NICKMERCS reveals the biggest problem with Warzone’s powerful AS VAL

Liam Mackay
NICKMERCS AS VAL Warzone loadout

While the AS VAL is an incredibly powerful weapon in Warzone, streamer Nick “NICKMERCS” Kolcheff has explained why it’s not viable in squad matches.

Statistically, the AS VAL is the fastest killing weapon in all of Warzone. Although being an Assault Rifle, in a face on face fight at close-quarters, the VAL will outgun any SMG.

So, if the AS VAL is so strong, why isn’t it the meta?

After Warzone streamer NICKMERCS tested it out, he found that “overall, the gun is insanely strong but there’s just not enough bullets to play quads.”

Although it kills fast, it also shoots fast, so it would need a large magazine to compensate for the high fire-rate. Unfortunately, the largest magazine you can equip on the AS VAL is 30 rounds, so when you’re fighting a full team, you won’t have enough bullets to take out more than one at a time.

Self-revive is also extremely prominent in Warzone Season 1, so you’re going to need to finish all your kills before they can get themselves back up.

However, Nick explained that the AS VAL would be extremely well suited for solos or duos, where you’re only going to be fighting one or two opponents at a time.

“If you’re a duos kind of guy or a solos kind of guy, I don’t know how this isn’t in your every game kit,” NICKMERCS explained. “You’re not going to lose a gunfight.”

NICKMERCS AS VAL Warzone loadout

Here’s the attachments NICKMERCS ran on his close-range AS VAL if you want to try it out for yourself.

nickmercs as val gunsmith
  • Barrel: Stovl SOF
  • Stock: Stovl 6P30 Skelet
  • Underbarrel: Merc Foregrip
  • Ammunition: 30 Round Mags
  • Rear Grip: Stippled Grip Tape

Although the AS VAL is an Assault Rifle, NICKMERCS has built it to be an SMG. Almost all of the attachments increase mobility and ADS time, so you can push enemies with incredible speed.

As Nick explained, only use this AS VAL in close-quarters situations in solos or duos, as 30 bullets will be enough to tear through any enemy unlucky enough to face you.

Remember to pair the AS VAL with a long-range weapon such as the HDR to dominate at any range.

Image Credit: NICKMERCS / Activision

About The Author

Liam is CharlieIntel's Editor who focuses on Call of Duty but also plays lots of fantasy RPGs or anything else in his massive gaming backlog. After graduating in Journalism from Edinburgh Napier University, Liam freelanced in games journalism before joining CharlieIntel in November 2020. You can contact Liam at [email protected].