Call of Duty: Vanguard is one of the fastest-paced Call of Duty games yet. With the ability to close distance quickly and efficiently, players may believe that shotguns are an ideal choice in Call of Duty: Vanguard. However, at launch they were snubbed by high-ranking players and streamers, leading them to be ignored by many fans. Eventually, the Combat Shotgun caught the attention of players and began to pop up regularly in multiplayer lobbies. While the merit of the Combat Shotgun was obvious other shotguns like the Gracey Auto still have the ability to shine.
The most recent patch for Call of Duty: Vanguard nerfed shotguns across the board, mostly owing to the broken state of the Combat Shotgun that could be wielded to deadly effect at ranges far beyond what a shotgun should be capable of. The Gracey Auto, while also subject to the nerf, still acts as a good close-range beginner's choice that allows players to dispatch several enemies without reloading.
How to Effectively Use the Gracey Auto Shotgun
With the recent nerf in mind, players need to treat the Gracey Auto as more of a niche pick than before. Vanguard's Combat Shotgun set unrealistic standards for the distance at which shotguns could be used, but the nerf managed to pull back their effective distance, so shotguns need to be treated as close-range options again. The Gracey Auto is still the best choice for beginner players who struggle to consistently land their first shot in close-range encounters. By its nature, the Gracey Auto is a more forgiving shotgun than peers like the Double-Barrel or Combat Shotgun.
To truly maximize the usefulness of the Gracey Auto, players should be aware of which Call of Duty: Vanguard maps it works best on. Currently, the Gracey Auto is going to outshine most options in close-quarters environments like Das Haus, Eagle's Nest, and Shipment. With its range limitations in mind, the Gracey Auto is basically a nonstarter on open maps like Oasis, Red Star, or Demyansk. Still, even the most open of maps have areas that force opponents into close engagements where the Gracey Auto can be effectively used.
The Best Attachments for the Gracey Auto Shotgun
Before the nerf, there were two viable ways of running the Gracey Auto. The first was to increase its range and hope to compete with SMGs like the MP-40, or the second was to maximize mobility and force opponents to fight up-close. While it's certainly still possible to do the former, it's not the ideal way to run the Gracey Auto anymore, so players should opt for perks and attachments that grant them mobility. Regardless of what attachments a player picks, they need to run the Gung-Ho Proficiency, as it negates any sprint-to-fire delay, providing a huge advantage in heads-up engagements. It's also worth picking up the Quick Kit perk, as it will give players a bit of extra mobility.
For attachments, players will want to prioritize speed, mobility, and fire rate. Since shotguns are typically used in close-up fights, they don't suffer as much from Call of Duty: Vanguard's bloom mechanic, so bullet spread will not be a huge concern. Instead, any build with the Gracey Auto should force the fight into short ranges. For this, the best choices are CGC 22" Rapid and Removed Stock. For grips, players should stick with the SMLE Pistol Grip and either the Fabric Grip or the Pine Tar Grip. Lastly, players will want to use 12 Gauge 10 Round Drum and the Packed Powder ammunition.
Call of Duty: Vanguard is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.