Advanced Combat Weapon

Advanced Combat Weapon
Lore/Real Name	ACW-20
Based on	Inkunzi PAW 20mm ShAK-12
Tier	III
Weapon Slot	Primary
Weapon Type	Semi-auto Grenade Launcher
Prestige Weapon Version	✘
DLC Weapon Version	✘
Challenge Coins Version	✘

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.

Weapon Stats

Early levels

Level 1–Level 4 stats
Level	Power	Accuracy	Handling	Fire Rate	Max Penetration	Magazine capacity	Max Carried Ammo
1	4	5	6	3	0	10	80
2	4	6	6	3	0	10	80
3	7	6	6	3	0	15	100
4	9	7	6	3	0	15	100

Base stats after level 5

Power	Accuracy	Handling	Fire Rate	Max Penetration	Magazine capacity	Max Carried Ammo
9	7	6	3	0	15	100

Perks

Unique perks

Name	Effects	Available at weapon level	Unlock conditions
Reparation	Killing a special zombie with this weapon restores 100% rounds in its magazine. -50% Friendly fire damage dealt	6	All documents for one episode
Shrapnel	+20% Explosion radius for this weapon, +1 Max target count (base: 3)	6	500
Bounty Hunter	+50% Damage to special zombies	12	100

Common perks

Name	Effects	Available at weapon level	Unlock conditions
Extended Mag	+2 Magazine capacity	8	500
Custom Sight	+2 Accuracy, -1 Handling	8	500
Ergonomics II	+2 Handling, -1 Accuracy	9	500
Power	+10% Damage	10	500
Veteran I	+15% Reloading speed. The reloading speed bonus is stackable but can't be higher than 50%	13	500
Friend Not Foe	-25% Friendly fire damage (dealt and received)	14	1 document for Kamchatka 3: Atomic Alliance
Unloading Vest	+20% Max ammo, -25% Sprint stamina	15	500

Weapon Progression

Unlock requirements by level

Level-up requirements
Level	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
XP	200	350	550	750	750	800	800
	150	500	750	1000	1000	1250	1250
Level	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
XP	850	850	900	900	950	950	1000
	1500	1500	1750	1750	2000	2000	2000

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.

Legacy stats & level-up model
Level	Icon	Power	Accuracy	Handling	Fire Rate	Max Penetration	Magazine	Carried Ammo Capacity	Silencer Upgrade
1		9	6	5	3	0	10	80	✘
Main Branch
2		9	7	5	3	0	10	80	✘
3		9	7	6	3	0	15	100	✘
4		10	8	6	3	0	15	100	✘
3		10	8	6	3	0	15	100	✓
Unique Versions
Full Document (Any chapter )		10	8	6	3	0	15	100	✓