When starting out in Call of Duty: Vanguard, it's hard to go wrong with selecting the STG44. It's fair to assume that because the gun is available right away, it must not be very good. But it is difficult to find an assault rifle that performs better, even at the highest tier.
While it admittedly has the lowest firepower in its class, the firepower of every assault rifle is in the same ballpark. The accuracy and speed make up for this. Furthermore, getting the right attachments and complementary weapons and gadgets can carry a player from level one until the highest level Call of Duty: Vanguard has to offer.
Operator
- Roland
Roland was made for the STG44. It's listed as his favorite weapon and, as such, players who use the two together get double experience toward their gun and double experience toward the operator. This one is a no-brainer.
Call of Duty: Vanguard was met with eager anticipation, but it requires a demanding amount of patience. Roland isn't available until after notching 300 AR kills. That will take a day or two of dedicated assault rifle usage, but once he's unlocked, it's smooth sailing.
Attachments
|
Muzzle |
Chord Muzzle Brake |
|
Barrel |
VD 320MM 02B |
|
Optic |
Krausnick IS02M |
|
Stock |
Krausnick S11S Folding |
|
Underbarrel |
M1941 Hand Stop |
|
Magazine |
7.62 Gorenko 30 Round Mags |
|
Ammo Type |
FMJ Rounds |
|
Rear Grip |
Fabric Grip |
|
Proficiency |
Vital |
|
Kit |
Fully Loaded |
Nothing alters the gameplay as much as the attachments on a gun. Players have to choose what stats to sacrifice and what stats to bolster. While perks enable a build to behave the way the player likes, it's the attachments that should best reflect what the player likes to do.
Depending on the edition of the game purchased, not all attachments will be available right away, but they will all unlock over time. For this loadout, players should try to plan on a very active style that doesn't sacrifice aim speed or mobility.
Secondary Weapon
- MK11 Launcher
There is certainly a reasonable case to select a weapon that targets killstreak vehicles. However, it is probably better to kill enemies before they can get ahold of any killstreaks.
Also, the MK11 Launcher takes care of the occasional player using the Combat Shield. The MK11 Launcher is useful on a number of missions and it feels just as powerful in multiplayer.
Perks
|
Perk 1 |
Cold Blooded |
|
Perk 2 |
Piercing Vision |
|
Perk 3 |
Lightweight |
Choosing perks is the hardest part of this build. Many work well for the playstyle since this loadout takes advantage of a weapon that is useful in almost any scenario. Feel free to tamper with these options based on personal experience.
Piercing Vision pairs up with FMJ Rounds nicely, allowing players to shoot through light cover, like boxes and wooden walls. Even without smoke grenades, the battlefield can get very hazy at times, so having a means of seeing opponents through the mayhem is handy.
Lethal Slot
- Thermite
Thanks to increasing aiming and firing speed, this build isn't necessarily weak in close quarters, but it's wise to keep the shotgunners and SMG users at length. Thermite is the best weapon for the job in this case, shutting down hallways for a long enough time to re-position at mid to long-range.
Anybody who ignores the Thermite is in for a world of pain, as it does even more damage than a Molotov, for the small price of an extra second for the weapon to fully deploy.
Tactical Slot
- MK V Gas
Much like the Thermite, the MK V Gas grenade shuts down any ideas about pressing against the STG44. Players who walk into it won't be able to shoot right, setting themselves up to be mowed down like fish in a barrel.
Veteran players know better than to run through it, but the STG44 is prepared for this mid-range scenario as well.
Killstreaks
- Intel
- Care Package
- Warmachine
With a loadout based on being in the thick of the action, deaths are inevitable, so be sure to not select any killstreak with preposterous requirements, those are for snipers only. Care Package is popular for a good reason, there is over a 92% chance of getting a killstreak reward that is as good or better than the four kills it takes to unlock it.
Intel is helpful for sensing nearby enemies and getting the jump on them. Lastly, the Warmachine is a grenade launcher that can almost guarantee a kill per shot. Since the gun itself lasts through death and until depleted, it's a game-breaker in close matches.
Field Upgrade
- Deployable Cover
It never fails that a perfect hallway of death doesn't have any cover. This makes it so firefights are 50:50. Instead of rolling with those odds and hoping to get lucky, bring along some Deployable Cover to get behind.
It's got a fast recharge time, so it should be used immediately upon encountering a corridor that enemies like to use. Having a place to duck behind while still having a perfect view of the action makes the odds lean in the player's favor.
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.