Assault rifles (AR) are a staple of the Call of Duty franchise thanks to their incredible levels of versatility, enabling players to succeed in the vast majority of in-game scenarios. Vanguard features a total of seven ARs, each possessing unique characteristics that can impact levels of performance. With Season 3 officially underway, players are wondering whether the existing metagame has changed.
From the fully automatic STG 44 to the ITRA Burst, there's an AR that suits all styles of play ranging from picking off targets from a distance to getting up close and personal with the opposition. Find out which is the very best assault rifle to use and which one you should stay clear of in our comprehensive tier list. But do note, these are not necessarily the best Weapons in Call of Duty Vanguard, but rather, a ranking of just the AR category.
What Is The Best Vanguard Assault Rifle?
After two full seasons, the Automaton is still proving to be the very best AR to use in multiplayer. Its deadly rate of fire shreds through opposition with ease and with the right attachments equipped, recoil remains low making it very easy to control.
Call of Duty Vanguard AR Tier List
Prior to the unveiling which is the very best AR in Vanguard, it's worth remembering that Sledgehammer Games could add more rifles as each season of post-launch content progresses. With that in mind, here's the ultimate AR tier list for Vanguard's pre-season.
S-Tier
Call of Duty Vanguard AR Tier List
S-Tier
The STG 44 is the best assault rifle to use in Vanguard by a considerable margin thanks to its fast time to kill, minimal levels of recoil, and ability to deal huge damage in mid-range engagements. Joining the STG in S-Tier is the Automaton thanks to its incredible rate of fire and non-existent levels of recoil making it one of the very best weapons to use in mid-range scenarios.
A-Tier
Call of Duty Vanguard AR Tier List
A-Tier
With the right combination of attachments equipped, the fast fire rate of the Volk can be used when getting aggressive but its high recoil often hinders its accuracy levels.
Armed with a low rate of fire but a huge damage output, the BAR is a viable option for long-distance duels but in close-quarters action, it often falls short against weapons with a superior rate of fire.
Another AR narrowly missing out on the top tier is the AS44. The fire rate is extremely strong but the high recoil makes it very difficult to control.
B-Tier
Call of Duty Vanguard AR Tier List
B-Tier
The ITRA Burst is the only AR in Vanguard to feature a burst firing mechanism. While it can drop a target in two well-placed bursts, the small magazine means you will find yourself reloading on a regular basis, which often leaves you a sitting duck for opponents with more bullets in the chamber.
The latest arrival in B-tier is the Nikita AVT from Season 3. While it has the fastest fire rate in the entire category, its high recoil and relatively long time to kill means it can't compete with the Automaton at longer distances.
C-Tier
Call of Duty Vanguard AR Tier List
C-Tier
Despite the impressive levels of damage, the NZ41's uncontrollable recoil makes it the worst AR to use in Vanguard. Unless you're trying to unlock camouflages, we recommend staying away from this particular rifle until its recoil is adjusted in a future update.
There you have it, all of Vanguard's assault rifles ranked from best to worst. For more Vanguard guides, check out everything you need to know about the single-player campaign and a complete list of all weapon camos available to unlock.