Call of Duty: Vanguard is the eighteenth entry in the legendary Call of Duty franchise, developed by Sledgehammer Games and released on November 5, 2021, for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Later, it arrived on Steam on March 8, 2023, giving players another way to dive into this gripping World War II shooter.
Although many fans are looking forward to the future of the franchise with COD BO7, Vanguard remains a pivotal entry thanks to its intense campaign, character-driven storytelling, deep multiplayer systems, and chilling Zombies mode developed by Treyarch Studios.
Campaign Overview
The Vanguard campaign places players into the boots of four soldiers from different countries, experiencing influential battles across the globe during World War II. Unlike a traditional chronological narrative, the story is presented in a non-linear fashion, spanning multiple theaters of war, including North Africa, the Pacific, Stalingrad, and Normandy.
From the deserts of Tobruk to the skies of Midway and the streets of Stalingrad, players experience not only historical battles but also the birth of Task Force Vanguard, the precursor to modern special forces within the Call of Duty timeline.
As Vanguard showcases the intensity of World War II through multiple perspectives, it reminds players of the series’ ability to blend history with thrilling gameplay. From the deserts of Tobruk to the streets of Stalingrad, the campaign not only tells the story of war but also the rise of Task Force Vanguard, setting the stage for what would become a defining part of the Call of Duty legacy. For fans eager to continue their journey and prepare for the next evolution of the franchise, exploring options to buy cod bo7 lobby can be a step toward experiencing even more fast-paced action with friends and the broader community.
Campaign Plot Breakdown
The story of Vanguard unfolds across different characters, each with their own background and motivations:
- Lucas Riggs – An Australian soldier fighting in North Africa, known as one of the “Rats of Tobruk.” His bravery clashes with poor leadership, ultimately leading to his imprisonment and later recruitment into Task Force Vanguard.
- Wade Jackson – A US Navy pilot, participating in the Battle of Midway and later Bougainville. His daring flying skills become crucial in Task Force operations.
- Polina Petrova – A Soviet sniper and medic from Stalingrad, also known as Lady Nightingale. She seeks vengeance for her family’s death and becomes one of the most iconic characters in Vanguard.
- Arthur Kingsley – A British paratrooper involved in Operation Tonga during the D-Day landings. Charismatic and tactical, Kingsley becomes the leader of Vanguard.
Together with other allies, these characters uncover Project Phoenix, a Nazi plan to create a Fourth Reich under the command of Hermann Freisinger. The climactic finale sees the squad capture and execute Freisinger while uncovering documents that hint at wider Nazi conspiracies.
This blend of history and fiction delivers a cinematic single-player experience that fans of both WWII shooters and narrative-driven campaigns can appreciate.
Main Characters in Call of Duty: Vanguard
Here’s a quick character reference table for Vanguard:
| Faction | Characters |
|---|---|
| United States Navy | Wade Jackson · Mateo Hernandez · Sam Davis · John Miller |
| United States Army | James “Booker” Washington · Lewis Howard · Marvin Pelfrey · Ray Kibble · Pernell Lenny · Thompson |
| British Army | Arthur Kingsley · Henry Baker · Richard Webb · Thomas Jones · Phillip Evans · Lucas Riggs · Desmond “Des” Wilmot · Henry Hamms · Robert Jacobs · “Bluey” Smith |
| Red Army | Polina Petrova · Misha Petrov |
| Task Force Vanguard | Arthur Kingsley · Polina Petrova · Richard Webb · Wade Jackson · Lucas Riggs · Milos Novak |
| Nazi Germany | Hermann Freisinger · Jannick Richter · Leo Steiner |
| Civilians | Boris Petrov |
| Zombies Mode | Wolfram Von List · Kortifex · Saraxis · Inviktor · Norticus · Bellekar · Vercanna · Zaballa · The Decimator |
| Operators (Multiplayer) | Carver Butcher · Krampus · Godzilla · Kong · Snoop Dogg · Anna Drake · T-800 & T-1000 Terminators |
This wide cast highlights Vanguard’s mix of historical and fantastical storytelling, making it both a grounded WWII shooter and a gateway to more supernatural elements through Zombies mode.
Zombies Mode – Dark Aether Returns
One of the most exciting parts of Call of Duty: Vanguard is the return of Zombies, crafted by Treyarch Studios. Unlike previous entries, Vanguard Zombies ties directly into the Dark Aether storyline, serving as a prequel to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies.
Core Features:
- Der Anfang: The launch map with a hub system and objectives accessible through portals.
- Perk-a-Colas → Demonic Fountains: Classic perks reimagined with a supernatural twist.
- Altar of Covenants: Grants randomized special abilities like ammo boosts, melee enhancements, and more.
- Artifacts & Entities: Field Upgrades tied to Dark Aether entities (e.g., Inviktor, Saraxis, Norticus).
Map Expansions:
- Season 2 – Terra Maledicta: Introduced large-scale exploration with new quests and Vercanna, a healing Dark Aether entity.
- Season 4 – Shi No Numa (Round-based): A reimagined classic with a new storyline and side-quests. Released June 22, 2022.
- Season 5 – The Archon: A finale map (August 24, 2022) featuring a massive boss fight and round-based gameplay, concluding Vanguard’s Zombies arc.
Zombies in Vanguard leaned heavily on progression, exploration, and narrative integration, setting the stage for the next evolution in COD Zombies that many players expect to expand further in COD BO7.
Multiplayer & Operators
Multiplayer in Vanguard offers the classic fast-paced COD experience with WWII-inspired weapons, customizable loadouts, and large-scale modes like Champion Hill. Operator skins include historical soldiers and crossover pop-culture icons such as Godzilla, Kong, and even the Terminators.
Events and seasonal content kept the game alive through multiple updates, ensuring players always had new challenges, weapons, and cosmetics to unlock.
Why Vanguard Still Matters
Even as the Call of Duty community looks ahead to COD BO7, Vanguard stands out as:
- A cinematic WWII campaign with a focus on character-driven storytelling.
- A bridge in the Zombies Dark Aether storyline, linking Cold War to future COD titles.
- A multiplayer foundation with unique modes, maps, and operator crossovers.
Whether you’re a campaign enthusiast, a Zombies grinder, or a competitive multiplayer fan, Vanguard offers content worth revisiting before the next big COD release.