Season 1 of XDefiant is here and it’s bringing some big changes for competitive players that want more content and a bit more of a challenge. Here are some of the biggest updates of Season 1.
GS Kommando Faction
Season 1 dropped with a new faction,
GS Kommando, which comes from Rainbow Six Siege. These defensive characters are focused on controlling areas with either Shock Wire to damage and slow enemies or an Active Defense System (ADS) to nullify throwable items. Then GS Kommando’s Ultra is a G52 Tactical Shield for extra defense and the ability to blind opponents with a flash.
Season 1 has introduced Ranked to XDefiant. On X, developers announced that it’s coming even earlier after hearing pleas from gamers.
Ranked will feature skill-based matchmaking that will place you in matches with similarly skilled players to create balance. When you win a match your rank goes up while losing lowers it. Your individual performance will also be taken into consideration. For example, if you are the highest scorer on a losing team you’ll be penalized less.
Season 1 introduces two new game modes: Capture the Flag and Bomb. Capture the Flag is already here and available to play in Unranked — Ranked Capture the Flag is coming later. Bomb is also coming later in Season 1, introducing a fast one-life mode where the goal is to plant or defuse a bomb.
New weapons
XDefiant has three new weapons:
LVOA-C: Assault rifle with a fast fire rate and better handling, but shorter range
L115: Sniper rifle that’s not as fast as the M44 but not as slow as the TAC-50
Sawed-off Shotgun: A secondary weapon that’s great for close-quarter combat
New maps
Season 1 has three new maps all inspired by Ubisoft games. The first is the new Clubhouse map that’s inspired by Rainbow Six Siege — which has a map of the same name. XDefiant’s version has both indoor and outdoor areas to explore.
Later in the season, Daytona and Rockefeller are being added to the map pool.
Olivia Richman
About Olivia Richman
Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.