Summary
QUICK TAKEAWAYS
- Deployment Buff: Every squad now receives a free reclone upon deployment.
- Gear Standardization: Militia-grade Keshik, Praetorian, and Flayer weapons are provided at start.
- Combat AI: Retuned NPCs offer increased difficulty and tactical movement during skirmishes.
GAMEPLAY VERDICT: B-Tier (Refined Accessibility)
The 0.72 update successfully mitigates the brutal attrition that hindered earlier test phases. By standardizing starting gear and reclone availability, the developers have shifted the meta toward risk-taking and active engagement. While the core loop remains punishing, these quality-of-life adjustments allow for more aggressive testing of weapon mechanics, ultimately strengthening the sandbox potential of the Vanguard experience as it heads toward its final phase.
Key Beneficiaries
Frontline combatants gain the most from these changes, as the provision of free militia-grade loadouts allows players to focus on aggressive objective clearing without the constant anxiety of immediate gear loss. Additionally, new players benefit significantly from the updated tutorial systems and accessible equipment kits, which collectively lower the steep entry barrier typically associated with participating in high-stakes extraction events.
Adaptation Required
Veteran skirmishers must adjust their tactical approach, as the overhauled NPC behavior invalidates many older, predictable movement patterns that were previously used for kiting. Players who previously relied on aggressive gear hoarding should also pivot their strategy, as the move toward free starting kits encourages a more disposable, active style of combat rather than a playstyle centered on the conservation of rare assets.
