and compares the Nova with the other shotguns. For buy timing and positions, read our Nova guide. For the class overview, see CS2 shotguns.
Nova stats table
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Price | $1,050 (both sides) |
| Kill reward (Competitive) | $900 |
| Damage per pellet | 26 |
| Pellets per shot | 9 |
| Headshot multiplier | 4x |
| Armour penetration | 50% |
| Fire rate | 68 RPM (about 0.88 s between shots) |
| Magazine / reserve | 8 / 32 |
| Reload value (csdb.gg) | 0.55 s |
| Movement speed | 220 units per second |
| Range modifier | 0.70 per 500 units |
| Effective range (metabot.gg) | 3,000 units |
| Wall penetration rating | 1 |
The Nova loads shells one at a time, so the 0.55 s value is not a full-tube reload. We could not confirm a full reload time, so we do not quote one. Older wiki pages still show a $1,200 price, but both current CS2 databases list $1,050.
What do the Nova stats mean?
Shotgun damage is listed per pellet. The Nova fires 9 pellets of 26 damage. If all of them hit an unarmoured chest at point blank, that is 234 damage. In practice, spread means only some pellets land, so treat 234 as a ceiling.
Armour hurts the Nova more than any other shotgun. At 50% penetration, each Kevlar body pellet deals 13. All 9 would still total about 117, enough for a kill. Lose three or four pellets to spread, though, and an armoured target survives.
The pump action fires 68 times a minute, about once every 0.88 seconds. That is the slowest of the shotguns we checked. Movement speed is 220, faster than the Sawed-Off and XM1014.
Headshot pellets matter too. With the 4x multiplier, one pellet to an unarmoured head deals 104 at point blank. Against a helmet, that drops to about 52 per pellet. So even two head pellets through a helmet roughly match a full-health kill, before falloff.
How fast does Nova damage fall off?
| Distance | Damage per pellet (body, unarmoured) | All pellets (body, unarmoured) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 m | 26 | 234 |
| 12.7 m (500 u) | 18.2 | 163.8 |
| 25.4 m (1,000 u) | 12.7 | 114.7 |
| 38.1 m (1,500 u) | 8.9 | 80.3 |
We calculated these rows from the 0.70 range modifier, which multiplies damage every 500 units. The all-pellet column assumes every pellet hits, which becomes less likely as range grows. See damage falloff in CS2 for the rule.
How the Nova compares with other shotguns
| Shotgun | Price | Kill reward | Damage per pellet x pellets | Armour pen | RPM | Mag / reserve | Speed (u/s) | Range modifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova | $1,050 | $900 | 26 x 9 | 50% | 68 | 8/32 | 220 | 0.70 |
| Sawed-Off | $1,100 | $900 | 32 x 8 | 75% | 71 | 7/32 | 210 | 0.45 |
| MAG-7 | $1,300 | $900 | 30 | 75% | 71 | 5 | not checked | not checked |
| XM1014 | $2,000 | $600 | 20 x 6 | 80% | 171 | 7/32 | 215 | 0.70 |
MAG-7 pellet count, movement speed and range modifier were not part of this check, so those cells are marked. The Nova is the cheapest shotgun and holds the most shells per load. Its weakest number is armour penetration. The Sawed-Off and MAG-7 keep 75% through Kevlar and the XM1014 keeps 80%.
Point-blank maximum per shot
| Shotgun | All pellets, unarmoured chest | All pellets, Kevlar chest |
|---|---|---|
| Nova | 234 | 117 |
| Sawed-Off | 256 | 192 |
| XM1014 | 120 | 96 |
These are our calculations from pellet damage, pellet count and armour penetration. Our armour penetration explainer covers the formula.
Price and kill reward
The Nova costs $1,050 and pays $900 per kill in Competitive. Two kills more than cover it. That reward is triple the $300 most rifles pay. The CS2 kill rewards page lists every weapon type.
Sources and checks
All stats on this page were checked on 2 November 2026 against csdb.gg and cross-checked with metabot.gg. Pellet counts come from the Counter-Strike Wiki, whose shotgun pages list no CS2 change to them. Kill rewards follow the 25 April 2024 CS2 patch notes, which cut the XM1014 reward to $600. Totals per shot, armoured damage and fire intervals are our own arithmetic from the listed values, not in-game tests. Valve can change weapon values in any update.
Frequently asked questions
How many pellets does the Nova fire?
9 pellets of 26 damage each, for a maximum of 234 per shot at point blank.
How much does the Nova cost in CS2?
$1,050 on both sides, with a $900 kill reward in Competitive.
What is the Nova armour penetration?
50%, the lowest of the CS2 shotguns we checked.
