Call of Duty: Vanguard is here, and since we’re a few weeks away from Warzone‘s Pacific update, now is the best time to lose yourself in this game’s multiplayer modes and start experimenting with its best guns. We’ll talk about this more throughout this breakdown, but most of the best guns in Vanguard at the moment tend to be closer-range weapons that are fairly easy to control and boast fast time-to-kill potential. There is a little room for a few outliers here and there, but until there is a drastic swing in the meta, that’s roughly what you’re looking for. With that in mind, here are the best guns in Call of Duty: Vanguard at the moment and the loadouts you’ll need to get the most out of them. While the MP-40 is certainly powerful from a raw damage output perspective, it’s this gun’s stability and mobility that make it a nearly irreplaceable weapon. It might eventually get nerfed due to its all-around effectiveness, but there’s really no good reason not to use it now.
Volk
The Volk is a very strange gun. Truth be told, it’s not a very good assault rifle on its own. It’s useful enough in a pinch, but it just doesn’t stand out in any particular way, and it has some notable recoil problems. However, when you start adding the right attachments to this gun in order to control its wild recoil, you’ll find that it’s a rapid-fire cannon that can simply tear through anything in your way. It’s absolutely worth experimenting with this gun’s attachments in order to see how to get the most out of it.
BAR
Like the Volk, the BAR is absolutely dependant on the right attachments. Unlike the Volk, the BAR’s biggest problem isn’t its recoil but rather its fire rate. Sadly, there are few attachments that properly compensate for that drawback. However, once you build the “perfect” BAR, you may find that this gun’s absurd damage output more than makes up for its slower rate of fire. The BAR is kind of an awkward weapon to learn, but it’s too unique and potentially powerful to ignore outright. While this gun’s somewhat limited range does make it less effective overall than certain alternatives, the fact that so many Vanguard battles happen in close-to-mid range scenarios means that this gun’s inherent weaknesses really aren’t that much of a problem most of the time. Definitely check this one out.
M1928
Granted, it’s hard to recommend any SMG over the MP-40 at the moment, but the M1928 offers a fascinating alternative that is certainly viable in its own right. Despite having only slightly more range than a shotgun, this SMG absolutely shreds in the right scenarios and can at least make enemies think twice before approaching from a distance. Definitely give this one a look if you need a close-range gun that offers just a little more than some of the rest.
NZ-41
If you’re looking for an AR that emphasizes rate of fire over pretty much everything else, then the NZ-41 could very well be the gun for you. While even the best attachments won’t completely tame this gun’s wild recoil, this assault rifle’s incredible damage output makes it an absolute nightmare in close-to-mid-range scenarios. Look elsewhere if you need a little more range, but this gun does exactly what it needs to do. This thing simply shreds through whatever has the misfortune of standing relatively close to it. It might be a mounted gun that you’re forced to carry around, but there is no denying this gun’s comical damage output and potential.
Kar98k
I can’t sell you on a lot of Vanguard‘s snipers right now with a straight face, but I can tell you that the Kar98k is genuinely one of the absolute best guns in the game at the moment. The Kar98k’s mobility and quick scope abilities mean that it’s easy enough to fire off a few well-placed rounds with this gun without needing to devote yourself to that camper lifestyle. It’s not a “pure” sniper, but it is the sniper that you’ll get the most out of at the moment.
Einhorn Revolving Shotgun
Truth be told, I think most players will prefer most SMGs and ARs over Vanguard’s collection of shotguns. However, there are times when you just need a good shotgun, and the Einhorn Revolving Shotgun offers about what you would expect from this class and so much more. This gun boasts a shockingly long range but still packs much of the punch that you’d associate with the average video game shotgun. Its reload speed is pretty bad, and it’s too weird to be a go-to option in all scenarios, but it’s so much better than you might think it would be. The DP27’s enhanced mobility and versatility put it a notch above most other Vanguard LMGs despite its slightly lower raw damage output. I’d say this one is actually slightly closer to an AR than the average LMG, so it may appeal to AR fans looking for something a bit different.
Call of Duty Vanguard: Best Loadouts and Attachments
Quite a few of Vanguard‘s best guns are shockingly dependant on the right attachments and loadouts, so don’t judge our recommendations for the best guns in the game before you’ve properly built them.
MP-40
Muzzle: M1929 SilencerBarrel: Krausnick 221MM 01BUnderbarrel: Carver ForeipOptic: Slate ReflectorStock: Krausnick 33M FoldingProficiency: BraceKit: QuickRear Grip: Fabric GripAmmo Type: LengthenedMagazine: 7.62 Gorenko 32 Round Mags
Volk
Muzzle: F8 StabilizerBarrel: Krausnick 428MM 05VOptic: Nydar Model 47Stock: Reisdorf 22V AdjustableUnderbarrel: M1930 MadsonMagazine: .30 Russian Short 45 Round DrumsAmmo Type: SubsonicRear Grip: Stippled GripProficiency: Sleight of HandKit: Defender
BAR
Muzzle: G28 CompensatorUnderbarrel: M3 Ready GripMagazine: 8mm Jaeger 20 Round MagAmmo Type: FMJ RoundsKit: On-HandRear Grip: Fabric GripOptic: Slate ReflectorProficiency: Hardscope
M1928
Muzzle: Gutts CompensatorBarrel: Chariot 2.5” RapidOptic: Spitfire MK.3 ReflectorStock: CGC S AdjustableUnderbarrel: M1941 HandstopMagazine: .45 ACP 30 Round Fast MagsAmmo Type: LengthenedRear Grip: Fabric GripProficiency: FrenzyKit: Quick
NZ-41
Muzzle: Compensator G28Optic: Slate ReflectorProficiency: SteadyAmmo Type: SubsonicKit: Fast MeleeRear Grip: Leather GripUnderbarrel: M1941 HandstopStock: LOR ReinforcedMagazine: 6.5MM Arisaka 45 Round Mags
MG42
Muzzle: Scythe CompensatorBarrel: Krausnick 450MM B42MGOptic: Zeiss G16 2.5xStock: Krausnick S91MGUnderbarrel: MK6 ParaMagazine: 8MM Jaeger 50 Round Fast MagsAmmo Type: SubsonicRear Grip: Leather GripProficiency: Tight GripKit: Defender
Kar98k
Muzzle: MK. 2 StabilizerBarrel: VDD 650MM 05HEOptic: K98 Scout 9x TelescopicStock: Krausnick PaddedUnderbarrel: M1930 Madson Magazine: 8MM Jaeger 3 Round Fast MagsAmmo Type: FMJ RoundsRear Grip: Pine Tar GripProficiency: QuickscoperKit: Fully Loaded
Revolving Shotgun
Muzzle: G28 CompressorBarrel: CGC 22″ RapidOptic: MK 3 Sun filterStock: Removed StockUnderbarrel: MK6 ParaMagazine: 12 Gauge 10 Round DrumsAmmo Type: SlugRear Grip: Hatched GripProficiency: HeadhunterKit: Quick
