Scatterblasters were generally compact rifles or carbines, distinguished by their particular firing mechanism. In contrast to emitting a single energy bolt, these weapons released a spreading arc of deadly energy or a burst of multiple projectiles. Consequently, scatterblasters were essentially the blaster equivalent of standard projectile shotguns and blasters. Their close-quarters damage potential was extremely high, making them a popular choice for clearing trenches and urban combat scenarios. However, their effective range was considerably shorter compared to other blaster-type weapons, with damage output significantly decreasing at medium distances.

Certain high-powered blaster turrets were also designated as scatterblasters, seemingly due to their intense saturation and "scattering" effect of the bolts they discharged. The bounty hunter Sana Starros utilized one such voice-activated, smart-targeting turret scatterblaster.

The Imperial Army provided SX-21 blaster rifles to its troopers stationed on Mimban during their operation to pacify and extract resources from the planet. Chewbacca employed an SX-21 after his escape from Imperial imprisonment, wielding the rifle as a temporary replacement for the bowcaster favored by Wookiees. Mercenary Lang possessed a BARM-ST12 scattergun. The Alazmec of Winsit deployed CX-55 scatterblasters in their conflict against Kylo Ren.

While blaster shotguns had been present in Star Wars Legends for a considerable period, the scatterblaster gained broader canon recognition in Chapter 13: The Jedi of The Mandalorian. In a brief sequence, the character Lang discharges his BARM-ST12 scattergun at Ahsoka Tano while she is positioned on a rooftop, revealing that his weapon fires 4-5 blaster bolts simultaneously.