Pulse rifles can be just as good with the right perks. My Skorri's Revenge has low impact but I rolled all the right accuracy perks and with it's rate of fire I can mess up most anyone from decent range. I kill blade dancers with it providing they aren't coming from just around the corner. As for scout rifles v shotguns. I carry a shotgun with me at all times when using a scout. Especially with the single point sli g perk. Especially when I don't have third eye on it. Mida will out manouveur a shotgun even if he isn't in your field of view yet thanks to the persistent radar. But even without this I never sit where I can't atleast pull my shotgun out in time to duel at close range. The three best scouts for any crucible IMHO are Mida Multitool, if you like to save your exotic slot for say, invective, then a close second goes to Gheleon's Demise if you roll good perks, I have third eye and full auto on mine and rolled a scope that works great for recoil control. What I used until I got my Last Word was my Vision of Confluence. Two quick body shots and two criticals will end anyone not using Ram or charged with an overshield and it's rate of fire is decent for it's recoil, range and impact. I actually swapped back to this until I got my Skorri's in Iron Banner.