Shredder

RangedExplosive GunTiers I–IV

Projectiles have a 50%/65%/80% chance to explode on hit
Projectiles explode on hit (T4)
Piercing: 3

Unlock: Available from the start
Starting weapon for: 22 characters

Community builds that use it

ArsonistMake everything explode: Shredder or Sticky Grenade early with Attack Speed, then Fireball and other explosive or elemental weapons. Buy explosion and Elemental Damage items and some defence for the slow early burn.
ArtificerExplosion build: start Shredder and move to Rocket, Grenade or Nuclear Launchers, or use Planks; stack Explosion Size and Elemental Damage, which also enlarges explosions. Wrench and Screwdriver became viable after Tool weapons got +100% damage in 1.1.0.0.
BuccaneerPicking up materials resets weapon cooldowns, so use slow, high base-damage guns such as Laser Gun, Double Barrel Shotgun or Shredder, and collect materials only when enemies are close. Large auto-pickup items such as Sifd's Relic work against this.
BuilderThe Builder's Turret copies your best ranged weapon, so upgrade Slingshot (or Revolver/SMG) and leave materials uncollected until the turret is maxed around wave 12; buy Engineering items rather than damage.
CaptainStay on one to three weapons for most of the run to boost level-ups and XP, buy every XP item, and add weapons late; Spear, Javelin and Shredder are recommended starts. Luck makes level-ups better.
CreatureCurse provides flat damage, so stack Curse and lock shop items so they become cursed, with Fish Hook to get more. SMG or other ranged weapons tolerate the Range loss best; Javelin is a reported alternative, and capped Dodge protects against cursed enemies.
ExplorerEngineering avoids the -40% Damage penalty, with Pocket Factory the key item; Cacti Club spines also cut down the extra trees. Shredder explosion builds and Sticks are other recommended starts.
FishermanPrimitive melee with reach, Spear or Stick, to cut through the bait swarms; take few Bait early, build Luck and Harvesting, then raise Bait later. Armor early and up to 60% Dodge by waves 15-18 are recommended; Spiky Shield and gun builds also appear.
GluttonSix Pruners spawn Gardens whose consumables trigger Glutton's explosions; stack Luck and Melee Damage and stay at full HP so each pickup adds Explosion Damage. Spicy Sauce merges into the innate explosion, and Lemonade or Weird Food help heal.
LoudThe extra enemies supply materials, so skip Harvesting and pick weapons that handle crowds: Spear, Jousting Lance, Lightning Shiv and Thief Dagger for melee, Double Barrel Shotgun, Shredder, SMG or Slingshot for ranged. Take items that add more enemies.
One-ArmedWith a single weapon and doubled modifiers, pick one that handles crowds: Slingshot or Lightning Shiv are the safe choices, SMG for high-roll Ranged Damage runs. Focus and Silver Bullet suit the one-weapon setup; switch to Nuclear Launcher or a legendary when offered.
RangerGun build that stacks Ranged Damage (boosted 50%), % Damage and Attack Speed; SMG is the usual pick, with Double Barrel Shotgun, Revolver and Minigun also recommended. A Crossbow variant instead stacks Range and Crit Chance and skips Ranged Damage.

Stats by tier

Tier I Common
Damage
5 (+50% Ranged Damage)
Cooldown
1.3s
Crit
x2 (3% chance)
Range
450
Tier II Uncommon
Damage
10 (+50% Ranged Damage)
Cooldown
1.22s
Crit
x2 (3% chance)
Range
450
Tier III Rare
Damage
15 (+50% Ranged Damage)
Cooldown
1.13s
Crit
x2 (3% chance)
Range
450
Tier IV Legendary
Damage
25 (+50% Ranged Damage)
Cooldown
1.05s
Crit
x2 (3% chance)
Range
450

Damage in brackets is added from your stats before %Damage multiplies the total; see the damage formula or the calculator.

DPS at tier IV

24.5 DPS with no stats, 34.3 at 20 Ranged Damage and 49 at 50 (single target, every projectile hits, crits averaged): #26 of 29 weapons that scale with Ranged Damage. Full ranking or your own stats.