The Vanguard: Manual to Frontline combat.

[ghost120]

I must admit, it looks really nice.

[Dolth]

I also reccomend giving TopHatPenguin's firing lane guide a visit after you read this if you're new.

EDIT: Here's the link to said guide.

viewtopic.php?f=94&t=10755#p113670

I beg you, if you are new. Read Wooks's guide which is linked above. It is EXTREMELY helpful for new players.

[FearTheBlackout]

Incredible! I'm already feeling 50% more robust!

[Heckenshutze]

Updated the loadouts suggestions now you can read those again, also had to delete the "No slug policy" since the new xenos. So slugs are on the game again, and added loadout suggestions for the shotgun as well.

[Surrealistik]

Bayonet + Magnet Harness + Angled Grip (works with slugs or buckshot) = Corporal's Killstick

You don't need the RDS; the extra accuracy is overkill since this is perfectly accurate (at least that I've seen) on Run out to 5 tiles (which is the effective range of slugs).

[JacksonDee]

Heckenshutze, this is a damn good guide. I'm going to be LOOCing this to newer players to give them some of that raw unga power.

Also, THERE I AM GARY!

[Steelpoint]

Pistol Ammo Pouch can't hold non-pistol ammo.

[Dolth]

I suggest you add the toggle burst fire macro and explain the use of burst and the MANDATORY NEED to use single fire when a runner runs in the middle of everyone, or if you shoot with anyone not on your fire line yet in front of you (spread RNG kills.)

[Heckenshutze]

Added, and the pistol pouch thing erased. (It used to work)

[Heckenshutze]

I fixed an error that was at the shotgun loadout suggestions.

AND ADDED TACTIC / RULE NUMBER 0.1 I dare to say, one of the most important of them all.

[Sulaboy]

-Snip

Need to amend PFC tactics 7. As far as I know counter grabbing was removed.

[Sleepy Retard]

still as good as ever

[JacksonDee]

The shotgun should get some credit in the guide these days, since PB Buckshot is now amazingly powerful, if a bit dangerous to do.

[Dolth]

The shotgun should get some credit in the guide these days, since PB Buckshot is now amazingly powerful, if a bit dangerous to do.

Alien melee requires to click on your sprite directly.
Shotgun PB requires to click on alien sprite directly.

Marine sprite is small, and hard to click, especially when moving sideways (I'll do a melee guide)
Alien sprite is big as fuck, and highly previsible (unless they use ability, in that case, u ded m8)

Yes, a bit dangerous. But you have a huge advantage in melee with cuckshot PB.

[Heckenshutze]

changed the PFC tip number 7 since it's not possible now, in it's place, an easy way to counter gas clouds.

added gas masks to optional equipment. (May change to mandatory if we get the ability to lower them)

EDIT: Changed some stuff in spec tactics, added flamer tactics.

[Heckenshutze]

This is still a good guide despite being outdated with the new shotgun nerf

[Gigazer]

which is better to use, the angled grip or the under barrel laser sight? just want to know.

[Kesserline]

Angled grip, all the way.

[Dolth]

Didn't read the guide thoroughly but did you mention shotgun PB works as much?

[Heckenshutze]

Didn't read the guide thoroughly but did you mention shotgun PB works as much?

Yeah it's stated as a PFC tactic

[Heckenshutze]

How out-dated is this guide according to the current state of the game? We need to keep our baldies at a 'decent' level

[Monoo]

Not sure how outdated it is, Heck, but it still gives some damn solid advice to new players. I don't think I'll ever need to make a gunner guide because you covered every basic thing a new smartgunner would ever need to know here. Great work!

[Kesserline]

The part about the extended barrel is outdated for now due to rifle buffs (accuracy and scatter)

Most useful attachies for rifle are :
- BC (only couples with AG/VG and RDS) burst fire only, AP is recommended. FF is catastrophic but damage output makes up for it.
- AG for single fire and reactivity
- VG for pinpoint burst fire
- Rail flashlight on vanilla rifle, or coupled with AG/VG

Rest of the topic is fairly still up to date, especially because it deals with common sense, tactics and positioning.

[Caryl]

Disclaimer: This is a little manual, wrote based on my experiences as a permanent Squad Marine player, it doesn't ENSURE success or survival, but contains tips and tricks that may help you the next time a xeno tries to make you it's scratching post, however, these must be put into practice in order to master them and even so, no training can prepare you for the Xeno scum.








VANGUARD

The vanguard (also called the advance guard) is the leading part of an advancing military formation. It has a number of functions, including seeking out the enemy and securing ground in advance of the main force.

The vanguard derives from the traditional division of a medieval army into three battles or wards; the Van, the Main (or Middle), and Rear. The term Vanguard originates with the medieval French avant-garde, i.e. "the advance guard". The vanguard would lead the line of march and would deploy first on the field of battle, either in front of the other wards or to the right if they stood in line.






VANGUARDISM IN CM

The most accurated Vanguardism in our Marine Corps is the fact we're all EXPENDABLE but what does it mean to be expendable? Simple, means you're as good as the man next to you, a cog in the killing machine the USCM is. When a cog expires or fails, another one replaces it and everything keeps going; The machine doesn't stop for a worn out cog and no cog should stop it's purpose because a fellow cog failed to do so; If killing yourself in some way ensures the Machine to succeed, then you MUST take the sacrifice with honor and pride, because a cog that worn out doing it's duty it's better than a durable cog that does shit to help the Machine to succeed in crushing it's enemies. The Machine (The USCM) builds it's path rolling over the cogs it lost in the way, remember that, embrace it, and feel proud of being part of that. Otherwise, you'll never be Vanguard.

Vanguardism doesn't limit itself to PFC's but if we're going to put a simple grunt and a Squad Leader in a balance, the SL is going to win, they're more valuable and needed than the regular boot, with this I want you to understand, the 'Vanguard' should limit itself to PFC's, smartgunners and specialists. Medics, engineers and SL must preserve themselves for the bigger picture.

Being part of the 'Vanguard' doesn't mean to rambo all your way up to your death but knowing when to charge and when to fall back, WITHOUT leaving the Frontlines. You're expected to die, yes, but that doesn't mean you should go and gift our enemy with an easy kill.



THE 5 KEYS TO BE A GOOD VANGUARD

1. a Vanguard is made by a group of men, it's not an one man army. Ensure you're assisted before charging.

2. Understand that, you are not special, you may and will die eventually. Only the luckiest of men survive a whole operation as Vanguard.

3. Even if your squad is grounded to stay in the back, you must remain with it. Be loyal to your squad because that's all you got

4. The best defense is a good offense.

5. Once you charge, there's no turning back unless you're moving back to charge again with bigger force.

EXAMPLES OF VANGUARD MARINES (Role models, if you need an idea of how to behave in combat, look for these)

1. Lisa "Hotshot" Taylor

2. John "Spartan" Murry

3. Dolthgar "Fire" Folk

4. Vanechka 'Sleepy' Penkina

5. Madison Delaney

6. Jackson Dee

7. Mark Kesserline

8. Uriel Turner

9. Cassius Klaus


These have been Vanguarding way before you and you can still see them around, so your best bet as an apprentice is to imitate whay they do.



YOUR TOOLSYOU'LL STICK TO THESE AND THESE ONLY, OTHERWISE YOU'RE NOT USEFUL IN THE FRONTLINES


1. PULSE RIFLE as MAIN weapon


Your best bet out there, this baby is the Fist of the USCM, packed with 40 rounds of caseless ammunition, it has good range and good damage. Single fire to hit targets that are between allies or really far away and burst fire to spray targets that are dumb enough to charge at you, regarding attachments, this weapon alone is good enough but if you want to spice your Baby there's a suggestion list below. NEVER ATTACH THINGS THAT DECREASES YOUR FIRING SPEED MACROS: toggle-burst-fire / toggle-weapon-attachment

2. PUMP SHOTGUN as SUPPORT weapon


A.K.A the Xeno Cucker, this little fella in the right hands creates fear among the most powerful xenos around, a single buckshot shot can put a full-health xeno into critical with ease and heavily cripple any xeno caste and a well placed slug will stun it long enough to be bursted to gibs or stunlocked to it's death, however, the range of the buckshot isn't long enough to be used as a main weapon unless you use slugs, Attachments for this one? Here are some suggestions:.

► Show Spoiler

Suggestion A: Angled Grip + Rail Flashlight + Bayonet (Good Ol' "Eat This!")
Suggestion B: Angled Grip + magnetic harness + Bayonet (A slug-shotgun loadout, good accuracy, good wield/shoot speed, good melee)
Suggestion C: Angled Grip + Rail Flashlight + Barrel Charger (An one-shot-kill intended loadout, however you got to aim very well since the seconds you get from delay to shoot again may cost you high)

MACROS: unique-action

2.A Loadout suggestions

► Show Spoiler

LOADOUT 1:

1.A) Extended Barrel + Magnetic Harness + Bayonet
Stats:++Accuracy. +++ Melee Damage, + Harness prevents weapon loss, -Damage

1.B) Red Dot Sight + Angled grip + Bayonet
Stats:+++Accuracy. +++ Melee Damage

1.C) Burstfire Assembly + Suppresor + RDS

• BFA: More bullets per burst, closest thing to automatic fire. The suppresor helps with the bullet spread same with the RDS.
  Stats:+- Bullet Spread, +-Recoil, +Accuracy, ++More firing rate
  
  Summary: Very useful for mobile medium and close quarters fighting even if the raw damage output isn't as high as other configurations; still decent at longer ranges when on semi-auto, or when using the Suppressor + RDS combo. Allows you to maintain wielding/shooting speed and avoid the delay, which is often a decisive advantage and is great for finishing off/chasing down wounded xenos; best for aggressive, frontline combat. BFA will literally wreck any xeno dumb enough to charge at you.
  
  
  
  LOADOUT 2:
  
  2.A) Rail Flashlight + Bayonet + Angled grip (further improves accuracy and minimizes the spread of your burst fire)
  • Stats:++Accuracy, -Spread, + Sight,
    
    2.B) Red Dot Sight + Laser Sight + Bayonet
    • Stats: ++Accuracy, +++ Melee Damage
    
    
    2.C Magnetic Harness + Masterkey Shotgun + Bayonet
    • Stats: +++ Melee damage, + No weapon loss, + Can toggle between bullets and buckshot, - Accuracy
    
    
    Summary: These builds are extremely excellent at medium-close ranges, but is especially so at close to medium range. Note that with the use of the rail flashlight you have more vision of the terrain and that's an advantage you can always use againts xenos, with the RDS+Laser combo you're basically a medium-close range sharpshooter you'll likely hit anything you aim to no matter the distance. The key of the Harness + Masterkey combo is giving you 2 weapons in 1, since you can switch to buckshot when things go CQC and later switch to bullets again when the xeno decides to flee, Also in the worst case scenario you'll still have your gun with you.
    
    LOADOUT 3:
    
    3.A) Barrel Charger + Angled grip + Rail Flashlight
    • Stats: +++Damage, +Accuracy, + Sight, , -Firing Speed
    
    
    3.B) RDS + Grip + UGL with grenades
    • Stats: +++Accuracy, +AoD damage by grenades
    
    
    3.C)Extended Barrel + RDS
    • Stats ++++Accuracy, -Damage
      
      Summary: The barrel charger will boost your rifle in a way nothing else can, the grip will keep you safe from the bullet spreading and the rail flashlight will give you the extra view to spot enemies this build is deadly at close quarters and should be used only in CQC; The grenades will make you a great pointman since you can shoot with ease both grenades in a short period of time to open the way, crack defences and stun any xeno around and thanks to your good accuracy you can burst it with no worries; the extended barrel + rds combo is when you think accuracy is everything, you'll be like a sniper with no scope, able to hit anything that appears on your screen even if it's in burstfire.
      
      
      LOADOUT 4:
      
      Muzzle Slot: Extended Barrel. Attach a bayonet optionally when clearing weed structures or fighting in close quarters.
      
      Extended Barrel: ++++Accuracy, -Damage
      Bayonet: +++Melee Damage, -Accuracy
      
      Rail Slot: Magnetic Harness
      
      Magnetic Harness: Dropped weapon automatically goes to suit slot.
      
      Underbarrel Slot: Masterkey or Grip (Grip is definitely the better choice for beginners and those who don't want the QoL headache of dealing with a secondary fire mode, but it will compromise the short range performance of this weapon).
      
      Grip: +Accuracy, -Spread
      Masterkey: Gain secondary firemode that can fire up to three buckshot shells at reduced damage/stun compared to the M37.
      
      Summary: Ol Faithful. Set and forget to burst mode (especially with Foregrip). Will never leave you and is good at all ranges, excelling in particular at long range while Extended is attached; particularly good for PFCs taking only one weapon. The sub-loadout Grip + Extended/Bayonet + Magnetic especially great for new players or players concerned with QoL and ease of use. Can trade burst fire performance for improved close range performance by swapping the Grip with the Masterkey. Can retool to CQC combat by swapping the Extended with the Bayonet as needed.

3.Equipment: Stuff you must wear before dropping otherwise you're good as dead.

► Show Spoiler

A) M5 SURVIVAL KNIFE


Your last resource weapon if you're disarmed or crippled. But do not underestimate this little guy, it's sharp enough to cut any xeno into pieces.

B) M3 PATTERN PERSONAL ARMOR


The only thing that'll prevent you from dying from 1 hit of ANYTHING.

B.A) M10 PATTERN MARINE ARMOR (NOT NECESSARY)


Offers somewhat head protection to bullets and melee attacks, but it's your choice to wear it or not. Be careful, enemies love to aim to the head of unprotected marines.

C) FIRST AID POUCH


Imperative, medics don't usually go to the frontlines and even so, it's better to heal yourself and leave the medic treat the most wounded marines.


D) FLARE POUCH


As Vanguard, one of your duties other than shed blood is to light up the path for the medics/engineers and reinforcements. Remember, light is your friend.


OPTIONAL: WEBBING

Because as Vanguard you'll need ammo.. Lots of it.

GRENADES

If you have an UGL use it, otherwise just throw it into the enemy, it's the best way to ensure a good push since it forces the enemy to retreat or face a certain death



Excellent to clear areas and to prevent the enemy from advancing, use it in narrow areas or chokepoints, dumb enough enemies will burn to a crisp if they stay inside the radius.

AMMO BOXES (VERY IMPORTANT)

This is your main source of power, the icing of your cake, without this, you're useless. Make sure you haul one of these to the frontlines and put it in a safe spot so all the Vanguard never runs out of ammo. Ask the RO for it.

AP AMMO IMPERATIVE AT THE FRONTLINES


While isn't necessary to have one of these, it's wise to still keep it around if you encounter heavily armoured enemies, as soon they realize you're packing AP rounds they'll ran back to their filthy holes, but watch out with the FF. Ask the RO for it.

GAS MASK


It may cost you some of your vision, but you never know when you're going to need this to shrug off any gas clouds biohazards, chemical weapons etc.

PFC TACTICS

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 0.1 ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, A L W A Y S TURN YOUR INTENT TO HARM BEFORE JOINING THE FIGHT; ALWAYS TRY TO POINT-BLANK YOUR FOES WHEN YOU'RE WIELDING THE SHOTGUN.

1. NEVER TRY TO BE A POINTMAN, INSTEAD, ADVANCE WITH YOUR UNIT AS A WHOLE. TRY TO BE IN THE SAME TILE THIS WAY YOU AVOID FF OR NEURO/ACID SPIT FROM THE SHADOWS.


2. IF YOU'RE ALONE AND SEE A RUNNER/LURKER SWITCH TO SHOTGUN. THEY'LL THINK TWICE BEFORE POUNCING YOU, GIVING YOU A SMALL CHANCE TO RUN BACK TO YOUR MARINES. SAME THING APPLIES WHEN YOU'RE IN GROUPS, XENOS DON'T RUSH INTO A MARINE/GROUP OF MARINES WHO HAS A SHOTGUNNER NEAR OF THEM.


3. IF THINGS GO CQC, SWITCH INTENT TO -HARM- , EVEN IF YOU'RE USING A PULSE RIFLE A POINT-BLANK SHOT STUNS THE TARGET, GIVES ADDITIONAL DAMAGE AND MOST LIKELY IT'LL FORCE HIM TO FLEE.


4. IF YOU GET FF'D DON'T LOSE TIME COMPLAINING OR TYPING, MOVE AWAY AND KEEP FIRING OR HEAL.


5. DON'T PANIC! IF A RUNNER POUNCES ON A MARINE DO-NOT-FIRE, WAIT FOR THE MARINE TO MOVE OR THE RUNNER TO GET IN AN OPEN SPOT. IF A HUNTER POUNCES ON A MARINE, SWITCH TO SHOTGUN, STAND NEXT TO IT AND BUCKSHOT IT CLICKING ON THE TILE --BEHIND-- IT, SO YOU HIT HIM WITH ALL THE SHELLS.


6. MELEE DAMAGE PIERCES ARMOR, IF YOU HAVE A BAYONET AND A CRUSHER,RAVAGER GOES TOE-TO-TOE WITH YOU, YOUR BEST CHOICE IS TO STAB THE MOTHERFUCKER WHILE ESCAPING, OTHERWISE, DODGE AND RUN BACK TO YOUR MARINES.


7. BOILERS SUCCEED ACCORDING TO THE AMOUNT OF FEAR THE GAS CLOUD CAN CREATE AMONG THE MARINES. HOW DOES THIS WORKS? SIMPLE: A MARINE PUSH TAKES PLACE, THE FIRST WAVE PUSH IN AND GETS CUT OFF BY THE GAS CLOUD, THE PEOPLE BEHIND STOP THE PUSH TO ESCAPE THE GAS, THE MARINES THAT GOT CUT OFF STOPS THEIR ATTACK AND WAIT IN ANXIETY FOR THE GAS TO CLEAR, THEY'LL LIKELY GET STOMPED. RINSE AND REPEAT. -HOW TO STOP THIS?- DON'T LET THE GAS FOOL YOU, UNLESS IT'S A DIRECT HIT THE DAMN THING WON'T KILL YOU, RUN THROUGH THE GAS TO THE OTHER SIDE AND START SHOOTING THE INCOMING XENO FORCES, THEY'LL FLEE AS SOON THEY SEE YOU DIDN'T STOPPED THE PUSH, NOW ONCE YOU ALL CROSSED THE CLOUD GO STRAIGHT FOR THE BOILER, BECAUSE YOU WON'T SURVIVE A SECOND RUN THROUGH A GAS CLOUD.


8. IF ANOTHER MARINE HAS A BETTER SHOT THAN YOU, LET HIM SHOOT AND SAVE YOUR AMMO. SINGLE FIRE TO END DOWNED XENOS SURROUNDED BY ALLIES.


9. PLAY WITH THE FIRE MODE, SINGLE FIRE AND BURST FIRE HAVE THEIR PROS AND CONS, KNOW YOUR SITUATION AND CHOOSE THE BEST MODE.


10. ALWAYS MOVE IN FRONT OF THE SMARTGUNNER, HE CAN SHOOT OVER YOU AND YOU SERVE HIM MORE AS A MEATSHIELD THAN A SIDEKICK


11. SPECS WILL HAVE ALWAYS PRIORITY OVER YOU DUE TO HIS EQUIPMENT, HE'S A VERY SPECIAL ASSET MAKE SURE HE SURVIVES, EVEN IF HE'S AN USELESS TRASH.

SPEC TACTICS

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1. RPG SPEC: * ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU HAVE NOBODY BEHIND YOU AND CLOSE TO THE BLAST RADIOUS
* USE YOUR AMMO WISELY, READ BEFORE USING. THINK SMART. AT ROCKETS FOR RAVAGERS AND QUEENS. WP ROCKETS TO CRUSHERS. TRY NOT TO WASTE THE ROCKETS ON LOWER CASTES (SPITTERS AND SENTINELS ARE AN EXCEPTION, KILL ALL THOSE FUCKERS)
* DO NOT TRASH YOUR ROCKET'S CASE. STORE IT AND TAKE THEM TO RO FOR A QUICK REFILL

2. SCOUT SPEC: *IT'S IMPERATIVE FOR YOU TO BE ON THE FRONTLINES AS THE BOTTLE-OPENER, DO NOT WASTE YOUR PRECIOUS AMMO ON UNWORTHY SCUM, SAVE YOURSELF FOR THE BIG TARGETS: T3'S AND ELITE/ANCIENT T2'S. YOU'RE ALSO THE WALL THAT KEEPS THE MARINES FROM THE SPITTING BASTARDS SO KEEP THEM AT BAY. YOU'RE A VERY VALUABLE ASSET MEANING THAT YOU MUST TRY TO SURVIVE AT LEAST FOR MOST OF THE OP. USE STANDARD GRUNTS AS MEATSHIELDS THEY'LL UNDERSTAND.

3. SNIPER SPEC: *KEEP AT BAY BOILERS, SENTINELS, SPITTERS AND PRAETORIANS. YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN KEEP THEM AWAY FROM OUR GRUNTS
* SAVE AMMO FOR THE BIG TARGETS, INCENDIARY ARMOR SPECIALLY FOR THE CRUSHER ONLY. IGNORE T1'S UNLESS THEY'RE BEING TOO MUCH OF A PROBLEM.
* YOU'RE NOT A FRONTLINE COMBATANT, ALWAYS STAY BEHIND THE LINES USING YOUR GRUNTS AS MEATSHIELDS

4. GRENADIER SPEC: *AREA OF DENIAL, YOU'RE THE MOST USEFUL LINE-BREAKER IN THE FORCE, IF THE XENOS ARE CORNERED BEHIND THEIR DEFENCES AND STRUCTURES YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN MAKE THEM COME OUT OR FLEE.
* YOUR BEST SCENARIO IS A BOTTLENECK. KEEP THE XENOS FROM PUSHING OR SHAKING OFF THE MARINE MOMENTUM WITH YOUR MIGHTY GRENADES. DO NOT WORRY IF YOU DON'T DIRECT HIT ANY XENO, YOUR JOB IS TO ACTUALLY KEEP THEM AWAY.
* DO NOT WASTE GRENADES ON T1's UNLESS THEY'RE A REALLY PAIN IN THE ASS.
* (meta-target) HUNT THE QUEEN, SHE'S YOUR BIGGEST GAME YET.

5. FLAMER SPEC: *KNOW YOUR STRENGHTS AND YOUR WEAKNESSES, SOME TYPE OF FLAME IS TO BE USED ONLY TO CLEAR WEEDS, LIGHT PATHS AND CUT OFF WAYS AND THE OTHER RESERVED ONLY TO BE APPLIED ON THE XENOS.

* (meta-target) HUNT THE CRUSHER, IT'S YOUR PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

* TRY NOT TO CRUSH MOMENTUM FOR FLAMING AN AREA PREVENTING MARINES TO KEEP PUSHING

SMARTGUNNER TACTICS

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1. THIS IS MY RIFLE, THERE ARE MANY LIKE IT, BUT THIS ONE IS MINE: NEVER -EVER- MODIFY YOUR SMARTGUN. YOUR VANILLA VERSION OF IT IS THE ONE TO GO WHEN WE'RE GOING TO THE FRONTLINES, YOU'LL NEED THE SPEED TO ACTUALLY DO YOUR JOB: COVERING FIRE.

2. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS STAY BEHIND THE GRUNT LINE. YOU CAN SHOOT OVER TEAM MATES AND YOUR M56 SIGHT GIVES YOU AN ADVANTAGE IN SPOTTING ENEMIES. USE ALL OF YOUR SQUAD AS YOUR MEATSHIELD.

3. DO NOT DISH OUT YOUR EMPTY POWERPACK, GIVE IT BACK TO RO FOR A QUICK REFILL.

4. BURST-FIRE SUNUVABITCH.

5. SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT SHOOOT!!!!!!!

Congratulations! If you have followed this manual and has resulted useful to you, you're now a certified Vanguard, ultimate badass, bug stomper, equal opportunity ass-kicker!


Good hunting, No marine victory has been achieved without sacrifices AND REMEMBER to collect your dead comrades dog tags and put them in the memorial slab.

Welcome to the team:

Y-You... No CARUL Vanguard?!

[Kesserline]

Caryl = Alpha Vanguard

Baby don't nade me
Don't nade me
No more!