Hell weapon variations of older guns are mostly just slightly different characteristics. Side grades essentially. However there is one thing that does make farming hell weapons valuable. I plan to have special super rare dual wielding versions of all the hell weapons. Dual wield weapons will be a lot more powerful to say the least.
With that said you will also see that I am starting to now add some of the completely new weapon types. The crossbow will take the shotgun slot and is heavily inspired by the Heretic crossbow. The wands are pistol slot weapons that will fire piercing projectiles that do AOE damage.
Stay tuned as there is more to come!