After months of waiting, Ubisoft has finally (finally!) nailed down the XDefiant release date and it’s on May 21 on the PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. This is called the pre-season of the free-to-play shooter, and players can expect a plethora of weapons, modes and more to be part of the initial launch.
XDefiant Release Date and Launch Details:
Note: The bulk of this launch content is something we covered before in April 2023 via a media session with Ubisoft
Date: May 21 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (via Ubisoft Connect)
The tl;dr version:
- Five different game modes
- 14 maps
- 24 weapons
- 44 attachments
- Five factions
Five Game Modes:
Domination – Teams fight to control three fixed zones
Occupy – Teams fight to control one zone that periodically moves around the map<
HotShot – Players fight to get the most KOs. However, in HotShot, points are only granted (or denied) when players collect tags from fallen foes (or allies)
Zone Control – The attacking team works to secure five zones in a progression across the map, and the defenders fight to stop them
Escort – The attacking team must bring a package to its final destination across the map, while the defenders attempt to stymie their progress, and even push the package back
14 Maps:
- Arena
- Attica Heights
- Dumbo
- Echelon HQ
- Emporium
- Liberty
- Mayday
- Meltdown
- Midway
- Nudleplex
- Pueblito
- Showtime
- Times Square
- Zoo
24 Weapons:
Assault Weapons
- M4A1 – This full-auto M16 variant is a solid all-rounder with minimal recoil, so it’s easy to put multiple shots on target.
- AK-47 – The AK-47 is a challenging weapon to use and combines best-in-class damage with a low rate of fire and relatively poor handling. At longer ranges, only skilled hands and burst fire can tame its recoil.
- M16A4 – A burst-fire assault rifle that’s easy to wield but tricky to master, the M16A4 excels at long-range engagement — although skilled shooters can aim its bursts to great effect for up-close skills.
- ACR 6.8 – The ACR 6.8 is a great pick for those who like to engage at longer ranges and offers a good mix of damage and handling. Watch out for horizontal recoil.
SMG
- MP5A2 – All SMGs excel at close-range battles, but if you want something more flexible, the MP5A2 is best-in-class for medium-range effectiveness.
- Vector .45 ACP – A high-risk, high-reward pick with an insane rate of fire and damage potential. Handling is tough, so you’ll need to get up close. Keep an eye on your ammo count because it goes fast.
- P90 – A well-rounded SMG. The P90 hits harder than the MP7, is easier to control than the Vector, and has the largest default magazine capacity.
- MP7 – The quick-handling, high-rate-of-fire MP7 is ideal for flankers who want to get in close and unload a hail of bullets.
Shotguns
- M870 – Extreme stopping power, good mobility, and the low rate of fire you expect from a pump-action shotgun. Get up close and don’t miss.
- Double Barrel – Packs a punch even at long range, but that reward comes with risks. It holds just two shells, and it’s easy to fire them quickly in the heat of the moment. Make ’em count; reloading is not a fast process.
- AA-12 – The full-auto AA-12 shotgun may be a handful, but nothing clears a room faster. Hopefully the threats are gone when it’s time to reload
LMG
- M249 – This versatile light machine gun can accept both belt-fed and box magazines, offering the choice between large ammo capacity or improved mobility and reload times.
- RPK-74 – Like the M60, the RPK-74 hits hard. It’s your pick if you want to deliver fully auto damage at long range without sacrificing much move speed or reload time. Recoil can be a handful.
- M60 – This hard-hitting LMG can mow down groups of enemies with its 100-round magazine, but the tradeoff is slow movement speed and reloads that last an eternity.
Marksman
- MK 20 SSR – This semi-auto cousin of the ACR rewards accurate players with good mobility and headshot potential. Straddles the gap between assault rifle handling and sniper rifle lethality.
- SVD – Think of the SVD as a lightweight sniper rifle. It’s more mobile, has a higher rate of fire, and it’s easier to put multiple shots on a target, but then it also takes more hits to kill.
Sniper
- M44 – The bolt-action M44 has been around forever thanks to good range and handling. But modern snipers like the TAC 50 do more damage per shot.
- TAC-50 – This hard-hitting sniper rifle is one-and-done if you land a body shot. It’s also heavy, with slow aim-down-sights time, low mobility, and major recoil.
Note: Pistols and secondaries not listed
Factions Available at Launch:
- Cleaners – Pyro Technicians (The Division)
- Echelon – Super Spies (Splintercell)
- Libertad – Freedom Fighters (Far Cry 6)
- Phantoms – Future Soldiers (Ghost Recon Phantoms)
- Dedsec – Cyber Attackers (Watch Dogs)
In addition to the info above, Ubisoft has also revealed the game’s Year One Roadmap stating that players will get one new map every season and more.
Based on what we’ve played so far during the server test from last month, arcade shooter fans will have something to get excited about later this month. Expect a host of XDefiant coverage here on MP1st!
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