The release ofCall of Duty: Vanguardhasn’t been without issues. DespiteVanguardhaving its fair share of plaudits, its sales suggest that it hasn’t been a big hit amongCall of Dutyfans. This has leftCall of Duty: Vanguardwith an uphill battle to win fans over and become the game that fans had hoped it would be.
One thing that has gone in the game’s favor has beenCall of Duty: Vanguard’sWorld War 2 setting. This has seen a variety of fan-favorite maps and weapons return to the game, something that is set to continue inVanguardseason one with Radar, a remake of Dome fromModern Warfare 3. However, one of the better weapons inCall of Duty: Vanguard, the Automaton, hasn’t been around long, yet is already a firm favorite.

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What is Call of Duty: Vanguard’s Automaton?
The Automaton is widely considered to be one of thebest assault rifles inCall of Duty: Vanguardalong with the StG 44. In comparison to the StG 44, the Automaton does have quite similar stats, albeit with a slight emphasis on accuracy and firepower over speed and ammo capacity. As such, the two guns are very much two sides of the same coin, giving players a choice as to what they value in a weapon, without varying too dramatically. Unlike some other weapons in the game, the Automaton is fairly new to the series, only making its debut inCall of Duty: WW2. However, the Automaton is well set up to become an instant classic given its overall usefulness.
While the automaton is one of thebest weapons inCall of Duty: Vanguard, players may be initially put off given its low ammo capacity. This may even further hurt its chances of being selected by players due to its similarity to the StG 44 as well as the fact that it is the next unlocked assault rifle after the StG 44. As a result of these factors, players may not see the value in selecting the Automaton over the StG 44. However, seeing as the StG 44 has been recently nerfed, now may be the perfect time to make a change. The Automaton remains in its original form, which may push it up in the pecking order somewhat, making it undisputedly one of the best weapons in the game.

Best Automaton Loadout in Call of Duty: Vanguard
While the Automaton is already one of the best weapons in the game,Call of Duty: Vanguard’sgunsmithcan help to take the weapon to the next level, improving upon areas where it may fall short. Like the STG44, the Automaton is a very well-rounded weapon, so it may be difficult to know where to start as far as attachments are concerned. However, players should keep in mind what is needed from an assault rifle when picking their class. The Automaton is a great weapon for medium to long-range gunfights, and as such, players should look to make it the best it can be at these distances. Players may also want to remedy the Automaton’s troublesome mag capacity, although this may come down to personal preference.
As far asCall of Duty: Vanguard’soperatorsgo, there aren’t any that have the Automaton as their favorite weapon, so players can pick any character that they like. Missing out on an XP boost shouldn’t harm the player too much though, as the first attachments they should look to equip are the G28 Compensator, the ZAC 600MM BFA, and the Carver Foregrip, which are the first unlocked muzzle, barrel, and underbarrel attachments. These offer big improvements to recoil control and general accuracy, making long-range gunfights slightly less challenging. Players should then look to equip the Tight Grip proficiency and Polymer Grip for accuracy during sustained fire, and they may want to consider the Fully Loaded kit given the weapon’s low ammo capacity. All of these attachments should make the Automaton the best assault rifle in the game.
Call of Duty: Vanguardwas released on November 5th, 2021, and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.