Ready to dive deep into the world of one of Call of Duty's most iconic villains? You've come to the right place. While the answer to "how is Menendez in Vanguard" might seem simple on the surface, his presence is a fascinating, if sometimes confusing, part of the wider Call of Duty lore. Let's break it down, step by step.
Step 1: Get to Know the Man, the Myth, the Legend
Before we can even talk about his presence in Vanguard, you need to understand who Raul Menendez is. Have you played Black Ops II? If not, you've missed out on one of the most compelling villain origin stories in gaming history.
Menendez isn't your typical mustache-twirling bad guy. He's a populist revolutionary, a charismatic terrorist leader, and a man driven by a deep, personal vendetta against the United States. His rage is rooted in a tragic past: his family lost everything due to a devastating earthquake, his sister Josefina was horribly disfigured in a fire started by an American for insurance money, and his father was assassinated by the CIA.
This isn't just about world domination for him; it's about making those who wronged him suffer as he has suffered.
This backstory is crucial because it explains his motivations, his ruthless tactics, and why he's such a fan-favorite villain. He's not just a boss to be defeated; he's a person with a story, a twisted sense of justice, and a truly unforgettable presence.
Step 2: Unraveling the Chronological Chaos
So, how does a character from the futuristic setting of Black Ops II (set in 2025) appear in a game set during World War II? Ah, here's where it gets interesting and a bit... confusing.
Sub-heading: The Core Black Ops Timeline
The core Black Ops storyline follows a specific timeline:
Black Ops: Cold War (set in the 1980s)
Black Ops II (with flashbacks in the 1980s and the main story in 2025)
Black Ops III (set in the distant future)
Menendez is the main antagonist of Black Ops II, where we see him in both the past (his rise to power and his first encounters with Alex Mason and Frank Woods) and the future (his master plan to launch a cyberattack using automated drones).
Sub-heading: Where Vanguard Fits in
Call of Duty: Vanguard is set at the tail end of World War II, specifically in 1945. So, how can a character from the 1980s and 2025 be in a game set four decades earlier?
The answer is simple, yet a bit of a stretch in terms of lore: he's not in the campaign.
That's right. Raul Menendez does not appear in the main story of Vanguard. He is a cosmetic Operator that was added to the game as part of a post-launch season.
Step 3: A Cosmetic Cameo, Not a Canon Connection
This is the most important step to understanding Menendez in Vanguard. His presence is not a plot point; it's a character skin, a marketing tactic, a crossover event.
Sub-heading: The "Last Stand" Season
Menendez was added to Vanguard and Warzone during Season 5, titled "Last Stand." This season brought in a collection of iconic Call of Duty villains as playable Operators, including:
Raul Menendez (from Black Ops II)
Khalid Al-Asad (from Modern Warfare)
Gabriel Rorke (from Ghosts)
Seraph (from Black Ops III and IV)
These villains were part of a theme, not a canonical narrative in the game's campaign. The in-game lore for the multiplayer seasons often exists in a kind of "multiverse" or "non-canon" space, allowing for crossovers and fan service without disrupting the main story timelines.
Sub-heading: The Raul Menendez Operator Bundle
If you wanted to play as Menendez in Vanguard or Warzone, you had to purchase the Raul Menendez Operator Bundle. This bundle included the Menendez Operator skin, a finishing move (which is a brutal sight to behold), and other cosmetic items like weapon blueprints and emblems.
So, while you could run around in a WWII-era game as a futuristic Nicaraguan terrorist, it had no bearing on the story. It was a fun nod to his legacy and a way for players to embody one of the franchise's most memorable characters.
Step 4: Appreciating the Legacy, Not the Crossover
Ultimately, the best way to think about Menendez in Vanguard is to see it as a celebration of his character, rather than a significant plot point. His inclusion serves as a reminder of how impactful his storyline was in Black Ops II.
His voice lines, his iconic look, and his finisher are all callbacks to his original appearance. It’s a treat for long-time fans who know his story and a way to introduce his character to a new generation of players, even if it's in a non-canonical setting.
In summary, Raul Menendez is in Vanguard as a playable Operator, a cosmetic addition to the multiplayer and Warzone experience, and not as a character in the single-player campaign. He's a legendary villain from the Black Ops universe who was brought into the Vanguard world for a special crossover season.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to get the Menendez skin in Vanguard?
The Menendez Operator skin was available in the in-game store as part of the "Raul Menendez Operator Bundle" during Season 5 of Vanguard and Warzone. While the bundle may not be available for purchase at all times, it can sometimes be re-released or made available through special events.
How to unlock Raul Menendez's finisher?
The finisher, called "Populist Revolutionary," was included in the Raul Menendez Operator Bundle. To use it, you needed to have the Menendez Operator equipped and perform the finisher in-game by sneaking up on an enemy from behind and holding the melee button.
How to use Menendez in Vanguard multiplayer?
Once you own the Menendez Operator, you can select him from the Operators menu in Vanguard multiplayer. You can then use him in any multiplayer mode you wish, from Team Deathmatch to Search and Destroy.
How to learn more about Menendez's backstory?
To truly understand Menendez's complex and tragic backstory, you need to play the campaign of Call of Duty: Black Ops II. The game's narrative structure, with both 1980s and 2025 timelines, reveals his motivations and the events that shaped him into a villain.
How to know if Menendez is canon in Vanguard's story?
No, Menendez is not a canonical character in the Vanguard campaign storyline. His presence in the game is purely cosmetic and part of a non-canon multiplayer crossover event.
How to find out which games Menendez is in?
Raul Menendez is the primary antagonist of Call of Duty: Black Ops II and also appears as a playable character in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and as a playable Operator in Call of Duty: Vanguard and Warzone.
How to understand the different Call of Duty timelines?
Call of Duty has multiple timelines. The Modern Warfare timeline is separate from the Black Ops timeline. Vanguard is set in the Black Ops universe's past, but its multiplayer crossovers with characters from different timelines are often considered non-canon fan service.
How to play as Menendez in Warzone?
If you purchased the Raul Menendez Operator Bundle in Vanguard, you also unlocked him as a playable Operator in Warzone, where you can select him from your list of Operators.
How to get a good sense of Menendez's personality?
Playing the Black Ops II campaign is the best way to experience his charisma, his rage, and his twisted worldview. His cutscenes and dialogue are praised by fans for their powerful delivery and character development.
How to know if Menendez will be in future Call of Duty games?
Given his popularity and the recent trend of bringing back classic characters, it is highly likely that Menendez will appear in future Call of Duty games, especially within the Black Ops series. He has already been hinted at in trailers for upcoming titles like Black Ops 6.