Thanks to constant updates and new additions to our arsenals, the XDefiant meta has already changed significantly over the testing periods and full release. With weapons, attachments, and Factions falling in and out of fashion, it’s hard to keep up if you’re aiming to be the best of the best.
After playing more hours than I care to admit and putting every weapon in the XDefiant gun list to the test, alongside all attachments, Factions, and more, this is a thorough overview of the current meta. Whether you’re just diving in for the first time or a veteran player, here is what you should be using if you’re following the trends.
XDefiant Meta
The meta in XDefiant right now is:
- ACR, MP7, TAC-50 - Meta weapons
- Libertad BioVida Boost, Cleaner Incinerator Drone - Meta Factions and abilities
- Frag Grenade, Sticky Grenade - Meta equipment
When it comes to the meta in XDefiant, you need to be thinking about your weapon loadout, supporting equipment, and class pairing. With 25 weapons to pick from and five diverse Factions available, there’s a lot to sift through.
Meta Weapons
Although there are 20 primary weapons to choose from in XDefiant, three are the top dogs in the meta right now, that being the ACR, MP7, and TAC-50. Simply put, these are incredibly easy to use yet pack one hell of a punch, explaining why so many players have gravitated towards these weapons.
The ACR has the best time-to-kill of any assault rifle within 33 meters, which has you covered for nearly all engagement ranges you’ll encounter. Pair this great damage range with reliable recoil and great handling, and the best XDefiant ACR loadout is all you’ll ever need for most XDefiant maps.
Likewise, the MP7’s lightning-fast handling and rate of fire make it a close-range beast. While the other SMGs are competitive in most ranges, especially the P90, the XDefiant MP7 loadout is perfect for most maps and game modes. If you’re a particularly aggressive player, the MP7 is the weapon for you.
Last but by no means least, the TAC-50 sniper is destroying the competition right now. If you’ve got the aim to back it up, the XDefiant TAC-50 loadout is the best gun in the meta right now. That’s down to the fact that the TAC-50 will one-shot kill players to the chest and above, meaning it can take someone down before they’ve even had time to fire back. With how dominant the TAC-50 can be in the right hands, there’s a good chance it will receive a nerf soon to shake up the XDefiant meta.
XDefiant meta weapons
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If you look at the stats more closely, there are some unsung heroes that are competitive options in the meta right now:
- While burst-fire weapons generally aren’t very popular, the M16A4 is capable of killing enemies in a single burst to the head.
- The P90 is effectively a better version of the MP7 due to its increased damage range and similar damage profile.
- As an LMG, the M60 is far from easy to use. However, it has one of the best time-to-kill stats in the entire game if you’re willing to put up with its low mobility.
- The MK 20 SSR is a slow-firing marksman rifle, so it is tricky to use, but players who master it will be hard to put down. Able to two-shot enemies and sporting good recoil control, the biggest downside is that it's hard to use when the fighting gets scrappy, which is what holds it back from being in the meta.
- Thanks to some awkward recoil control, the AK-47 is held back from the top rungs of the meta. However, it deals a boatload of damage, meaning those who get to grips with this weapon will love it.
Meta Factions and Classes
There are five XDefiant classes to choose from, and each of them brings something unique to the table. Because of this, you can’t really go wrong with whatever you pick. With that said though, two Factions are evidently more popular than the rest - the Libertad and the Cleaners.
As the healer class, the Libertad are all about staying alive - whether it’s self-healing or patching up your allies. With abilities like BioVida Boost providing a quick, on-demand heal, it’s incredibly easy to turn the tide of a fight by activating your healing skills. Plus, your ultimate effectively makes you invincible for a few seconds. You almost never have to stop or slow down when playing the Libertad, making it the perfect Faction for popular SMG loadouts like the Vector.
On the other hand, the Cleaners are all about dishing out as much damage as possible. Its Incinerator Drone ability, which sends a napalm-delivering drone a short distance forward, is great for taking out enemies taking cover. On the other hand, the Cleaner’s Incendiary Rounds passive causes bullets to inflict extra burn damage at the expense of weapon range. In a lot of cases, this passive is able to significantly reduce the time-to-kill of your loadouts, at least in close range. I can’t understate how strong this passive effect is in the meta right now.
XDefiant Factions tier list
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As already stated though, there are no ‘bad’ Factions. If the enemy has a full team of Phantoms, then playing DedSec will be the perfect remedy, especially as the Cleaners struggle against Phantom shields. What holds a handful of Factions back from the top of the XDefiant meta right now is that some are certainly more situational, or more easily countered.
Meta Equipment
Right now, Frag Grenades and Sticky Grenades are without a doubt the meta equipment options in XDefiant. The Frag has a larger blast radius but is less likely to secure a one-hit kill compared to the Sticky. Likewise, the Frag’s roll and ability to cook it give you greater control, though the Sticky Grenade's ability to… stick before detonating makes it ideal for momentarily forcing enemies to change position.
XDefiant Device tier list
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As with Factions though, don’t underestimate the alternative options. The EMP Grenade is able to temporarily disable and destroy enemy equipment and abilities, making it a great counter to Phantoms.
Meta Attachments
When it comes to attachments in the XDefiant meta right now, mobility, handling, and fire rate often win out. Since, if you’re a skilled player, controlling weapon recoil is relatively straightforward and most maps are close-range, recoil-controlling attachments aren’t as popular. Attachments like the Muzzle Booster, Rapid Fire Barrel, and Quick Draw Grips are almost universally useful.
For weapons like assault rifles and SMGs, it’s best to build for quick sprint-shoot and ADS time, increased rate of fire, and then as much recoil control as you need to bring the weapon back to standard levels.
As always though, everyone is different. I recommend heading into the game’s robust practice range and putting various attachments to the test to see which ones you prefer the most.
So there you have it, a comprehensive overview of the current XDefiant meta. The XDefiant roadmap, beginning with Season 1, will be adding even more weapons, Factions, attachments, and equipment to our arsenals, so be sure to check back often for updates to the meta.