Welcome to Call of Duty: Vanguard, the 2021 first-person shooter that drops you into the boots of an elite Allied special forces unit fighting across the major fronts of World War II. From the Eastern Front in Stalingrad to the Pacific islands and the Western Front, you'll experience intense, moment-to-moment firefights as you push back the Axis powers. It’s a globe-trotting campaign with a focus on visceral action and the birth of special forces.
This guide is your go-to resource for mastering Vanguard. We'll walk you through the critical campaign missions, offer strategies for the robust multiplayer, and help you unlock every camo. Whether you're aiming for those tricky Steam Achievements or just want to dominate every firefight, we've got you covered across PC and all major consoles.
= C O N T E N T S =
Call of Duty: Vanguard guide structure: Introduction, Game details, 10 walkthrough missions (Off-Target to The Crucible), and Conclusion.
Sections:
- Introduction: Includes Copyright Notice, Additions, and Preparations.
- Game: Covers Story, Characters, and Controls.
- Walkthrough: Details the missions Off-Target, Der Bunker, Behind Enemy Lines, Scavengers, Requiem, A Shallow Grave, Haunted, Predators, Endgame, and The Crucible.
- Conclusion: Features a Final Word and Credits.
= 1 = I N T R O D U C T I O N =
Call of Duty: Vanguard copyright notice and FAQ details. Learn about medal awards and walkthrough usage. Contact patt3rson(at)gmail(dot)com for remarks.
Copyright Notice: Writing walkthroughs for Call of Duty: Vanguard requires significant time and effort. Stealing content is a serious offense punishable by international copyright law. The newest version of this file can be found on [ALLOWED LOCATIONS OF THIS DOCUMENT]. For questions or remarks about this file, including the walkthrough, contact patt3rson(at)gmail(dot)com. Only serious questions not answered within this file will receive a response. This document may only be printed or saved for private use. Distribution or copying, in whole or in part, requires written permission from the author, which is not guaranteed. If you find this file on a location other than the one mentioned, please report it to the same email address.
Additions: This document is a translation of a Dutch walkthrough. All content is new, and this FAQ will only be updated if the Dutch version is updated.
Preparations: This document is a translation of a Dutch walkthrough. Some translations, especially for item and location names in Call of Duty: Vanguard, may not be entirely correct as the game was not played during translation. Read the tips below before starting the game and using this walkthrough for valuable information.
Medals: In Call of Duty: Vanguard, medals can be earned per level within each campaign (consisting of multiple levels). Medals are only awarded and displayed at the end of a campaign. Your service record shows earned medals and how to obtain missing ones. If multiple medals of the same type exist, they can be earned in each level, allowing you to track which levels you still need to collect them in.
- Use the provided contact address patt3rson(at)gmail(dot)com for questions not covered in the walkthrough.
- Verify the location of the newest version of this file.
- Be aware that item and location names might be slightly inaccurate due to translation.
- Check your service record to understand medal requirements for each level and campaign in Call of Duty: Vanguard.
= 2 = G A M E =
Master the controls and get to know the characters in Call of Duty: Vanguard. Your guide to the All Americans' WWII adventures.
Welcome to the game section for Call of Duty: Vanguard! This part of the guide is all about getting you familiar with the core elements you'll be interacting with throughout your campaign. We'll cover the main characters you'll meet and the controls you'll be using to navigate the intense WWII battles.
The Story at a Glance:
Vanguard puts you in the boots of the legendary 82nd Airborne Division, known as the 'All Americans.' You'll experience some of their most critical missions during World War II. This division's legacy is huge, and they've seen action in conflicts far beyond WWII, including Vietnam and Iraq.
Meet Your Squad:
You play as Keegan, who starts as a regular soldier but will eventually rise to the rank of Sergeant, leading your own team. You'll also encounter other key figures:
- Magnuson: Your initial team leader. He's a seasoned Sergeant, but unfortunately, he gets taken out by a sniper, forcing you to step up and take command.
- McCollum: A soldier with a decent rank, though not central to the main plot. You'll meet him again towards the end of one of the missions.
- Chalmers: A soldier worth mentioning who unfortunately dies early on while you're dealing with a tough tank enemy.
- Slauson: You'll hear him at the game's conclusion, talking with another soldier about the arrival of American reinforcements.
Mastering the Controls (PlayStation 2 Default):
Here's a breakdown of the default button layout for the PlayStation 2 controller. Keep in mind that some buttons might not have a function assigned by default, and you can usually customize these in the game's settings or your console's manual.
ARROWS:
- Up — Zoom in
- Down — Zoom out
- Left — NOT USED
- Right — NOT USED
SYMBOLS:
- Triangle — Jump/Stand
- Cross — Interact/Reload
- Square — Crouch/Prone
- Circle — Switch Weapons
SHOULDER BUTTONS:
- L1 — Aim Down Sights (Iron Sight)
- L2 — Sprint
- R1 — Use Weapon (Fire)
- R2 — Select Grenade
STICKS:
- L3 (Press Left Stick) — Sprint
- Left Analog Stick — Move Character
- R3 (Press Right Stick) — Melee Attack
- Right Analog Stick — Move Crosshair (Aim)
FUNCTION BUTTONS:
- Start — Pause Menu
- Select — NOT USED
Get comfortable with these controls, as they'll be your lifeline in the heat of battle. Practice makes perfect, so don't be afraid to experiment!
= 3 = W A L K T H R O U G H =
Complete walkthrough for Call of Duty: Vanguard's 'Off-Target' and 'Der Bunker' missions. Includes step-by-step objectives, enemy locations, and strategies.
- 1Off-Target: After parachuting in, steer towards the smoke signal on the rocks. Neutralize enemies, grab a Weapon Upgrade near crates, and proceed to the building to the north. Climb stairs, shooting enemies through windows. Clear the building of enemies to complete the first objective. Regroup with Sgt. Magnuson in the adjacent room. Enter the town via the left door and up the hill, eliminating enemies on balconies. Take out enemies in the archway and behind the MG42 at the northern gate. A door to the right will open upon objective completion.
- 2Clear the current floor, then ascend the stairs in the back left, dealing with the enemy at the top. Past the next door, eliminate the enemy behind the MG42 and return outside. Wait for the opposite door to be breached, then enter and proceed upstairs and through the next room to exit on the other side of barricades. Fight your way upwards, prioritizing dangerous and close enemies. Climb stairs and advance to complete the objective. Enter the building ahead and to the right, clear it of enemies, and ascend the stairs. Defend the building from the windows, shooting enemies in the square below until the final objective and mission are complete.
- 3Der Bunker: Remain inside initially and shoot enemies through the windows, focusing on those on the balcony to the left and behind crates to the right. Descend and ascend to the balcony, enter the building, and eliminate the enemy in front of the exit door. Carefully observe the left balcony for an enemy and another around the corner on the street. Take cover at the checkpoint as new enemies appear. Eliminate them and proceed into the alley, killing two more enemies before entering the building on the left. Collect a Weapon Upgrade from the counter. Shoot enemies behind machine guns through the door and eliminate approximately four enemies behind windows to the right and above.
- 4With the square cleared, follow your team inside. Ascend through the building and exit again. Descend using ramps, taking cover with your team. Advance along the coast, using crates for cover, and ascend ramps again. Watch windows above and eliminate appearing enemies. Head into the northern building and reach the top floor. Exit and eliminate enemies between crates. Advance along the left wall, using openings to target enemies near bunkers, especially those behind MG42s.
- 5Advance through the left opening and take cover behind the leftmost crates at the top of the hill. Eliminate all visible enemies on bunkers and in the trench. Take out the two enemies operating the MG42 inside the bunker you pass. Clear all red dots from your radar around the trench to complete an objective. Walk to the southwest bunker entrance and place explosives on the red object by holding X. After the door explodes, eliminate the three enemies that appear. Upon entering, enemies will emerge from all directions; retreat to the doorway and engage them. Use your radar to locate and eliminate remaining enemies, checking side rooms for red dots. Once all enemies are gone, the objective is complete. Place explosives on the middle gun, then exit and follow your team leader's instructions.
- In 'Off-Target', use the X button for diagonal movement while parachuting.
- Prioritize eliminating MG42 operators quickly in both missions.
- Utilize cover effectively, especially when advancing along the coast in 'Der Bunker'.
- Conserve ammunition when possible, especially during defensive sequences.
Similar guides you might like
100% Human-Written. AI Fact-Checked. Community Verified. Learn how AntMag verifies content