Call of Duty: Vanguard offers players ten powerful and unique WW2-era SMGs to rank up and master. We’ve sorted every SMG into a ranked list so get ready to test them in multiplayer matches.
Call of Duty: Vanguard offers over 40 weapons to level up with the Marco 5 SMG and UGM-8 LMG arriving in Season 4. Submachine Guns, or SMGs, allow you to be a speedy menace on the map, getting in the enemy’s face and dealing serious damage.
However, not all SMGs are created equal, and some are much better than others. We’ve ranked all ten Vanguard SMGs from best to worst, and detailed the best guns you can use in Vanguard Season 4.
- Best Vanguard SMGs ranked list
- Best Vanguard SMGs
Best Vanguard SMGs ranked list
Every Call of Duty: Vanguard SMG is viable, but some are much better than others thanks to their mobility, fire rate, and time to kill.
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Here are all ten Call of Duty: Vanguard SMGs ranked from best to worst.
- MP-40
- Type 100
- Blixen
- M1928
- Armaguerra 43
- Marco 5
- Welgun
- PPSH-41
- Owen Gun
- Sten
Best SMGs in CoD: Vanguard Season 4
10. Sten
Best Sten Vanguard loadout
While it will still serve you well in Vanguard’s multiplayer, we believe the Sten is the least effective SMG.
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The Sten’s TTK isn’t great compared to some of the fast-firing SMGs on this list, leaving it in a weird spot in terms of its best range. Further, it suffers from the game’s bloom mechanic pretty badly, meaning you have to use attachments to fix the issue, which means you lose out on other great options.
It’s not unusable by any means, but any other SMG on this list will serve you infinitely better.
9. Owen Gun
Best Owen Gun Vanguard loadout
The Owen Gun is a unique SMG designed for medium-range fights, but you’d be better off running an Assault Rifle such as the Automaton instead.
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While each bullet deals significant damage, its low fire rate and obtrusive magazine hold it back from being up there with the best. But it does perform well at medium range, so if you’re a player who doesn’t like to take fights up-close, the Owen Gun could be the weapon for you.
8. PPSH-41
Best PPSH-41 Vanguard loadout
The fan-favorite PPSH-41 is also available in Cold War, but Vanguard’s is a much more unique offering. It has a rapid-fire rate, which allows it to shred enemies at close-range.
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You might not be a huge fan of the PPSH-41 when you first unlock it thanks to the fast fire rate and high recoil, but once you start picking up attachments to reign it in, you’ll be melting enemies in no time. It doesn’t really excel in any one area but makes for a powerful all-rounder.
7. Welgun
Best Welgun Vanguard loadout
The Vanguard mid-Season 1 update introduced players to a new SMG called the Welgun. As is the case with most new weapons, the SMG was an incredibly viable choice and just barely missed out on dethroning the MP40 as the top SMG in the game throughout Season 1 and Season 2.
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The Welgun’s high fire rate and rapid time-to-kill make it an obvious choice. Unfortunately, it no longer boasts the incredible damage range it once had as Season 3 nerfed the Welgun’s range and recoil control.
6. Marco 5
Best Marco 5 Vanguard loadout
The Marco 5 is the newest weapon on this list and it debuts at the sixth spot during Season 4. Although it has a decent damage range that makes it a versatile SMG, the Marco 5 is outclassed by the power of the SMGs below. It boasts a unique Akimbo proficiency that is extremely fun to use, which allows it to earn a decent spot on the list of best SMGs.
5. Armaguerra 43
Best Armaguerra 43 Vanguard loadout
Introduced in the Vanguard Season 2 Reloaded update, players quickly realized just how strong the Armaguerra 43 really is, boasting an extremely fast fire rate that absolutely shreds at close range. Although the Armaguerra received nerfs in Season 3, they were attachment specific and not that significant.
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This is a weapon you’ll definitely want to be giving a go in Season 4. If you’re wondering how to obtain the weapon, check out our guide on how to unlock the Armaguerra 43.
4. M1928
Best M1928 Vanguard loadout
As you start to level up the M1928, or Thompson, you’ll probably start to notice that it’s extremely underrated.
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It has a very competitive TTK, a large magazine, and minimal recoil, making it a standout choice in Vanguard’s Season 4. Most of the popular SMGs received nerfs with the Season 3 update, but the M1928 managed to avoid them.
3. H4 Blixen
Best H4 Blixen Vanguard loadout
Since Vanguard’s launch, a whopping four SMGs have been added to the game and the H4 Blixen is the best of the new bunch. It arrived with the Season 3 Reloaded update and despite its unlock challenge driving players crazy, it’s a must-use weapon thanks to its low TTK and quick movement speed.
2. Type 100
Best Type-100 Vanguard Loadout
During Season 1 of Vanguard, the Type 100 was an absolute monster of a weapon but nerfs slowly reduced its efficiency. However, the Welgun and Armaguerra were both nerfed in Season 3 which allowed the Type 100 to rise up the ranks again, and this remains the case in Season 4.
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The Type 100 also received nerfs to specific attachments but they were not significant enough to impact its viability. If you’re looking for a weapon with an incredibly fast TTK that still boasts some range, we wholeheartedly recommend the Type 100.
1. MP-40 – Best SMG in Vanguard
Best MP-40 Vanguard loadout
The MP-40 kills fast, has almost no recoil, and can contend with some of the best Assault Rifles at range. If you’re looking for an SMG to suit any situation, you simply can’t go wrong with the classic MP-40.
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The only thing slightly holding the MP-40 back is that it doesn’t have the powerful Vital Proficiency, but its low recoil and fire rate make it much more versatile than any other SMG on the list, allowing it to be the best SMG in Vanguard.
And those are the best SMGs for Call of Duty: Vanguard Season 4! Metas change and yet another SMG could arrive with the Season 5 update so we’ll keep this list updated throughout the year.
Image Credit: Sledgehammer Games / Activision
