Setup: Any sight, Compensator, Stubby grip, Any laser, Default.
History
The KRISS Vector SMG is the parent design of a series of weapons designed in 2006, prototyped in 2009 and officially entered production in 2010. It was developed and manufactured by KRISS USA, formerly Transformational Defence Industries (TDI).[1] Currently, no major armed forces are known to use the Kriss Vector, although there are pictures that suggest members of the Thai Forces may use the Vector. In 2022, the Bangladesh Army purchased the Kriss Vector in two Gen variants, the Gen I for the Bangladesh Police, and the Gen II for the Army.
The unique KRISS Super V System (KSVS), featured on the Kriss Vector, allows the Vector to have both an extremely high fire rate and low recoil while still being extremely light. This is achieved by having the bolt and a weight block travel downward instead of traveling back towards the shoulder. The theory is that at the end of this travel, the energy is transmitted downward rather than rearward, thus reducing the felt recoil. The Super V system also means that the Vector functions as a delayed blowback firearm through off-axis bolt travel.
The Vector also sports tactical rails, which allows the attachment of multiple weapon accessories to meet the needs of each individual user. While the weapon does not have side rails attached, slots are provided to allow the user to attach them if needed. The stock is collapsible and adjustable which makes it easy to transport and comfortable while using. While the safety and fire selector is ambidextrous, the magazine and bolt release are not.
Only the Kriss Vector SMG is manufactured with the selective trigger group (safe, semi, two-round-burst, fully automatic) and is sold exclusively to military and law enforcement forces. It is available in 9×19mm Parabellum and .45 ACP. All other variants are semi-automatic. Civilian versions are chambered in 10mm Auto, .357 SIG, 9×21mm, .40S&W as well as 9×19mm Parabellum and .45 ACP. The Kriss Vector is compatible with Glock magazines in corresponding cartridges.
In-Game
General Information
The Kriss Vector has an extremely fast rate of fire (RoF) of 1200 RPM, the highest in-class and one of the fastest in-game. This is beaten by the M231, the AN-94's two-round burst, the Tommy gun with the M1919 conversion, the MG42 with the light bolt attachment, the G11K2's 3 round burst, the Sawed Off the Stevens DB's instant burst, and the TEC-9. The Vector also has very high damage at short range, requiring only a three-shot kill (3SK), like the AUG A3 Para or the MP5/10. However, the 3SK range lasts for a very short distance, roughly 24 studs excluding headshots. At about 80 studs, it requires six body shots to kill (STK) or five headshots in total. Combined with the high fire rate, the time to kill (TTK) of the Vector is quite low, only beaten by the MAC10.
Its magazine size is smaller than most PDWs, only having a 25+1 capacity. Given the high RoF, the weapon's ammunition consumption rate is quite high and reloads become quite frequent, particularly empty reloads due to the nature of the Vector. A tactical reload is fairly quick at 2.3 seconds, but the empty reload takes a full second longer, which will provide problems in a close quarters combat (CQC) environment. Like a few other weapons in-game, the iron sights, while decent in real life, are quite obstructive in-game. The default sights appear to be the same as those on the AWM, Beowulf TCR and the AWS.
Recoil is fairly mild, being on par with the MP7. When firing in full-auto without attachments, the recoil is noticeable, mainly at longer ranges. But at a closer range, the recoil is not as much of a factor, and with user input, it is quite easy to control. Recoil per shot is quite low. The Vector is unique for a PDW in that it has a two-round burst mode, similar to that of the AN-94, which allows for more accurate and controlled shooting past close range.
Usage & Tactics
The Vector is not geared towards going head to head against opponents at medium to long range. It's best to engage enemies in CQC, where the extremely short TTK provides a major advantage over most other weapons. The Vector can also be used in ambushing unsuspecting opponents from behind. However, despite its very quick TTK, shotguns will outgun the Vector in most head-on scenarios, assuming the minimum of a 1SK for shotguns.
Firing in short bursts, or tap firing helps conserve ammunition while retaining the Vector's low TTK. Only clicking for a moment in full auto will still expel multiple rounds due to the Vector's high RoF. When reloading the Vector, it is best to find cover in order to reload in a safe position. Given how fast the Vector runs dry, it is recommended to be ready to switch to a secondary when the magazine does runs dry, due to how easy it is to waste ammunition on a single enemy.
The two-round burst mode offers a more controllable and accurate alternative to tap-firing and reduces the ammunition consumption rate. This two-round burst enhances the Vector's performance at mid-range, making it more viable. If the burst mode is used correctly, it can extend the effective range of the Vector with practice.
For attachments, mounting an optic can increase effectiveness at mid-range. A grip of the player's choice can also be beneficial. For example, the Stubby Grip will reduce the amount of ADS recoil, helping with aimed accuracy. On the other end, the Vertical Grip will benefit exclusive close range combat and hipfiring.
Barrel attachments are not necessary, as the recoil is relatively low. Depending on which one the player uses, a suppressor can be viable like the standard Suppressor, which preserves the 5SK at range, or the ARS Suppressor, which keeps the gun dangerous in close quarters, maintaining the ability to 3SK. However, if a barrel attachment is desired, the Muzzle Brake is a viable choice as it lowers its initial kick as well lowering vertical recoil in the process.
The Vector does have the ability to attach an Osprey Suppressor, which can be used instead of the Suppressor, just like most other PDWs.
The Vector has access to three conversions, the 9x19mm conversion, which counters the low ammunition capacity by giving the Vector 33+1 rounds in a magazine, the .22 LR conversion, which removes essentially all recoil as well as a high headshot multiplier, but leaves it with 10+1 rounds in the chamber, albeit countered by a incredibly fast reload time, and the .357 SiG conversion, which further increases damage, lowering it's minimum TTK even further and even allowing the weapon to 5SK at all ranges (compared to the 6SK the stock Kriss can offer with the .45 ACP), but decreases magazine size up to 16+1 rounds in the chamber, and it also heavily increases recoil. Such incorrect usage and lack of recoil control could result in a user failing to eliminate the enemy and having the entire magazine spent. These conversions can be used to counter some flaws of the Vector, but requires a fair level of flexibility to use properly in different scenarios.
Conclusion
The Kriss Vector is a weapon oriented for CQC, similar to the Colt SMG 633, but with a smaller magazine capacity, higher RoF, less recoil and slightly more damage. It dominates at close range, but at longer ranges, the short damage drop off and small magazine size make the Vector harder to use beyond CQC unless the user knows how to effectively utilize the Vector's more-accurate two-round burst.