Summary
The debut of Ubisoft’sXDefianthas been long anticipated by fans around the globe, but with its highly successful release, players are diving in and try out for themselves. This free-to-play, first-person shooter offers fast-paced action, along withvarious Factions that gamers can play asto utilize powerful abilities and gadgets. The game also features a roster of weapons, each belonging to different categories.
While Sniper Rifles cover long-range engagements and Submachine Guns dominate the close-range meta, the most popular weapon choice inXDefiantis the Assault Rifle category. There are currently six Assault Rifles to choose from inXDefiant, three of which can beunlocked via completing challengesand two that are tied to the Battle Pass. While personal preference may play a role in which one that players may pick, some Assault Rifles rank higher in the overall meta than others. Here isevery Assault Rifle inXDefiant, ranked!
Updated on July 6th, 2024, by Nathan Round:XDefiant’s hard-hitting FPS combat has seen a rapid and consistent increase in player counts since its launch in May 2024. Since then, the game’s Season 1 launch saw the debut of the GSK Faction, along with a brand-new Assault Rifle featured in both The Division and the Ghost Recon series. These additions have already begun to reshape the meta-game of XDefiant, and this list has been updated to include the new LVOA-C Assault Rifle, ranking it against all the other Assault Rifles available in the game.
17 to 14 (23m to 300m)
765 RPM
300 ms
0.9 m/s
6%
Kickstarting this list is theMDR, a lightweight Assault Rifle that functions more like an SMG/AR hybrid. This nifty weaponleads the way in terms of sprint-out time and general mobility, earning the top spot for the highest mobility in the game. This makes the MDR more tailored for the close-range meta, with a strong emphasis on boosting the player’s movement speed.
Unfortunately, in terms of overall damage, the MDR isone of the worst Assault Rifles to take to the battlefield. While it does outclass the M4A1 at 20 meters thanks to its higher fire rate, the damage potential of the MDR falls off significantly beyond this point, falling behind virtually all other options. Pair this with the fact that virtually every Submachine Gun outclasses the MDR at about 19 meters, and it becomes clear that this Assault Rifle option ranks fairly low in the overall meta. However, it could be decent for players runningthe Echelon Faction.
17 to 14 (38m to 300m)
725 RPM
267 ms
TheM4A1is an upgrade from the MDR, which is great considering that this weapon is unlocked by default for all players. This Assault Rifleoffers the one of best aim-down-sight speeds at around 267 milliseconds, making it an excellent choice for players who like to move around a lot instead of pre-aiming key chokepoints.
Whilethe M4A1 surpasses the MDR in terms of raw DPS from 21 to 50 meters, it matches the MDR in damage at 50 meters. The range in general for the M4A1 is also subpar when compared to the M16, AK-47, and ACR 6.8, all of which offer superior damage from 0 to 46 meters. This drawback makes the M4A1 a less favorable option, especially when compared to other full-auto Assault Rifles in the game.
17 to 14 (28m to 300m)
800 RPM
250 ms
Right off the bat, theLVOA-Cleads the way in handling within the Assault Rifle category. This lightweight rifleboasts the lowest ADS speed reductionof all the weapons in its category, along withthe fastest sprint-out time, making it exceptionally useful for snapping onto opponents quickly after sprinting. Though the damage profile of this weapon is almost identical to the M4A1, there is one major difference between the two: the fire rate.
The LVOA-Cboasts a fire rate of 800 RPM, the highest of any Assault Rifle on this list. This grants it anexceptionally high TTK, one which narrowly beats the M4A1 from 0 meters to 33 meters and 39 meters to 45 meters. Though the M4A1 may have the edge from 45 meters to 51 meters, beyond that point the LVOA-C remains superior in its damage output, making it the more versatile option of the two. The only major caveats of the LVOA-C include itsmore prominent recoiland damage fall-off range. This makes the weapon akin to the MDR in that it is more tailored for close-range gunfights, but is more than capable of performing well at medium range too.
24 to 17 (34m to 300m)
275 RPM
TheM16A4is a unique weapon, primarily because it is currently the only burst-fire Assault Rifle in the game. It excels in raw damage potential,boasting the highest damage output up to 46 meters. The M16A4 is also the easiest weapon to control in terms of recoil, as it recenters after each burst shot, making it extremely accurate at range.
The main attraction of the M16A4 is its exceptionally high TTK when factoring in headshots, granting it the ability tokill an opponent with a single burst to the head up to about 15 meters. While this doesn’t apply tothe Phantom Faction, mixing a body shot with a headshot can quickly eliminate foes at any range. The only major caveat for the M16A4 is its heavy reliance on accuracy, as each bullet in a burst needs to hit its mark to deliver consistent damage. This can be enough to drop it in favor of a full-auto option, especially considering the game’s fast movement.
22 to 18 (29m to 300m)
600 RPM
TheAK-47is a powerhouse in the medium-to-long range meta, boasting thesecond-highest damage-per-shot from 0 to 29 metersof all the weapons in its category. While it doesn’t have the highest overall TTK, its damage range is impressive, sitting just above the M16A4 at 46 meters and beyond.
The AK-47 shines in its ability to effectively wipe out most players at medium range, placing itahead of the MDR and M4A1 in terms of overall versatility. Though the weapon’s kick and recoil can be a problem for landing shots at longer ranges, this is rarely an issue, since most gunfights tend to occur around the 15 to 20-meter mark.
21 to 17 (33m to 300m)
625 RPM
320 ms
Out of all the Assault Rifle options inXDefiant,theACR 6.8takes the cake as the best Primary weapon available in the game. Though it sports the slowest aim-down-sight speed in its weapon category,the ACR 6.8 excels in DPS from a 30-meter range, making it perfect for holding down the fort and gunning down players from a distance.
While the AK-47 slightly outclasses the ACR 6.8 in terms of raw damage, the ACR 6.8’s faster fire rate bridges the gap in TTK, making both options perform similarly. However,the ACR 6.8 is slightly more controllable than the AK-47, making it the better choice for most gameplay scenarios.
