COD Vanguard Update 1.17 Patch Notes (1.017) – April 26, 2022

• Powerful Marksman Rifle and Fast-Firing Assault Rifle Lead New Prototypical Armaments. The M1916 and Nikita AVT, previously classified for even the most elite Operators, will soon be a part of your arsenal. Also: get your hands on a new SMG and Sledgehammer Games’ favorite melee weapon later this season.
• S.O.T.F. 008 Descends on Caldera. Mateo Hernandez, Florence Carter, and Kim Tae Young make up this new task force. Learn about Captain Butcher’s latest recruits and what they bring to battle during this season.

This season is all about prototypical and powerful weaponry — prepare to shake up those Loadouts right at the start of the season:

M1916: Marksman Rifle (Launch)

A semi-automatic rifle with a combination of power and fire rate. Impressive at any range in the hands of a capable marksman.

The first postlaunch rival to the trio of existing Vanguard Marksman Rifles, the M1916 is the favored weapon of one of the new Operators who is typically known for favoring long-range combat.

At first glance, the M1916 may not bring down a foe with a single shot. However, its great fire rate and large two-hit elimination range (in Multiplayer) make it an excellent option at all ranges, even if its recoil can be difficult to handle at range.

Nikita AVT: Assault Rifle (Launch)

Accurate and reliable with best-in-class fire rate, this AR can be outfitted to exceed in CQC or long-range combat scenarios.

The Nikita AVT is the fastest-firing Assault Rifle in Vanguard to date, making it a great choice for SMG users who want to transition to a more midrange option.

A fast fire rate means high recoil, so Operators must either learn to control this weapon’s kick or equip it with multiple attachments to tame it. However, given some of the other interesting attachments, it may be worth taking time to learn its recoil pattern to take advantage of some truly unique setups…

Sledgehammer: Melee (In-Season)

The pride and joy of a certain game development studio, the Junkyard Jet Sledgehammer is a force to be reckoned with in hand-to-hand combat situations. During the season, be on the lookout for a new melee-based challenge that can unlock this new Secondary Weapon, along with a new Store Bundle that will feature this bludgeoning tool.

H4 Blixen: SMG (Mid-Season)

Little is known of this blowback SMG except that it seems to use a 9 x 19 mm cartridge and shares some design techniques with the Sten and PPSh-41… But because Classified Arms were only recently discovered, expect intel on this new weapon closer to when it drops during the mid-season.

For now, know that you can unlock the H4 Blixen in one of two ways: through an SMG-based challenge or via Store Bundle to be released later this season, which features a Weapon Blueprint from this weapon’s family.

Introducing S.O.T.F. Harpy — Mateo Hernandez Reporting in at Launch

This task force of just heroes is ready to swoop down on Caldera, clawing deep into enemy territory.

Mateo Hernandez (Launch)

Sniper. Tail gunner. A hero for his community.

As a first-generation American, Mateo fought in the Pacific as an aerial machine-gun Operator. After serving, he continued to set precedent for his fellow Operators, being a champion for those fighting injustice and protecting the innocent in his home State.

Florence Carter (In-Season)

If Mateo is the top gunner for this task force, then Florence is the unparalleled ace pilot.

Born and raised in Alabama, Florence was determined to never give up on her childhood dream and rose to become one of the best rescue helicopter pilots across all S.O.T.F. groups. Her abilities in close-quarters combat are second only to her talent and passion for ruling the skies.

Kim Tae Young (Mid-Season)

Nobody knows who is behind the mask of Kim Tae Young. Trained by her mother, this unknown vigilante is known for her fighting spirit much like the fabled Dokkaebi, a mythical creature whose face is sculpted into her facial protection. Fearless in close combat, Kim Tae Young is a local hero who will lend her skills to this new task force later this season.

VANGUARD OVERVIEW

• Mayhem Map, Trophy System Coming at Launch. Tower over your opponents and a mock city in a new small-sized map, using the Trophy System to defend your squad from incoming projectiles.
• A New Ranked Season Begins. Begin a new ascent to the Top 250 as you earn new Weapon Blueprints, Camos, Charms, and more in Ranked Play.
• The Road Ahead for Vanguard Zombies. In addition to 20 new Season Challenges and the introduction of fresh Battle Pass weaponry, Treyarch has shared their plans for the future of Vanguard Zombies.

Maps: Mayhem at Launch, Sphere in Season

This season is all about frenetic Multiplayer fights that are larger than life — if you have loved Das Haus and the other tighter maps in Vanguard thus far, then prepare for literal Mayhem at the start of the season.

Mayhem (Launch)

This 1950s movie set is built for fast-paced combat.

Move quickly and take center stage in this warehouse-turned-mock-city, with multiple destructible elements throughout a small-scale replica of a bustling metropolis.

The roughly three-lane design has an open roof that you can rain Killstreaks down on. Get ready for your close-up and plenty of lights, cameras, and action!

Sphere (In-Season)

Beneath the façade of a coal mine is a hidden weapons lab brimming with secrets.

This small-sized map features dual layers that use plenty of interior space to facilitate fast-paced close-quarter-combat opportunities.

Learn more about this map — and its secrets — later this season.

New Equipment: Trophy System

Call of Duty veterans — and current Warzone players — know this Field Upgrade well.

Designed as a prototypical version of a modern portable defense tool, the Trophy System will be a new Field Upgrade in Vanguard Multiplayer this season. It intercepts Frag Grenades, Sticky Bombs, and No. 69 Stun Grenades while they are still in the air, neutralizing them before they reach the area around the Trophy System.

Unlike previous seasons, the Trophy System will be available for use for all Vanguard players immediately, with no Battle Pass progress required.

New Ranked Season, Rewards, Including Weapon Blueprints and Camos

There is still plenty of time to prove yourself in Vanguard Ranked Play before the end of the 2022 Call of Duty League Season, and during Classified Arms, you can get some unique rewards for competing alongside the best in the game.

During this new competitive season, you can earn two new fully configured Weapon Blueprints — one SMG and one Assault Rifle — as well as two slick black and orange camos, which can be used on all weapons. There are also Charms, Emblems, and even more rewards for playing Ranked Play; consider these some incentives to get on the ladder and restart your climb to the top, as all players’ Skill Ratings and Skill Divisions reset for a fresh start.

And with a new Call of Duty League Midseason Pack coming this season, you might be able to rock a pro player’s signature on your weapon while you try to better them in Ranked Play…

Zombies Update — The Road Beyond Classified Arms

As with previous seasons of Vanguard, Zombies players can expect to equip the newest Battle Pass weapons in your Zombies Loadout, as well as complete 20 new Zombies Season Challenges featuring unique Calling Card & XP bonus rewards.

You can also earn the KG M40 and Whitley weapons from Season Two via new Weapon Unlock Challenges in Zombies, available right after this latest patch. Note: these weapons can also be earned via Multiplayer challenges.