The first official Season of Xdefiant is finally here and with the addition of a handful of new weapons and a bunch of gameplay changes, the community is starting to get their first true look at what this game could be like long term. The Meta has developed and some balancing changes have been made for the weapons. So, I think it’s a good time to make an updated list and give you newer players to XDefiant who may have just jumped in. An idea of what weapons you should be utilizing to stay ahead of the curve.
There are plenty of meta guns to choose from in XDefiant and it makes the decision-making situation tough whether which weapon should be included in your loadout. Players have to think strategically when deciding what to use, with many different weapons to choose from. Some guns are better than others but there are still a lot that fit in the A or B-tier list.
Equipping the best XDefiant weapons in your loadouts will give you an advantage on the battlefield with the quick kills that provide your enemy minimal time to counter. Your personal preference and playstyle are important to consider here while choosing the weapon but there’s no point running around with the ‘the best’ gun if you can’t figure it out and don’t like using it. Check every weapon detail as it may help you master them and get the most out of them in XDefiant Season 1.
XDefiant Weapon Tier List
Here’s a tier list with every weapon in the XDefiant. We’ve ranked these weapons based on the time we’ve spent with and against them in the game. We’ll keep updating this list based on the latest balance patches as and when they arrive, but for now, the gun balance is largely unaffected.
| Tier | Weapon |
| S | ACR 6.8, M16A4, TAC-50 |
| A | MP7, P90, MK 20 SSR, 93R, AK-47, Vector .45 ACP |
| B | M60, L115, M44, SVD, M9, RPK-47, MP5A2, LVOA-C |
| C | Sawed-off, Double Barrel, M249, M1911, M870 |
| D | AA-12, MDR, M4A1, D50, 686 Magnum |
S-tier Weapons
Some weapons only make it under the S-tier category in the game. These weapons are the best to use in any kind of map, mode, and any situation in the XDefiant. Not only do these weapons provide accuracy but also high damage to the enemy.
ACR 6.8
ACR 6.8, a menace of an assault rifle. This weapon offers a sweet balance between accuracy, firepower, and mobility. Due to its low time-to-kill and the damage output, it edges out its rivals. The game’s in-depth customization system lets you tinker with its stats even further. To power up Libertad members with bonus health, you can take down all sorts of threats with this gun. To unlock ACR 6.8, you need to get 10 Longshot Kills with Assault Rifles (kills from more than 30m away). This powerful Assault Rifle has great damage range and recoil control. The ACR’s accuracy and mobility allow you to beat opponents in multiplayer matches from all ranges in the game.
M16A4
The M16A4 is XDefiant’s powerful burst Assault Rifle in XDefiant and offers a ton of damage and range at the expense of mobility and fire rate. As long as you hit the target with all the bullets in a burst, this weapon can do serious damage and it allows you to get a one-burst kill to the head. If you consider this primary weapon’s balance and versatility, you can use it for more situations and it gets more effective with the right attachments. If you have a scope attached then you can target distant positions too. To unlock M16A4, you need to get 20 Assault Rifle Headshot Kills.
TAC-50
For players who enjoy sniping in the match, TAC-50 is a dream weapon for you to use. This weapon isn’t the best for quick scoping but it is easy to use and its consistent damage makes it a one-shot machine. It’s easy to admit that TAC-50 is easily the best sniper rifle in the game right now. Due to its low fire rate, it can make you sit duck for SMG players if they get too close. You can add attachments like variable zoom optics and a suppressor based on what role you want to fulfill in combat. Consider the 8x CQBSS scope instead of the default 12x scope that isn’t ideal. To keep you nimble, some attachments let you boost your movement speed and ADS speed. To unlock Tac-50, you need to get 10 One-Shot Kills with Sniper Rifles.
A-tier Weapons
Only a few weapons fall under the category of A-tier for us. They are some of the best guns in the game and can be the future meta Some of these guns are balanced which means that they have just as much of a danger using as they do a reward.
MP7
MP7 is considered to be the best SMG in the game, with impressive damage, mobility, and blistering fire rate. This SMG is worth picking for players who love to rush around the map and finesse enemies. It’s a must-pick weapon in smaller maps. If you pair it with a suppressor, you can easily flank enemies with ease. On maps with few sightlines and tight corridors, the MP7 is a no-brainer across all game modes. To help you with its recoil and spread, you can rely on attachments. You could eke out some bonus damage to complement this weapon by choosing the faction from Division 2. You can unlock MP7 by getting 20 Point-Blank Kills with SMGs (kills from less than 5m away).
P90
The P90 is reminiscent of its Call of Duty alternative as it seems to have many drawbacks. This SMG has the largest default magazine size, so you can easily add an attachment elsewhere. It allows you to get aggressive and snappy given its damage and great mobility. You won’t have to worry about running out mid-fight unless you’re tackling multiple opponents due to its large magazine. Sudden flanks and slide cancels will let you make the most of this weapon. You can opt for other muzzle choices that boost other stats and also have a suppressor to catch enemies by surprise. To unlock P90, you must get 10 Hipfire Kills with SMGs.
MK 20 SSR
The MK 20 SSR is the Marksman Rifle and it is in the A-Tier category due to its difficulty in being effective against Assault Rifles and Snipers. It more than makes up for it with its long-range headshot potential while lower on mobility. TTK with this semi-automatic rifle is stunning as you can down your opponents quickly as long as you hit your shots. What down your opponents quickly as long as you hit your shots is the attachments available to this gun. It may feel lackluster out of the box, but equip it with effective scope and get more stats with the stock, rail, and barrel. Any tweaking you do with attachments is just a bonus.
93R
Despite having the weakest damage per shot, the 93R is without a doubt the best Secondary gun in the game, and its three-round bursts more than makeup for the lack of firepower. When your primary runs out of ammo then this is the best weapon for finishing enemies off from close range. The main disadvantage of this gun is its lack of range. To have a very dependable companion on your side for any tough circumstances that necessitate a weapon swap, you can add a few attachments. Unlock 93R in XDefiant by sprinting for a total of 240 seconds while holding a secondary weapon.
AK-47
The classic AK-47 is a hard-hitting Assault Rifle that can bring nightmares for the enemies. Ak-47 overall stats make it a reliable gun in the game. Even with XDefiant’s unique abilities and combat skills, AK-47 remains a reliable ally. With solid firepower and damage, you can contest objectives even from afar. To use a long scope yourself, watch out for sniper fire or adjust your optics. It’s a great choice if you’re looking to clean up enemies without any core weaknesses and this makes it the best assault rifle in the game. You will be able to defend objectives easily by pairing it up with the Phantoms’ Mag Barrier. Unlock AK-47s by dealing 4,000 damage with Assault Rifles.
Vector .45 ACP
The Vector .45 ACP is a great close-range option in XDefiant due to its fire rate and decent damage. Vector .45 ACP fails to perform outside of its close-range sweet spot. The fire rate of this weapon makes it one of our top recommendations. The weapon is tailored to excel at close-up gunfights due to decent damage at close range. You’ll leave an opponent alive if you miss a couple of shots because of its lower ammo count than the P90. This can be remedied with the right attachment in the magazine section like the Quick Mag or Fast Mag. Don’t catch the attention of enemies before you’re close to them. To unlock Vector .45 ACP, you must deal 10,000 damage with SMGs.
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B-Tier Weapon
B-tier weapons in XDefiant fall below being great, but are considered a bit above average. Some of these weapons are still used quite often and can be incredibly useful when in the hands of the right player.
M60
M60 is an LMG and it hits hard but it lacks mobility which is a major downside in a fast-paced shooter like XDefiant. It can kill enemies and is perfect for long lines of sight on certain maps. The M60 in XDefiant is a highly reliable light machine gun, boasting a massive 100-round magazine. You’ll be slow while moving with this gun and reloading it takes a very long time. One of the best perks of this weapon is that it can lay down suppressive fire like no other weapon in XDefiant. Your enemies will feel every bullet that gets and this makes M60 a tough proposition to assault. Deal 5,000 damage to enemy equipment with LMGs to unlock M60.
L115
To offer consistent one-shots from range, while also having enough speed for players who like to move around and quickscope, the new L115 Sniper Rifle is the perfect middle ground between TAC-50 and M44. It trades off some penetration potential for higher mobility and quicker scopes but it has high damage. We can expect this gun to become a firm favorite among mobile sniper players in XDefiant. Reach level 50 on the free Season 1 Battle Pass track to unlock L115.
M44
Players looking for a mobility-based Sniper should pick up the M44. M44 lacks in firepower when compared to the TAC-50 it more than makes up for it with great mobility. With reliable damage so long as you hit the upper chest and head, the M44 is a quickscoper’s dream. This sniper rifle is quick and lethal in the right hands and can easily deliver one-shot kills at great range. M44 is slightly faster at the expense of damage as compared to TAC-50.
SVD
The SVD is our first Marksman Rifle on the list and you should look at it like a lightweight Sniper. It’s not as powerful as a Sniper, despite being more mobile and having a higher rate of fire. So, it can leave you a little frustrated with hitmarkers. To unlock SVD, you must get 15 Longshot Kills with Marksman Rifles (kills from more than 30m away). The SVD is slower but arguably just as good, but you’ll be required better attachments to get the best from that one.
M9
The M9 is the first Secondary pistol you’ll have unlocked in the game, so it’s lackluster. Swapping to this weapon to get out of spawn can speed things up considerably as it has the highest mobility stat out of all the secondaries in XDefiant. The M9 Handgun is a powerful Secondary Weapon in XDefiant, and with the right attachments, it can become even better and dominate the map. The best XDefiant M9 build attachments are the following.
| Magazine | Quick Mag | Unlocked at Level 5 |
| Optics | Reflex Sight | Unlocked at Level 2 |
| Muzzle | Light Suppressor | Unlocked at Level 4 |
| Rear Grip | Quick Draw | Unlocked at Level 17 |
This XDefiant M9 class focuses on agility, precision, and stealth above all else. You don’t need to complete a challenge to unlock M9. However, you will need to level it up until at least level 17 to unlock all required attachments.
RPK-47
One of the best LMGs in Xefiant is the RPK-74, which is a heavier version of the AK-47. Despite being an LMG, the RPK-74 has surprisingly great mobility and fast reload times, this weapon hits hard. You need to deal 10,000 damage with LMGs to unlock the RPK-74 in XDefiant. The RPK-47 offers better mobility compared to other options in the category because it offers better mobility compared to other options in the category.
MP5A2
If you’re looking for a weapon with great mobility, damage, and fire rate then MP5A2 is a decent pick. This SMG proves worthwhile when joining a new game like XDefiant and is incredibly easy to use and feels familiar. However, its counterparts boast better close-range stats, including fire rate, damage, and mobility. The best Faction to utilize the MP5A2 in XDefiant is Cleaners with the Fire Bomb ability. The MP5A2 is unlocked from the beginning in XDefiant. The best XDefiant MP5A2 build attachments are the following.
· Barrel: Lightweight
· Front Rail: Superlight
· Magazine: Quick Mag
· Rear Grip: Lightweight Grip
· Stock: Padded
LVOA-C
LVOA-C is the Season’s 1 brand-new Assault Rifle and it comes in strong for its debut. Boasting great damage and a high fire rate, this versatile rifle can be built for both close and long ranges depending on your playstyle and map. LVOA-C is pretty similar to the default M4A1. The performance is rather mediocre when you take it to the XDefiant matches for the first time. When you reach level 7 with LVOA-C and create decent loadouts for the weapon then the situation changes drastically. Reach level 20 on the Season 1 Battle Pass to unlock LVOA-C.
C-Tier Weapons
In our opinion, C-tier weapons are considered average. These guns are fun to use but do not hold a flame to some high-tier guns. If players know what they are doing then many of these weapons can be of great use.
Sawed-off
The Sawed-Off Shotgun is your pick if you’re looking for a close-range secondary that can drop enemies in extremely fast fashion. As you need to be extremely close to get that consistent one-shot, its lack of range does let it down. Sawed-off has the main advantage of other shotguns but it’s a secondary weapon and is a deadly power at a close range, and you can take it with sniper rifles, SMGs, assault rifles, or Marksman guns. Reach level 80 on the Season 1 Battle Pass to unlock Sawed-Off Shotgun. This is a free reward, so you don’t need to purchase the Premium version.
Double Barrel
You should try the Double Barrel Shotgun if you’re looking for a weapon to dominate close-range combat in XDefiant. However, Double Barrel is a slightly frustrating weapon due to its inherent nature of only having two bullets. This will take you to constant reloads, which can often leave you in a pickle. The best XDefiant Double Barrel build attachments are the following.
· Barrel: Choke
· Rear Grip: Quick Draw
· Stock: Lightweight
To unlock Double Barrel, you must get 10 Hipfire Kills with Shotguns.
M249
M249 is more versatile than the M60 and RPK-74 and it has better mobility and accuracy than both. It’s the best choice for those who’d like to run something in between an Assault Rifle and LMG. The M249 doesn’t have too much recoil and is perfectly manageable, so having Grip Tape in the Rear Grip slot smoothes it out even more. M60 will be the best pick if you’re looking for other LMG alternatives for the M249 in XDefiant. The best XDefiant M249 build attachments are the following.
| Barrel | Chrome Lined | Unlocked at Level 21 |
| Front Rail | PEQ-15 | Unlocked at Level 32 |
| Rear Grip | Grip Tape | Unlocked at Level 22 |
| Stock | Lightweight Stock | Unlocked at Level 40 |
| Optics | Reflex | Unlocked at Level 2 |
M1911
The M1911 is a standard Handgun that can be used as a Secondary weapon in XDefiant. You can make the most out of its great control and precision with the best M1911 loadout. To save you when you run out of bullets during a fight, guns like the M1911 can be carried alongside your Primary weapon. The best XDefiant M1911 build attachments are the following.
| Muzzle | Barrel Extender | Unlocked at Level 11 |
| Rear Grip | Lightweight Grip | Unlocked at Level 16 |
| Magazine | Fast Mag | Unlocked at Level 19 |
| Optic | Red Dot Sight | Unlocked at Level 10 |
The Barrel Extender is the main aspect of improving this weapon’s shortcomings by allowing a boost to its range. Get 4 secondary weapon Point-Blank Kills (kills from less than 5m away) to unlock M1911. To increase the reload speed by 40%, equip the M1911 with a Fast Mag as it will ensure you never run out of ammo in a critical moment.
M870
M870 is the archetype Shotgun and it’s best for close-quarters, but can be a hit marker machine. As it lacks in range. For the shotgun to help you dominate opponents at close range, the best M8700 class build in XDefiant features the most powerful attachments, secondary weapon, equipment, and Faction. The M870 is unlocked from the start and is a base Shotgun in XDefiant.
D-Tier Weapons
D-tier is considered the lowest of the low for our XDefiant tier list. All of these weapons will reach average status, making them almost useless within the game.
AA-12
AA-12 is the best choice when it comes to Shotguns, thanks to its full-auto capability. The slow reload and lack of range is a major letdown but excels when up close and personal with enemies. The AA-12 automatic Shotgun is one of the lethal close-range weapons in the game. The best XDefiant AA-12 build attachments are the following.
· Muzzle: Barrel Extender
· Barrel: Choke
· Front Rail: Pistol Grip
· Rear Grip: Quick Draw Grip
· Stock: Lightweight Stock
Get 15 Point-Blank Kills with Shotguns (kills from less than 5m away) to unlock this shotgun.
MDR
This Assault Rifle has outstanding range and damage and this makes it a great choice for bigger maps. When it comes to picking weapons with a high rate of fire then the MDR is an Assault Rifle/SMG hybrid in XDefiant and is a sturdy choice. The MDR has a higher rate of fire than the M4A1, but mastering it can be slightly challenging due to its high recoil. The best XDefiant MDR weapon build attachments are the following.
· Muzzle: Barrel Extender
· Barrel: Stealth
· Front Rail: Small Vertical Grip
· Rear Grip: Lightweight
· Stock: Padded
Complete the relevant MDR Major Challenge to unlock it.
M4A1
This well-rounded Assault Rifle can get the job done, boasting competitive range and damage. M4A1 is surpassed in XDefiant by other picks. This Assault Rifle has high accuracy and damage and is easy to use, making it an incredibly effective option. This weapon will be available to you from the very beginning so you don’t need to unlock it. The best M4A1 build attachments are the following.
| Optic | Reflex Sight | unlocked at Level 2 |
| Rear Grip | Lightweight Grip | unlocked at Level 30 |
| Stock | Precision | unlocked at Level 16 |
| Barrel | Chrome-lined | unlocked at Level 21 |
| Front Rail | Superlight | unlocked at Level 4 |
The major idea for this M4A1 build is to increase its rate of fire and accuracy, so choose the attachments carefully.
D50
D50 is our pick for the worst gun in XDefiant because it has less damage than the Magnum and it also doesn’t have much better stats overall. The fire rate is decent it requires accuracy but the game is very fast so it’s not the strongest pick. D50 best fit for the players looking to outgun their enemies. Deal 1,000 damage with secondary weapons to unlock D50 in XDefiant.
686 Magnum
686 Magnum does a lot of damage, but its fire rate is extremely slow. 686 Magnum is a heavy revolver with the best stopping power. This sidearm weapon excels at cutting down your opponent’s HP at an incredible speed. Your enemies will be blown away with a couple of well-targeted body shots or a single headshot.
FAQs
What is the best weapon in XDefiant?
ACR 6.8, M16A4, and TAC-50 are the best weapons that you can at any situation and map.
What is the best primary in XDefiant?
The ACR 6.8 stands out as the most powerful and versatile weapon in XDefiant.
What is the best SMG in XDefiant?
MP7 and the P90 are the best SMG in XDefiant because they offer plenty of versatility which allows it to make an impact in mid-range combat.
What faction is best in XDefiant?
Echelon is the best XDefiant faction at this current time due to its really impressive abilities that reward you in several ways.
What is the release date of XDefiant Season 1?
Season 1 of XDefiant was released on July 2 at 6 am PST / 9 am EST.