XDefiant’s small maps and tight sightlines typically favor SMGs and assault rifles, putting the more clunky marksman rifles in an odd position where they’re often outmatched. Unfortunately, the SVD is the prime example. From strong visual recoil to a slow rate of fire, the SVD often struggles to keep pace. However, with the best XDefiant SVD loadout you can carve out a relatively strong niche for this marksman rifle.
The SVD is far from one of the best XDefiant guns. So, if you’re looking for something a bit easier to use - and generally more powerful - then you’re better off taking a look at the XDefiant meta weapons instead. In fact, even the MK20 SSR, the default marksman rifle and almost a complete upgrade over the SVD, can have a hard time depending on the map. After spending plenty of time putting the SVD through its paces in the practice range and matches, however, there’s some hope yet to make one of the best XDefiant loadouts.
Best XDefiant SVD Loadout
The best XDefiant SVD build is:
- Muzzle: Muzzle Brake
- Barrel: Rapid Fire Barrel
- Front Rail: Angled Grip
- Rear Grip: Heavy Grip
- Stock: Padded Stock
As a slow-firing, high-damage marksman rifle, the SVD is undoubtedly better suited to medium and long-range fights. However, by default, it packs some heavy recoil that needs to be reined in, particularly horizontal recoil. Thanks to its high damage though, the SVD is able to two to three-shot enemies. So, if you can land your hits, there’s certainly potential to top the leaderboard with the SVD.
Starting things off strong, the Rapid Fire Barrel increases the SVD’s rate of fire by 5%. It doesn’t sound like much on paper but it brings the time-to-kill down closer towards 0.6ms. However, it does dramatically increase recoil across the board.
To negate the recoil penalty of the Rapid Fire Barrel and improve the horrible visual recoil in general, the Muzzle Brake, Angled Grip, Heavy Grip, and Padded Stock all combat recoil, especially horizontal recoil which is harder to compensate for manually. For example, the Muzzle Brake provides a substantial +7% horizontal recoil control but slightly reduces the range. Likewise, the Angled Grip adds 15% ADS stability and a further 5% horizontal recoil control at the cost of movement speed.
While this SVD build isn’t exactly what you’d call agile, it can pack a punch. Land a single headshot and your shots-to-kill will decrease to just two hits, or around 0.3ms which is remarkably competitive. Again though, the SVD is clearly intended to be a long-range rifle, so don’t expect to beat out the Vector loadout despite having similar TTKs.
I know many people will want to use an optic with the SVD, particularly given its intended engagement range. If that’s you, I recommend swapping the Heavy Grip for the Reflex or a low-magnification scope.
XDefiant SVD Class Setup
Though this SVD loadout is powerful, you will struggle when things get up close and personal - unless you can pull off a headshot. Luckily, this can easily be remedied.
The 93R sidearm is a surprisingly effective close-range weapon, able to go toe to toe with SMGs and the like. Deck it out with the Muzzle Booster, Quick Mag, Quick Draw Grip, Reinforced Stock, and Reflex Sight, and it’ll be even better in a pinch. Just don’t forget to swap to it when you need it.
There are a few fun combinations when it comes down to choosing throwable equipment. While the Sticky Grenade and Frag Grenade will always be good options, the Proximity Mine can be a great choice on certain XDefiant maps and game modes, allowing you to lock down lanes even more effectively.
Although many of the XDefiant Factions work with almost any loadout, there is one important note to make. Due to the Cleaner’s burn damage passive, pairing this with the SVD will actually make it a consistent two-hit kill without any headshots. However, it does reduce the weapon’s effective damage range. So, if you’re playing a Cleaner, then you’ll be reducing your long-range effectiveness in favor of close and mid-range damage.
How to Unlock the SVD in XDefiant
To unlock the SVD in XDefiant, you have to get 15 marksman rifle longshot kills, which means enemies that are over 30 meters away. Luckily, this is a great range for marksman rifles, so if you find a good spot to bunker down in, completing this challenge should be a breeze.
So, that’s everything there is to know to make the best XDefiant SVD loadout. Now all that’s left is to pick one of the XDefiant classes and put it to the test. And for more weapons, take a look at the XDefiant guns list before Season 1 adds even more variety.