Call of Duty: Vanguard is full of weapons to choose from, with dozens of options available to players. While SMGs like the MP-40 and Type 100 are solid, the class is held back by weapons like the Sten. Though there are a few weak links in the Assault Rifle category, a vast majority of the weapons are either good or great, meaning that it is hard to go wrong when using one of the game’s Assault Rifles.

Still, given the fact that other players in Call of Duty: Vanguard will likely be using the best guns, it is important to keep up with the game’s meta. There are a few weapons that are at the top of the list, even if the guns in the tier below them are certainly still usable. With only one weapon to avoid, Call of Duty: Vanguard fans have several viable options available to them.

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C Tier: Call of Duty: Vanguard’s NZ-41

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At the bottom of the list is Call of Duty: Vanguard’s NZ-41. The gun’s major issue is that it does not excel in any particular area; the damage is decent, the range is average, and the fire rate is fairly lackluster. The recoil is also a major downside, as the weapon kicks in an unpredictable way. As such, players can only improve it so much with the gunsmith, as they need to prioritize a few stats over others.

Still, those working on Call of Duty: Vanguard’s camo challenges will be happy to know that the weapon is usable with the right attachments. The Orbweaver 360MM barrel goes a long way to improving the forgettable Assault Rifle, with the weapon’s recoil being done away with. Similarly, the Orbweaver E Pack stock will help to fully eliminate the weapon’s strange kick, making it good enough to work with.

B Tier: Call of Duty: Vanguard’s AS44 And Itra Burst

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It may surprise some people to see the AS44 Assault Rifle above the NZ-41, especially given the state of the weapon when it launched. However, the reality is that the gun is no longer the weapon it was on day one. Heading into Call of Duty: Vanguard Season 1, it is fully usable due to the changes made to weapon bloom. While it is still not the best weapon in the game by any means, it is solid.

Prior to Call of Duty: Vanguard’s weapon bloom being adjusted, the AS44 was painfully inaccurate. However, with the changes, bullets now hit where players are aiming - especially with the Kovalevskaya 615 MM barrel and 7.62 Gorenko 45 Round Mag equipped. These two attachments help to create a weapon that is almost recoil-free, which is an incredible transformation given how the AS44 used to be.

As for Call of Duty: Vanguard’s Itra Burst, the other weapon in B Tier, the gun is easily the most unique Assault Rifle available. Excelling more at mid to long range due to its unique burst-fire style, players who have the skill to wield the weapon can make it into a one-burst killing machine. Good aim and the right attachments are required for the weapon to kill quickly, such as the Botti 300MM CXII barrel and the Perfetto Padded Grip. As the only burst-fire Assault Rifle in the game at launch, it is a truly special weapon.

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A Tier: Call of Duty: Vanguard’s BAR And Volk

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The strength of Call of Duty: Vanguard’s Assault Rifle class is made clear through the top two tiers, as the four weapons within them are all extremely viable. The BAR is a great example of this, as the heavy-hitting weapon carries on the legacy it established for itself in Call of Duty: World at War and Call of Duty: WW2. The weapon is both iconic and effective, as has proven to be just as strong in the live game as it was in the beta. Call of Duty: Vanguard’s BAR is only held back by a low fire rate, with the gun dealing some absurd damage. As such, players should use a Recoil Booster to make it fire faster, with the rest of the attachments aimed at making it more accurate.

Call of Duty: Vanguard’s Volk just barely misses out on S Tier due to its two downsides: recoil and range. The gun boasts good damage and a very impressive fire rate, so players should focus primarily on fixing up the aforementioned recoil. The Krausnick 428MM OSV barrel goes a long way to accomplishing this task. The M1930 Strife Angled underbarrel will help with accuracy as well, while the SMG-like weapon can be made even faster by equipping the SA Converted stock.

S Tier: Call of Duty: Vanguard’s StG 44 And Automaton

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The fact that Call of Duty: Vanguard’s StG 44 is still meta after being nerfed speaks volumes about the gun’s quality. Available to players from the second they start playing multiplayer, the weapon’s effectiveness knows no limits. Strong from a distance and up close due to a good fire rate, damage, accuracy, and range, there is no true downside to the weapon. While it could get nerfed further in Season 1, there is a chance that it remains a jack-of-all-trades and a strong introductory weapon for new players. The .30 Russian Short 30 Round Mags and the VDD 760 MM 05B are fine choices to make it even better.

However, for those tired of seeing the StG 44 or those worried about a potential nerf hitting it at the start of Season 1, it may be time to start leveling up Call of Duty: Vanguard’s Automaton. Once again, the VDD 760 MM 05B barrel is a good choice, as the weapon is an all-around powerhouse like the StG 44. However, players can give it some larger magazines via the 8MM Kurz 45 round drums. With no recoil and a better rate of fire than the StG 44, it is right there with the weapon at the top of the mountain - and it is likely to keep its position for a fair bit longer, which makes it even better.

Call of Duty: Vanguard is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

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