Ranked Play is finally available in Call of Duty Vanguard and it’s about time we talk about guns, right? Following a small delay, which Treyarch explained was due to a “stat-breaking issue”, Vanguard Ranked was released in a beta format on February 18. Now, players can go head to head in a new competitive environment that mimics the Call of Duty League rulesets and restrictions. With this in mind, we have the best Vanguard Ranked loadouts for you below.
In Vanguard’s ranked mode, certain weapons, specific attachments, and a number of field upgrades and killstreaks are restricted – just like in the CDL. This means you’re going to have to create a new set of classes before jumping into a ranked game of Search and Destroy, Hardpoint, or Control – the three modes you’ll be competing in if you play Vanguard’s Ranked Play.
In this guide, we’re taking a look at the best Vanguard ranked loadouts. We’ll be looking at what the CDL pros are using in this season’s competition to throw together the best classes for you to use when you jump into ranked next.
Best Vanguard Ranked loadouts
These are the three best Vanguard ranked loadouts you can use right now:
- MP40 + Ratt
- Automaton + Ratt
- STG44 + Ratt
- Kar98k + Ratt
Josh ‘SalvationsElite’ Roeloffs, a Call of Duty esports content creator, has picked apart the loadouts used by CDL pros to put together the three best Vanguard Ranked loadouts for you to use. Let’s start with a classic, the MP40…
Best Vanguard Ranked loadouts – MP40 + Ratt
If you’re an SMG player looking for something that can shred enemies at close range, the MP40 is the perfect option. Here’s the build you need to know:
- Muzzle: F8 Stabilizer
- Barrel: Krausnick 317mm 04B
- Optic: Krausnick ISO2M
- Stock: Krausnick 33M Folding
- Underbarrel: SMLE Pistol Grip
- Magazine: N/A
- Ammo Type: Lengthened
- Rear Grip: Stippled Grip
- Proficiency: Brace
- Kit: Quick
This MP40 is built with speed in mind and the attachment set-up above will increase movement speed and aim down sight (ADS) speed while retaining solid recoil control.
Picking a secondary weapon can be tough, but the Ratt is the sidearm favoured by the CDL’s best – you can’t bring a Bazooka into this playlist. Looking at the rest of the loadout, Ninja, Radar, and Double Time are the perks recommended and a classic combo of Frags and Stuns is the best way to round out the loadout.
If you’re looking to use this weapon in Warzone, too, you can check out our guide to the best MP40 Warzone loadout here.
Best Vanguard Ranked loadouts – Automaton + Ratt
If you’re looking for an assault rifle option, the Automaton is the best choice. Here’s the recommended attachment build:
- Muzzle: F8 Stabilizer
- Barrel: Anastasia Sniper
- Optic: Slate Reflector
- Stock: Zac Skeletal
- Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop
- Magazine: N/A
- Ammo Type: Lengthened
- Rear Grip: Fabric Grip
- Proficiency: Tight Grip
- Kit: On-Hand
When it comes to the Automaton, it’s best to lean into its natural strengths with your build. This weapon will be able to beam enemies across the map and its naturally high rate of fire gives it an excellent time to kill (TTK). You could opt for a different rear grip if you want an attachment that offers more recoil control, but the Fabric Grip is a popular choice.
Once again, the Ratt is a popular choice for this loadout’s secondary weapon slot. If you’re wondering what perks this class needs, the best options are Fortified, Radar, and Double Time. With a lot of options restricted, having Frag Grenades and Stun Grenades is the best choice in terms of throwables.
If you want to use the Automaton in Caldera, you can check out our best Automaton Warzone loadout guide here.
Best Vanguard Ranked loadouts – STG44 + Ratt
If you’re looking for an alternative option to the Automaton, this STG44 build will provide you with a reliable choice. It is a little slower than the former assault rifle, but don’t let that fool you. It’s still going to do damage where it counts. Here’s what you need to attach to get the STG44 ready for Ranked:
- Muzzle: F8 Stabilizer
- Barrel: VVD 750mm 05B
- Optic: Slate Reflector
- Stock: Konstanz Tactical
- Underbarrel: M3 Ready Grip
- Magazine: N/A
- Ammo Type: Lengthened
- Rear Grip: Fabric Grip
- Proficiency: Focus
- Kit: On-Hand
It’s never easy to put together a good weapon build, but this should lean into the STG44’s natural strengths and offers improved speed and accuracy.
Once again, the Ratt remains a solid secondary weapon choice here. We’d also recommend Frag Grenades and Stun Grenades for the throwables, just like the Automaton loadout mentioned above. Fortified, Radar, and Double Time are also excellent options for perks.
If you’re looking at playing Call of Duty’s battle royale instead, we have the best STG44 Warzone loadout options here for you to check out.
Best Vanguard Ranked loadouts – Kar98k + Ratt
Fancy yourself a marksman? The Kar98k is a reliable sniper rifle and here are the attachments you should equip to get the most out of it:
- Muzzle: F8 Stabilizer
- Barrel: VDD 660m 05HE
- Optic: N/A
- Stock: Reisdorf Wire
- Underbarrel: SMLE Pistol Grip
- Magazine: Klauser 3 Round Mag
- Ammo Type: Lengthened
- Rear Grip: Fabric Grip
- Proficiency: Quickscope
- Kit: Deep Breath
Finding the right build for a sniper rifle is always tough, but you’re going to want a sniper that’s built for quick-scoping in Vanguard Ranked. That’s why this Kar98k is built to increase mobility and movement speed with Quickscope and Deep Breath maintaining accuracy.
As with the previous loadouts, you’ll want the Ratt pistol as your secondary with Frags and Stun Grenades as your equipment. Survival Training, Radar, and Lightweight are the best perks for this class. You can swap Double Time in for Lightweight, though, to increase your tactical sprint duration and crouched movement speed.
If Call of Duty’s battle royale is more your speed, you can check out the best Kar98k Warzone loadout here.
Well, that’s everything you need to know about the best Vanguard Ranked loadouts for this season. Treyarch has confirmed that any new Vanguard weapon will go through an evaluation period before it’s thrown into Vanguard’s Ranked ruleset. This means things might change in the future but we’ll keep you updated if they do.
If you’re looking for information on Warzone ranked, we have everything you need to know and the latest rumours about this highly sought-after game mode.