You want to dive into the trenches of Call of Duty: Vanguard without needing an internet connection? Excellent choice! While many modern games push for constant online connectivity, Vanguard does offer a solid amount of content you can enjoy completely offline. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started, from setting up your console to dominating AI opponents.
Ready to embark on a solo campaign or battle hordes of zombies without a single lag spike? Let's get started!
Step 1: Understanding Vanguard's Offline Capabilities
First things first, it's crucial to understand what you can and cannot do offline in Call of Duty: Vanguard. While online multiplayer and the integrated Warzone experience are strictly internet-dependent, a significant portion of the game remains accessible even when your internet is down or you simply prefer a solitary gaming session.
What Can You Play Offline?
- Campaign Mode: Immerse yourself in the gripping single-player story, following a diverse cast of characters across various World War II theaters. This is the cornerstone of offline play.
- Local Multiplayer (Bots): Set up custom games against AI-controlled bots on any of the multiplayer maps. This is perfect for practicing your skills, trying out new weapons, or just having some fun without the pressure of online competition.
- Local Multiplayer (Split-Screen): If you're on a console (PlayStation or Xbox), you can even play local multiplayer with a friend on the same screen! This is a fantastic way to relive the glory days of couch co-op. PC players are unfortunately out of luck for split-screen.
- Zombies Mode (Solo): Face waves of the undead by yourself. While the online co-op Zombies experience is popular, you can still brave the terrifying challenges of Der Anfang and subsequent maps in solo offline mode.
What You Cannot Play Offline?
- Online Multiplayer: This includes all public matchmaking modes, ranked play, and events.
- Warzone Integration: The battle royale experience is entirely online.
- Progression & Unlocks (Online Features): While you can play offline, any XP gained, weapon leveling, or cosmetic unlocks achieved in offline modes may not transfer to your online profile if you haven't connected to the internet at least once for initial game setup and updates. It's generally recommended to connect online occasionally to ensure your game is updated and any offline progress is properly registered.
Step 2: Ensuring Your Game is Ready for Offline Play
Before you disconnect from the world, there are a few crucial steps to take to ensure a smooth offline experience.
Sub-heading: Initial Installation and Updates
- Crucial First Step: Call of Duty: Vanguard, like most modern games, requires an initial online connection for its full installation and all necessary game updates. This is non-negotiable. Even if you have a physical disc, significant patches and content packs often need to be downloaded.
- Download All Content Packs: When you first install Vanguard, you'll likely be prompted to download various content packs (e.g., Campaign Pack, Multiplayer Pack, Zombies Pack). Make sure you download all of these! If you only download the multiplayer pack, for example, your campaign mode might be locked.
- Check for Latest Updates: Before going offline, connect to the internet and let the game update to the latest version. This ensures you have all bug fixes, performance improvements, and game content available. Skipping this can lead to issues or missing features when you're offline.
Sub-heading: Console Specific Preparations
- PlayStation (PS4/PS5):
- Console Sharing and Offline Play: For PS5, ensure "Console Sharing and Offline Play" is enabled on your primary console. This allows digital games to be played by anyone on that console, even without an internet connection.
- Verify Game Licenses: Sometimes, licenses for digital games can be tricky. While connected to the internet, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses. This can help prevent issues with accessing content offline.
- Xbox (Xbox One/Series X|S):
- Set as Home Xbox: Make sure your console is set as your "Home Xbox." This allows digital games to be played by anyone on that console, even when offline. Go to Settings > General > Personalization > My home Xbox.
- Check for Game Ownership: Similar to PlayStation, verify your game ownership while online to prevent any license-related roadblocks when offline.
Sub-heading: PC Specific Preparations (Important Note for PC Players)
- Warning for PC Players: Unlike consoles, Call of Duty: Vanguard on PC is strongly linked to Battle.net and generally requires an internet connection for all modes, even for initial launching and playing the campaign. While some users report being able to play the campaign or local multiplayer after an initial online launch and if Battle.net is in "offline mode," this is not a consistently reliable or officially supported offline experience.
- If you're primarily looking for an offline Call of Duty experience on PC, you might be better served by older titles in the franchise.
- If you must try to play Vanguard offline on PC, ensure you have launched the game at least once while online, and try setting Battle.net to "Offline Mode" before disconnecting. However, be prepared for potential limitations or even inability to launch the game without an active internet connection.
Step 3: Enjoying the Campaign (Single Player Story)
The campaign is arguably the most robust offline experience Vanguard offers.
Sub-heading: Accessing the Campaign
- Launch the Game: Start Call of Duty: Vanguard.
- Select "Campaign": From the main menu, navigate to and select the "Campaign" option.
- Start a New Game or Continue: Choose to start a new campaign or continue from your last saved checkpoint.
- Dive into the Story: Enjoy the narrative-driven missions, playing as different characters and experiencing pivotal moments of WWII.
Sub-heading: Campaign Gameplay Tips
- Explore: Don't rush through. Many missions have hidden details and environmental storytelling that add to the immersion.
- Master Your Weapons: Experiment with different weapon types to find what suits your playstyle. You'll encounter a wide variety of WWII firearms.
- Utilize Character Abilities: Each playable character in the campaign has unique abilities (e.g., Arthur Kingsley's tactical map, Polina Petrova's stealth and agility, Wade Jackson's focus, Lucas Riggs' explosives). Learn to leverage these to your advantage.
- Difficulty Settings: Don't be afraid to adjust the difficulty if you're finding it too easy or too challenging. Vanguard's campaign offers a good range of options.
Step 4: Setting Up Local Multiplayer with Bots (Offline Fun)
Want to hone your skills or just have some chaotic fun without online players? Local multiplayer against bots is your answer.
Sub-heading: How to Set Up a Local Bot Match
- Launch the Game: Start Call of Duty: Vanguard.
- Select "Multiplayer": From the main menu, select "Multiplayer."
- Create a Private Match: Look for an option like "Private Match," "Local Match," or "Custom Game." On consoles, you might need to press a specific button (e.g., Triangle on PlayStation, Y on Xbox) from the Multiplayer menu to create a local game.
- Game Setup:
- Map Selection: Choose your desired map from the available list.
- Game Mode: Select a game mode (e.g., Team Deathmatch, Domination, Kill Confirmed, Free-for-All).
- Game Rules: Adjust settings like score limits, time limits, and health.
- Add Bots: This is the most important step for offline play. You'll find an option to "Add Bots" or "Fill with Bots." Increase the number of bots to fill out the lobby. You can usually choose their difficulty level too.
- Start Game: Once your settings are to your liking, start the match!
Sub-heading: Local Multiplayer Tips
- Experiment with Loadouts: Try out different weapon combinations and attachments without worrying about your K/D ratio online.
- Learn Maps: Local matches are excellent for familiarizing yourself with map layouts, power positions, and flank routes.
- Practice Specific Skills: Want to work on your sniping? Set up a Free-for-All with bots and focus on headshots. Need to improve your movement? Practice sliding and jumping around the map.
- Bot Difficulty: Start with Recruit or Regular difficulty and gradually increase it as you improve. Veteran bots can provide a surprisingly tough challenge!
Step 5: Engaging in Local Split-Screen Multiplayer (Console Only)
For console players, split-screen allows for classic side-by-side gaming with a friend or family member.
Sub-heading: Setting Up Split-Screen
- Launch the Game: Start Call of Duty: Vanguard.
- Connect a Second Controller: Ensure a second controller is connected to your console.
- Sign in with a Second Account:
- For PlayStation: The second player will need to sign in with a separate PlayStation Network account. This can be a guest account if you don't want to create a new one.
- For Xbox: The second player will need to sign in with a separate Xbox profile. Again, a guest profile is usually an option.
- Join the Lobby: From the Multiplayer menu (or the Private Match setup screen), the second player should see a prompt to join the game (e.g., press X on PlayStation, A on Xbox).
- Start a Private Match: Once both players are in the lobby, proceed to set up a Private Match as described in Step 4. You can play against each other, or add bots to fill out the teams for 2v2, 2v4, etc.
Sub-heading: Split-Screen Considerations
- Performance: Split-screen can sometimes lead to a slight dip in graphical fidelity or frame rate, especially on older consoles.
- Screen Space: Be prepared for a smaller view of the action as the screen is divided.
- No Online Matchmaking: Remember, split-screen is for local play only. You cannot join online public matches in split-screen.
Step 6: Battling the Undead in Offline Zombies (Solo)
Vanguard's Zombies mode offers a unique experience, and you can delve into its mysteries even without an internet connection.
Sub-heading: Accessing Offline Zombies
- Launch the Game: Start Call of Duty: Vanguard.
- Select "Zombies": From the main menu, choose the "Zombies" option.
- Start a Solo Match: You'll typically have an option to play "Solo" or "Private Match." Select solo to begin your fight against the undead.
- Choose Your Loadout: Customize your starting weapon and perks before entering the match.
Sub-heading: Offline Zombies Tips
- Survival is Key: In solo Zombies, managing your resources and understanding enemy behavior is paramount.
- Perks and Upgrades: Prioritize getting perks and upgrading your weapons at the Pack-a-Punch machine.
- Objective Focus: The initial Der Anfang map has objectives to complete. Focus on these to progress and earn valuable resources.
- Patience and Strategy: Don't just run and gun. Learn the map, create choke points, and conserve ammo.
- No Split-Screen Zombies: Unfortunately, Vanguard's Zombies mode does not support split-screen co-op, even locally. It's a purely solo experience when offline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to play Vanguard campaign offline?
To play Vanguard's campaign offline, simply launch the game, select "Campaign" from the main menu, and then choose to start a new game or continue. Ensure you have downloaded all campaign content packs during the initial installation.
How to set up local multiplayer with bots in Vanguard?
From the main menu, go to "Multiplayer," then select "Private Match" or "Custom Game." Choose your map and game mode, and then use the "Add Bots" or "Fill with Bots" option to populate the lobby with AI opponents.
How to play split-screen in Call of Duty Vanguard?
On PlayStation or Xbox, connect a second controller and sign in with a separate account (or guest profile). From the Multiplayer menu, the second player should get a prompt to join the lobby. Then, set up a Private Match as usual. Split-screen is not available on PC.
How to play Zombies mode offline in Vanguard?
From the main menu, select "Zombies," then choose the "Solo" option. You will be able to play through the Zombies experience by yourself.
How to ensure all Vanguard content is available offline?
Connect to the internet and ensure the game is fully updated, including all "Content Packs" (Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies) that are often separate downloads. This is crucial for accessing all modes offline.
How to fix a "locked" campaign mode in Vanguard?
If your campaign mode is locked, it likely means the campaign content pack hasn't been fully downloaded or installed. Connect to the internet, navigate to the campaign section, and look for a prompt to "Start Install" for the missing content.
How to update Call of Duty Vanguard for offline play?
You must connect your console or PC to the internet to download and install game updates. There is no way to update the game offline.
How to play Vanguard offline on PC?
Playing Vanguard completely offline on PC is generally not supported. While some users might achieve limited offline play (e.g., campaign after initial online launch and Battle.net in offline mode), it's not a reliable or consistent experience. The game is heavily tied to Battle.net and often requires an internet connection for all modes.
How to improve performance in offline Vanguard game modes?
Ensure your console or PC meets the game's system requirements. You can also try lowering graphical settings (if on PC) or ensuring your console's storage isn't critically full.
How to use a guest account for split-screen in Vanguard?
When prompted for the second player to sign in, look for an option to "Play as Guest" or similar on your console's login screen. This allows a temporary profile to be used without creating a full new account.
