Call of Duty Vanguard is out right now and players are still getting to grips with the multiplayer experience developed by Sledgehammer Games. As with every new release, there's a whole arsenal of weapons to master, one of them being the AS44 assault rifle described as "ideal for close to mid-range engagements." As the start of Season 1 Reloaded nears, the AS44 is a hugely underrated AR capable of making a huge impact during a match. If Sledgehammer Games issues any weapon tuning, many players could find themselves using the AS44 to their advantage.
The assault rifle (AR) category is one of the more competitive in the Vanguard arsenal, with several weapons regarded as the very best to use in mid and long-range engagements. Armed with a ridiculously fast fire rate, the AS44 dominates in close-quarters combat but due to the high recoil produced by the fire rate, it can be hard to control at longer distances.
Thankfully, we've found the best AS44 attachments to use along with the best AS44 loadout in order to improve long-range performance to create a versatile build suitable for all occasions.
Read More: Call of Duty Vanguard Review: A Welcome Return to World War 2
How To Unlock The AS44
As with every base weapon included in Vanguard, unlocking weapons is an incredibly straightforward process. Simply reach Level 33 and add it to a loadout. Once it's unlocked and ranked up, there are plenty of attachments to select to improve the mid-range performance. Find the best combination below!
Best AS44 Attachments in Vanguard
While the rate of fire is good for eliminating opponents quickly, it does mean you'll burn through ammunition like it's going out of fashion. This combined with the recoil is far from ideal when it comes to creating the best assault rifle loadout so we've settled on these attachments to improve the versatility of the AS44.
- Muzzle: F8 Stabilizer
- Barrel: Kovalyvskaya 615mm
- Optic: Monocular Reflector
- Stock: ZAC 12B Custom
- Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop
- Magazine: .30 Short 60 Round Mags
- Ammo Type: Lengthened
- Rear Grip: Polymer Grip
- Proficiency: Sleight of Hand
- Kit: On-Hand
By maximising all ten attachment slots, the AS44 is transformed into an AR that can actually compete in those long-distance duels. The combination of F8 Stabilizer and M1941 Hand Stop do wonders in improving accuracy and recoil levels while the 60-round magazine ensures that you won't be running low on bullets anytime soon.
This particular build does take a hit on the Speed statistic but with more control over the AS44, it's much easier to use when taking on a target from a distance. Arguably the highlight of this particular build is the Lengthened Ammo Type, which gives you a huge increase in bullet velocity, making it very hard for an opponent to avoid the barrage of bullets heading their way.
click to enlargeThe Best AS44 Loadout in Vanguard
Once you've equipped the unbeatable combination of attachments, it's time to switch focus to the rest of the loadout. With a strong Perk combination alongside some Equipment and a Field Upgrade to provide even more advantages, topping the scoreboard in Vanguard has never been easier.
Perks
- Perk 1: Fortified
- Perk 2: Tracker
- Perk 3: Double Time
While this combination of Perks deviates away from the meta, it's still a very solid choice, especially in matches with more than 12 players in the lobby. Fortified reduces explosive damage by 15%, providing some resistance to the numerous grenades that will land close by. Tracker highlights enemy footsteps in red, making it very easy to track down any nearby opposition while Double Time doubles Tactical Sprint speed which is ideal for traversing the map as fast as possible.
Equipment
- Lethal: MK2 Frag Grenade
- Tactical: Smoke Grenade
When it comes to dealing extra damage, there's nothing better than a perfectly-cooked Frag Grenade landing at the feet of your opponents for an easy kill. With plenty of the maps featuring a wealth of open spaces, it's tricky to cross from one area to another without being shot, which is why we've selected the Smoke Grenade as our Tactical. Block a lane for some much-needed safety when moving around to another location.
Field Upgrade
- Jammer
The Jammer is very useful, especially when hidden in a dark corner where it's impossible to spot. The widespread coverage of the minimap will make it very difficult for the opposition to find you, so make the most of it before it gets destroyed.
The Best AS44 Blueprint in Vanguard
As of writing (November 6th), there are no blueprints available for the AS44 in Vanguard but as soon as some are added, we will be sure to find the very best design for this underrated AR.
Is the AS44 Good in Vanguard?
Without any attachments, the AS44 won't set any tier lists alight with its performance but with each of the slots filled with attachments to improve recoil and accuracy, the AS44 is easily up there with the best ARs in the entire game. The sheer versatility means it can defeat submachine gunners in close quarters before dealing with another AR from afar.
If you want a viable alternative to the STG 44, I highly recommend testing out the AS44.
There you have it! That's the best way to prepare the AS44 for multiplayer action in Vanguard. For more guides, check out the best Combat Shield loadout and how to complete Elite Operator challenges.
For more articles like this, take a look at our Call of Duty: Vanguard and Guides page.