XDefiant: All maps & game modes

Nathan Warby
XDefiant players running from shots

XDefiant launches with a host of recognizable game modes and a varied lineup of maps. Here’s a look at each one available during the Preseason period.

XDefiant is Ubisoft’s take on an arena FPS, putting you in control of a character from one of the publisher’s most iconic factions to battle it out. Even during its Preseason period ahead of Season 1, it still has plenty of different ways to play and maps to learn.

So, here’s a breakdown of all the maps and game modes in XDefiant at launch.

All XDefiant maps

There are 14 maps in XDefiant, most of which are inspired by locations found in past Ubisoft titles, as well as a handful of completely new battlegrounds made specifically for the game. These are broken into two categories: Arena maps and Progression maps.

Arena contains classic 6v6 maps that you’d find in a game like Call of Duty. Progression maps are longer with multiple areas sometimes unlocked by hitting certain checkpoints, which are more similar to something like Overwatch or Battlefield.

Check them all out below:

Arena maps

  • Arena (New)
  • Attica Heights (Ghost Recon Phantoms)
  • Dumbo (The Division)
  • Echelon HQ (Splinter Cell)
  • Emporium (The Division)
  • Liberty (The Division 2)
  • Mayday (New)
  • Nudleplex (Watch Dogs 2)
  • Pueblito (Far Cry 6)
  • Showtime (New)

Progression maps

  • Meltdown (New)
  • Midway (New)
  • Times Square (The Division)
  • Zoo (The Division)
XDefiant Arena map
Arena is a new map made specifically for XDefiant.

All XDefiant game modes

There are five different game modes to choose from in XDefiant and each of them will sound familiar to veteran FPS players. Here’s a breakdown of each one as well as how it works:

Domination

Just like the Call of Duty mode of the same name, XDefiant’s Domination asks you and your team to capture and defend three points spread across the map. The more flags your team holds at any given time, the more points you earn.

Maps:

  • Arena
  • Attica Heights
  • Dumbo
  • Echelon HQ
  • Emporium
  • Liberty
  • Mayday
  • Nudleplex
  • Pueblito
  • Showtime

Escort

XDefiant player moving robot in Escort mode.
Escort will be familiar to Overwatch players.

Escort is all about pushing a payload from one end of the map to the other in XDefiant, similar to the popular Overwatch mode. The attacking team can move the robot by standing near it and guiding it to the next checkpoint, while the defenders must slow their progress by clearing them off and keeping it safe.

Maps:

  • Meltdown
  • Midway
  • Times Square
  • Zoo

Hot Shot

XDefiant’s Hot Shot mode is a lot like Kill Confirmed, as defeated players drop bounties that must be collected to earn your team points. However, the twist is that the player on each team who collects the most is named the Hot Shot, giving them bonuses like extra movement speed but also marking them on the map for all to see.

Maps:

  • Arena
  • Attica Heights
  • Dumbo
  • Echelon HQ
  • Emporium
  • Liberty
  • Mayday
  • Nudleplex
  • Pueblito
  • Showtime

Occupy

Occupy is XDefiant’s version of Hardpoint, where both teams compete to secure control of a specific point on the map. The objective moves around sporadically to keep you on your toes, so learning the rotations is key to victory.

Maps:

  • Arena
  • Attica Heights
  • Dumbo
  • Echelon HQ
  • Emporium
  • Liberty
  • Mayday
  • Nudleplex
  • Pueblito
  • Showtime

Zone Control

Zone Control mode in XDefiant breaks the map into multiple areas, tasking each team with either attacking or defending a number of zones. Once all of the zones in an area have been captured, the next area opens up until either the attackers claim them all, or the defenders run down the clock.

Maps:

  • Meltdown
  • Midway
  • Times Square
  • Zoo

Those were all of the maps and game modes in XDefiant during Preseason. The devs are committed to releasing more with each update, so we’ll be sure to add any new additions to this page once when they arrive.

For more on XDefiant, check out our other guides:

How to get XDefiant Twitch Drop rewards | How to check XDefiant stats | Best controller settings for XDefiant | Best guns in XDefiant | Best XDefiant PC settings | Best AK-47 loadout for XDefiant | XDefiant Year 1 roadmap | Best M4A1 loadout in XDefiant

About The Author

Nathan is a Senior Writer at CharlieIntel. He’s an expert in EA Sports FC, Call of Duty, and Overwatch, as well as superhero games, including Marvel’s Spider-Man. With a master's degree in Magazine Journalism from Nottingham Trent University, he worked as a Trainee Reporter for Derbyshire Live before moving into games media, with bylines at Dexerto, Cultured Vultures, and more. You can contact Nathan by email at [email protected].