When it comes to selecting the best assault rifles (AR) to use in Call of Duty: Vanguard, there are a number of viable options in order to get the upper hand in those hotly contested mid-range engagements that can often turn the tide of a match. One particular AR that is regularly overlooked is the NZ-41 and despite its C-Tier listing, it can still be adapted to be an effective weapon of choice as part of a loadout despite its lack of stability.
With the launch of Season 3 right around the corner, the NZ-41 could be a weapon that increases in popularity if players are looking for alternatives to ARs that continue to dominate the metagame.
Armed with a high output of damage and a fast rate of fire, the NZ-41 may not be the most stable of weapons in those cross-map gunfights but for those that prefer to play with some additional aggression, the rifle comes into its own. In this guide, find the best NZ-41 attachments to equip and the best NZ-41 loadout to use in Vanguard's multiplayer.
click to enlarge
+ 3What Is The Best NZ-41 Vanguard Loadout?
With mid-range and long-distance engagements hugely important, selecting an attachment combination aimed at improving accuracy and damage range is the key to making an impact. Check out the full attachment list in the table below.
| Attachment | Name |
|---|---|
| Muzzle | F8 Stabilizer |
| Barrel | Orbweaver 360mm BC |
| Optic | Slate Reflector |
| Stock | Ravenwood Padded |
| Underbarrel | Carver Foregrip |
| Magazine | 8mm Klauser 30 Round Mags |
| Ammo Type | Lengthened |
| Rear Grip | Leather Grip |
| Proficiency | Steady |
| Kit | Fully Loaded |
This particular build is incredibly versatile and capable of dominating in the vast majority of in-game scenarios. The NZ-41 often flies under the radar as players gravitate towards the meta, but this AR can contend with the very best guns available.
How To Unlock The NZ-41
As the NZ-41 is one of the many weapons that will be arriving when Vanguard launches on November 5th, the process of unlocking the rifle is likely to be extremely straightforward. Like most weapons, the NZ-41 will be available to use once a certain level has been reached. During the beta, players had to reach Level 24 to get their hands on and there's every chance that this is the case in the full version of the game. Once the game is released, we will update the guide with any new intel we discover.
click to enlarge + 3The Best NZ-41 Attachments in COD Vanguard
After spending plenty of time attempting to tame the recoil of the NZ-41, we eventually settled on this combination of attachments in a bid to capitalise on the rifle's incredible power.
- Muzzle: F8 Stabilizer
- Barrel: Orbweaver 360MM BC
- Optic: Slate Reflector
- Stock: Ravenwood Padded
- Underbarrel: Carver Foregrip
- Ammo Type: Lengthened
- Rear Grip: Leather Grip
- Proficiency: Steady
- Kit: Fully Loaded
Even though each weapon in Vanguard has a total of ten attachment slots that can be used, the vast majority of attachments for the NZ-41 contained adverse effects to the levels of recoil, which is why we've selected a total of nine. Kicking things off is the F8 Stabilizer used to improve accuracy levels. The Subsonic Ammo Type conceals your location from any opponents using the Radar Perk which makes it much easier to navigate around the map.
The combination of Leather Grip and Steady Proficiency enables you to aim-down sights at a faster speed alongside some additional improvements to aiming stability, allowing you to gain control over the fast-firing NZ-41.
click to enlarge + 3Best NZ-41 Vanguard Perks and Equipment
Once you've equipped the very best set of attachments to use on the NZ-41, it's essential to choose the best Perk combination in order to earn even more advantages in a multiplayer match. Here are the best Perks, Equipment, and Field Upgrades to use alongside the NZ-41.
Perks
- Fortified (Perk 1)
- Forward Intel (Perk 2)
- Double Time (Perk 3)
Despite the arrival of new Perks in recent updates, the meta has changed minimally. Fortified provides an increase in explosive resistance while Forward Intel highlights the approximate spawn location of the opposition which allows you to make your next move easily.
The third and final Perk to use is Double Time. This particular selection doubles the length of Tactical Sprint speed, allowing you to navigate the map as fast as possible.
Field Upgrade
- Supply Box
To compensate for the fast rate of fire causing you to burn through ammo like it's going out of fashion, selecting the Supply Box as the Field Upgrade means the likelihood of completely depleting your ammo supply is greatly reduced. We recommend placing it in a quiet area of the map so a wayward grenade doesn't cause it to explode.
Equipment
- Lethal: MK2 Frag Grenade
- Tactical: No. 69 Stun Grenade
The combination of frag and stun grenade has very few drawbacks. Cook the frag to perfection to make it impossible for an enemy to avoid. If the frag doesn't secure the kill, quickly follow up with the stun to slow the target's movement for an easy kill with the NZ-41.
- Read More: Best Armaguerra 43 Vanguard Loadout
Is The NZ-41 Good in Vanguard?
After using the NZ-41 in numerous multiplayer matches and modes, I can safely say that the AR is criminally underrated. It may not share the spotlight with the Automaton but its versatility is often unmatched.
There you have it, that's how to prepare the NZ-41 for battle in Call of Duty 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.