Summary
XDefianthas released a small showcase to inform players of what they can expect from Season 1 of the popular new FPS.XDefiantcombines the different Ubisoft franchises into one high-octane arcade hero shooter. Each faction has two main abilities they can choose from, and one ultra that builds throughout a match. Players can choose from a wide variety of weapons as matches take them across some of the most recognizable locations in Ubisoft gaming history.
The five factions inXDefiantare the Cleaners, DedSec, Echelon, Libertad, and Phantoms. Each faction excels in its area and makes them feel unique to each other. After a rocky beta, the game has been able to find a stable balance between the factions and their special features. As of now, the developers have said the game will receive a new faction every season, which will help the game feel fresh and expand playstyles.
Is The XDefiant Battle Pass Worth The Price?
XDefiant joins the horde of live service games to implement a battle pass system, but can this one be as worthwhile as other top tier games.
XDefiant Season 1 Release Date
July 01, 2025
Season 1 ofXDefiantwill start on August 06, 2025. This date gives the team plenty of time to continue working on the balance feedback taken from the preseason and gives the seasonal content time to polish. The preseason was intended to be short, but regular seasons will last about three months. This means that Season 2 can be expected around early October. Luckily, Season 1 has more than enough content to last those three months.
GSK Join XDefiant In Season 1
New Faction
Joining the ranks ofXDefiantin Season 1 is the German Anti-Terrorist Special Forces GSG 9, now the GSK. This is one of the original groups from theresurgentRainbow Six Siegetactical shooter, and it appears likethe characters that can be played as, or at least ones modeled off, include IQ, Blitz, and Jäger. All four of the German operators are popular in theR6community, so bringing them over rather than creating new members is likely a wise decision.
Though specific information will be revealed a day before the season starts, GSK’s gadgets can be spotted in the gameplay trailer. The twoprimary abilities include barbed wire and the trophy system. The barbed wire seems to slow enemies as well as make noise to alert allies. There is a chance they could be electrified, as this is possible inSiegeusing fellow GSG 9 member Bandit’s electric packs. The trophy system will likely work similarly to that inSiegein that it will destroy thrown grenades that enter its radius and then go on a short cooldown.
Finally,the ultra for the GSK is Blitz’s flashbang shield. This will likely work similarly to the shield the Phantoms use, though it may have some buffed stats, and is equipped with bright lights that can flash enemies in front of it. This flash has been a powerful asset inSiege, and will likely be even stronger in a fast-paced arcade shooter likeXDefiant.
New Maps Coming To XDefiant In Season 1
Locations From R6 Siege, The Crew, & The Division
According to the trailer,Season 1 will havethree new mapsfor players to enjoy, one coming per month. The first is the German mapClubhouse fromSiege. This is one ofSiege’s original maps, though it did see a rework a few years ago, and is one of the most popular from the game. It comes with a variety of rooms and levels that will certainly lead to chaotically enjoyable experiences.
The second map isDaytona fromThe Crew. This map is spread out around a section of the racetrack with plenty of options for cover and some height advantages. Based on the initial layout, it looks like a map primed for the more straightforward game modes like Escort or Zone Control.
The final map isRockefeller, another addition fromTheDivision. This map seems to have a lot of narrow lanes and different levels that can be climbed. This one will likely be just as chaotic if not more so than Clubhouse, and a perfect location to utilize the new area denial gadgets of GSK.
New Game Mode, Guns, & Progression Coming In XDefiant Season 1
CTF May Join The Ranked Playlist
So far, onlyone newXDefiantgame modehas been confirmed for Season 1, Capture the Flag. Based on the limited showcase of it, it is likely similar to how it plays in every other shooter. However, some leaks have claimed it will be one of the key modes of the ranked playlist. It has also been mentioned that the game’s Bomb mode is expected to be released soon, but if that comes before Season 1 is unknown.
Three new guns will be joining theXDefiantarsenal: the L115 Sniper, Sawed-Off Shotgun, and LVOA-C SMG. Snipers, while getting nerfed soon, are some of thebest weapons in the game, but lack options, so a third is a wise choice. Shotguns are arguably one of the weaker options, except for the regular Double Barrel, so the Sawed-Off helps give more variety. SMGs are already some of the most powerful choices, but this one could be trying to fill a new role.
The last addition, though only briefly shown off, was a new ranked progression system. Currently,XDefiant’s ranked mode is in a trial period, meaning Season 1 is likely the official launch. Based on the few moments showcased,players can climb the ranks to receive new medal titles and cosmetic patches to attach to their characters.
Overall, Season 1 ofXDefiantis looking to be a great addition to an already popular game. The amount of content planned to be added, while necessary for a new game, is already more than some other shooters see during seasonal updates. Whether these large-scale updates continue once the game is filled out, as past Ubisoft games have slowed down, will have to be seen at that time. However, this is what can be expected when Season 1 ofXDefiantlaunches on July 2.
Source:Ubisoft/YouTube
XDefiant
XDefiant is an upcoming release from Ubisoft. The title is planned to be a free-to-play arena-based shooter that will feature characters from Ubisoft titles.
