Forgotten Vanguard SMG has Warzone’s highest damage output

Nathan Warby
Warzone Type 100

The SMG meta is one of the most fiercely contested in all of Warzone, with many close-range weapons emerging as solid options. But as revealed by TrueGameData, it’s actually a long-forgotten Vanguard SMG that deals the most damage in that class.

With Warzone Season 3 on the horizon, players are bracing themselves for yet another shift in the meta. The SMG meta, in particular, is expected to see a shake-up, as the MP40 which has dominated for so long will likely receive a nerf.

This will leave many fans scrambling for a new SMG to take into close-range fights and use as sniper support. There’s no shortage of viable options, with the likes of the Welgun and Owen Gun proving to be incredibly effective.

However, the best SMGs need to pack a punch, and as revealed by TrueGameData, it’s the lesser-used Type 100 that actually has the best damage output in the game.

Type 100 SMG in Warzone loadout screen

In his April 23 video, Warzone guru TrueGameData advised players on the best SMG loadouts ahead of the start of Season 3 and Operation Monarch. When it came to breaking down the damage-per-second (DPS) of each weapon, the Type 100 easily came out on top.

The forgotten Vanguard SMG deals just over 525 DPS, almost 100 more than the Owen Gun in second place. It also dwarfed the damage of the best MP40 build, which sat closer to 400 DPS.

Despite impressive stats, the SMG has slipped way down the pecking order, with a pick rate of just 0.5 according to WZ Ranked. TrueGameData urged players not to sleep on the Type 100, however, because of its “insane” TTK.

The CoD expert did acknowledge that the Type 100’s recoil is a slight drawback, noting that it “feels hard to control,” but he felt it was worth the risk. “On Rebirth, [in] close-range engagements, I just absolutely fry people with this thing,” he explained.

He went on to mention that the Type 100 is most effective within a 15 to 20-meter range, so players should bear that in mind before charging into a fight. But TrueGameData still believed it is the “best gun” to get up close and personal with.

With Raven Software expected to bring the changes in Warzone Season 3, now might be the perfect time to get some games in with the Type 100 so you’re ready for the meta change. Check out TrueGameData’s recommended loadout below:

TrueGameData Type 100 loadout

  • Muzzle: M1929 Silencer
  • Barrel: Warubachi 134mm Rapid
  • Optic: Slate Reflector
  • Stock: Shiraishi T100
  • Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop
  • Magazine: .30 Russian Short 36 Round Mags
  • Ammo Type: Hollow Point
  • Rear Grip: Rubber Grip 
  • Perk: Gung Ho
  • Perk 2: Fully Loaded

For more on Warzone, check out all of the map changes and new weapons set to feature in Season 3.

Image credits: Activision

About The Author

Nathan is a Senior Writer for CharlieIntel and Dexerto, primarily covering FIFA and Call of Duty, as well as general gaming news and guides. After leaving university with a degree in Sports Studies and a master's degree in Magazine Journalism, he took on a role as a local news reporter before moving into games media. You can contact Nathan by email at [email protected].