XDefiant best loadouts and class setups (Season 1)

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✓ At a glance
  • Our best loadouts are the M16A4, AK-47, MDR, MP7, L115, MK 20 SSR, TAC-50, and P90.
  • Pick attachments based on the role you want to fill in-game and the faction you prefer.

The right loadout can make a drastic difference in Ubisoft’s team shooter, even if two players opt for the same weapon. Differences in stats like aim-down-sights time and reload speed can determine the victor of a tense firefight. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best loadouts that play well between all the game’s various factions.

Our list of the best loadouts to build

Here are our best loadouts based on the current XDefiant meta.

LoadoutWeaponsRole
AssaultM16A4, AK-47, or MDRReliable and versatile all-rounders
SMGMP7 or P90Speedy flanks
Marksman rifleMK 20 SSRMedium to long-range semi-auto combat
ShotgunAA-12Close-quarters decimation
SniperL115 or TAC-50Long-range one-shots
LMGM60Enduring firefights

While picking a category can depend on your preferences, we’ve found that rapid-firing guns like assault rifles and SMGs are great if you’re just starting the game. Once you get a feel for how damage works, you can step it up to a sniper rifle or mow down foes with a shotgun. Our personal pick, if you’ve got good accuracy, is the slow but steady marksman rifle. Read on for detailed loadouts with our top attachment recommendations.

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Image of Fabric Grip attachment on M16A4 in XDefiant.
Who knew cloth wrap makes you aim better. Captured by VideoGamer

Best Assault loadout – M16A4

The M16A4 is currently the king of ARs, despite having close competition with AK-47 and MDR, though the others aren’t too far behind either. This gun favours players who shoot in short controlled bursts from mid to long-range. The above build looks to make the gun more versatile and let you play a faster, manoeuvrable game. Alternative builds can help you focus on burst and damaging potential, so don’t be afraid to experiment. Pair the gun with D50 or Magnum 686 for even more firepower, or opt for 93R for better close combat potential.

A player checks out the MP7 SMG in the game.
Add a barrel extender to the MP7 to boost its range. Image captured by VideoGamer.

Best SMG loadout – MP7

While SMGs are solid options in XDefiant, they tend to be countered by marksman rifles and sniper rifles from a distance. While flanking them with a flashbang is the way to go, consider a Barrel Extender to give yourself a range boost. We’ve gone with the Superlight front rail to boost your ADS (aim down sights) time and movement speed, improving your mobility while lowering your recoil recovery a bit. This ethos of speed goes into our Quick Mag magazine choice as well, with 15% faster reloads. The Quick Draw rear grip evens out the sprint-shoot time drop from the Barrel Extender while improving the ADS time. To wrap it up, the Padded stock boosts ADS stability and flinch control in combat. While executive producer Mark Rubin prefers the P90, we think the MP7 is a solid pick over alternatives like the Vector and MP5A2.


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A player checks the MK 20 SSR marksman rifle in the game.
The MK 20 SSR can pick off distant targets with the barrel extender. Image captured by VideoGamer.

Best Marksman rifle loadout – MK 20 SSR

While semi-auto marksman rifles might not be for everyone, their damage-per-shot is lethal at medium to long ranges. Among the ones in the game, the MK 20 SSR is a great pick with the right attachments. The Barrel Extender and 3.0x optics are a natural fit considering this weapon’s ambitions to succeed at mid-range firefights. As for the Chrome Lined barrel, this improves range further at the cost of ADS speed. To minimize the risk of getting caught mid-reload, opt for the Quick Mag’s 15% faster reload speeds. And finally, the Padded stock improves ADS stability. I had a great time using this loadout against enemies of all ranges. Just remember that missed shots here will cost you due to the MK 20 SSR’s semi-auto nature.

A player checks out the M870 shotgun in the game.
The lethal M870 can benefit from the Chrome Lined barrel’s range boost. Image captured by VideoGamer.

Best Shotgun loadout – AA-12

When it comes to close-quarters combat, you can’t go wrong with a shotgun as long as you land your shots. Currently the most effective shotgun in the game, AA-12 can be a beast with the right attachments. The above build extends the range and bullet availability of the gun, so you can spam shots to your heart’s content. We sacrifice a bit of movement speed and recoil control while adding better handling and fire rate when ADS firing. Pair it up with D50 or 93R, for when you run out of pellets.

A player checks out the TAC-50 sniper rifle in the game.
The TAC-50 can use the Fast Mag but we prefer the Quick Mag as it has no downsides. Image captured by VideoGamer.

Best Sniper loadout – TAC-50

Despite the game’s fast pace, sniper rifles are still a viable weapon category. And if you’re proficient at delivering headshots, you’ll be able to swiftly turn the tide of a match. The default 12x scope is a nightmare against medium-range targets so we’re swapping it out for the CQBSS 8x scope. Unless you want to be caught like a sitting duck while reloading, opt for the Quick Mag to boost your reload speed by 15%. ADS time and sprint-shoot time buffs are essential, making the Quick Draw our rear grip attachment choice. The Lightweight barrel leans into this, with enhancements to ADS time and movement speed. Finally, we top it off with the Reinforced stock, bumping up our ADS flinch control and stability at the cost of ADS walking speed. This should keep you nimble enough while zipping in and out of your ADS to secure kills.

A player checks out the RPK-74 LMG in the game.
Use the Lightweight Grip to improve the RPK-74’s recoil recovery. Image captured by VideoGamer.

Best LMG loadout – M60

While light machine guns can pack a punch, you should account for their reload speeds while designing their loadouts. That’s where the Quick Mag’s 15% faster reload comes in. This loadout should help account for the LMG’s reload time while enhancing your aiming speed and movement across all game modes. The M60 can be a beast whenever you have to cover lanes with brutal firepower. Its 100-round magazine will rip and tear your enemies, boosted by ADS speed and fire rate increases from our attachments. You sacrifice some recoil control though, but that shouldn’t matter much when you’re gunning down everyone in sight.

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About the Author

Antony Terence

Antony Terence is a Guides Writer for VideoGamer. While he is particularly fond of city-builders, shooters, and strategy titles, he won’t turn down a good JRPG or a turn-based roguelike.

XDefiant

  • Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
  • Genre(s): First-Person Shooter, Multiplayer, Shooter