The closed beta release of Ubisoft’s upcoming free-to-play first-person shooter XDefiant has players excited. The option to select from four different factions, each with its own set of abilities and playstyles, is one of the game’s most distinctive features. There are four factions: Cleaners, Echelon, Outcasts, and Phantoms.
Players can mix and match abilities from different factions to make their ideal loadout. There’s a faction for everyone, whether you like stealth and mobility, area denial and defense, or a mix of the two. In this piece, we’ll look more closely at how the different factions work together in each game mode to help you choose the best faction for the way you play.
Arena vs. Linear Modes
In XDefiant, there are two types of Agents game modes: Arena and Linear. In Arena matches, both teams try to get a higher score than the other in a way that is balanced. Linear matches require you to use different tactics because one team is on offense and the other is on defense. You can get a big edge if you know which factions are best for each mode.
Domination Mode
In Domination mode, the goal is to take control of zones to earn points. Since the points don’t move and keeping them is the point of the game, you’ll want factions that are good at blocking and defending areas.
Cleaners: The Cleaners are a defensive faction that focuses on blocking off areas. They have a drone called a burner that can lay down a line of fire that can be used to block enemy paths, put them in a “zone,” or split them up. If you get close enough, their Fire Bomb can instantly kill all attackers in a zone. These abilities are great for defending a zone or keeping enemies away.
Phantoms: The Phantoms are a faction that is very good at holding down a zone. They have a magnetic shield that can keep enemy fire away from your team while you fight them in occupy. Once you take over a zone, you’ll need to keep it, which is where the Phantom’s magnetic barrier comes in. It’s a very effective way to keep enemies away and keep control of a zone.
Occupy Mode
In Occupy mode, you only have to take over one zone, but it moves around all the time, causing you to move around and adapt to your surroundings.
The Echelon faction is all about being quiet and moving quickly. Their digital ghillie suits will make you almost invisible, so you can sneak up on opponents who don’t know you’re there and get the drop on them. Call Libertad when you need help going from one zone to another. Not only does their passive trait heal a large area over time, but their biovita boost also makes all close allies healthier and helps them heal faster. This makes Echelon a great faction for players who want to move quickly and stay ahead of the game.
Hot Shot Mode
When you kill an enemy in Hot Shot mode, they drop a reward. Pick up that bounty to get a point for your team, and pick up the bounties of your allies to deny points to the other team.
Echelon: The digital ghillie suit and Intel suit of the Echelon faction make it perfect for Hot Shot mode. The digital ghillie suit is great for clear reasons, but their Intel suit is just as good, especially for the hot shot themselves. Even though everyone knows where you are, the Intel suit can help you find enemies that are close by. Sonar goggles, which are part of Echelon’s Ultra ability, let you see enemies through walls and give you Sam Fisher’s gun, so you can quickly take out the other team.
Phantom: The hardened passive power of the Phantom faction is also great for Hot Shot mode. This power gives you 20 more base health, which makes you stronger in battle. You can also use Libertad’s bio beta boost to get more health and regeneration, making you even harder to kill. Also, their magic shield can keep you safe while you collect bounties, giving you an advantage over your opponents.
Escort Mode
In Escort mode, one team has to follow a car to the other team’s base while the other team tries to stop them.
Wolves: The Wolves are a faction that is very aggressive and does well in Escort mode. Their Bullpup gun has a fast rate of fire, and their active trait, “berserk,” makes them very dangerous opponents because it makes them do more damage and move faster. Also, their ability to hack enemy vehicles can stop enemy vehicles from moving, giving your team an edge while moving the payload.
Cleaners: The incinerator drone and fire bomb abilities of the Cleaners are also useful in Escort mode. These abilities can clear out choke points and zones, making it easier for your team to get the payload to its target. Their passive trait, survivalist, also offers health regeneration over time, giving you an edge in battles that last a long time.
In XDefiant, it’s important to pick the right faction for each game mode. If you know which factions are good at area denial, defense, mobility, and attack, you can get a big edge over your opponents. XDefiant has a faction for everyone, whether you like to play while attacking or on the defense.
Try out different factions to find the one that works best for you. Good luck out there, Agents!
