Call of Duty: Vanguard players have figured out a way to solve the game's frustrating weapon bloom effect. The current installment in the Call of Duty video game series was released only a couple of days ago on November 4. The overall story of the first-person shooter is told in non-chronological order and set during the events surrounding World War II. Though many fans of the franchise were delighted to have a new Call of Duty game, they are getting increasingly frustrated with one specific game mechanic.
Players discovered Vanguard has a hidden weapon bloom effect especially when using the aim down sights (ADS) mode. In simpler terms, even when players aim with a weapon in first-person view (ADS mode), their bullets don't always hit exactly where they aimed. Instead, there is a bullet spread effect in the game. This true-to-life reticule bloom is not uncommon in realistic first-person shooter titles like EA's Battlefield series, but it is uncommon in the Call of Duty franchise. Developer Sledgehammer Games' Call of Duty: WWII had a similar bloom effect, but the effect wasn't seen in the last three COD games. Furthermore, no game in the Call of Duty franchise has had the weapon bloom effect to this extent. Vanguard makes no mention of the reticule bloom, but players have complained about the accuracy of certain guns, like Vanguard's MP-40 and STG44 weapons.
As reported by Eurogamer, Call of Duty experts at TrueGameData found a way to solve the gun-aiming problems. TrueGameData explained that each weapon has an accuracy value. This single value is made up of a variety of elements, like the weapon's recoil control and centering speed. In researching Vanguard's ADS bloom, TrueGameData found that - if players increase a weapon's accuracy value - they can decrease the bloom effect. The opposite is also true: if players lower a weapon's accuracy value, they increase the bloom. To increase a weapon's accuracy value, players should use weapon attachments that add accuracy, like muzzle stabilizers. TrueGameData found that if gamers stack a Vanguard weapon with accuracy-raising attachments, players can essentially get rid of the weapon bloom effect.
It's unclear as to why the reticule bloom exists in the first place. TrueGameData stated that it believes the weapon bloom was intentionally put into the game for balance, seeing as Vanguard lets players use up to 10 attachments. Others theorize the bloom was put in to reduce the skill gap between players. Either way, with the game making no mention of the weapon bloom effect, it can be understandably confusing and frustrating that their shots using the ADS mode aren't hitting their targets with accuracy.
Call of Duty enthusiasts are debating whether a weapon bloom effect should be in the game in the first place. While the effect is a realistic problem that occurs when using firearms, some players feel that the effect shouldn't be in a competitive first-person shooter game. At least with the existence of the weapon bloom effect, players can feel compelled to try out all the cool new attachments offered in Vanguard.
Call of Duty: Vanguard is out now on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Sources: Eurogamer, TrueGameData/YouTube