Of course! Here is a lengthy and detailed guide on how to add bots in Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies, with step-by-step instructions and a user-friendly approach.
How to Add Bots in Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies: A Comprehensive Guide
Hello, fellow zombie slayers! Have you ever found yourself in the dark, desolate, and zombie-infested maps of Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies, wishing you had a few extra allies to watch your back? Perhaps your friends are offline, or you simply want to practice solo without the crushing pressure of being alone. Well, you've come to the right place! We're about to delve into the ins and outs of adding AI teammates, or "bots," to your zombie matches in Vanguard. Let's get started, shall we?
How To Add Bots In Call Of Duty Vanguard Zombies |
Step 1: The Blunt Truth - Understanding the Game's Limitations
Before we dive deep into any menus or settings, let's address the most important question first: Can you actually add bots to your Zombies matches in Call of Duty: Vanguard?
This is a crucial first step because the answer is not what you might expect.
If you've played other Call of Duty titles, especially older ones like Black Ops 4, you might be used to having a dedicated option to add AI teammates to your Zombies matches. However, with Call of Duty: Vanguard, the situation is quite different.
The truth is, there is no official, in-game feature to add AI bots as allies to your Zombies matches in Call of Duty: Vanguard.
While you might see an option or a prompt in the menu that seems to suggest it's possible, this is widely considered a bug or an unimplemented feature. Many players have reported that even if you select an option to add bots, they are either removed once the match starts or they simply don't function as intended, often just standing in one spot and not helping. It's a frustrating situation, but it's important to know this before you waste time trying to find a non-existent button.
So, what are your options? Don't worry, we're not going to leave you hanging. While you can't have true AI allies in the traditional sense, you can still play with bots in other modes and understand the context of what you might have seen.
Step 2: Exploring the Multiplayer Bot Option (and why it's not for Zombies)
Tip: Skim only after you’ve read fully once.
Let's say you've seen videos or guides about adding bots in Vanguard and are confused. It's likely they were talking about the multiplayer mode, not Zombies. It's easy to get them mixed up, so let's clarify how that works.
Sub-heading: How to Add Bots in Vanguard Multiplayer
This is the area where bots are fully supported and work as intended. If you're looking to practice on maps or try out weapons against AI opponents, this is the way to go.
Entering the Private Match Menu: From the main menu, navigate to the Multiplayer section. Instead of selecting 'Find a Match', you need to look for the Private Match option. This is usually located at the bottom left of the screen. Select 'Create a Private Match'.
Waiting for the Lobby to Load: Once you're in the private match lobby, wait a few moments for your character to load in and your name to appear on the screen.
Adding the Bots: Now, select the team you want to add bots to. You'll see a 'plus' sign or an option to 'Add Bot'. Click on this, and you can add as many bots as the game allows.
Adjusting Bot Difficulty: A key feature here is that you can set the difficulty for each bot individually. You can choose from Recruit, Regular, Hardened, and Veteran. This allows you to customize the challenge to your liking, from easy target practice to a more intense fight.
Starting the Match: Once you have your teams set up and the rules adjusted in the 'Game Setup' menu, simply select 'Start Match'.
Important Note: While this is a great way to practice, these bots are strictly for the multiplayer modes like Team Deathmatch or Domination. They are not available as friendly AI teammates in the Zombies mode.
Step 3: The Workarounds and Alternatives (For the Desperate Zombie Survivor)
Since there is no direct bot support for allied AI in Vanguard Zombies, what can you do? Here are some alternatives and things to consider.
Sub-heading: Playing Solo vs. the Hordes
The most straightforward alternative to playing with bots is to embrace the challenge of playing solo. This can be a great way to improve your skills, learn the map layouts, and master your loadouts. You'll have the zombie horde all to yourself, which means more points, more kills, and more intense action. It might feel lonely at first, but it's a rite of passage for any true zombie fan.
Sub-heading: Finding Human Teammates
Tip: Focus on one point at a time.
If you're not a fan of solo play, your best bet is to play with other real players. You can do this in a few ways:
Public Matches: Jump into a public lobby and play with random players from around the world. It's a great way to meet new people and experience the game with a full squad.
Party Up with Friends: The best experience is always with friends. Invite your friends to a private party and squad up to take on the undead together.
Use LFG (Looking for Group) Services: If your friends are not available, you can use LFG platforms on Discord, Reddit, or other gaming communities to find other players looking to play.
Step 4: The Developer's Intention and the Future of AI Teammates
So why did Vanguard not include a proper AI teammate option for Zombies? This is a question many players have asked. The most likely reason is the different nature of the Vanguard Zombies experience. Unlike previous round-based maps, Vanguard's launch Zombies was a more objective-based, hub-world experience. The AI for allies would have needed to be much more complex to navigate objectives, interact with portals, and complete tasks. While a basic AI could be implemented, a robust one that doesn't feel clunky would have required a significant amount of development time. It's possible that the option you see in the menu was a remnant of a planned feature that was never fully implemented.
Could it be added in the future? It is highly unlikely at this point, given the age of the game and the focus on newer Call of Duty titles. However, the conversation about AI teammates in Zombies is a recurring one in the community, and developers are always listening to player feedback.
Conclusion: Acknowledging the Limitations and Maximizing Your Experience
In conclusion, while it's disappointing that you cannot add bots as friendly allies in Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies, you can still have a great time playing solo or with other players. The multiplayer mode offers a robust bot experience for practice, and the Zombies mode, while lacking AI teammates, still provides a thrilling experience against the undead. Now that you know the truth, you can stop searching for a non-existent button and focus on what matters most: surviving the endless waves!
Related FAQ
How to play Call of Duty Vanguard Zombies offline?
You can play the Zombies mode offline, but you will need to have a linked platform profile (e.g., PSN, Xbox Live) and you may need to download a mandatory update first. You will not have access to any online features or progression, and you cannot have allied bots.
QuickTip: Focus more on the ‘how’ than the ‘what’.
How to get bots to fight with you in Vanguard Zombies?
Unfortunately, there is no in-game feature to get bots to fight with you as allies in Vanguard Zombies. The option is bugged or unimplemented.
How to play local co-op with bots in Vanguard?
You can play local co-op in Vanguard's multiplayer mode with bots in a private match, but there is no split-screen support for the Zombies mode.
How to add AI to a custom game in Vanguard?
To add AI to a custom game, go to the Multiplayer section, select "Private Match," and then use the "Add Bot" option in the lobby to add them to your team or the enemy team. This is only for multiplayer, not Zombies.
How to change bot difficulty in Vanguard?
In a multiplayer private match, after adding a bot, you can select their name and choose their difficulty from a list that includes Recruit, Regular, Hardened, and Veteran.
QuickTip: Read actively, not passively.
How to get friendly AI teammates in other Call of Duty Zombies games?
Some Call of Duty Zombies titles, such as Black Ops 4, have an official feature to add AI teammates in their Zombies mode. Vanguard does not.
How to play Call of Duty Vanguard solo?
You can play Vanguard Zombies solo by simply starting a match without a party. You will be on your own against the zombie hordes.
How to use bots to level up weapons in Vanguard?
Playing with bots in a private match in multiplayer does not allow you to level up your weapons or gain XP. This is done to prevent players from easily grinding levels.
How to get into easier lobbies in Vanguard?
This is a topic related to skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), and while there are some third-party services that claim to help, they are not officially supported and should be used with caution. The best way to get easier lobbies is to practice and improve your skills.
How to get the most out of playing Vanguard Zombies without bots?
Focus on mastering the map layouts, learning the enemy types and their weaknesses, and perfecting your weapon loadouts. Playing solo or with a dedicated team of friends is the best way to enjoy the game.