Latest Information You Need to Get Started with XDefiant

The PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC can access XDefiant’s Preseason via Ubisoft Connect. Inspired by other Ubisoft titles, the free-to-play arcade shooter features 24 weapons with 44 attachments, five distinct factions, 14 maps, and five game modes at launch. Here are the details on XDefiant to help you get ready for its intense 6v6 action.

Game Modes

There are two types of game modes in XDefiant: Arena and Linear. While Linear games divide teams into attacking and defending positions and place them against one other in sequential objective spots across the map, Arena modes have players fighting over the entire map. Zone Control and Escort are Linear modes; Occupy, Domination, and HotShot are Arena modes.

Occupy

Teams must cooperate in Occupy to take control of a specific zone on the map and keep the other team out. The zone shifts periodically, so to score as many points as you can, make sure to defend each zone for as long as you can. You’ll receive warning of the next location of the zone before it moves, so you can arrive early and establish a strong position, so don’t fret if you’re having problems breaching opponent defense to conquer a zone.

Domination

Domination and Occupy operate similarly, with two notable exceptions: For the duration of the match, there are three zones to capture, and they remain there. You can move on to conquer another zone once your squad has secured one, or you can stay to keep attackers from invading. Dominating all three zones will quickly lead to victory because each one you control will add points to your total score. However, don’t let controlled zones go undefended; otherwise, the opposing team will swiftly seize them and begin to score points of their own.

HotShot

While there are no zones to control in HotShot, obtaining the most knockouts is the game’s main goal. Each time you take out an opponent, they will drop a bounty that you can claim; you can only get points toward victory by collecting a bounty token. As a result, you can claim your teammate’s reward in the event of their death; this won’t increase your score, but it will prevent the opposing side from scoring that point. As the HotShot, the player with the most bounties get extra speed and quicker reloading. They are strong point scorers because they also receive additional points for each bounty they capture. On the map, though, they are also indicated so that all adversaries may locate them.

Escort

In Escort, a package is moved forward by the attacking team across a predetermined path on the map. All you have to do to make it move is to stand close to the package to make it walk. The package will move more quickly the more team members are inside its radius. Once one of the three checkpoints along the route is reached, it will act as the new location for respawns. A time limit is also present. In the meantime, the package must be stopped in its tracks by the defense unit. When there are no adversaries around, they can even stand within the package’s radius to move it slowly backwards along the path. The attackers win if they can deliver the package to the last checkpoint before the timer goes off. Defenses can stop them if they win.

Zone Control

While defenders attempt to shut them out, the attacking side must take five zones in succession in order to win zone control. The first two zones will be open at the same time, but in order for the third to unlock, the first two must be taken. Similarly, one must capture the third zone prior to the fourth, after which the fifth zone becomes accessible. The attackers win if they can seize all five zones before the timer goes off; the defenders win if they are stopped.

Factions

You will select your group to play as before each match, and you can change it each time you resurrect. Your decision will be influenced by your playstyle and the role you choose to play on your team. You can get an active ability, an ultra ability, and a passive benefit from each side, which are all based on different Ubisoft games. There are two powers available to each group, and each provides a distinct tactical choice. When your Ultra is charged and ready to go, it can have a devastating effect on the fight if used well. To charge your Ultra, accumulate knockouts, assists, and contributions toward your team’s goal.

Cleaners

If you prefer to fight your way through battle to reach and maintain your objective, the Cleaners faction is perfect for you. They are fierce and aggressive. Whether you use the Incendiary Drone to burn something in a direct line or the Firebomb to burn a broad radius around you, your Ability as a Cleaner will burn everything in its path. Additionally, you will be able to unleash The Purifier, a lethal flamethrower, once you have fully charged the Ultra. All Cleaners have Incendiary Ammo, which gives additional burn damage when you hit your target, regardless of your loadout. Owing to their combative disposition, it could be prudent to have one or more Cleaners in your group if you’re planning on entering Escort or Domination.

Echelon

Echelon is ideal for people who want a covert strategy. These powerful spies are adept at sneaking around the map and won’t show up on the minimaps of their adversaries. They may disclose foes who are hiding or approaching you stealthily with their extremely adaptable Intel Suit ability, which works in all game modes. Because it makes you almost invisible, the Digital Ghillie Suit is ideal for HotShot, where you may flank the opposing side and take out their HotShot (or just grab bounties). In a similar vein, you can utilize the Third Echelon 5.7 pistol, which has increased firepower, and see all foes with Echelon’s Ultra, the Sonar Goggles.

Phantoms

When the Phantoms are active defenders, they perform well. Their passive attribute is additional health, but they also have abilities that let you block a ton of damage. The Mag Barrier is essential for holding your ground while occupying, dominating, or controlling zones because it can shield any teammate positioned behind it. When pushing the package in Escort, the Blitz Shield ability is very useful because it allows you to advance against a flurry of enemy fire—just keep in mind that your rear is still exposed. The Phantoms’ Ultra, the Aegis, is a spherical plasma shield that allows you to instantly nullify damage while engaging in close quarters battle with an electric scattergun that causes enormous damage.

Libertad

Libertad is a great support player who belongs on every team, no matter what kind of game style it is. Their passive ability, Espíritu de Libertad, will automatically heal you and any surrounding allies over time. With the deployable canister El Remedio, your team will have an advantage in occupation, dominance, and zone control by healing any allies within its radius. In Escort and HotShot, the BioVida increase is ideal for mobile healing since it provides a burst of health increase for both you and close allies. No matter what game style you’re playing, their Ultra, the Médico Supremo bag, gives you a significant mobile health boost that gives you an advantage over your rivals.

DedSec

When you initially start playing, the DedSec faction will be locked, but you can unlock it by finishing in-game tasks. This group of tech-savvy hackers is ideal for causing havoc and using adversary technology against them. After you detonate a grenade, Their Fabricator will automatically print a fresh one, gradually restocking your arsenal to unleash even more mayhem over time. Using the Hijack ability, you can take advantage of enemy abilities that are currently in use and turn them to your advantage. For example, you could use an enemy El Remedio’s healing power to heal your squad as you kill your opponents. When a Spiderbot is deployed, a spider drone will locate the closest enemy and leap onto their face, momentarily impairing their vision. startling them and turning them into a simple mark. DedSec’s Ultra, Lockout, is ideal for stopping an opponent’s Ultra-fueled attack since it disables all enemy abilities, the HUD, and minimaps within its sphere of impact.

Loadouts

You’ve chosen your faction wisely and are aware of your mission’s goal. It’s time to choose your preferred weapons and complete your preparation. Preset loadouts for each of the six main weapon types are available for selection, or you can create a variety of custom weapon loadouts that are appropriate for various scenarios. Libertad are healers, and when equipped with an upgraded light machine gun (LMG), they transform into extremely difficult opponents to overcome. Cleaners would seem ideal for close quarters fighting, but consider the harm a sniper rifle loaded with incendiary ammunition could cause if you prefer ranged battle.

Each loadout in XDefiant grants you access to one device (such as a mine or grenade), one primary weapon, and one secondary weapon. Assault rifles, submachine guns (SMGs), pistols, LMGs, Marksman, Sniper rifles, and shotguns are the primary weapon categories; pistols are the secondary weapon category. One gun will be unlocked for each category upon launch, with the remaining ones being unlocked through in-game challenges.

Each of the six categories—barrels, front rail, optics, magazines, rear grip, and stock—offers 44 attachment possibilities that might affect your weapon’s damage, rate of fire, accuracy, and other characteristics. Pistols have four possible attachment slots, whereas primary weapons have five. You can further modify your weapon by unlocking additional attachments with the weapon XP you earn from using it more frequently.

Using Ubisoft Connect, download XDefiant for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC right now. Subscribers to Ubisoft+ Premium receive special skins and upon launch, the DedSec faction will be activated immediately. Check out the XDebrief series for a closer look at XDefiant’s evolution; new episodes will be released soon.