Hello, soldier! Ready to dive into the heart of the action in Call of Duty: Vanguard's campaign? If you're wondering just how many missions stand between you and the defeat of the nefarious Project Phoenix, you've come to the right place. Get ready to embark on a thrilling, albeit concise, journey through a series of key World War II battles.
Step 1: Get Ready for the Mission Count
First things first, let's get straight to the point. The Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign features a total of 9 distinct missions. That's right, nine action-packed chapters that take you across various fronts of World War II, introducing you to the diverse and heroic members of Task Force One. While this might seem like a short list to some veteran players, each mission is a self-contained, cinematic experience with its own unique objectives and challenges.
Step 2: Understanding the Campaign's Structure
The campaign's story is told through a series of flashbacks, as the members of Task Force One are interrogated by a Nazi officer. You'll jump between the present-day interrogation and the past events that shaped each character, showcasing their unique skills and the battles that forged them into heroes. It's a non-linear narrative that keeps things fresh and engaging as you switch between different perspectives and theaters of war.
Sub-heading: The Members of Task Force One
Before we break down the missions, let's meet the heroes whose stories you'll be reliving:
Arthur Kingsley: A British paratrooper and the tactical leader of the group.
Polina Petrova: A Soviet sniper, known for her deadly accuracy and resilience.
Wade Jackson: An American pilot, a skilled and daring flyer.
Lucas Riggs: An Australian demolition expert, bringing the explosive power.
Each of these characters has a special ability that you'll get to use in their respective missions, adding a layer of variety to the gameplay.
Step 3: A Step-by-Step Mission Guide
Let's walk through each of the nine missions in the order you'll play them. Be warned, there may be some minor spoilers ahead if you want to go in completely fresh.
Step 3.1: The Opening Act
Mission 1: Phoenix
This mission acts as a prologue, setting the stage for the rest of the campaign. You are part of Task Force One, infiltrating a U-boat to gather intelligence on Project Phoenix. This is where you get your first taste of the team's dynamic and the high-stakes situation they find themselves in. It's a tense, stealth-heavy start that quickly escalates into a full-blown firefight.
Step 3.2: Reliving the Past - The European & Pacific Theaters
Mission 2: Operation Tonga
Step back in time to the D-Day landings. You'll play as Arthur Kingsley during the intense nighttime airdrop into Normandy. The mission focuses on clearing out a German artillery battery, highlighting Kingsley's tactical prowess and leadership. It's a great example of the classic, chaotic Call of Duty experience.
Mission 3: Stalingrad
This mission is a personal and harrowing journey for Polina Petrova. You'll witness the devastation of Stalingrad through her eyes, as a sniper fighting to survive and protect her home from the Nazi invasion. The mission features a unique mix of stealth and sniping gameplay, forcing you to use your wits and precision to overcome overwhelming odds.
Mission 4: The Battle of Midway
Take to the skies as Wade Jackson, a fearless pilot. This mission puts you in the cockpit of a fighter plane during the pivotal Battle of Midway. You'll engage in intense dogfights and aerial bombardments, showcasing Jackson's skills as a pilot and giving you a thrilling change of pace from the on-the-ground combat.
Mission 5: Numa Numa Trail
The action for Wade Jackson continues on the ground in the Pacific. After being shot down, you must fight your way through dense jungle terrain, relying on your ingenuity and quick reflexes to survive against Japanese forces. This mission is all about survival and pushing through a brutal environment.
Step 3.3: More Backstory and Escalation
Mission 6: Lady Nightingale
Polina Petrova's story continues, delving deeper into her motivations and her transformation into the "Lady Nightingale." This mission takes you back to a desolate, war-torn city, where you'll use her unique abilities to navigate the environment and take down enemies with lethal efficiency.
Mission 7: The Rats of Tobruk
This mission introduces you to Lucas Riggs and his explosive personality. Set in the North African desert, you'll be tasked with disrupting the German supply lines and facing off against formidable enemy forces. Riggs' special abilities with explosives are key to completing the mission, making for a very satisfying and destructive gameplay experience.
Mission 8: The Battle of El Alamein
The North Africa campaign reaches its climax in this mission, where you'll continue to play as Lucas Riggs. The Battle of El Alamein is a large-scale, chaotic battle that truly tests your skills. You'll have to push forward through the desert, using tanks and heavy artillery to gain the upper hand.
Step 3.4: The Climactic Finale
Mission 9: The Fourth Reich
The final mission brings everything back to the present-day interrogation. It's a high-octane conclusion where you and the rest of Task Force One must escape captivity and finally confront the leaders of Project Phoenix. This mission ties all the different storylines together for an epic and explosive finale.
Step 4: Completion Time and Replayability
So, how long will this all take? On average, the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign takes around 5-7 hours to complete on a regular difficulty setting. The length can vary based on your playstyle and the difficulty you choose. While there are no branching paths or collectibles to hunt for, you can always go back and replay missions to try them on a higher difficulty or simply relive your favorite moments.
FAQ: Quick Answers to Common Questions
How to find all the campaign missions in Call of Duty: Vanguard? All nine campaign missions are played in a linear, set order. Once you have completed the campaign, you can replay any mission from the "Chapter Select" menu.
How to unlock the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign if it's locked? If your campaign is locked, it's likely because the multiplayer and Zombies modes have downloaded first. Simply highlight the Campaign option on the main menu and follow the on-screen prompt to "Start Install" for the campaign files.
How to beat the Stalingrad mission in Call of Duty: Vanguard? In the Stalingrad mission, patience is key. Use Polina's special ability to climb and traverse the environment, and take advantage of her sniping skills to eliminate enemies from a distance. Stay in cover and prioritize headshots.
How to find intel or collectibles in the Vanguard campaign? Unlike some previous Call of Duty titles, the Vanguard campaign does not have any intel or collectibles to find. You can simply focus on the mission objectives and enjoy the story.
How to get the best weapons in the Vanguard campaign? You will pick up a variety of weapons throughout the missions from fallen enemies. Experiment with different guns to see what works best for you. Some missions also have specific, powerful weapons available.
How to complete the Battle of Midway mission in Call of Duty: Vanguard? In the plane combat sections of the Battle of Midway, focus on leading your shots and using short bursts of fire. Don't just hold down the trigger, as you'll be less accurate.
How to use the special abilities of the characters in Vanguard? Each character's special ability is activated automatically or is tied to the mission's gameplay. For example, Polina's traversal abilities are context-sensitive, allowing you to climb walls.
How to change the difficulty in Call of Duty: Vanguard? You can change the difficulty before starting the campaign or a specific mission from the menu. The difficulty options include Recruit, Regular, Hardened, and Veteran.
How to play Call of Duty: Vanguard with a friend in campaign mode? The campaign in Call of Duty: Vanguard is a single-player experience only and does not support co-op play.
How to know the chronological order of the Vanguard campaign missions? The missions are presented in a non-chronological order to tell the story through flashbacks. However, if you are curious about the timeline of events, you can look up the historical dates each mission is based on.