XDefiant - How to Play the Echelon Faction

XDefiant throws several Ubisoft franchises together for the arena shooter. In total, there are five playable Factions to choose from when you play a match. You can pick Libertad, Echelon, Phantoms, Cleaners, or DedSec. However, if stealth is more your route, going for the Echelon Faction is your best option. Here's how to play as team Echelon.

Echelon Faction

Echelon is from the Splinter Cell series, Ubisoft's stealth-action game where you play as Sam Fisher. In XDefiant, you'll have access to similar tech featured in the spy game, making you a valuable secret agent on the battlefield.

Echelon Abilities

Choosing Echelon is designed for those who want to take a slower approach to XDefiant. You are playing a spy after all, and while it is a fast-paced game, each Faction has both strong and weak facets. You'll have two options to choose from when you select Echelon.

• Digital Ghillie Suit. Renders the agent nearly invisible. Movement and aiming reduce the effect.
• Intel Suit.  Shares the location of nearby enemies with your team.

The Ghillie Suit is best for when you wish to silently approach enemies. Equipping a shotgun is a good way to get the jump on an enemy as well. Be warned, however, that an enemy using the Sonar Goggles ability will reveal your location even when you're under the effects of the suit.

Whereas the Intel Suit is most beneficial to you and your fellow players. Activating the ability will reveal the location of enemies to your teammates. This will give a tactical advantage for a short amount of time as you'll know where enemies are when they pass close by.

Along with the two usable abilities, you'll gain a third Ultra ability as well. This allows you to use Sam Fisher's iconic spy goggles to see enemies outlined in red and also gives you access to the 5.7 pistol. The handgun is a powerful weapon that deals a great deal of punishment to an enemy. Stealth is still the best route to go as once you die or the Ultra ends, you'll have to build it up all over again.

Echelon also gets a passive ability called Low Profile. As part of the stealth element, members of Echelon do not appear on the enemy minimap. This happens regardless of whether you fire your weapon or not. You will not show up red on an enemy map at all.

Echelon Recommended Weapons

When it comes to being a stealth unit, weapons such as a shotgun, pistol, SMG, or sniper rifle are your best options. Shotguns are great for their power when you get up close after using the Digital Ghillie Suit. While pistols with a silencer are good for medium to short range and they can be difficult to hear and track your location. An SMG is lightweight and quick to aim when necessary. While a sniper is best for finding a place to watch the battlefield so you can pick off enemies from afar.