It's hard to say that any marksman rifle is more desirable in Call of Duty: Vanguard than the SVT-40. Of the three available choices, it's the only one whose base stats can kill an enemy with a single headshot. The damage drop-off for body shots isn't too bad either, as it only takes two shots to bring down the opposition.
However, the gun is often underutilized. Its recoil can take some time to grasp and the time between shots isn't all that impressive. Thankfully, with the right loadout, these are hardly issues at all. Making the SVT-40 the best feeling marksman rifle in Call of Duty: Vanguard is just a build away.
Operator
- Any
Bad news first: There is no operator that lists their favorite weapon at the SVT-40. What this means is that no operator is capable of giving or getting extra experience while using it. It's an unfortunate disadvantage, but dedicated players won't be crippled by the limitation.
At max level, the SVT-40 and all other guns don't require any extra experience, so it's not a big deal. The good news is that this allows players who have been diligently unlocking all of the operators to choose their favorite to pair with the SBT-40.
Attachments
|
Muzzle |
MX Silencer |
|
Barrel |
ZAC 730mm Precision |
|
Optic |
SVT-40 PU Scope 3-6x |
|
Stock |
Kovalevskaya SO2 Weighted |
|
Underbarrel |
Carver Foregrip |
|
Magazine |
6.5 Sakura 15 Round Mags |
|
Ammo Type |
Subsonic |
|
Rear Grip |
Pine Tar Grip |
|
Proficiency |
Vital |
|
Kit |
Deep Breath |
A few rounds with this loadout and it will be clear why the SVT-40 wasn't one of the weapons available to players from the start. Not only can it kill in a single shot, but the Vital proficiency increases the area of that one-hit-kill zone.
Because of this power, the player should focus on stealth. Getting to a perfect sniping spot can be a chore, but staying there safely can be even harder. Keep opponents guessing as to where the shots are coming from with sneaky attachments and perks.
Secondary Weapon
- M1 Bazooka
The M1 Bazooka wasn't available for knocking out the "Ticket Please" achievement, which is a shame because it's a great explosive device. It's not meant for killing opponents directly, but that's what the SVT-40 is for. Instead, it destroys vehicles and killstreaks.
On the back lines with this stealth setup, very few players will be able to detect the SVT-40, but teammates still need help when they are less stealthy. Blowing killstreaks out of the sky saves their lives and keeps the frontlines intact for the primary weapon to fire over.
Perks
|
Perk 1 |
Cold Blooded |
|
Perk 2 |
High Alert |
|
Perk 3 |
Tactician |
It's hard to go back to playing all of the missions in the campaign after playing the multiplayer because the perks revolutionize the way the game is played. A simple perk like Cold Blooded completely eliminates the ability for enemy killstreaks to highlight the player.
High Alert is the go-to choice for gamers who will be spending a lot of time in the scope, as most players who use the SVT-40 will do. And it's hard to call the build complete without the Tactician perk, which gives extra tactical gadgets to keep the player safe.
Lethal Slot
- Demolition Charge
The lethal and tactical slots work together nicely for this loadout. Find a good sniping point and place a Demolition Charge at an inconvenient area in the mid-range. When an opponent starts coming from that direction, detonate the charge and remain safe.
Even the best maps in the multiplayer aren't perfect for sniping from afar in every part of the terrain. Placing the demolition charge and an S-Mine 44 on top of each other allows players to score a free kill without having to move or even turn around.
Tactical Slot
- S-Mine 44
The Tactician perk will enable the player to place multiple mines to protect themselves. The SVT-40, as established, is not going to be winning the bulk of close combat encounters. To make up for this, some defenses around the player are necessary.
When a mine goes off, aim at the noise and fire away. The SVT-40 might not be meant to kill up close, but against a stunned target, it's almost impossible to miss. This will also help backline allies remain safe against SMG and shotgun users that try to charge in.
Killstreaks
- Care Package
- Guard Dog
- Emergency Airdrop
The number of players that use Care Package and Emergency Airdrop might get redundant, but there is a good reason these killstreaks are so widely loved. Players have over a 92% chance of getting a killstreak as good or better than the four kills it takes to get the Care Package. This is 100% true per drop on the Emergency Airdrop.
The Guard Dog perk is somewhat unorthodox, but without more close-range defense options, this dog will take care of any enemies that try anything. Plus, combines with the S-Mine 44, the Guard Dog can rack up many kills against defenseless opponents.
Field Upgrade
- Tactical Insertion
Wisely, there are not an infinite amount of sniping areas on each map. They are few and each area will be coveted by fellow snipers. The SVT-40 can claim the high ground with the Tactical Insertion field upgrade, placing it at a great vantage point and then shooting from another one.
Upon death, players will spawn on the Tactical Insertion spot, allowing them to get to the sniping faster. This might not seem like a big deal, but slow and methodical builds can oftentimes die many times consecutively just trying to get to an ideal shooting spot.
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.