Advanced Combat Weapon

The **Advanced Combat Weapon** is a Tier III primary weapon in World War Z.

## Overview

The **Advanced Combat Weapon,** or the **ACW-20**, is a low-caliber semi-automatic grenade launcher. Unlike many other explosive weapons that occupy the Heavy weapon slot (e.g., the Hailstorm MGL or the BF25 Payload Rifle), it is categorized as a tiered weapon and hence will not be discarded.

The **ACW** is the only primary rifle in the game that fires explosive rounds by default. It is also one of the only 2 primary weapons that cannot be refilled by interacting with Supply Bags deployed by a Fixer (the other one is the Crossbow).

When the Fixer's "**Power Shot**" perk is applied to the **ACW**, it becomes the only explosive weapon with consistent **penetration** power of **2**.

Since it is a tier 3 primary weapon, it cannot be chosen as a starting weapon in any PvE mode. Additionally, the **ACW** is one of the most rarely occurring weapon spawns in the Co-op Campaign.

## Performance

The **ACW** starts off with low-capacity magazines, a low total number of carried rounds, rather mediocre accuracy and handling, as well as a poor rate of fire and zero penetration. However, its considerably high damage output of 9 along with AoE (area of effect) damage due to explosive rounds makes up for its drawbacks.

Due to its raw firepower, the **ACW** is a suitable choice for class builds that do not get many bonuses improving the weapon performance. This weapon is great for taking down Zeke pyramids, Bulls, Infectors, and Lurkers hidden behind a corner. It is also a good option for taking down distant Screamers. Using this weapon for Bombers and Gasbags, however, is rather risky because explosive rounds can insta-kill Bombers before they can drop their loot and cause Gasbags to leak toxic gas.

The Fixer's "**Power Shot**" bonus applies to the **ACW**, too. It is a way to increase the **penetration** power of this weapon from **0** to **2** and enlarge the number of kills per shot while taking down Zeke pyramids.

The weapon's low magazine capacity can be artificially inflated using its unique "**Reparation**" perk and the "**Third Hand**" class perk available to Hellraisers and Exterminators.

The Dronemaster can make the **ACW**'s explosive rounds safe to use around teammates as long as the "**Not On My Watch**" perk is equipped. Players followed by Quadrocopters of a **Dronemaster** with this bonus will not take any friendly fire damage.

The **ACW** has negative synergy with the Gunslinger's "**Front Line Supply**" and "**Headhunter Reward**" perks because explosive rounds make headshots less consistent and cause headshot streaks to happen less.

## Design

The ACW-20 is a mixed-mash hybrid weapon. Its overall appearance has elements of the Gepárd GM6 Lynx anti-materiel rifle's receiver and the ShAK-12 battle rifle's fire selector and carry handle. Its basis is probably inspired by the Inzuki PAW-20 grenade launcher since the name suggests it's chambered with 20mm rounds. However, this can be contradicted since the level 5 upgrade gives it a suppressor, which might be inspired by ShAK-12.

## Perks

### Unique perks

 Shrapnel
 Bounty Hunter

## Legacy

Before the Horde Mode XL update (released on January 24, 2023) that redesigned the game's weapon system, the Advanced Combat Weapon's progression model looked as follows.

 **Heavy Weapons**
 **Equipment**
 **Defense Systems**
Autoturret • Barbed Wire • Fence • High Voltage Grid • Mortar • Sound Trap • Stationary Machinegun