I'd like to inspire a line of threads that will discuss each individual class in detail. This includes the best weapons, more or less in the form of a rank system, what skills should be taken, in the form of builds and a top 5 list of people for your squad. I firmly believe these classes to be equal aside from learning curve, and by helping people understand the classes better, that means the playing field is a little bit level. I'm also not going to incluse spoiler tags unless it is deemed necessary.
 
 I chose Vanguard to start off with on for two very big reasons: First being that since I look at a lot of different forums I've noticed people are either quick to judge or don't understand the mechanic behind the class. The second is that I picked Vanguard as my first class choice and never once regretted it. 
 
Vanguards are feared for their high-risk high-reward combat style, closing quickly on enemies and destroying them at close range with weapons and biotic abilities. They are outfitted with L5n implants, enabling them to perform a biotic charge that strikes the opponent with incredible force while bringing the Vanguard in close for close-range combat. 
 
Vanguard Weapons: 


Shotgun: Evicerator or Claymore are your best choices, followed by the Scimitar, never use the first shotgun.


Sniper Rifle: Don't EVER take the option to use a sniper rifle, seriously if you take a sniper you're defeating the purpose of being a Vanguard.


Assault Rifle: If you decide against the Claymore like I did, replacing the SMG with an AR isn't a bad idea. I personally picked the Avenger over the Vindicator because if I want accurate I would just use my pistol. If you don't want to have someone with overload in your party either you can also take a pulse rifle with you too. Obviously you can't obtain the BR as a Vanguard to it's not listed.


Heavy Pistol: Carnifex Handcannon.I personally hate the thing, not enough ammo capacity for the few times I actually do use it. But it really does pack a massive punch for a pistol.


SMG: Locust from Kasumi's DLC by a longshot, but the one that you get from picking up Tali is definitly a good choice too, assuming you didn't pick up an AR. 




Vanguard Builds:


I have images of two builds that I have found to do rather well, one if pure close combat, you have to either AR or Heavy pistol down enemies out of range of charge or rely on your squad, the other build gives you shockwave and pull to allow for those distance fights, but sacrifices your ammos to do it.




    

I dig the vanguard too, but I disagree that a sniper is anti-this class; it just rounds it out.  I had alot of fun picking off support enemies, then closing in with charge to completely fuck up those left.   I felt like I had an extremely well rounded fighter who could tackle anything....
 
As for my build, I had fully upgraded charge, shockwave, barrier, and champion, with cryo, incindiary, and pull being secondary.  I freaking love wide shockwave and slow-mo charge!!
 
Nice work, though...

I would have agreed with you on not taking sniper rifles before, but with the inclusion of the highly accurate Locust SMG in the Kasumi DLC, taking sniper rifles to give a Vanguard long-range capability is now totally a good idea. At the end of the day, Vanguards have virtually no ability to deal non-biotic damage from long distances without exposing yourself. Biotic Charge can close the gap, but puts you at huge risk on Hardcore and Insanity where being surrounded by multiple enemies is extremely dangerous. Sniper rifles are a lifesaver on Insanity since you can thin out the crowd before charging in.
 
Here's my Vanguard...

Weapons

Powers

Squadmates

 Good guide and good builds. Only argument is same as mewarmo990 about the assault rifle choice. The Locust SMG actually does more damage than any assault rifle, but like you said; clip size. =/ 
 
Hit me up with a PM once you get around with a Sentinal or Infiltrator guide to talk specs and builds. Especially Infiltrator, haha

" @mewarmo990:   If you use Charge right even on the high difficulties, crowds are not an issue. And I would be more prone to take an AR after the Kasumi download than before it. The Locust is very, very accurate, and makes actually both the AR and Sniper feel completely useless to me, I still side with the AR though just because if all else fails, it has a bigger clip than the Locust, meaning more ammo and a longer sustained attack, if that situation should ever arise.   My other thing is that when you pick a class, you're given one ability that no other class can get that defines what the class is about. Vanguards are about getting in your face and going to town, so I personally feel having a shitty long distance offense is fine for a Vanguard.  If you want that balance or a to play long distance, Soldier or Infiltrator seem like better ideas to me. "

That's why the slow down is so important, it gives you the time to line up the shot, which with the Claymore is vital and if you charge into someone with a little protection left, just enough for the Evicerator. Also that few seconds in invincibility is vital as well. Before you charge pick a target by very good cover. Charge, Shotgun down, and you should be able to get to cover just as your shields go down. You can charge to your next victim from there, since you get a shield return as long as you're not close to death you don't even need to wait for a health return. 
 
I also found that Squad Cryo Ammo does wonders to reduce the damage on you at once. You can even get lucky and freeze a collector as they're transforming, frozen Harbinger is better than...erm... a not... frozen Harbinger. 
 
I'll eventually get around to updating the post to reflect that the second sniper rifle is a reasonable.