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- M16A4 is a burst fire assault rifle that performs the best from long and medium range.
- We suggest these attachments for the best build: Compensator Muzzle, Rapid Fire Barrel, Superlight Grip, Reflex Sight, Quick Draw Grip.
One of the most contested weapon categories in XDefiant are the assault rifles, and among them M16A4 stands near the top of the bunch. It’s an amazing weapon that can burst down enemies from range with precision and ease. Admittedly, it takes some practice to master its burst, but once you’ve done that, you’ll have an incredible gun at your side. A good build can make a good gun even better, and that’s what we aim to bring to you with this guide.
How to unlock M16A4
Before being able to utilize it, you will first need to unlock M16A4. To do that, you need to get 20 headshot kills while using Assault Rifles. You can use the default M4A1 to do it, or an AK-47, which is also pretty easy to unlock early on. Just control your aim and keep your crosshairs around the neck-to-head area of your targets. You may need to play a couple of matches for those headshots to add up.
Best burst M16A4 build
This loadout focuses on improving your fire rate and burst potential while providing some extra manoeuvrability. The trade-off is that your recoil will suffer, but that’s something you can learn to play around.
Further boost your handling and speed with the Superlight Grip. Captured by VideoGamer
Reflex is always a good, dependable sight. Captured by VideoGamer
Use this grip to improve speed and handling. Captured by VideoGamer
Compensator helps lower the “jumpines” during burst firing. Captured by VideoGamer
This attachment increases your fire rate. Captured by VideoGamer
| Attachment type | Chosen attachment | Effect | Weapon level to unlock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | Compensator | +7% Vertical Recoil Control -10% ADS Speed -5% ADS Stability | Level 27 |
| Barrel | Rapid Fire Barrel | +5% Rate of Fire -20 % Horizontal Recoil Control -20% Vertical Recoil Control | Level 39 |
| Front Rail | Superlight Grip | +10% ADS Speed +2.5% Movement Speed -10% Recoil Recovery | Level 4 |
| Optics | Reflex Sight | +1 Sight Picture | Level 2 |
| Magazine | Default | / | Level 1 |
| Rear Grip | Quick Draw Grip | +10% Sprint-Shoot Time +10% ADS Speed -15% ADS Stability | Level 34 |
| Stock | Default | / | Level 1 |
By using this build, you should seek to take down enemies in 3-round bursts from long to mid-range. Note that most of the attachments we use are high level unlocks, meaning that it’s a good idea to use weapon boosters to get them faster. The M16A4’s recoil is mostly vertical, which is why we combine Compensator and Rapid Fire Barrel to minimize losing control in that aspect, while increasing the weapon’s fire rate. Superlight Grip helps offset the ADS Speed loss, which is further boosted with the Quick Draw Grip.
Best high damage M16A4 build
This build improves the gun’s damage even further with the help of our old friend, the Heavy Barrel. You’re trading off some movement speed and fire rate for more impactful bullets, so positioning is going to be key.
You sacrifice some movement speed to stabilize your aim. Captured by VideoGamer
Recoil is small price to pay for extra fire rate. Captured by VideoGamer
Heavy Barrel is your go-to when you need extra damage. Captured by VideoGamer
Use this grip to improve speed and handling. Captured by VideoGamer
Reflex is always a good, dependable sight. Captured by VideoGamer
| Attachment type | Chosen attachment | Effect | Weapon level to unlock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | Muzzle Booster | +2.5% Rate of Fire -10 % Horizontal Recoil Control -10% Vertical Recoil Control | Level 14 |
| Barrel | Heavy Barrel | +5% Weapon Damage -10% Rate of Fire | Level 25 |
| Front Rail | Handstop | +15% ADS Stability +5% Vertical Recoil Control -5% Movement Speed | Level 33 |
| Optics | Reflex Sight | +1 Sight Picture | Level 2 |
| Magazine | Default | / | Level 1 |
| Rear Grip | Quick Draw Grip | +10% Sprint-Shoot Time +10% ADS Speed -15% ADS Stability | Level 34 |
| Stock | Default | / | Level 1 |
You won’t change much in terms of gameplay when using this build. However, note that using this loadout will make you slightly slower, while your bullets deal more damage, thanks to the Heavy Barrel. You’ll also be more precise with the help of Handstop and to a lesser extent, the Quick Draw Grip. If you feel like you need extra potency at long range, you can exchange the Reflex Sight with 3.0x Scope.
Best all-rounder M16A4 build
This build makes the M16A4 perform well across a range of situations in XDefiant. In essence, it strips it down from the usual long-range burst AR to make it more comparable to other flex picks. It will make you more mobile, so you’ll be able to wade through firefights, rather than lock down positions.
Your hipfire spread will suffer, but ADS gets a speed bump. Captured by VideoGamer
Lighter stock makes you move and strafe faster. Captured by VideoGamer
It’s only fair to trade some recoil recovery for extra short- and mid-range. Captured by VideoGamer
Who knew cloth wrap makes you aim better. Captured by VideoGamer
Reflex is always a good, dependable sight. Captured by VideoGamer
| Attachment type | Chosen attachment | Effect | Weapon level to unlock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | Barrel Extender | +10% Short Range +10% Medium Range -10% Recoil Recovery -10% Sprint-Shoot Time | Level 19 |
| Barrel | Default | / | Level 1 |
| Front Rail | Small Vertical Grip | +10% ADS Walking Speed +5% ADS Speed -15% Min Spread Accuracy -15% Max Spread Accuracy | Level 26 |
| Optics | Reflex Sight | +1 Sight Picture | Level 2 |
| Magazine | Default | / | Level 1 |
| Rear Grip | Fabric Grip | +10% ADS Speed +5% ADS Stability -10% Recoil Recovery | Level 13 |
| Stock | Lightweight Stock | +20% ADS Walking Speed +2.5% Movement Speed -20% ADS Stability -10% ADS Speed | Level 38 |
As we can see by adding all the numbers across categories, this build considerably increases speed and ADS handling. We sacrifice some recoil recovery with Barrel Extender and Fabric Grip, which in turn give us more damage and ADS handling. The Lightweight Stock improves walking speeds in both modes, with its drawbacks compensated in other places. The same goes for the Small Vertical Grip on the front rail, which in turn sacrifices accuracy while burst firing. If you feel comfortable using the default iron sights, you can switch out the Reflex Sight for a Quick Mag to get increased reload speed.
Other choices for M16A4 loadout
Secondary weapon
Because this gun is best used from longer ranges, having a short range backup option is a good idea to shore up its weakness. That’s where the 93R comes into play, providing a short-range rapid-fire solution for when the enemy gets too close.
Device choice
The best grenade to go with the M16A4 is without a doubt the Sticky Grenade. This device can add a lot of damage to supplement your burst fire. Alternatively, the default Frag Grenade can work just as well, in case you don’t have the Sticky unlocked yet.
Best faction for M16A4
The M16A4 is an incredibly versatile and potent weapon, which can be utilized by any faction in XDefiant. For example, you can play as Cleaners to add their passive damage bonus to your bullets, or as Libertad to support your team from range while healing. The same goes for Echelon, Phantoms, DedSec, and GS-Kommando – all can find good use with this gun.
About the Author
XDefiant
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s): First-Person Shooter, Multiplayer, Shooter
