Call of Duty: Vanguard, like most games in the series, sees SMGs and Assault Rifles taking the crown as the best weapon categories available to players. WhileCall of Dutygames usually favor one of the two classes slightly, and Assault Rifles are a bit better overall this year, SMGs are still strong due to the smaller locations that feature inCall of Duty: Vanguard’s map lineup.
When hopping into a match of Shipment or Das Haus, though, players are going to want to have the right SMG equipped. While no weapons in the class are truly unusable, some are very clearly at the bottom and top of the list. ForCall of Duty: Vanguardplayers that are unsure of what weapons are meta and which should be avoided, a tier list is a good way to get a quick grasp of the best and worst options that are currently available.
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C Tier: Call of Duty: Vanguard’s Sten And PPSh-41
Call of Duty: Vanguard’s Stenfinds itself at the bottom of the list due to a low fire rate, poor range, and a large amount of recoil. As such, players will want to use the Hockenson 248MM barrel to make the weapon burst fire as soon as they get the ability to do so. The .45 ACP 20 Round Mags also help with its damage output, though they force players to reload more often. Even with the best attachment setups, the gun has more downsides than other SMGs, making it deserving of its spot in C tier.
Fortunately, the Sten is a bit more bearable now, as are the other SMGs. The gun was heavily impacted byCall of Duty: Vanguard’s weapon bloom, but Sledgehammer Games has lowered bloom by around 60% for every weapon in the game. This makes the Sten more viable than it was, helping it avoid D tier and climb into C tier alongside the PPSh-41. It is also Arthur Kingsley’s favorite weapon, letting players level it up faster, something that should help players push through the painful low levels.
Call of Duty: Vanguard’s PPSh-41is hurt by its extreme recoil, a downside to its fire rate. Unfortunately, players will need to push through the first several levels to get attachments that dampen the recoil. Further, to actually improve the gun’s damage and other stats, players need to level it up a majority of the way. The ZAC 300MM barrel and .30 Russian Short 35 Round Mags are both unlocked closer to level 70 than level 1, which means gamers need to struggle with the PPSh’s downsides for a long period of time. This process is a long one since the gun is no Operator’s favorite weapon, so players will want to make use of any Double Weapon XP tokens they have. When these two attachments are unlocked, the gun becomes a solid-if-not-amazing choice.
B Tier: Call of Duty: Vanguard’s Owen Gun And M1928
Call of Duty: Vanguard’s Owen Gunmay be one of the most underrated weapons in the game. Its major downside is its magazine, which is in an odd position. Found on top of the gun as opposed to below it, players will have limited vision with the default mags. The 7.62 Gorenko 72 Round Drums are a bit better in this regard, though they take up part of the right side of the screen, continuing the problem of obscured vision.
However, if players can get used to the gun’s strange look, it can be a reliable SMG due to its many strengths. Its average rate of fire can be improved upon with the Hockenson 142MM barrel, while other attachments can eliminate recoil completely. With solid damage and range, there is a lot to love about the gun, and it being the favorite weapon of theCall of Duty: VanguardOperatorLucas ensures it can be leveled up quickly.
Call of Duty: Vanguard’s M1928is right there with the Owen Gun. Better known as the Thompson or Tommy Gun, the weapon’s distinct drum mag guarantees players have all the ammo they’ll need to gun down their foes as they work on leveling it up. With the weapon being strong at close range by default, players can focus on expanding its strengths. The Chariot 2.5” Rapid barrel and .45 ACP 30 Round Fast Mags are both solid attachments for an already good gun.
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A Tier: Call of Duty: Vangurd’s Type 100
There are a lot of upsides toCall of Duty: Vanguard’s Type 100, and if the MP-40 is nerfed in Season 1, this SMG could quickly find itself stealing the top spot. A meta weapon due to its strong damage and speed, the Type 100 can be leveled up quickly since it is Wade’s gun of choice. Even with the best attachments, its main downside will be its small magazine size, though players can compensate by equipping Sleight of Hand.
Fortunately, small magazines are the weapon’s only downside, asCall of Duty: Vanguardplayerswill quickly realize that it works well from all ranges with the right attachments. The .30 Russian Short 30 Round Mags boost damage by 2, making them a must, and the Warubachi 134MM Rapid barrel will see players emptying those magazines quickly. For those that are more concerned with outdoing the competition in Season 1 than right now, the Type 100 is worth leveling up.
S Tier: Call of Duty: Vanguard’s MP-40
Finally, there isCall of Duty: Vanguard’s MP-40, which is the best of the best in the SMG category. Even with no attachments, players should have no problem topping the leaderboards with this gun equipped. It only becomes better once players kit it out in the gunsmith, as the TTK goes from great to absurd. With the 9MM Para 24 Round Fast Mag and the Krausnick 317MM 04B barrel, players will be virtually unstoppable. The weapon is Halima’s favorite as well, ensuring players can level it up fast, and gamers will want to make the most of it before it is inevitably hit with a series of nerfs.
Call of Duty: Vanguardis available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
