Shotguns in Call of Duty Vanguard are some of the strongest weapons to use when involved in close-quarters combat thanks to their often unmatched damage output and limitless customisation options thanks to the Gunsmith. Despite this, they continue to be dismissed in favour of other weapons that aren't as effective when up close and personal with the opposition. With Season 1 underway and despite a widespread nerf, the Combat Shotgun is still proving a popular choice in multiplayer.
One shotgun that's heavily underrated is the Combat Shotgun, a pump-action menace that's surprisingly effective at longer distances, making it one of the more versatile options in the category. In this guide, find the best Combat Shotgun attachments to equip along with the best Combat Shotgun loadout to dominate multiplayer matches.
Read More: Call of Duty Vanguard Review: A Welcome Return to World War 2
How To Unlock
The Combat Shotgun is available to use as soon as you reach Level 14, meaning it won't take too long for you to make the most of its deadly damage in close-range battles.
The Best Combat Shotgun Attachments in Vanguard
Having tested a variety of combinations, we opted for this set of attachments for additional increases in firepower alongside some useful bonuses to slow the movement of your intended target even further.
- Muzzle: M97 Full Choke
- Barrel: Chariot 16" Short
- Underbarrel: M1915 Steady
- Magazine: 16 Gauge 7 Round Drum
- Ammo Type: Packed Powder
- Rear Grip: Pine Tar Grip
- Proficiency: Disable
- Kit: Fully Loaded
Other than a slight reduction in speed, this combination of attachments for the Combat Shotgun is incredibly strong, with improvements to hip-fire accuracy and overall levels of damage. Perhaps the highlight of the build is the Disable Proficiency, which increases the Suppression dealt to an enemy, slowing their movement even further and allowing you to secure the kill before they have any time to escape.
click to enlargeThe Best Combat Shotgun Loadout in Vanguard
With the strongest attachments equipped to the Combat Shotgun, building the rest of the loadout is the next step. With plenty of Perks, Equipment, and Field Upgrades to choose from, there are specific elements that complement the shotgun perfectly.
Perks
- Perk 1: Ninja
- Perk 2: High Alert
- Perk 3: Lightweight
Ninja silences your footsteps, allowing you to move around the map relatively undetected while High Alert significantly improves your awareness thanks to a pulsating orange light that appears when an opponent outside of your view has managed to spot you.
Lightweight is a no-brainer due to the increased movement speed making it even quicker to patrol the map. It can be swapped out for Double Time but on this occasion, the additional speed makes it very easy to outplay the enemy in close-range combat.
Equipment
- Lethal: MK2 Frag Grenade
- Tactical: No 69 Stun Grenade
The trusty Frag Grenade and Stun combination always succeed regardless of which weapon you're using. The additional damage provided by the frag often leads to you being able to follow up quickly with the Combat Shotgun. To prevent them from running away, quickly throw the stun to halt their movement before finishing them off with a couple of well-placed shotgun shells.
Field Upgrade
- Field Mic
The Field Mic can be used as a temporary Spy Plane, especially when placed in the right position. Once you've managed to get behind enemy lines or into a building packed with opposition, place the Field Mic in a corner to see the exact locations of nearby players then go about your business with the Combat Shotgun.
The Best Combat Shotgun Blueprint in Vanguard
Like most of the Vanguard arsenal, the Combat Shotgun doesn't have any blueprints just yet but as soon as any appear, we will update the guide with the very best to use along with how to unlock it.
Is The Combat Shotgun Good in Vanguard?
Having spent several hours mastering the Combat Shotgun, I can safely say it's one of the more viable options in the category thanks to the mid-range damage it can deal. The high mobility levels make it very easy to outplay any opposition using heavier weapons so there's always a chance to score a huge number of kills.
There you have it! That's how to set up the Combat Shotgun for success in Vanguard multiplayer. 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.