Summary
Ubisoft has acknowledged player complaints about the grind in its recently-released shooterXDefiant. To rectify the issues, which were partially introduced by a previous update, the company announced major changes to theXDefiantWeapon XP grind.
XDefiantmade waves in May 2024 as a new free-to-play arena shooter, but it wasn’t without its share of player complaints. Many complaintscentered around the slow speed ofXDefiantweapon level gains, which Ubisoft attempted to address with an update on May 16, 2025. The update decreased the amount of Weapon XP required to level up a weapon, but also added more Weapon Mastery levels, thus increasing the total amount of work needed to unlock a weapon’s Gold, Silver, and Bronze skins.
The change prompted backlash from players resenting the increase in grind to level theirbestXDefiantweapons, and Ubisoft has heard their feedback. According to a post from the officialXDefiantTwitter account, the company will implement further adjustments that essentially double the speed of Weapon Level gain for all players.
XDefiant Teases Future Boosts to Weapon XP Gain
According to Ubisoft’s preview of the next set of changes targeted at Weapon Mastery levels, Primary weapons will require just 1,500 XP to level up (down from 3,000) and secondary weapons will require just 500 XP to level up (down from 1,000). This should make it much easier to unlock the much-desired weapon skins forthe many weapons present inXDefiant. Ubisoft did not say when the new changes would be implemented.
XDefiantExecutive Producer Mark Rubin had more to add, revealing that the adjustments to Weapon Mastery will also be retroactive, meaning that all players will receive a “big bump” in their current level, due to their accumulated Weapon XP counting for more. Rubin said that the team “feared” players would finish the Weapon Mastery grind too quickly and thus the rewards from it would feel “less special,” but conceded that the team had made a mistake in making changes to progression while the game was live, devaluing the effort players had already put in.
Between the changes to both mechanics and progression andleaks that present a compelling picture of futureXDefiantfactions, the future could be looking bright for the game and its current fans. Ubisoft has displayed a high level of responsiveness so far to player feedback, which bodes well for ensuring that the game can stick with its community as time goes on.
XDefiant
XDefiant is a free-to-play, first-person online arena shooter where you compete in fast-paced clashes. With cross-play available at launch, you will be able to play with friends on a variety of platforms.Season 1 introduces the Team Rainbow operators of GS-Kommando leveraging their counter-terrorism training to disrupt their enemies. They can deploy electrified barbed wire for area denial, counter incoming enemy devices with their Active Defense System, and dazzle multiple foes with flash charges mounted on their G52-Tactical Shield.While GS-Kommando operators pride themselves on using non-lethal force whenever possible, they are as capable on the battlefield as any spec ops group.Customized Loadouts: Choose from a large arsenal of weapons, attachments, and devices to optimize the way you play. Combine any weapon with any faction, and unlock new options as you play to perfect your playstyle.Factions: Factions are drawn from iconic Ubisoft worlds and represent distinct classes, each with unique abilities and ultras. Choose any character from any faction to assemble your team of six players. Change your faction at any point during play to adapt to your strategy.Maps, Modes, and Mayhem: Play in a diverse range of 14 maps at launch across several different arena and linear modes including Zone Control, Escort, Occupy, and more. Fight in casual matches or climb the tiers in competitive ranked mode.
