Vanguard is a mobile close-combat class: use its Grapnel Launcher to close the gap to an enemy, then fight at close range. The ability’s latest specific values in the reviewed official patch notes are from Patch 14.0, released July 28, 2026; check the live game for any later changes.
How to play Vanguard
Think of Vanguard as a gap-closer, not a class built around staying at long range. Focus Entertainment’s class tutorial identifies Decimus as the Vanguard warrior and highlights his Grapnel Launcher as a way to close distance with foes. Microsoft’s class overview likewise describes the launcher as propelling the player toward an enemy.
In practice, pick an enemy you want to reach, use the launcher to engage, and be ready to continue the fight up close. That is the role the official descriptions support; they do not establish a universal target priority or a guaranteed sequence for every encounter.
How the Grapnel Launcher works
Patch 14.0 (July 28, 2026) lists the following Vanguard ability values:
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- Cooldown: 18 seconds, reduced from 30 seconds.
- Damage: 25, increased from 10.
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These are the latest specific ability figures in the official notes reviewed here, not a guarantee that no later hotfix changed them. The ability is for reaching an enemy, and its listed damage is one part of that function; the figures do not establish how effective Vanguard is compared with other classes.
Which Vanguard build should you use?
The reviewed official sources explain Vanguard’s role and ability but do not rank current weapons or perks. There is no supported best-in-slot build to present as universally optimal. Choose around how you want to engage and what you want your perks to do.
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- Engagement distance: Decide whether you want to commit more heavily to close-range fighting or keep a more ranged approach alongside the launcher.
- Combat preference: Choose weapons and perks to support the balance of melee pressure and shooting you enjoy.
- Perk priorities: Consider whether you value ability use, survivability, or team utility most, then look for interactions that support that priority in your current game version.
These are decision factors, not a verified ranking of weapons, perks, or combinations. Patch 13.0 notes dated May 21, 2026 quote Game Director Dmitry Grigorenko saying Vanguard’s ability was “too one dimensional, especially when compared to Assault.” That was his design assessment at the time, not a description of a later ability change or proof that a particular build solves the issue.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What changed in Patch 15.0?
Focus Entertainment released Patch 15.0 on October 1, 2026. Its notes highlight Tactical class changes and introduce new Vanguard and Heavy class challenges; the reviewed Patch 15 information does not identify a Vanguard ability rework. A September 24, 2026 community update previewed Vanguard challenges and cosmetic rewards, which do not change the class’s gameplay role.
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