Summary
Ubisoft’s highly acclaimed free-to-play arena shooter,XDefiant, offers fast-paced action and competitive modes for players to dive into. With adiverse roster of Factions to play, aswell as an arsenal of different weapons, this arena shooter provides players with a lot of customization options when it comes to their loadouts.
WhileAssault Rifles like the ACR 6.8are among some of the more popular weapon choices inXDefiant, Sniper Rifles have quickly become dominant when put in the hands of high-skilled players. Currently,XDefiantfeatures three Sniper Rifles, the M44, the L115, and the TAC-50. All three are capable of delivering reliable one-shot kills to most opponents. Here arethe best Sniper loadouts inXDefiant.
Updated on July 28th, 2024, by Nathan Round:Season 1 of XDefiant introduced the GSK Faction and the L115 Sniper Rifle. Snipers have also received a significant nerf in terms of their ADS flinch control. These changes have already begun to reshape the meta of XDefiant, prompting an update to this list to include the best loadouts for the L115, along with a few revisions to the best loadouts for the other Sniper Rifles in the game.
The Best M44 Loadout For Low-Level Players
M44 Attachments:
This M44 build is primarily targeted at players who are currently leveling up their weapons inXDefiant. All the above attachments can be acquired from levels 1 to 8, and prioritize improving ADS speed as much as possible for low-level players. This buildprovides a 15% increase in ADS speedfrom the base M44, which is 60 milliseconds faster than the base speed when factoring in the default Sniper Scope.
Other perks of this M44 build include animprovement in ADS stability from 67% to 77%and a reduction in the time players are visible on the minimap after firing. It’s worth noting that mobility has taken a 2.5% decrease, along with a 10% reduction in recoil recovery. However, players will find that this particular M44 build is sufficient for taking down mostFaction members, like Libertad, with a single shot to the torso or head. For a goodswap-to secondary, opt for the 93R.
The Best TAC-50 Loadout For Low-Level Players
TAC-50 Attachments:
Much like the previous M44 build, this TAC-50 uses many attachments acquired during levels 1 to 8. This makes it an ideal choice for players still fighting theslow weapon progression system inXDefiant.Running the above attachmentsprovides a 15% increase in ADS speed, which is roughly 93 milliseconds faster than the base weapon when including the Sniper Scope.
That’s not all, though. Players will also get a15% increase in reload speed, boosting it from 3.1 seconds to 2.6 seconds.ADS stability has also received a much-needed buff of 7%, making players slightly more accurate without harming their handling attributes. As a bonus, this TAC-50 build also reduces the time players are visible on the minimap. For a weapon to keep players covered at close quarters,throw in the 93R as a Secondary.
The Best L115 Loadout For Low-Level Players
L115 Attachments:
This next loadout follows suit with the previous two Sniper builds, utilizing many of the same attachments, only this time for the L115 that arrived alongsidethe GSK Factionfor Season 1. This is largely because players are fairly limited in what attachments they can use at a low level. Using the attachments listed above provides notable benefits, most significantly a15% increase in ADS speedand asmall 5% buff in ADS stability.
An ADS boost is especially important for the L115 because it is slightly more sluggish than the lightweight M44, prompting players to give it the same treatment as the TAC-50. Much like previous builds, adding attachments like theLight Suppressorand theRecon Barreloffers the additional benefit of reducing the player’s vulnerability to radar effectswhen firing, adding a stealth aspect to their loadout. As always, for the Secondary, players can opt for the fast-firing93R.
The Best High Handling M44 Loadout
This next loadout is ideal for players looking to quick scope and engage enemies at close to medium range with the M44. Though the M44 already has good handling, this can be boosted even further. The attachments listed above provide asignificant buff in ADS speed, boosting it to 380 milliseconds from 400 milliseconds.Sprint out time has been boosted to 360 milliseconds from 400 milliseconds, allowing players to quickly scope in and fire after sprinting around corners or into long lines of sight.
That’s not all. Thefire rate has also been boosted from 48 RPM to 49 RPM, allowing players to better chain back-to-back eliminations. Though ADS stability has taken a hit, along with damage range, these attributes do little to harm this class. The only major caveat is its inability to effectively one-shot Phantoms to the chest, along with the fact thatthe best weapons like the MP7dominate at close range. Because of this, it is advisable tocarry the 93R as a swap-to optionafter getting a hitmarker up close.
The Best High Handling TAC-50 Loadout
Now for another TAC-50 build, one tailored towards improving the weapon’s quick scope potential. Though primarily built for medium-range engagements, it remains reliable for long-range shots. Running the attachments above provides adecrease in ADS speed reduction from 625 milliseconds to 562.5 milliseconds.This allows players to scope in much faster and take onFaction members like Echelonwho excel at running and gunning.
Sprint out time has also beenboosted from 600 milliseconds down to 562.5 milliseconds, along with anincrease in fire rate from 38 RPM to 39 RPM. Both attributes allow players to fire quickly after sprinting and boost their potential to achieve kill chains. Reload speed has also received a much-needed boost from 3.1 seconds to 2.6 seconds. Though ADS stability has taken a hit from 133% down to 113%, this does not significantly harm the weapon’s quick-scope potential. Forthe best secondaryat close range,consider the 93R.
The Best High Handling L115 Loadout
This next L115 build is similar to the previous TAC-50 build, focusing primarily on boosting the weapon’s handling attributes. With the attachments listed above, players can expect to see a significant boost in ADS speed,decreasing the L115’s ADS speed reduction from 575 milliseconds to 517.5 milliseconds.This alsoimproves the weapon’s sprint-out time, making it much more reliable for sniping at close-to-medium range.
In addition to increasing the weapon’s overall speed, these attachment combinations also provide other neat benefits, such as afaster reload speedand aboosted fire rate. All these attributes transform the L115 from a sluggish Sniper Rifle into a great middle ground between the M44 and the TAC-50, one which is capable of one-shotting Phantoms when firing at the upper torso. Again, for a great Secondary option, go with the93R.
The Best Long-Range M44 Loadout
While the M44 excels at handling, its damage range isn’t as good as the TAC-50. However, the long-range potential of this nifty Sniper Rifle can be boosted considerably. Running the above attachmentsbuffs damage at both medium and short range by 10% each, increasing the damage ranges from 30 meters and 50 meters to 33 meters and 55 meters, respectively. Players will also receive a 5% boost in damage, providing players with more consistent one-shot kills against most Factions when fired at the chest.
To increase the M44’s range, however, sacrifices have had to be made. Fire rate has taken a small hit, along with movement speed and ADS speed. ADS stability has also been reduced from 67% to 63%. Sprint-out time, on the other hand, remains unaffected. For players looking toextend their one-shot potentialin modes like Escort and Zone Control, this loadout will prove more than sufficient. Unfortunately, players will need to hit headshots on Phantoms to take them out with a single bullet, but a well-placed chest shot will leave them on 2HP. For the Secondary,opt for the 93R.
The Best Long-Range TAC-50 Loadout
Next up is another long-range build, only this time for the TAC-50. This gun already boasts exceptional damage range, so this particular attribute doesn’t need much overhaul. Running the above attachments provides adamage range increase of 10% to short and medium range, boosting the weapon’s effective damage range from 30 meters and 50 meters to 33 meters and 55 meters respectively. ADS flinch control and stability have also been introduced, keeping the weapon accurate even during incoming fire.
Another benefit of this TAC-50 build is anincreased reload speed from 3.1 seconds to 2.6 seconds, along with a sprint-out time reduction that has remained unchanged. Though ADS speed has taken a hit, along with ADS stability, neither affects this gun’s long-range potential. While slower than some of the aforementioned builds, this long-range TAC-50 loadout provides a reliable one-shot toPhantom Faction membersfrom across range. For close-range support inXDefiant,pair this with the 93R Secondary.
The Best Long-Range L115 Loadout
Finally, there is this build for the L115 inXDefiant, which enhances the weapon’s long-range capabilities. This build provides a10% boost to both short and long-range, increasing the weapon’s effective damage range to 33 meters and 55 meters from the standard 30 meters and 50 meters. Unlike the M44, the L115 is better suited for long-range, so there’s less need to boost its range further.
This leaves players room to focus more on improving the weapon’s handling attributes, which this build achieves byboosting reload speedandslightly mitigating the ADS speed reduction. Although movement speed and ADS stability do take a small hit with the above attachments, this L115 build offers more consistent one-shot kill potential across all ranges. For the Secondary slot, players can opt for the93R.
