After playing through Call of Duty: Vanguard's campaign, it is virtually inarguable that the 3-Line Rifle is the most memorable weapon. It has heart behind it, a story, and is placed into the hands of a powerful character. But the question is, does this carry over to multiplayer?
The short answer is: Yes. But it needs some tuning up with the loadout in order to unlock its full potential. For players who enjoy shooting enemies silently from across the map in Call of Duty: Vanguard, the 3-Line Rifle has everything that the player could want, plus the power of instant death behind each pull of the trigger.
Operator
- Polina
To nobody's surprise, Polina is the master of using the 3-Line Rifle. This isn't just a bit of character flavor, it has an impact on the game itself. While she uses the gun, she gets extra experience and, more importantly, so does the 3-Line Rifle.
Players who have unlocked every operator in the game will be richly rewarded for pairing these two together. It makes unlocking the attachments that much faster and many of them are critical to getting a competitive advantage over other long-ranged selections.
Attachments
|
Muzzle |
MX Silencer |
|
Barrel |
500mm MN Custom |
|
Optic |
SVT-40 PU Scope 3-6x |
|
Stock |
Zac Custom MZ |
|
Underbarrel |
Bipod |
|
Magazine |
.30-06 20 Round Mags |
|
Ammo Type |
Subsonic |
|
Rear Grip |
Taped Grip |
|
Proficiency |
Silent Focus |
|
Kit |
Deep Breath |
After equipping these attachments, it will immediately become apparent why the gun is not one of the many weapons unlocked automatically at the beginning of the game. It kills with a shot anywhere on the body and can strike opponents from any fathomable range.
Best of all, that kind of power doesn't come at the expense of stealth. The 3-Line Rifle allows for maximum damage with minimum noise. Find an area that can see most of the map and camp out. It's not a mobile build, but it shouldn't need to be.
Secondary Weapon
- MK11 Launcher
It would have felt amazing to blow up a bunch of baddies while checking off the "Ticket Please" achievement, but the MK11 Launcher is worth waiting for the multiplayer to use. It complements the 3-Line Rifle's positioning perfectly.
With an elevated spot over the map, players will have a great vantage for dropping grenades and bombs directly on top of opponents. The 3-Line Rifle can handle anyone not in cover. For those who do find cover, the MK11 Launcher can help out nicely.
Perks
|
Perk 1 |
Cold Blooded |
|
Perk 2 |
High Alert |
|
Perk 3 |
Tactician |
This level of stealth is probably the reason that perks are disabled for the campaign. A number of single-player missions would turn into a cakewalk. For starters, Cold Blooded makes the player invisible to most killstreak rewards, which is the primary way most players have of dealing with a sniper rifle that has this kind of range.
There are times with High Alert will save a life, usually at least a couple of times every game. Players can't constantly have eyes in the back of their heads or to the side, so the High Alert flash will give players a warning of when to duck. The extra tactical gadgets from Tactician further contribute to the loadout's defense prowess.
Lethal Slot
- Gammon Bomb
A lot of thought went into making the maps in Call of Duty: Vanguard, which means that no weapon can dominate an entire game without some kind of issue. Crafty players will find a way to sprint or stealth toward the 3-Line Rifle position.
Since close combat is sometimes unavoidable, the Gammon Bomb is a perfect insurance policy. With instant detonation, it can kill many opponents right away. This blast will sometimes kill the player too if it is too close, but it's better than becoming a free kill for the opposing side.
Tactical Slot
- S-Mine 44
Another means of defense against silent killers is the S-Mine 44. The Tactician perk grants a charge of this every 30 seconds, allowing entrenched snipers to really stake a claim on their territory. It's not a lethal mine, but it doesn't have to be to get the job done.
Upon hearing a mine detonate, look over in the direction of the noise and fire away to acquire a free kill on a stunned opponent. Then replace the S-Mine 44 with another one and get back to surveying the landscape.
Killstreaks
- Care Package
- Mortar Barrage
- Emergency Airdrop
It's hard to express just how powerful Care Package and Emergency Airdrop are. The first one takes only four kills to get and has over a 92% chance of giving a reward equal to or greater than the cost. Broken down by package, the Emergency Airdrop has a 100% chance to do the same.
Mortar Barrage is a handy tool to kill the enemy, but, more importantly, it can force opponents toward a desirable direction. Having the barrage target a location of general security will force many to head away from security and directly into the scope of the 3-Line-Rifle.
Field Upgrade
- Tactical Insertion
Since this loadout is capable of across-the-map range, it should be a top priority to get into positions that have across-the-map views. This is not an easy thing to find, of course. So when players do find a spot, they should do everything in their power to get there and stay there.
The slow sniper rifle movements make for easy killings and even the 3-Line Rifle can find itself caught in a never-ending cycle of death. Instead of dying to get better position, toss up a Tactical Insertion flare and automatically spawn in the idea spot after an untimely death.
Call of Duty: Vanguard was released on November 5th, 2021, and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.