The Best Vanguard Ranked Play Loadouts

Compared to a standard Vanguard multiplayer match, the competitive version contains a wealth of restrictions to guarantee a fair playing field for both teams jumping into the action. On February 17, Vanguard's Ranked Play mode beta will launch, complete with official rules, maps, and game modes replicating the 2022 Call of Duty League (CDL).

Thanks to the unique set of rules and with the vast majority of the Vanguard arsenal receiving an outright ban, there is a range of loadouts viable for competitive play regardless of playstyle.

Whether you prefer to lock down lanes with an assault rifle or prefer to take on the opposition head-first with a submachine gun in hand, the weapons used in Ranked Play are widely considered to be the very best. With that said, find the best Vanguard Ranked Play loadouts in this guide.

What Is Ranked Play in Call of Duty Vanguard?

Ranked Play offers a competitive alternative to the standard multiplayer experience that Vanguard has to offer. The mode features a total of seven Skill Divisions alongside an ELO system, allowing players to rank up by earning Skill Rating (SR).

Players are placed into divisions through five placement games and earn SR. The SR number increases and decreases depending on whether players win or lose a match.

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The Best Automaton Ranked Play Loadout

Due to a somewhat limited arsenal and a set of attachments deemed viable for competitive play, there are specific weapon and attachment combinations that are perfect when it comes to achieving Ranked Play success. The first gun we recommend is the fast-firing Automaton:

• 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: Sleight of Hand
• Kit: On-Hand

This particular Automaton build increases damage range while keeping recoil levels down to a minimum, making it the perfect gun to hold spawns and longer sightlines during a Ranked Play match. Certain muzzle, rear grip, and proficiencies are interchangeable, so make sure to fine-tune this baseline to suit your style of play the best.

The Best MP40 Ranked Play Loadout

The Automaton is solid at closer distances but the best weapon to run and gun the opposition in Ranked Play is the MP40 submachine gun. Pro players have tested a range of attachments to maximise performance, with this particular build proving the most popular. Here are the best attachments to equip:

• Muzzle: No. 3 Rifle Brake
• Barrel: Krausnick 317mm 04B
• Optic: Krausnick IS01M
• Stock: Krausnick 33m Folding
• Underbarrel: SMLE Pistol Grip
• Magazine: N/A
• Ammo Type: Lengthened
• Rear Grip: Stippled Grip
• Proficiency: Brace
• Kit: Quick

This set of attachments improves every single statistic imaginable, with increases in levels of firepower, damage range, and mobility achieved. In comparison to the Automaton, the superior mobility of the MP40 and the additional damage output dominates in close-range scenarios when battling for control of a Hardpoint hill or looking to find a flank during a Search & Destroy match.

The Best Volk Ranked Play Loadout

Following the Los Angeles Guerrillas' shock victory at CDL Major 2, many are wondering how to transform the Volk assault rifle into the same weapon the team used to defeat Atlanta FaZe in the finals. Here's the best Volk loadout to use in Vanguard Ranked Play:

• Muzzle: T1 Flash Hider
• Barrel: Krausnick 428mm 05V
• Optic: Slate Reflector
• Stock: Reisdorf 22V Adjustable
• Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop
• Magazine: N/A
• Ammo Type: FMJ
• Rear Grip: Stippled Grip
• Proficiency: Fleet
• Kit: On-Hand

The fast rate of fire and high mobility makes the Volk incredibly effective on smaller maps such as Tuscan, allowing you to use the rifle in a similar way to an SMG. We recommend avoiding the Volk on the larger maps in the Vanguard pool but when action is fast and furious, the Volk holds its own within the competitive meta.

Can You Use Snipers in Vanguard Ranked Play?

Yes, you can! Sniper rifles often appear during a Search & Destroy match thanks to their abilities to overlook open areas of the map and to take down an opponent with a single bullet. The Kar98k is the most popular sniper to use and this build is likely to dominate in competitive Ranked Play matches:

• Muzzle: G28 Compensator
• Barrel: VDD RE02K
• Stock: Short Stock
• Underbarrel: SMLE Pistol Grip
• Ammo Type: Lengthened
• Magazine: N/A
• Rear Grip: Fabric Grip
• Proficiency: Shrouded
• Kit: Deep Breath

This build improves firepower and mobility at the expense of the Kar98k's laser-like accuracy. Despite this, it's the perfect gun to overlook the icy lake of Demyansk or the open right-hand lane on Tuscan.

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Best Vanguard Ranked Play Equipment

There's only a handful of lethal and tactical equipment viable in Vanguard Ranked Play. One of the only pieces of lethal equipment permitted is the MK2 Frag Grenade. Time it to perfection and clear out Hardpoint hills and Control points with ease.

Up next is the No 69 Stun Grenade. Perfect for slowing the opposition, this piece of tactical equipment enables you to score eliminations while the enemy is unable to run away.

Last and by no means least is the Smoke Grenade. These grenades are a hot topic of conversation within the competitive community but they are allowed in Vanguard Ranked Play. Use them to block a line of sight or throw one on the bomb in Search & Destroy to attempt an audacious ninja defuse.

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Best Vanguard Ranked Play Perks

Perks are capable of blocking explosive damage and the effects of Stun Grenades, so selecting the right combination is essential. Here are the very best Perks to use in Vanguard Ranked Play:

• Fortified - Use to counter Frag Grenades.
• Survival Training - Use to counter Stun Grenades.
• Radar - See unsuppressed gunfire on the minimap.
• Double Time - Doubles the length of Tactical Sprint.