The AS44 Stands Alone as Vanguard‘s Fastest Killing Machine

Without a doubt, the fastest killing full-auto weapon currently in Call of Duty: Vanguard is the AS44 assault rifle. Boasting a ludicrously quick time-to-kill (TTK) of just 195ms within its max damage range, it outpaces every other gun in raw lethality.

After extensive testing and statistical analysis, I can confirm the AS44 has the fastest TTK of any auto gun in Vanguard by a noticeable margin. Across multiple damage range profiles, it maintains its lightning fast elimination time that enables defeating enemies before they can even react.

As a long-time COD analyst and content creator, I live for weapons with clear statistical dominance like the AS44. Let‘s dive deep into why it stands in a tier of its own when it comes to destructive potential.

Unmatched Lethality by the Numbers

While feels are important, the hardcore numbers expose just how lethal the AS44 truly is:

• 195ms TTK up to 15.2m – fastest full auto gun by ~30ms
• 3-4 shots to kill with one headshot
• 636rpm base fire rate – fastest AR by a wide margin
• Tops ARs in chest damage until 31m

These stats tell the story. The AS44‘s dizzying fire rate allows spitting out enough damage to eclipse every other Vanguard gun‘s TTK – including SMGs – in its ideal range.

It has all the makings of an S-tier killing machine: high fire rate, great mobility, solid mag size, and excellent handling. Once you control its vertical climb, it offers perhaps the most lethal stream of bullets in Vanguard.

Matching Raw Stats to Lethal Reality

While stats reveal part of the story, seeing the AS44 ruthlessly melt enemies in actual matches seals its dominance. Based on analysis of top player gameplay, you can feel the ruthless strength of its TTK translating into unstoppable killing potential:

• Stringing together multi-kills at a frightening pace
• Beaming down entire teams before reloading
• Winning virtually every 1v1 gunfight
• Frequently hitting squad wipes in Rebirth Resurgence

This aerial streak from Twitch streamer Metaphor sums up the AS44‘s lethal capabilities:

{{AS44 massacre clip}}

The AS44‘s overwhelming fire rate and TTK shreds opponents with impunity at close range. It truly feels like you barely need to aim to secure kills. This raw damage output makes it the ultimate confidence booster for aggressive play.

The AS44‘s Spoils Victory Across All Game Modes

While the AS44 dominates standard Vanguard multiplayer, its jaw-dropping lethality translates seamlessly into Warzone as well.

Analyzing top player loadouts reveals the AS44 as a common choice for Fortune‘s Keep and Rebirth Island where close-quarters engagements shine:

{{Table of top Warzone player AS44 usage}}

The AS44 occupies an interesting niche between long range beamers like the Automaton and CQC beasts like shotguns or the MP40. It brings unmatched TTK to close-mid fights.

And this reign of destruction continues in Vanguard Royale where the AS44 terrorizes lobbies:

{{Vanguard Royale win rate/KDR chart}}

I predict the AS44 retaining its lethal niche across Warzone for the foreseeable future. It provides flexibility missing from shotguns or SMGs.

Simply put, no other gun can dish out its level of lightning fast TTK across various engagement ranges in both Vanguard and Warzone. It certainly deserves attention as the deadliest full-auto option currently available.

Fine-Tuning the AS44‘s Killing Potential

While the base AS44 already melts enemies with little effort, optimizing attachments can make it even more lethal:

• Mercury Silencer – Sound suppression without speed penalty
• Kovalevskaya 615mm – Boosts fire rate and bullet velocity
• Slate Reflector – Clean sight picture
• Kovalevskaya Custom – Enhances recoil and flinch control
• Carver Foregrip – Further control bounce
• 6.5 Sakura 40 Round Mags – More ammo and rate of fire
• Lengthened – Keeps damage strong at range
• Fabric Grip – Quicker sprint to fire and ADS
• Acrobatic – Faster movement to flank
• Fully Loaded – Max starting ammo

This loadout maximizes the AS44‘s TTK for destroying enemies up close, while still enabling mid-range kills. I always tune guns for their peak damage ranges, hence these attachment choices. Prioritizing recoil and sprint/ADS comps for aggressive rushing.

Give this setup a shot the next time you hop into Vanguard multiplayer or Warzone scopes only modes!

Counterplay Options Arising

As with any dominant meta weapon, counterplay strategies eventually arise. The MP40 retains popularity for close range thanks to its forgiveness and mobility. Shotguns also blow up the AS44 within their max damage range.

I‘ve also noticed the ITRA Burst and new Armaguerra 43 SMG gaining traction lately as potential counter picks in specific scenarios. And I expect long range beamers like the Automaton and STG44 to hold value on bigger maps.

Still, given its flexible damage ranges and sheer TTK power, I foresee the AS44 retaining its lethal niche. But competitive meta shifts may impact its dominance as players adapt.

Mastering the AS44‘s Recoil Takes Practice

The main aspect separating average from great AS44 play is controlling its tempestuous recoil. The gun notoriously bounces hard upward, making staying on target at range challenging.

However, with practice, its mostly vertical climb becomes predictable. I recommend the following tips:

• Fire in 5-6 shot bursts max
• Allow the recoil to reset between bursts
• Focus on centering shots around upper chest
• Actively pull down to counteract upward motion
• Utilize recoil booster attachment
• Build for recoil control secondarily

While initially jarring, veterans can leverage the recoil to land more headshots. The key is not fighting the bounce too hard but working with and around it.

I suggest honing recoil control in private matches first before taking the AS44 to multiplayer. Once mastered, it becomes an almost unstoppable bullet hose.

Final Verdict: Vanguard‘s Apex Killer

In all my years analyzing Call of Duty, few guns release in as statistically dominant a position as the AS44. It occupies the fastest full-auto TTK by a wide margin, translating into obscene lethality across matches.

While certain ranges and counterplay options exist, I expect the AS44‘s stellar killing speed to warrant an eventual tuning. For now, it‘s undoubtedly the chief threat in Vanguard.

So for those looking to relentlessly frag out, do not sleep on this lightning fast beast. Get used to annihilating enemies before they can even react!

Let me know your thoughts on Twitter if you also think the AS44 has staked its claim as the apex killer in Vanguard! I‘m always happy to discuss meta shifts and lethal new guns.