It's time to stop pretending there isn't any hate for the MP-40 in Call of Duty: Vanguard. The gameplay has strongly skewed toward mid to long-range firing thanks to slow player movement and maps with lots of open areas. Also, the starting assault rifle is better in all four major categories than the MP-40.
So can the MP-40 be anything special with so much going again it? The answer is yes, it's just a matter of finding an identity and crafting a loadout that complements that identity. Thankfully, Call of Duty: Vanguard offers up the tools to do exactly that.
Operator
- Halima
For players who have been unlocking all of the operators, they should have Halima available. Especially if starting out with a sniper rifle, because it just takes fifty prone kills to unlock her. It's highly recommended to unlock her first, it makes the leveling experience much more pleasant.
Her favorite weapon is the MP-40 and when she uses it, she gets bonus experience for both herself and for the gun. In her hands, the unlocks will come pouring in, making it that much quicker to construct this loadout.
Attachments
|
Muzzle |
Strife Compensator |
|
Barrel |
Krausnick 317mm 04B |
|
Optic |
M38/Slate 2.5x Custom |
|
Stock |
VDD 25M Wire Grip |
|
Underbarrel |
M1941 Hand Stop |
|
Magazine |
9mm 24 Round Fast Mags |
|
Ammo Type |
Lengthened |
|
Rear Grip |
Stippled Grip |
|
Proficiency |
Brace |
|
Kit |
Fully Loaded |
The goal is to make the MP-40 a force to be reckoned with in mid-range encounters. Because it can't compete with other SMGs and gets torn to shreds by shotguns, the short-range encounters just don't hold up well for the MP-40.
Players who bought different versions of the game will have different unlocks, but all of these will be available with enough hours put into the MP-40. It adds enough accuracy and recoil reduction to beat most assault rifles in mid-range fights.
Secondary Weapon
- MK11 Launcher
The MK11 Launcher is likely a favorite after the campaign made it so lovable and destructive in a number of missions. It works just as well online, especially to soften up infantry before charging in to finish them off with the MP-40.
Because the SMG can't curve and hit around corners, this is a handy weapon that can take of enemies who duck for cover. There is some handy equipment for taking out vehicles, but because this build doesn't need stealth, that better left to the more classic SMG users.
Perks
|
Perk 1 |
Dauntless |
|
Perk 2 |
Piercing Vision |
|
Perk 3 |
Scavenger |
In amateur games, Dauntless is an underrated perk. There are several tactical devices that slow players down, setting them up for easy kills. Pros take advantage of this oversight in open queue matches, don't fall into their trap.
Piercing Vision works in tandem with the MK11 Launcher. Players will stay marked when they duck out of cover after a fight, telling players exactly where to drop a grenade. Due to the quick firing rate, more ammo never hurts, so Scavenger comes well-recommended.
Lethal Slot
- Gammon Bomb
There is no denying that this gun chews through ammunition. That's the downside of having a gun with an absurd firing rate. After going through a magazine, occasionally an enemy will have a slight amount of health left. Toss in a quick Gammon Bomb to finish the job instead of letting the opponent escape.
The immediate explosion works best for this loadout. There isn't the time to cook a grenade and damage-over-time gadgets are more of an opening toss than a finishing touch. The Gammon Bomb nets precious kills needed for the next big killstreak reward.
Tactical Slot
- No 69 Stun Grenade
While the Gammon Bomb is a perfect finisher, it's the No 69 Stun Grenade that sets the stage as an ideal opening act. With an immediate burst, opponents are slowed and can't aim well. From there, the MP-40 doesn't have to be told what to do.
Not many loadouts use this weapon because very few of them can take advantage of it like the MP-40. It doesn't have the fastest aim time, so this does become necessary when running into a dreaded SMG or shotgun user running around the backlines.
Killstreaks
- Care Package
- Warmachine
- Deathmachine
The Care Package is a key component to almost any loadout, giving players over a 92% chance to get a killstreak reward equal to or better than the four kill rewards. It does require dipping out of combat to throw it down, but once it is down, it can potentially help the entire team.
Both the Warmachine and Deathmachine provide players with incredible weapons that persist through death. Thanks to a faster loadout than other mid-range weapons, it should be possible to survive with a smart retreat, enabling these killstreak rewards to trigger more often than for the average soldier.
Field Upgrade
- Supply Box
The first option available might not be the most splashy selection, but it is the most effective. Its fast cooldown enables players to use the Supply Box almost every time they run out of ammunition unless they're trying to shoot a wall as fast as possible.
These Supply Boxes help other players too and it is shocking how few players keep it on hand in higher-tier play. Even in bad games for the MP-40, great players are always grateful to resupply their ammo and gadgets, giving the team a small but necessary leg up in battle.
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.