Massive Exploit Discovered Two Days Before CDL Championship
Players have discovered a game-breaking exploit for Call of Duty: Vanguard that allows them to see through destructible terrain only two days before the Call of Duty League Championship tournament on August 4.
As the biggest tournament of the Call of Duty: Vanguard professional scene, the CDL Championship sees eight of the best teams in the world compete over a $2,550,000 prize pool. However, the recently discovered “X-ray” vision glitch could end up disrupting the tournament as with so little time left, the developers are unlikely to fix this issue in time.
The “X-ray” vision glitch
In Call of Duty: Vanguard, players can increase the precision of their weapon attacks by aiming down the sights. This zooms in the camera and gives players a specific point to aim their attacks more accurately. The game also features destructible objects which, while concealing players, can be shot through with weapons.
By aiming down weapon sights and being at certain locations, the game stops rendering various destructible objects. This exploit doesn’t work with all destructible objects, but it is common enough that teams can have a massive advantage in terms of information. This glitch also changes the way the game is played by making areas more dangerous to traverse as players hiding behind objects can be located and attacked through the cover.
The tournament organizers do have the option to disable destructible objects, but this would fundamentally alter how the game works. Maps are designed around being able to change throughout the game, and the teams have practiced and developed strategies with destructible terrain in mind. Teams have been competing all year with destructible terrain enabled.
Removing the feature from the CDL Champions would also make the game the pros are playing vastly different from the general user base, as destructible terrain is a baseline setting for the game in both competitive and casual modes.
Fans are predicting that the tournament will continue with the exploit. While there are calls to disqualify anyone that uses the glitch, it is possible to unintentionally activate the exploit as aiming down sights is a common action, and breakable objects are scattered throughout the map.
Sledgehammer Games has yet to release a response to the glitch or announce any changes to the CDL Champions before it starts. Teams will need to adapt to how this “X-ray” vision glitch through different strategies and positioning.
Upcoming CDL championship
The CDL Championship takes place offline at the Galen Center, Los Angeles, from August 4 to August 7. The first-place team will win 47 percent of the prize pool, taking home $ 1,200,000, with each prize tier being roughly half of the previous share.
The tournament features a double elimination bracket, with each series being a best-of-five except for the grand finals, which will be a best-of-nine. The eight teams taking part in the tournament are ATL FaZe, OpTic TEX, LA Thieves, LDN Royal Ravens, SEA Surge, BOS Breach, TOR Ultra, and the NY Subliners. The tournament will be streamed to Youtube by the official Call of Duty League channel.