While the initial response to Call of Duty: Vanguard multiplayer was positive, it has grown increasingly negative in recent weeks. This seems unlikely to change anytime soon, with players voicing disapproval with the Call of Duty League skins that were recently added to Call of Duty: Vanguard.
Back during Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, the Call of Duty League outfit was one of the most popular skins in the game, as players loved the mask, glasses, and hat combo. For Call of Duty: Vanguard, though, the outfits are a bit less unique, as the various Operators see their default outfits recolored to be black and white. This has led to several comments calling the skins lazy, though the issues go beyond the new cosmetics not being fancy enough.
Call of Duty: Vanguard players are also disappointed that the skins only come in the default black and white, with many citing Halo’s eSports skins as an example of what should be offered. Fans understandably want to support their favorite Call of Duty League team, though they are currently unable to do this. While Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War got team-specific skins later in its life cycle, and Call of Duty: Vanguard will likely do the same, fans clearly wanted them from day one.
While many fans are flooding the comments of the Call of Duty League post with photos of the Halo Championship Series skins, others take issue with a different aspect of the $10 bundle. While most seem to be fine with the Calling Cards and the Emblems included within the pack, the big problem with the collection of cosmetics is the blueprint. While the black and white weapon looks great visually, it is attached to a gun that will not be used in competitive play.
Pro players have deemed Call of Duty: Vanguard’s BAR to be too powerful for Call of Duty League matches, and as a result, a gentleman’s agreement has been struck. Pros will not be using the BAR once the season begins, meaning that this blueprint will not be shown off in the competitive matches. It is essentially useless to the players that would be most interested in a Call of Duty League pack, which has led many to consider the bundle tone deaf. Even Call of Duty League players like FaZe Simp have poked fun at the BAR Blueprint, for example.
While it is a bit too late for Sledgehammer to change these Call of Duty: Vanguard cosmetics now, the reaction should be a good lesson to keep in mind for future Call of Duty League bundles. With such a negative response, this is a mistake that Activision and the various Call of Duty developers will want to avoid repeating.
Call of Duty: Vanguard is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.