Call of Duty Vanguard updates are highly anticipated by players of the first-person shooter. With dozens of weapons, hundreds of attachments, several maps, and all the mechanical intricacies in between, there is a lot to balance to keep the game competitive. Also, as with any game, there are plenty of bugs to fix and quality of life updates to be made.
As a result, players are always keen to find out exactly what’s changed in the latest Vanguard update, so they can adjust their strategies – and their best Vanguard guns – accordingly. Luckily, the Vanguard patch notes will enlighten us all on which buffs, nerfs, fixes, and additions are being made behind the scenes.
In this guide, we’ll keep an archive of all Sledgehammer Games’ Vanguard patch notes or announcements, including those for the most recent Vanguard update, so you can see what’s been changing over time.
We’re yet to get an idea of the update cadence for Vanguard as it’s still early days. However, we expect there to soon be a semi-regular routine for updates, similarly to in Call of Duty Warzone.
VANGUARD UPDATE – December 9
The latest update for Vanguard provides some general fixes alongside the Season 1 launch this week.
MULTIPLAYER
Modes
Shipment
- Adjusted spawn logic to reduce spawn traps
Stability
- “Server Snapshot Error” bug that resulted in being kicked from matches has been fixed
Weapons
- Shotgun shots now correctly hit the front of enemies wearing stowed shields
Clans
- Banning users from clans no longer results in an error
Killstreaks
Mortar Barrage
- Improved visibility by reducing full screen smoke effects. As a result, players need to be closer to the barrage to be affected
UI/UX
- 2XP splash icons now appear when 2XP is set on specific platforms
Progression
- Match progression bar now displays the accurate current level of the weapon
MULTIPLAYER
Gameplay
Mounting
- Did an overall pass on Mounting. Players reported issues regarding mount height and objects not appearing mountable.
Weapons
Gunsmith
- Custom Mods: players can save custom builds.
- Adjusted the camera position when selecting specific weapons or attachments. Players reported the weapon preview was cut off for a handful of attachments.
In-Game
- Fixed a bug where players would load into a game with an invisible weapon.
- Fixed a bug where Combat Shields displayed the wrong skin while stowed.
Progression and Camos
XP
- XP rates have been increased for Snipers.
3-Line Rifle
- Bloodthirsty Challenges have been changed to Prone Challenges.
Field Upgrades
Dead Drop
- Fixed a bug where players were continually awarded their top killstreak when using Dead Drop.
- Charge time has been doubled.
Goliath
- Made it easier to determine if a deployed Goliath is friendly.
Killstreaks
Flamenaut
- Added damage direction indicators for players using Flamenaut.
Fire Bombing Run - Fixed issue where players did not see where the fire VFX started, resulting in players taking damage though they were not standing in the flames.
Attack Dogs
- Fixed a missing VFX path when the whistling animation plays.
UI
- Performance pass on Killstreak decals to reduce flickering.
Challenges
- Fixed an issue with “Grizzled Veteran – Get X Eliminations in Hardcore Mode” not tracking properly.
Progression
- Fixed bug preventing some players from unlocking reticles.
Maps
- Demyansk
- Fixed an exploit where players could exit the map.
- Oasis
- Fixed exploits where players could exit the map.
- Tuscan
- Fixed a rare issue where players spawn outside of the map.
- Numa Numa
- Fixed a rare issue where players spawn outside of the map.
Clan
- UI/UX
- Fixed a bug where player names were blank in “incoming clan requests” if the request was received while in the Clan Request menu.
Menus
- Players will see a warning when equipping 2XP tokens while a global 2XP event is running.
Performance & Connectivity
- Improved stability when connecting to lobbies.
CAMPAIGN
- Stalingrad
- Fixed bug where the game would crash when Polina picked up an NPC.
- Battle of Berlin
- Fixed a bug that would cause the game to crash after cutscene.
ZOMBIES
Progression
- Addressed an issue which prevented players from unlocking the Dark Aether Completionist camo.
Pack-a-Punch
- Addressed an issue that prevented Pack-a-Punched Shotguns with 10 Round Drums from reloading all 10 rounds in a single reload animation.
- Addressed an issue that could incorrectly flag un-upgraded weapons as Pack-a-Punch Level 1.
Gameplay
- Closed various exploits including out-of-map exploits.
Stability
- Fixed a stability issue related to the Frost Blast Artifact.
- Fixed a stability issue related to multi-kills obtained via Equipment.
Vanguard Season 1 update – December 7
The update preparing for Vanguard Season 1 is here. It also brings a few quality of live features – such as the ability to save custom mods in the Gunsmith menu. The full patch notes can be found in the tweet below.
Here’s a breakdown of all the fixes in today’s update, including a fix to the Deadp Drop glitch. pic.twitter.com/VqnlkAIl8y
— Sledgehammer Games (@SHGames) December 7, 2021
VANGUARD UPDATE – NOVEMBER 18
The latest Vanguard update reduces the effects of ADS Spread, fixes weapon challenges, and solved XP issues.
Weapon Tuning
- Reduced the effects of ADS Spread on base weapons
- Balance pass on all shotguns affecting range, pellet spread, hipfire penalty, and more.
Weapon Challenges
- Fixed an issue where the MK11 laucher’s Long Shot Challenges were not tracking.
- Corrected a mislabelled Proficiency required for the Mind Games Challenge for the Automaton.
- Fixed a bug preventing the player from completing the Deadeye Challenge for the Fighting Knife.
UI- Gameplay
- Fixed the Search and Destroy bomb glitch where players could see when an enemy was defusing the bomb
Perks
- Fixed the Gung Ho sprint speed shooting glitch
Field Upgrade
- Fixed a bug where players had 10x the amount of Armor HP than normal
Challenges
- Fixed a bug where the Grizzled Veteran Challenge was not tracking properly
XP
- Operators’ favourite weapons now provide the correct amount of XP when used
Clan Tags
- Removed the ability to add clan tags for Raven Software, Sledgehammer Games, and Infinity War.
Exfil
- Addressed an issue where the player could still interact with the Exfil portal after failing to Exfil.
Progression
- Corrected the MVP Highlight unlock text that displays when reaching Level 5 with Solange
Covenants
- Addressed an issue where Legendary Covenants were not appearing for some players
Vanguard update – November 17
The latest Call of Duty: Vanguard update is here and it brings Shipment 24/7 into the playlist. Here are the patch notes:
Maps
- Shipment now available in public matches
Global
- PS5 – Resolved issue where players could not start up Vanguard if they had less than 40gb of space available
Weapons
- Fixed bug preventing players from equipping camos
Players can no longer equip camos they do not own
Clans
- Fixed issue where Clan Members would crash when attempting to send a clan invite
Progression
- Corrected inconsistencies for Next Unlock in the Operators Tab
Zombies
Scoreboard
- Addressed an issue where players could not view the Scoreboard after dying or after Exfil.
UI
- Addressed an issue where players could not view Armor Health in the HUD.
Objectives
- Addressed an issue where Objectives would not start properly, preventing progression.
Vanguard update – November 12 patch notes
A tiny update to Vanguard went live on November 12. As well as enabling Double Battle Pass XP, it made the following changes:
- PC stability improvements
- AFK Kick Timer for Champion Hill increased
Vanguard update – November 11 patch notes
The second Call of Duty Vanguard update is here and it comes just one day after Sledgehammer unleashed its last set of changes. Like the one before, this update isn’t that big – but it makes changes to many of the community’s sticking points from launch.
Here are the full November 11 Vanguard patch notes:
Multiplayer
- Fixed a spawn trap in the cave on Numa Numa while playing Domination, Team Deathmatch, or Kill Confirmed
- Increased the point-blank range for sniper challenges
- Fixed spawning close to enemies on Desert Siege
- Fixed players spawning into a buy round with fists and no secondary weapons
- Fixed reticles challenges that were not tracking past the first challenge
- Incendiary rounds no longer trigger a fire death or burn damage voiceover on corpses
- Fixed the Secrets of the Pacific: Get 3 wins challenge tracking losses as wins during FFA
- Fixed a messaging error in Champion Hill about purchasing the BAR when the weapon was not purchased
- Fixed the broken clan XP bar display after level 1
- Fixed a rare bug that caused your FoV to lock
- Fixed FFA losses recording as winds for operator challenges
- Fixed a rare crash on the MVP voting screen
- Combat Shield will now protect player’s backs once stowed
- Invisible player models in MVP voting and PoTG have been fixed
- Fixed a bug affecting Constanze’s skin progression
- Operator Challenges no longer reset after completion
- Inaccurate unlock requirements for Weapon Challenges now display correctly
Campaign
- Mid-level checkpoint save data has been invalidated for some
- Note: You have not lose all of your campaign progress. Save loads will deliver players to the beginning of the latest level, rather than their last checkpoint.
Zombies
- Addressed an issue that allowed players to get outside of the map
- Addressed issues with players who died in a downed state not transitioning properly to Spectator mode
- Fixed a bug that gave players the default pistol when downed
- Camo Progression pistol challenges can now be completed
- The kill count to Exfil now correctly tracks zombies killed
- Addressed an issue where self-revive meter fails to show progress
- Fixed a constant death loop issue where players wouldn’t receive legendary covenants at the Alter
- Players are no longer returned to the lobby when attempting to viewed post-match unlocks
- Addressed an issue where players who recovered from being downed were unable to use Field Upgrades
Vanguard update – November 10 patch notes
The first update for Call of Duty Vanguard is here, and it addresses a number of bug fixes. The patch notes can only be found in-game and are not in a blog post like we’ve seen in other recent CoD games.
Here are the full November 10 Vanguard patch notes:
General
- Campaign: Mid-level checkpoint save data has been invalidated. Note: Players have not lost all their campaign progress. Save loads will deliver players to the beginning of the latest level rather than their last checkpoint.
- Users unable to redeem codes for incentives such as XP Bonuses, Calling Cards, and Emblems can now redeem rewards
- Combat Shield will now protect player’s backs once stowed
- Invisible player models in MVP voting and Play of the Game have been fixed
- Fixed a bug affecting Constanze’s skin progression
- Operator Challenges no longer appear to reset after completion
- Inaccurate unlock requirements for Weapon Challenges now display correctly
- 1911 Pistol will now progress past Level 50
- Weapons can now be accessed in the Loadouts/Gunsmith after Level 66
ZOMBIES
- Camo Progression: All Pistol challenges can now be properly completed
- Exfil: The kill count to Exfil now correctly tracks zombies killed
- Bleedout Meter: Self-Revive meter no longer fails to show progress
- Transmit: Players that die outside of the damage barrier no longer take damage over time upon reviving in the hub area
- Legendary Covenants: All players should now be able to receive Legendary Covenant options at the Altar of Covenants
- After-Action Report: Players are no longer returned to the Lobby when attempting to view post-match unlocks
- Field Upgrades: Addressed an issue where players who recovered from being downed were unable to use Field Upgrades in rare instances
Alongside this update, Sledgehammer Games also revealed a new Trello board, which players can use to see which bugs and issues the developer is aware of and working on. You can take a look at it here.
Once the latest Vanguard update and its full patch notes are revealed, we’ll be sure to update this guide.