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XDefiant’s Preseason is now live on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Ubisoft Connect. The free-to-play arcade shooter draws inspiration from various Ubisoft games, starting with five game modes, five unique factions, 14 different maps, and 24 weapons with 44 attachments. To help you prepare to dive into its fast-paced 6v6 action, here’s the skinny on the XDefiant.

Game modes

XDefiant’s game modes fall into one of two categories: Arena and Linear. Arena modes see players face off in all areas of the map, while linear modes sort teams into attack and defense positions and pit them against each other at progressive objective points across the map. Arena modes include Occupy, Domination, and HotShot, while linear modes are Escort and Zone Control.

Occupy

In Occupy, teams must work together to control an area of ​​the map while shutting down the opposing team. Periodically the zone moves, so be sure to defend each zone as long as possible to collect as many points as possible. And if you’re having trouble breaking through enemy defenses to capture a zone, don’t worry—you’ll be notified of the zone’s next location before it moves, giving you a chance to get to the zone early and set up a strong position.

Domination

Domination functions similarly to Occupy, with two key differences: There are three capture zones, and they stay in the same place throughout the match. Once your team has secured an area, you are free to go claim another or stay to defend it against invading enemies. Each zone you control will continuously add points to your total score, so dominating all three is a fast track to a sure win. But don’t leave controlled areas unprotected, or the other team will quickly capture them and start racking up points of their own.

HotShot

HotShot doesn’t have any areas of control, but it has one key goal: to get the most KOs. Every time you eliminate someone from the opposing team, they will drop a prize that you can grab; just by picking up a reward token you will earn victory points. Therefore, if a teammate dies, you can take their reward – it won’t count towards your score, but it will deprive the other team of that point. The player holding the most prizes becomes the HotShot, receiving bonus speed and faster reload. They also earn more points per prize they take, making them strong point players. However, they are also marked on the map for all enemies to track.

Escort

In Escort, the attacking team moves a pack forward along a set path across the map. To move it, all you have to do is stand near the pack, allowing it to walk. The more team members standing within the radius of the pack, the faster it will move. There are three different checkpoints along the way that, once reached, will serve as a new spawn point. There is also a time limit. Meanwhile, the defending team must stop the pack in place. They can even move the pack slowly back down the road by standing within its radius when there are no attackers. If the attackers get the pack to the last checkpoint before time runs out, they win. If the defenders stop them, they win.

Zone control

In Zone Control, the attacking team must capture five zones in a progressive order while the defenders try to close them down. The first two areas will be accessible at the same time, but both must be captured before the third is unlocked. Likewise, the third zone must be captured before the fourth and then the fifth zones become available. If the attackers manage to capture all five zones before time runs out, they win; if the defenders stop them, they win.

Fractions

Before each match you will choose a faction to play as; you also have the option to switch each time you respawn. Your choice will be guided by the role you want to play on your team as well as your play style. Each faction is inspired by a different Ubisoft game, and each gives 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 charge your Ultra by racking up knockouts, getting assists, and achieving your team’s objectives, but once it’s ready to go, your Ultra has the potential to make a huge impact on the match
if used skillfully.

Cleaners

The scavengers are an aggressive, incendiary faction, perfect for those who prefer to push a fight to reach and hold their objective. Your scavenger ability will burn everything in its path – whether it’s a straight line using the incendiary drone or a large radius around you using the firebomb. And once you turn on Ultra, you’ll be able to unleash The Purifier, a deadly flamethrower. Regardless of your loadout, all Cleaners are equipped with incendiary ammo, which deals additional burn damage when you hit your target. Due to their aggressive nature, if you’re going Escort or Domination, it might be a good idea to have a Cleaner or three on your team.

Echelon

Echelon is perfect for those who prefer a stealthy approach. These super spies feature the ability to move around the map invisible and will not appear on enemy minimaps. Their Intel Suit ability is very versatile for all game modes, revealing enemies that are stalking or sneaking up on you. The Digital Ghillie Suit is perfect for HotShot as it makes you almost invisible while surrounding the enemy team to take down the HotShot (or just collect bounties). Likewise, Echelon’s Ultra, the Sonar Goggles, will reveal all enemies and give you access to the Third Echelon 5.7 gun, which has increased firepower.

Phantoms

Phantoms function best as aggressive defenders. Not only do they have bonus health as a passive trait, but their abilities allow you to block massive amounts of damage. A magnetic barrier can provide cover for any teammate behind it and is key to maintaining your position while holding zones in occupation, dominance or zone control. The Blitz Shield ability is especially effective if you’re advancing the pack in an Escort, as it allows you to push forward against a barrage of enemy fire (just remember that your back is still exposed). Aegis, the Phantoms’ Ultra, is a spherical plasma shield that lets you deal damage on the move while swinging an electric rifle that deals massive melee damage.

Libertad

Libertad is excellent support and should be a part of any team regardless of game mode. Their passive, Espíritu de Libertad, will slowly auto-heal you and nearby teammates. The El Remedio ability is a deployable container that will heal all allies in its radius, giving your team an added advantage in occupying, dominating and controlling the area. BioVida Boost is perfect for on-the-go healing in Escort and HotShot, releasing a wave of health boosts for you and your nearby teammates. Their Ultra, the Médico Supremo Backpack, provides a large mobile health boost, giving you an edge over your opponents no matter what game mode you’re playing.

DedSec

The DedSec faction will be locked when you first start playing, but can be unlocked by completing in-game challenges. This tech-savvy hacker faction is perfect for wreaking havoc and turning enemy gadgets against them. Their Fabricator will automatically print a new device after you deploy one, slowly replenishing your grenades so you can wreak more havoc over time. The Hijack ability allows you to hack active enemy abilities and make them work for you (say, by stealing the healing power of an enemy El Remedio to heal your squad while knocking out your opponents). Deploying the Spiderbot will send out a spider-like drone to track down the nearest enemy and jump onto their face, blurring their vision, temporarily stunning them and making them an easy target. The DedSec Ultra, Lockout, will disable all enemy abilities, HUDs, and minimaps in the area of ​​effect, perfect for stopping an Ultra-powered push from your opponents.

Loads

You know the purpose of your mission and have carefully chosen your faction. Now it’s time to finalize the preparations by selecting weapons of your choice. You can choose from preset loadouts in the six different basic weapon types, or build a set of custom weapon loadouts to suit different situations. Libertad are healers and armed with a modified light machine gun (LMG), they make very difficult defenders to dislodge. Cleaners may seem ideal for up close and personal combat, but if you like ranged attacks, consider the damage a sniper rifle can do with incendiary ammo.

In XDefiant, you get a primary weapon, secondary weapon, and one device (like a mine or grenade) per charge. Primary weapon categories include Assault Rifle, Submachine Gun (SMG), LMG, Marksman, Sniper Rifle, and Shotgun, while pistols serve as secondary weapons. Each category will have one weapon unlocked at launch, while the others can be earned through in-game challenges.

There are 44 attachment options in six categories, including barrels, front rail, optics, magazines, rear grip, and stock, each of which can affect your weapon’s damage, rate of fire, accuracy, and more. Basic weapons have five available attachment slots, while pistols have four. The more you use a weapon, the more weapon experience you’ll 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 receive exclusive skins and will have the DedSec faction automatically unlocked at launch. For a closer look at XDefiant’s development, be sure to check out the XDebrief series, with more episodes coming soon.