Welcome back to the battlefield, warriors! Today’s deep dive is all about the Vanguard, one of Chivalry 2’s most explosive and stamina-packed classes. Whether you’re a new player trying to figure out which subclass fits you best or a returning knight looking to sharpen your tactics, this guide will help you become the most efficient and deadly Vanguard on the field.

Vanguard Overview: Stats and Playstyle

Across its three subclasses—Devastator, Raider, and Ambusher—the Vanguard boasts some of the highest stamina in the game and respectable durability with 130 base health. While Vanguards are slightly more vulnerable to ranged attacks, their sheer offensive capabilities, long reach, and aggressive abilities more than make up for it.

The class-defining mechanic for the Vanguard is its Leaping Strike—a momentum-fueled special attack that lets you lunge forward for massive damage. When timed correctly, it’s not only effective for kills, but also hilariously satisfying as enemies get launched into the sky.

Let’s break down the subclasses to find your preferred flavor of destruction.

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Devastator: Heavy Hitter Supreme

If you’re into close-quarters chaos and bone-crunching weaponry, the Devastator is for you. Equipped with the most brutal two-handers in the game, this subclass thrives on frontal assault.

Notable Weapons:

• Executioner’s Axe
• Greatsword
• Danax
• Highland Sword (later unlock)

The Greatsword and Executioner’s Axe pack absurd power and range, making them perfect for cleaving through clustered enemies. The Highland Sword, while slower, brings even greater reach and one-shot potential.

Ability – Fire Bomb: Great for locking down choke points or denying area control. Toss this into a clustered enemy group for bonus takedowns and chaos.

Pro Tip: Use your weapon’s heavy attacks in tight spaces, follow up with Leaping Strikes, and punish archers with aggressive flanks.

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Raider: Versatile War Machine

The Raider is a flexible Vanguard option, offering both aggression and utility. What makes this subclass stand out is its dual weapon slots, allowing you to throw a weapon and still have another ready for combat. This makes them ideal for opportunistic engagements.

Ability – Warhorn: A support tool that heals allies and revives downed teammates in your vicinity. Use it in team fights to turn the tide or rack up support points.

Throwing Bonus: Raiders can throw their main weapon for burst damage, especially useful as an opener. Retrieve your weapon after a kill—or swap to a looted bow for hybrid combat.

Weapon Recommendations:

• Danax
• Messer
• Executioner’s Axe

Pairing mobility with power, the Raider allows for improvisation. Mix melee and throwing attacks, play the support role, or go full berserker mode depending on your team’s needs.

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Ambusher: The Assassin Vanguard

If flanking and sneaky backstabs are your style, the Ambusher is your weapon of choice. This subclass is all about surprise attacks and relentless harassment.

Bonuses:

• +50% bonus damage from behind with native weapons
• +25% bonus damage on projectile headshots

Ability – Replenish Throwing Knives: Lets you maintain ranged pressure for extended engagements. Ideal for players who are accurate with projectiles and want to wear enemies down before closing the gap.

Though not as durable up front, Ambushers excel at picking off isolated targets, harassing archers, and frustrating enemies with fast, hard-to-read play.

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Cheesy But Effective Tactics: Playing Smart in Team Objective

Want to farm kills, XP, and chaos? Try this Vanguard classic:

1. Build sprint speed near teammates.
2. Circle behind enemy lines.
3. Leaping Strike into a vulnerable backline.
4. Swipe, retreat, repeat.

This loop creates disruption, exploits distraction, and allows you to rack up kills quickly—especially against archers and unaware players.

Chasing Archers Tip: With high-damage weapons like the Greatsword, a single Leaping Strike can delete an archer before they can draw a bow. Track them, dash, and strike before they even notice.

Weapon Tips: Drag, Accelerate, and Adapt

Heavy weapons open up mechanics like dragging and accelerating:

• Drag: Start a swing and slowly turn away from the target to delay the impact.
• Accelerate: Start your swing and turn into the enemy to make it land faster.

These techniques can confuse enemy parries and increase your success rate. Watch out for quick weapon morphs and counters, especially against lighter weapon classes.

Avoid overly slow transitions like slash-to-overhead if you’re being pressured by fast opponents. Mix in kicks, jabs, or a quick punch to keep them on edge.

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Final Notes: Learning the Vanguard’s Flow

Mastering the Vanguard takes time—but once you understand your subclass and how to control momentum, you’ll become a menace. Whether you’re the unmovable Devastator, the utility-packed Raider, or the flanking Ambusher, this class has tools for every chaos-lover.

Remember:

• Use your stamina advantage.
• Use terrain and movement to land Leaping Strikes.
• Learn drag mechanics and how to punish turtling.
• Don’t be afraid to flank and play the cheese game—it works.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your Danax, charge in, and send your enemies flying. Until next time, this has been your Vanguard guide—stay sharp, and keep those leaping strikes lethal.