Despite the addition of new weapons as part of the Season 2 update, the Vanguard metagame has remained stable since the game launched in November 2021.
The KG M40 assault rifle and the Whitley LMG are strong arrivals to the weapon arsenal but the MP40 SMG has dominated throughout the first two seasons of post-launch content. To combat its deadly damage output, Sledgehammer Games has intervened.
On February 22, the developer nerfed the popular SMG in a bid to encourage weapon variety in the category, much to the surprise of players.
Vanguard MP40 Nerf
The nerf to the MP40 was the only change made in an update addressing numerous bug fixes. Typically, the patch notes provide specific details on how the changes impact performance but on this occasion, information surrounding the nerf is vague.
The MP40 dominated in mid-range engagements alongside excelling in close-quarters combat. A decrease in damage range will impact its performance in long-distance gunfights which is likely to spark a change in the casual and competitive meta.
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Why Has The MP40 Been Nerfed?
Maintaining a stable weapon balance is a fine art, especially when certain guns perform better than others. The reasoning behind the nerf is likely to encourage players to move away from the MP40 in favour of other SMGs that are just as powerful.
Depending on the success of the nerf, Sledgehammer Games could leave the SMG untouched or implement further changes if the nerf is too drastic. We will have to wait and see how it affects the meta.