Best Vanguard loadout guide – Preseason

In this guide, we’ll show you how to build the best Vanguard loadout for Multiplayer and win matches in the new Call of Duty.

With the launch of Call of Duty: Vanguard, players have been enjoying the game’s robust multiplayer mode, which has a tremendous amount of content on day one. In total, there are 38 base weapons in the game, though only a small handful of them are considered meta (most effective tactics available).

Since the game just launched, the community is still experimenting with various weapon builds, but so far, there are 10 options you should absolutely include in your best Vanguard loadout.

These are the Vanguard meta weapons you should use right now. Keep in mind, as Sledgehammer Games updates the game, weapon stats will change, so this list might look drastically different in a month.

More Call of Duty:

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BEST VANGUARD LOADOUT GUIDE

The best Vanguard loadout weapons for Call of Duty are:

• M1928
• MP40
• TYPE 100
• STG44
• BAR
• VOLKSSTURMGEWEHR
• SVT-40
• TYPE 99
• COMBAT SHOTGUN
• DP27

BEST VANGUARD LOADOUT: SMG

M1928 (ACCURACY)

• Muzzle: Mercury Silencer
• Barrel: CGC 12” Cooling
• Optic: Nydar Model 47
• Stock: Chariot Marksman
• Underbarrel: Carver Foregrip
• Magazine: 8mm Kurz 50 Round Drum
• Ammo Type: Hollow Point
• Rear Grip: Stippled Grip
• Proficiency: Sleight of Hand
• Kit: Quick

Kicking things off is the M1928 SMG, which is a great fit for players looking for an accurate option. This weapon is tailored around close-to-mid-range engagements, and thanks to its CGC 12” Cooling Barrel, you’ll be able to control it easier.

Another important factor when building this weapon is to make sure you use the 8mm Kurz Round Drum, as it boosts the firearm’s base damage. This will allow you to compete, even against those using assault rifles. Finally, slap on the Hollow Point Ammo Type to increase limb damage, which will allow you to consistently eliminate players.

MP40 (STARTER)

• Muzzle: Mercury Silencer
• Barrel: Krausnick 221mm 01B
• Optic: Slate Reflector
• Stock: Krausnick 33m Folding
• Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop
• Magazine: 8mm Kurz 32 Round Mags
• Ammo Type: Hollow Point
• Rear Grip: Stippled Grip
• Proficiency: Unmarked
• Kit: Quick

The MP40 might not have the best overall stats in the game, but it’s a weapon you’ll absolutely want to practice with, at least at first. The build above is aimed at speed and movement, while also keeping its recoil down. The Krausnick 221mm 01B Barrel is effective for the run and gun play style, along with the Krausnick 33m Folding Stock, which improves your sprint to fire speed.

Once again, you’ll want to use the 8mm Kurz in this case for that added damage bonus. Just keep in mind, this will drastically decrease your recoil control and bullet velocity, so don’t plan on using it at range.

TYPE 100 (FAST TTK)

• Muzzle: Mercury Silencer
• Barrel: Sakura 282mm Wrap
• Optic: Nydar Model 47
• Stock: Warubachi Grip Folding
• Underbarrel: Carver Foregrip
• Magazine: .30 Russian Short 30 Round Mags
• Ammo Type: Hollow Point
• Rear Grip: Stippled Grip
• Proficiency: Vital
• Kit: Quick

Type 100 has gone under the radar because on the surface, it doesn’t seem remarkable in any way. However, when built the right way, it has a tremendously fast time to kill (TTK). Firstly, you’ll want to use the .30 Russian Short 30 Round Mags. This will enhance the weapon’s damage at the expense of some control.

After that, you should equip the Vital Proficiency. This attachment is way overpowered, as it increases the hitbox for critical damage (which is essentially headshot damage). That means you’ll consistently achieve a TTK you’d normally get with only headshots. On top of that, the Hollow Point Ammo Type boosts your limb damage, making this weapon an absolute powerhouse.

BEST VANGUARD LOADOUT: ASSAULT RIFLES

STG44 (ACCURACY)

• Muzzle: MX Silencer
• Optic: ZC2 1.35x Lens
• Stock:VDD 27 Precision
• Underbarrel: Carver Foregrip
• Magazine: 8mm Kurz 45 Round Drums
• Ammo Type: Hollow Point
• Rear Grip: Fabric Grip
• Proficiency: Vital
• Kit: Fully Loaded

Like the MP40, the STG44 doesn’t necessarily have top stats, but thanks to its ease of use, it makes the list. You can build the weapon in such a way that makes it feel like it has little to no recoil, which is perfect for newcomers. The VDD 27 Precision Stock helps improve the horizontal recoil control, while the Carver Foregrip Underbarrel also makes the weapon easier to handle.

In this case, we opted to use the 8mm Kurz 45 Round Drums instead of the .30 Russian Short 30 Round Mags. Although the latter deals more damage, it drastically tanks your recoil control. You won’t reap the benefits of higher damage if you can’t hit your shots. Finally, make sure you add the Hollow Point Ammo Type for increased limb damage, along with the Vital Proficiency, which increases the critical hitbox.

BAR (FASTEST TTK)

• Muzzle: Mercury Silencer
• Optic: Slate Reflector
• Stock: CGC Wire
• Underbarrel: Carver Foregrip
• Magazine: .50 BMG 30 Round Mag
• Ammo Type: Hollow Point
• Rear Grip: Fabric Grip
• Proficiency: Hardscope
• Kit: Fully Loaded

The BAR is absolutely ridiculous and will likely get nerfed at some point. But for now, you should give it a try since it has one of the fastest TTKs in the game. You can achieve a two-hit kill with this weapon if you build it the right way. The key is to make sure you equip the 50 BMG 30 Round Mag, which boosts the damage at the expense of recoil control.

Then, you should always use the Hollow Point Ammo Type so you deal more damage to limbs. From here, your main priority should be to boost the recoil control as much as possible, as the weapon does have noticeable kickback. The Carver Foregrip, Hardscope Proficiency, and Mercury Silencer all improve recoil control. Keep in mind, this weapon is tremendously slow, so it helps to boost its aim down sights (ADS) speeds, as well.

VOLKSSTURMGEWEHR (SNIPER SUPPORT)

• Muzzle: Mercury Silencer
• Barrel: VDD 287mm
• Optic: Nydar Model 47
• Stock: Reisdorf 22V Adjustable
• Underbarrel: Carver Foregrip
• Magazine: .30 Russian Short 45 Round
• Ammo Type: Hollow Point
• Rear Grip: Fabric Grip
• Proficiency: Perfectionist
• Kit: Fully Loaded

We like the Volkssturmgewehr (Volk) due to its SMG-like qualities, with high mobility, fast ADS times, and sprint to fire speeds. Since it’s still an assault rifle, you can get away with pulling off mid-to-long range eliminations if you’re skilled. In this case, we recommend building the Volk as a sniper support weapon, as it will cover your bases at close and mid-range.

Make sure you bring the VDD 287mm Barrel to decrease the ADS times, along with the .30 Russian Short 45 Round Magazine for added damage (though, this will penalize your recoil control). You might find this weapon difficult to control from afar, so try to use your sniper for those situations instead.

BEST VANGUARD LOADOUT: MARKSMAN RIFLE

SVT-40

• Muzzle: Mercury Silencer
• Barrel: Zac 730mm Precision
• Optic: G16 2.5x
• Stock: Crown Padded
• Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop
• Magazine: 6.5 Sakura 15 Round Mags
• Ammo Type: Hollow Point
• Rear Grip: Leather Grip
• Proficiency: Vital
• Kit: Fully Loaded

Hands down, the best Marksman Rifle is the SVT-40, as it has the capability to eliminate a player in only one shot. It has a lot of qualities of a sniper, but with a faster fire rate, meaning you can quickly release a follow-up shot if you miss (or don’t get the one-hit-kill). In this case, we highly recommend coming equipped with the 6.5 Sakura 15 Round Mags, which not only increases your ammo capacity, but also improves the fire rate.

With this build, you should always have the Vital Proficiency equipped, since it will improve the likelihood of you getting a one-hit kill. The Hollow Point Ammo Type will also allow you to achieve a more consistent TTK. This is a faster-paced setup with quick ADS times, fire rate, and recoil recovery — allowing you to continue firing on target with ease.

BEST VANGUARD LOADOUT: SNIPER

TYPE 99

• Muzzle: Mercury Silencer
• Barrel: Shiraishi Short
• Optic: G16 2.5x
• Stock: Sakura CVR Custom
• Underbarrel: Heavy Foregrip
• Magazine: 8mm Klauser 5 Round Mags
• Ammo Type: Lengthened
• Rear Grip: Leather Grip
• Proficiency: Vital
• Kit: Deep Breath

In Call of Duty, a lightweight, aggressive sniper build is always the meta, as it allows players to immediately aim down sights to pull off fast eliminations in quick succession. In Vanguard, all three snipers are fantastic, but the Type 99 has a tremendously fast ADS time if built the correct way.

For starters, you should use the Shiraishi Short Barrel, which boosts your ADS speeds. In addition, the G16 2.5x Optic will improve your ADS times, making it easy to “quick scope.” As expected, the 8mm Klauser 5 Round Mags should be equipped, to improve damage, along with the Vital Proficiency for a larger critical hitbox, making it easier to gain one-hit-kills.

BEST VANGUARD LOADOUT: SHOTGUN

COMBAT SHOTGUN

• Muzzle: SUHL 16 Brake
• Barrel: Framble 18” Precision
• Optic: Slate Reflector
• Stock: CGC 3m Adjustable
• Underbarrel: SMLE Pistol Grip
• Magazine: 12 Guage 5 Round Tube
• Ammo Type: Incendiary
• Rear Grip: Fabric Grip
• Proficiency: Vital
• Kit: Quick

The Combat Shotgun is wildly overpowered, so it’s best to level up this weapon now, before it gets nerfed. For best results, we advise building this weapon to excel at hip-firing, meaning you’ll be able to quickly eliminate players without having to ADS. The CGC 3m Adjustable Stock will improve your hip-fire accuracy, along with your sprint to fire speeds.

Then, we recommend the SMLE Underbarrel, which gives you an even greater hip-fire and sprint to fire boost. The Incendiary Ammo Type is not totally necessary, but it can make a difference between winning and losing a gunfight, so it’s a good idea to at least try it out. Finally, the Vital Proficiency is a must, as it will result in more one-hit-kills thanks to its critical damage boost.

BEST VANGUARD LOADOUT: LMG

DP27

• Muzzle: Mercury Silencer
• Barrel: Kovalevskaya 604mm
• Optic: Nydar Model 47
• Stock: Zac S2m
• Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop
• Magazine: .30-06 63 Round Pans
• Ammo Type: Hollow Point
• Rear Grip: Fabric Grip
• Proficiency: Hardscope
• Kit: Fully Loaded

LMGs are always a tough sell since they’re often slow and hard to use, but the DP27 is actually a great choice. In this case, we recommend this weapon for objective-based modes, as it’s ideal for holding down a particular area of the map. You won’t be able to run and gun with this one as effectively, due to its slow mobility, but it does work wonders if you plan on playing more tactically.

For this build, we recommend the Kovalevskaya 604mm Barrel, which improves accuracy. We also like the .30-06 63 Round Pans Magazine to gain more damage output. The M1941 Hand Stop will make up for the recoil control reduction from the Magazine, while the Hardscope Proficiency will boost your accuracy.