XDefiant Preseason is now available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Ubisoft Connect. The free arcade shooter takes inspiration from different Ubisoft games and starts with five game modes, five unique factions, 14 different maps and 24 weapons with 44 attachments. To help you get ready to jump into its fast-paced 6v6 action, here’s the XDefiant preview.
Game Modes
XDefiant’s game modes fall into two categories: Arena and Linear. Arena modes allow players to compete in all areas of a map, while linear modes classify teams into attack and defense positions, and pit them against each other in progressive objective points on the map. Arena modes include Occupy, Domination, and HotShot, while linear modes are Escort and Zone Control.
To occupy
In Occupy, teams must work together to control a single area on the map, while excluding the opposing team. Periodically the zone moves, so be sure to defend each zone for as long as possible to collect as many points as possible. And if you’re having trouble breaking through the enemy defense to capture an area, don’t worry: you’ll receive a notification of the area’s next location before it moves, giving you the chance to get there more early in the area and make a plan. position of strength.
Domination
Domination works similarly to Occupy, with two key differences: there are three zones to capture, and they stay in the same place for the entire match. Once your team has secured an area, you are free to take another or stay to defend it against enemy invaders. Each area you control will continually add points to your overall score, so dominating all three is a quick way to secure victory. But don’t leave controlled areas undefended, otherwise the other team will quickly capture them and start accumulating their own points.
Hot shot
HotShot doesn’t have any areas to control, but it does have one key objective: get the most KOs. Every time you eliminate someone from the opposing team, they will offer you a bounty that you can collect; Only by collecting a bounty token will you earn points for victory. Therefore, if a teammate dies, you can collect their bounty – it won’t count towards your score, but it will deny the other team that point. The player with the most bounties becomes the HotShot, gaining a speed boost and faster reload. They also earn more points per bounty they collect, making them powerful point scorers. However, they are also marked on the map so any enemies can hunt them down.
Escort
In Escort, the attacking team advances a package along a set path across the map. To move it, simply place yourself near the package to allow it to walk. The more team members within the package’s radius, the faster it will move. There are three different checkpoints along the path which, once reached, will serve as a new spawn point. There is also a time limit. The defending team, on the other hand, must stop the pack in its tracks. They can even slowly move the package back along the path by standing within its radius when no attackers are present. If the attackers bring the package to the final checkpoint before the timer runs out, they win. If the defenders stop them, they win.
Zone control
In zone control, the attacking team must capture five zones in progressive order while the defenders attempt to exclude them. The first two areas will be available simultaneously, but both must be captured before the third is unlocked. Likewise, the third zone must be captured before the fourth, then the fifth zone becomes available. If the attackers manage to capture all five zones before time runs out, they win; if the defenders stop them, they win.
Factions
Before each match, you will choose a faction to play as; you also have the option to change every time you respawn. Your choice will be guided by the role you want to play in your team, as well as your play style. Each faction is inspired by a different Ubisoft game and each grants you a passive buff, an active ability and an Ultra ability. Each faction has two abilities to choose from and each offers a different tactical option. You’ll need to recharge your Ultra by racking up KOs, getting assists, and advancing your team’s goal, but once ready to use, your Ultra has the potential to have a huge impact on the match.
if deployed skillfully.
Cleaners
The Cleaners are an aggressive and incendiary faction, ideal for those who prefer to fight to achieve and maintain their objective. Your Scavenger ability will burn everything in its path – whether it’s a straight line using the Incendiary Drone or a wide radius around you using the Incendiary Bomb. And once you turn on the Ultra, you can unleash The Purifier, a deadly flamethrower. Regardless of your equipment, all Scavengers come equipped with Incendiary ammo that deals additional burning damage when you hit your target. Due to their aggressive nature, if you are going towards escort or domination, it might be a good idea to have one or three cleaners on your team.
Echelon
Echelon is perfect for those who favor a stealth approach. These super spies excel at moving around the map unseen and will not appear on enemy mini-maps. Their Intel Suit ability is very versatile for all game modes, revealing enemies that are hiding or sneaking up on you. The Digital Ghillie suit is perfect for HotShot, as it makes you almost invisible when flanking the enemy team to take out their HotShot (or just collect bounties). Likewise, Echelon’s Ultra, the Sonar Goggles, will reveal all enemies and allow you to use the Third Echelon 5.7 pistol, which has increased firepower.
Ghosts
Phantoms work best as aggressive defenders. Not only do they have a health bonus as a passive trait, but their abilities allow you to block huge amounts of damage. The Magnetic Barrier can provide cover for any teammate standing behind it and is essential for holding your ground while guarding areas in Occupation, Domination, or Area Control mode. The Blitz Shield ability is particularly effective if you advance the pack in Escort mode, as it allows you to advance against a barrage of enemy fire (remember, your back is always exposed). The Aegis, the Phantoms’ Ultra, is a spherical plasma shield that lets you negate damage on the move, while wielding an electric scatter gun that deals massive damage in close combat.
Freedom
Libertad is excellent for support and should be a part of any team, regardless of game mode. Their passive ability Espíritu de Libertad will slowly and automatically heal you and nearby teammates. The El Remedio ability is a deployable canister that will heal all allies within its radius, giving your team an added advantage in occupation, domination, and area control. The BioVida Boost is perfect for healing on the go in Escort and HotShot, releasing a wave of health boost for yourself and nearby teammates. Their Ultra, the Médico Supremo Backpack, provides a significant mobile health boost, giving you an advantage over your opponents no matter what game mode you play.
DedSec
The DedSec faction will be locked when you start playing, but can be unlocked by completing in-game challenges. This faction of tech-savvy hackers is perfect for creating chaos and turning enemy gadgets against them. Their manufacturer will automatically print a new device after deploying one, slowly replenishing your grenades so you can deal more damage over time. The Hijack ability allows you to hack active enemy abilities and make them work for you (for example, stealing the healing power of an enemy El Remedio to heal your team while you KO your opponents). Deploying a Spiderbot will send an arachnid drone to stalk the nearest enemy and jump in their face, obscuring their vision, temporarily stunning them, and making them an easy target. DedSec’s Ultra, Lockout will disable all enemy abilities, HUD and mini-maps in the area of effect, perfect for stopping an ultra-powered push from your opponents.
Loadings
You know the objective of your mission and you have carefully chosen your faction. It is now time to finalize the preparation by selecting the weapons of your choice. You can choose from pre-made loadouts from the six different primary weapon types, or create a range of custom weapon loadouts to suit different situations. Libertad are healers and, armed with a modified Light Machine Gun (LMG), they become very difficult defenders to move. Scavengers may seem great for up-close and personal combat, but if you like ranged attacks, consider the damage a sniper rifle equipped with incendiary ammo could cause.
In XDefiant, you get a primary weapon, a secondary weapon, and a device (like a mine or grenade) per loadout. Primary weapon categories include Assault Rifle, Submachine Gun (SMG), LMG, Sniper, Sniper Rifle, and Shotgun, while pistols serve as secondary weapons. Each category will have one weapon unlocked at launch, while the rest can be earned through in-game challenges.
There are 44 attachment options divided into six categories, including barrels, front rail, optics, magazines, rear grip and stock, each of which can impact damage, rate of fire, accuracy and much more. more from your weapon. Primary weapons have five available attachment slots, while pistols have four. The more you use a weapon, the more Weapon XP you will earn to unlock new attachments for that weapon to help you customize it even more.
Download XDefiant today on Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PC via Ubisoft Connect. Ubisoft+ Premium subscribers benefit from exclusive skins and will see the DedSec faction automatically unlocked at launch. For a closer look at the development of XDefiant, be sure to check out the XDebrief series, with more episodes to come.