However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t other guns players can try out and have success within the SMG class. The next best option, for example, is the Sten. The classic World War II weapon is making a return in Vanguard and fans can take advantage of the strange-looking gun to great effect.
While players don’t have access to many attachments in the Vanguard beta, we can build a strong loadout for the Sten that can compete with the MP40. Of course, the loadout will change when the full game arrives in November but for now, this is what players can use on the Sten in Vanguard.
Best Sten loadout in the Vanguard beta

The biggest asset the Sten possesses is its ability in close-range combat. It has a fast fire rate and decent mobility to make a beast up close, even besting the MP40 in certain situations.
This is what the Sten’s loadout will be based around, as the range is not going to be its strong suit even with every attachment slot being filled with range-boosting qualities.
-
Muzzle: M9 Flash Hider
-
Stock: Gawain Para
-
Underbarrel: Carver Foregrip
-
Magazine: 9mm Para 50 Round Drums
-
Ammo Type: FMJ Rounds
-
Rear Grip: Leather Grip
-
Proficiency: Acrobatic
-
Kit: Fast Melee
At the core of this loadout are attachments that help with recoil at a distance while also maintaining its prowess at close range. Attachments like the M9 Flash Hider and Carver Foregrip help immensely with improving accuracy so the Sten isn’t a one-trick pony.

However, these attachments lower the Sten’s ADS time. To bring the stat back, we’ve equipped the Leather Grip and Gawain Para, which improves ADS and sprint-to-fire time. This ensures the Sten can still compete at close range.
The supporting elements of the loadout include FMJ Rounds to help with shooting through destructible surfaces and the 9mm Para 50 Round Drums to give the Sten some extra time before reloading.
This Sten loadout won't excel at range combat on a map like Red Star but it can become a monster in close to the medium range during the Vanguard beta.
Don't forget to check out our dedicated Call of Duty section for franchise leaks, news, guides, loadout setups, weapon tier lists and much more.
Featured image courtesy of Activision.