XDefiant’s Preseason is now available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Ubisoft Connect. This free arcade shooter draws from various Ubisoft games and features five game modes, five unique factions, 14 maps, and 24 weapons with 44 attachments. Here’s a quick overview in our XDEFIANT Beginner’s Guide to get you ready for its fast-paced 6v6 battles.
Beginner’s Guide – XDEFIANT
Below you will find some handy tips and tricks that will help you jumpstart your gameplay in XDEFIANT.
Ammo
When you keep getting into fights, you might run out of ammo, even if you play cautiously. This is especially true in Escort mode, where you need to break through the defending team’s lines and move the objective forward.
But did you know that Carlos, the helpful robo-dog and objective, can refill your ammo? Focusing on the objective helps you win and keeps your ammo supply full. However, this also benefits the defending team if they control Carlos, allowing them to reload and stop your progress.
Spiderbots
There’s a lot to manage during a game, and the Spiderbot is a common frustration for many players. This ability from DedSec sends out a robot that attaches to the first enemy it finds, stunning them long enough for the owner to attack.
While the best way to handle them is to spot and destroy them early, did you know you can knock them off with a melee attack when they jump on you? Even experienced XDefiant players might not know this because it’s not a typical reaction. By learning this technique, you can save ammo and stay ready to counter enemy attacks.
Customization Options
Before starting the game, it’s a good idea to check your settings. There are many ways to customize your controls, but one important thing to do is review your key bindings. Although you can use the keyboard for actions like sliding and crouching, we found it helpful to assign these actions to the mouse. This makes them easier to use while keeping your fingers on the movement keys.
Custom Loadouts
You’ve probably heard the saying “dress for the occasion.” Custom loadouts work similarly by letting you create outfits for different situations. If you have a favorite group, it’s smart to spend time adjusting your weapon setups.
In XDefiant, each loadout includes a main weapon, a backup weapon (like a pistol), and one additional item such as a mine or grenade. Main weapons include Assault Rifles, SMGs, LMGs, Marksman Rifles, Sniper Rifles, and Shotguns. Pistols are used as backup weapons. Initially, one weapon from each category is available, with the others obtainable by completing challenges during gameplay.
By tweaking your weapon stats, you can transform your Echelon operator into a swift, high-speed attacker or turn your Phantom into a relentless, ammo-heavy fighter. It’s also useful to prepare loadouts tailored for specific game modes. For instance, a Sniper setup can help you defend against opponents in Escort maps with wide-open views, while a fast-firing SMG might be better suited for quick-paced games like Occupy.
Map Navigation
As you explore the maps in XDefiant, you’ll see yellow tarps on walls and objects. These aren’t just decorations; they’re designed to aid your movement. Yellow tarps indicate that you can climb or vault over the object or ledge they cover. Being aware of these tarps lets you adjust your position, giving you new angles or unexpected routes to reach objectives, and catching your opponents off guard.
Factions
Before every game, you pick a team to join, and you can switch teams each time you start again after being knocked out. Your decision depends on the role you want to play and how you like to play. Each team is based on a different Ubisoft game and gives you a passive boost, an active skill, and a powerful ability. There are two skills to choose from for each team, each offering different tactical advantages. To use your powerful ability, called Ultra, you have to earn points by knocking out opponents, assisting teammates, and helping your team achieve goals. Using your Ultra effectively can make a big difference in the game.
Check out our additional XDEFIANT guides below to level up your game:
This concludes our XDEFIANT Beginner’s Guide. Feel free to share with us in the comment section below about your experience with this game and leave any helpful tips and tricks that have worked for you!
