Best CoD: Vanguard secondary weapons: Ranked list
Call of Duty: Vanguard Season 3 allows players to choose from fifteen specialized secondary weapons. We’ve sorted every secondary weapon into a ranked list, and revealed the best loadout for each one.
Call of Duty: Vanguard offers over 50 weapons to test and unlock. Players will have their hands full trying to figure out which weapons work best for them. If you’re hunting for the valuable Atomic mastery camo, chances are you’ll be testing each one of these weapons shortly.
Vanguard Secondary weapons are split up into three categories: Handguns, Launchers, and Melee weapons. Depending on your playstyle, these categories will add distinct value to your game. Despite their unique uses, some of these weapons are better than others. We’ve ranked all fifteen of Vanguard’s secondary weapons from worst to best and included the best loadouts for each.
- Best Vanguard secondary weapon ranked list
- Best Vanguard Launchers & Melee weapons
- Best Vanguard Handgun loadouts
Best Vanguard secondary weapon ranked list
Thanks to Sledgehammer, almost all of the secondary weapons can be utilized successfully, but some are proving to be more useful than others.
The following is a list of the best Call of Duty: Vanguard secondary weapons from worst to best.
- M1 Bazooka
- Klauser
- Panzerschreck
- Sawtooth
- MK11 Launcher
- Sledgehammer
- Top Break
- Panzerfaust
- FS Fighting Knife
- Ice Axe
- Skal Crusher
- Machine Pistol
- Katana
- 1911
- Ratt
Best Vanguard Launchers & Melee weapons
10. M1 Bazooka
Each Launcher available in Vanguard can cause mass destruction, but subtle differences set them apart. The M1 Bazooka is the least forgiving and one of the heaviest of the bunch making it a subpar option.
9. Panzerschrek
The Panzerschreck and M1 Bazooka are nearly identical. They both arm players with two rockets and force players to move slowly.
The Panzerschreck does slightly more damage thus making it more useful.
8. Sawtooth
The Sawtooth arrived via Tier 37 of the Season 1 Battle Pass but it failed to make its mark on Vanguard’s multiplayer.
- Read more: Vanguard May 16 update patch notes
Although the Melee weapon’s speed is fantastic, its accuracy is abysmal. If you miss your first swing you’ll certainly pay the price seeing as your next swing will not arrive in time to kill your enemy.
7. MK11 Launcher
The MK11 is without a doubt the most unique of the bunch thanks to its smaller size. Players can move around nicely with it and the trajectory of the rocket can be controlled at greater distances.
6. Sledgehammer
The Sledgehammer was introduced in Season 3 as an unlockable melee weapon. The weapon is an ode to Vanguard developer Sledgehammer, and it definitely packs a punch in Vanguard.
It can truly erase players, but low mobility and range hold it back from being the best.
5. Panzerfaust
Although the Panzerfaust isn’t as efficient at taking down enemy Spy Planes as other weapons in its class, it certainly packs a punch against enemy players.
The Panzerfaust is more mobile than the M1 Bazooka, making it a great choice to clear out objectives such as Hardpoints or Domination flags.
4. FS Fighting Knife
The trusted FS Fighting Knife is a useful tool if used properly. Obviously, the major downside is the lack of range. However, if your playstyle encourages close engagements you’ll love this knife.
Not only does it dominate at close range but it gives a wonderful boost to movement speed when equipped. In game modes like Search & Destroy timing is everything, reaching a power position first by running with a knife in hand is a valuable trick.
3. Ice Axe
The Ice Axe melee weapon arrived later than anticipated after the weapon only appeared during the final week of Vanguard Season 2. You may have missed it due to the confusion, but it’s well worth your time to complete the Ice Axe unlock challenges.
What makes this weapon unique is the fact that it can chop down enemies up close and also be thrown to kill enemies at a distance as a throwing knife would.
2. Skal Crusher
The Skal Crusher and Ice Axe are essentially the same weapons in Vanguard’s multiplayer. It also arrived at the very end of Season 2, and it can be used both as a traditional melee and a throwable object.
- Read more: Best FOV settings for Vanguard Season 3
Having that versatility makes it one of the best melee weapons in the game as you can hit players from a distance given you’re accurate with the weapon. We’ve ranked it ahead of the Ice Axe for aesthetic purposes as the Norse look is rather unique.
1. Katana
The Katana has wreaked havoc since joining the fold in Season 1. This beautiful yet deadly sword offers the best range of any Melee weapon in Vanguard. In close quarters the Japanese longsword is one of the deadliest Secondary weapons available.
Vanguard players must get five kills with a Melee weapon in a single match 15 times to unlock the Katana.
Best Vanguard Handgun Loadouts
5. Klauser
Due to underwhelming movement speed, the Klauser is the worst Vanguard Handgun. The Klauser’s best feature is that it operates well at range. Although, players usually don’t use Handguns for long-range engagements.
- Muzzle: Mercury Silencer
- Barrel: Fitzherbert 200MM BL
- Optic: Slate Reflector
- Trigger Action: Rapid Action
- Magazine: .45 ACP 12 Round Mags
- Ammo Type: Hollow Point
- Rear Grip: Stippled Grip
- Proficiency: Brace
- Kit: Quick
4. Top Break
With the right loadout, the Top Break can be devastating, but it boasts the same frustrating rate of fire as the iconic Magnum it is modeled after.
You’ll have to be smart in judging when to use your shots as one miss can cost your life.
- Muzzle: F8 Stabilizer
- Barrel: Wilkie W-4 Stub
- Optic: Slate Reflector or None
- Trigger Action: Rapid Action
- Magazine: .30 Russian Short
- Ammo Type: Hollow Point
- Rear Grip: Polymer Grip
- Proficiency: Quickscopre
- Kit: Quick
3. Machine Pistol
The Machine Pistol is a great choice for extremely close-range encounters. It isn’t powerful but its rate of fire means it can eviscerate enemies up close. Distant targets should be avoided at all costs due to the high recoil and limited range of the Machine Pistol.
- Muzzle: F8 Stabilizer
- Barrel: VDD 140MM HE
- Trigger Action: Steady Trigger
- Magazine: 9mm 20 Round Mags
- Ammo Type: Lengthened
- Rear Grip: Pine Tar Grip
- Proficiency: Tight Grip
- Kit: Fully Loaded
2. 1911
The 1911 is a very well-rounded Handgun. The weapon is accurate and it can kill at most distances.
It doesn’t have any outstanding features but with no weaknesses to bring it down, it rises above the competition. If you’re looking for a steady Handgun, the 1911 will not let you down.
- Muzzle: F8 Stabilizer
- Barrel: Cooper 6.5
- Trigger Action: Rapid Action
- Magazine: .45 ACP 18 Round Mags
- Ammo Type: Lengthened
- Rear Grip: Taped Grip
- Proficiency: Sleight of Hand
- Kit: Quick
1. Ratt
The Ratt is the top choice of secondary weapon in Vanguard. It checks all of the boxes by delivering hefty damage, being great at long-range and close-range, as well as offering little to no recoil when firing.
This weapon is devastating in the hands of an expert but it also lends itself well to new players.
- Muzzle: No. 3 Rifle Brake
- Barrel: Empress 129MM B03TT
- Trigger Action: Rapid Action
- Magazine: .45 ACP 9 Round Mags
- Ammo Type: Lengthened
- Rear Grip: Fabric Grip
- Proficiency: Fleet
- Kit: Quick
And those are the best secondary weapons and their loadouts for Call of Duty: Vanguard Season 3. Preferred weapons are always changing, so we’ll keep this list updated when new patches hit.
You can also check out our ranked list of the best SMG loadouts in Vanguard.
Image Credit: Sledgehammer Games / Activision
