COD: Best Vanguard Weapons in Warzone: Season 2

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Call of Duty: Warzone Pacific has been massively revamped in Season 2 with new weapons, map changes, modes, and more. The new weapons that Call of Duty: Vanguard brought to the Warzone scene back in Season 6 are also constantly re-shaping the meta. The recent Season 2 patch brought buffs and nerfs to many of these new Vanguard weapons, which has drastically changed the meta even more.

Currently, Warzone is divided into two modes: one that features just Vanguard weapons, and one that gives you access to every weapon that has been released in Warzone. If you want to climb your way to the top this season, it’s crucial that you know which Vanguard weapons are dominating Caldera. But how can you figure out the best Vanguard weapons in Warzone? 

In this guide, we’ll be looking at the top ten best Vanguard weapons to use in Warzone Pacific Season 2. We’ll also highlight the best attachments and unlock requirements for each one to help you decide which one is the best for you. Let’s get right to it! 

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8 Best Vanguard Weapons in Warzone Season 2

What is the best Vanguard weapon in Warzone? As of now, there are thirty-two Vanguard weapons in Warzone, and a new weapon in almost every class. Although there are many to choose from, some of the strongest ones can be found in the Assault Rifle, Light Machine Gun, and Sub-Machine Gun classes. We’ll focus on the top seven Vanguard weapons that stand above all the rest this season.

1. Cooper Carbine

Warzone’s best Vanguard assault rifle 

Why is it one of the best?

Although this deadly assault rifle did get its recoil control and mobility nerfed in the Season 2 patch, it’s still one of the best weapons for Warzone. It boasts insane accuracy, solid damage, and a fast fire rate. While its range and recoil hold it back, they can easily be buffed with attachments to make it even more powerful. 

What are its best attachments?

This build, which comes from popular Warzone YouTuber “BennyCentral,” focuses mainly on increasing the weapon’s accuracy and fire rate. While it may not do the best damage, it will help you land every crucial shot and guarantees a fast TTK. 

One of the most important attachments in this build is the 22” Cooper Custom, which drastically improves your accuracy and range. The Tight Grip is a necessity because it boosts your accuracy and recoil control during continual fire. 

The 9mm 60 Round Drums are also essential because they increase your recoil control and accuracy, fire rate, and ADS, and give you the most bullets you’ll need to fend off the competition. One again, you’ll want to pair this fast killer with an SMG so that you can take on close-range fights.  

How do I get it? 

You will need to get five headshot kills with an assault rifle in a single match fifteen times. This challenge shouldn’t be too difficult to complete on Rebirth Island. 

2. STG 44

Warzone’s most adaptable Vanguard assault rifle

Why is it one of the best?

This well-rounded assault rifle was a solid and popular choice during Season 1, and it remains a reliable choice for Season 2. It came out of the massive recent patch for Season 2 untouched, which makes an even stronger option. 

The STG 44 boasts incredible damage output, and excels in close and mid-range fights. It is also extremely accurate and has an exceptional time-to-kill. Although it may not be as impressive at long-ranges, it can be easily turned into a long-range steamroller. 

What are its best attachments?

This loadout focuses on making the STG 44 more of a long-range contender, but there are many different builds that are just as good. The most important attachment in this build is the VDD 760mm 05B. It offers considerable boosts to accuracy, damage, and range.  

Although Incendiary ammo did receive a nerf at the start of Season 2, it still works best with the STG 44. The Vital perk, which increases the amount of damage to critical locations, gives your ammo the fire power it needs. 

Although the 60 Round Drum magazine will bring down your mobility, the extra ammo will give you a better chance at coming out on top in your fights. Pair the STG 44 with a powerful SMG like the PPSh-41 so that you can have your close-range encounters covered. 

How do I get it?

This heavy-hitting assault rifle is unlocked at Level 1! 

3. Bren

Warzone’s most overpowered Vanguard light machine gun

Why is it one of the best?

Although the Bren’s damage and recoil have been nerfed several times, it somehow still comes out on top. Many players struggle with LMG’s due to their slower ADS and movement speed, but the Bren stands apart. 

It has excellent damage range and low recoil, and it has the fastest TTK out of all the Vanguard LMGs. Although its accuracy may not be the best, it can easily be improved with the right attachments.  

What are its best attachments?

This particular loadout makes the Bren more of a long-range beast. The MX Silencer throws on some more accuracy and adds some sound suppression. The Queen’s 775 Scepter dramatically boosts your recoil control, accuracy, and bullet velocity at the cost of some mobility. 

The G16 2.5 scope excels in medium-range engagements, while the Hockenson SP2B improves your recoil during sustained fire. The M1941 Hand Stop boosts your accuracy and recoil control even further.

Lengthened ammo increases bullet velocity, while the Polymer grip gives you flinch resistance and improves your accuracy and recoil control during continual fire. Pair the Bren with an equally overpowered SMG so you can crush your opponents from any range. 

How do I get it?

Grind your way to Level 53 to get this powerful LMG — it’s well worth it! 

4. Welgun

Warzone’s most meta Vanguard SMG 

Why is it one of the best?

Although the Welgun did receive some nerfs to its mid and maximum range at the beginning of Season 2, it’s still one of the best SMGs in Warzone Season 2. It’s a close-to-mid range powerhouse that has an excellent fire rate. It downs opponents quickly and has great damage output. 

What are its best attachments?

This loadout from YouTube creator “JGOD” ensures a fast TTK for those who can land their shots. It focuses mainly on increasing the weapons range, fire rate, and mobility. 

The 320mm SA Shrouded barrel gives crucial buffs to your accuracy and damage range. The M1941 Hand Stop underbarrel increases your recoil control and accuracy, while the Removed Stock improves your movement speed, sprint to fire speed, and ADS. 

Although this build does sacrifice recoil control for other boosts, you can trade out the Removed Stock for the Gawain Skeletal if you’d rather have more accuracy. Hollow Point rounds allow you to deal more damage to the limbs, and your Acrobatic and Quick perks give you the movement speed you will need to fight aggressively.  

How do I get it?

You’ll need to get ten kills with an SMG while aiming down sights in a single match fifteen times. This may take some time and skill to achieve, but Plunder will give you more chances to complete your goal. Rebirth Island is also a solid option where you can find enemy AIs guarding the Research Labs. 

5. PPSh-41

Warzone’s best secondary Vanguard weapon 

Why is it one of the best?

Although Vanguard’s PPSh-41 isn’t as powerful as the one from Black Ops, it still packs a deadly punch. Its large magazine and crazy low recoil make it a close range monster.

In a patch that came out shortly after the enormous Season 2 patch, the PPSh-41 received a buff to its Neck Damage Multiplier, which places it above the many other weapons that received nerfs this season.  

What are its best attachments?

The PPSh-41 is an incredibly strong secondary weapon. This loadout makes it even stronger so you can play aggressively and melt the competition during chaotic close-range engagements. 

The Recoil Booster trades some accuracy for a better fire rate. The Kovalevskaya 230mm B03P gives essential boosts to hip fire accuracy, hip fire recoil recovery, recoil recovery, and fire rate. The Empress Custom makes the weapon more manageable by buffing its recoil control, flinch resistance, accuracy, and recoil recovery. 

The 7.62mm Gorkeno 71 Round Mags are a must if you’re looking to deal fast and heavy damage in those stressful close-quarter situations, and Hollow Point ammo increases your limb damage. The Steady and Quick perks give you the boost to your mobility that you need to be aggressive. 

How do I get it?

Get to Level 51 and it’s all yours! 

6. Owen Gun

Warzone’s best medium-range Vanguard SMG

Why is it one of the best?

Unlike most SMGs, the Owen Gun excels at close and medium range. This makes it versatile and even more useful as a secondary weapon. Although it’s not the most popular pick, it is quickly growing in popularity due to its amazing TTK potential.   

It was one of the weapons that was lucky enough to get a buff at the beginning of Season 2. It has solid accuracy, fire rate, mobility, and control, but doesn’t do the best damage. Thankfully, the right loadout can fix that. 

What are its best attachments?

This loadout, which was put together by YouTube creator Hero, focuses on making the Owen Gun a faster and deadlier weapon by improving its accuracy, damage, range, and fire rate. The Recoil Booster Muzzle boosts your fire rate, which makes your TTK faster. The Gawain 118mm Shrouded Barrel increases your bullet velocity and limb damage, and gives you less damage falloff at long-range. 

The Gawain H4 Folding increases your accuracy, flinch resistance, recoil control, and aiming stability. The Carver Foregrip and the Polymer Grip give you even more recoil control, while 8mm Kurtz 60 Round Drums gives essential boosts to your bullet velocity, range, and damage. 

How do I unlock it?

All you’ll need to do is get to Level 29. Awesome, right? 

7. MG42

Warzone’s most underrated Vanguard LMG

Why is it one of the best?

LMGs often get left out in the cold by ARs, SMGs, and Sniper Rifles, but don’t let this one pass you by. This is an extremely strong LMG that’s perfect for mowing down enemy teams. Its insane rate of fire, massive magazine, and little recoil make it an absolute beast in Caldera. It melts enemies extremely fast, and can handle medium range engagements. 

What are its best attachments?

This loadout focuses on improving accuracy, range, and recoil control so that the MG42 can be more of a medium-range machine. The MX Suppression gives you sound suppression, and increased recoil and horizontal recoil control. The VDD 890mm 32M Luftschutz is a must-have for the boosts it gives to recoil control and accuracy, flinch resistance, and bullet velocity. 

The VDD 64M buffs your accuracy, flinch resistance, and recoil control even more. The 6.5 Sakura 125 Round Drums ensure that you’ll have enough ammo to stave off and melt the competition. They also give essential boosts to recoil control and accuracy, movement speed, ADS speed, and fire rate.  

How do I get it?

This high-powered LMG is usable at Level 1! 

Honorable Mention: Kar98k

Warzone’s most up-and-coming Vanguard Sniper Rifle

Our list wouldn’t be complete without one of Vanguard’s strongest sniper rifles. Although many saw it as a weaker alternative to its Modern Warfare counterpart, this sniper is quickly making its way to the top this season.

Why is it one of the best?

This sniper rifle may not be as powerful as the Ka98k from Modern Warfare, but it definitely deserves to be in the top-tier. What makes this sniper rifle arguably more viable than its counterpart are its ten attachment slots, which give players more to work with when creating loadouts. It shreds through armor with just one shot, and has solid base stats. If you’re looking to dominate the competition from afar, look no further.   

What are its best attachments?

This loadout makes the Kar98k more of a long-distance slugger with increased accuracy, range, and mobility. The F8 Stabilizer improves your accuracy, and damage range, and keeps you under the radar. The VDD RE02K boosts your bullet velocity, upper extremities damage, and accuracy. 

The Short Stock gives crucial buffs to your movement speed, ADS speed, sprint to fire speed, and aim walking movement speed. Equip the Heavy Foregrip for better recoil recovery, aiming stability, and aim walking steadiness. 

How do I get it?

Work your way to Level 43 and it’s yours! 

Join the High Ground

The Vanguard weapons in Warzone are constantly transforming the meta, and quickly becoming some of the most powerful weapons in the game. While Modern Warfare and Cold War weapons are still very solid options, Vanguard weapons are taking over Caldera and are beating out many of Warzone’s older weapons. Knowing which Vanguard weapons are the best, and finding the one that suits you best will definitely help you crush the competition this season.

Which Vanguard weapon is your favorite? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to follow us on social media, and subscribe to our newsletter. 

Happy gaming!