Best XDefiant AA-12 build: Class loadouts for recoil & damage

The AA-12 is the full-auto shotgun in XDefiant which is devastating at close range, especially with a meta loadout. Here’s the best build that makes it as effective as possible by maximizing its damage.

Alongside the M870 and Double Barrel, the AA-12 is the third shotgun in XDefiant, and the only full-auto one. With it being fully automatic, it has the worst range of the three but is also significantly more forgiving if you miss that opening shot.

It’s almost entirely useless at medium and long range, but if you can keep gunfights up close, nothing outclasses the AA-12. It is especially effective in close-quarters situations like locking down a room or objective.

To make the AA-12 as effective as possible in this role, you’ll need a meta loadout to use in XDefiant. Here’s the build you’ll want to be using with this shotgun.

Best AA-12 build XDefiant – Recommended loadout

• Muzzle: Barrel Extender
• Barrel: Choke
• Front Rail: Pistol
• Rear Grip: Quick Draw
• Stock: Lightweight

Even though the AA-12 is strictly a close-range weapon, you’ll still want to improve its damage range where possible. To do this, use both the Barrel Extender muzzle and Choke barrel for a huge 25% improvement to close and medium-range damage.

The other key to dominating with a shotgun is consistency, and there’s no better attachment to improve that than the Pistol front rail. When equipped, this front rail narrows Spread Accuracy by 20%, making shots much more consistent. It also hastens Sprint-Shoot Time by 10%, another useful stat to optimize on any shotgun.

With those key areas addressed, the remaining two attachment slots should be used to improve mobility and handling. The Quick Draw rear grip boosts both ADS Speed and Sprint-Shoot Time by 10% each. This helps keep the AA-12 feeling snappy and responsive.

Finally, partner that with the Lightweight stock for the most well-balanced AA-12 loadout possible. This meta stock raises ADS Walking Speed by a huge 20%, but it’s the 2.5% buff to Movement Speed that gives it such great synergy.

Best AA-12 loadout for low recoil

• Muzzle: Barrel Extender
• Barrel: Stabilizing Barrel
• Front Rail: Angled Grip
• Rear Grip: Lightweight Grip
• Stock: Padded Stock

Start with the Barrel Extender which increases short-range and long-range damage by 10% which is extremely important as the AA-12’s range is quite lackluster. Pair this with the Stabilizing Barrel to add 2.5% to vertical as well as horizontal recoil recovery.

The Angled Grip will further give you 5% recoil recovery and improved aim stability. Finally, the Lightweight Grip and the Padded Stock will give 25% and 15% recoil recovery respectively along with improved aim walking speed and ADS flinch which will help you control the weapon better.

Best AA-12 loadout for high damage

• Muzzle: Muzzle Booster
• Barrel: Heavy Barrel
• Front Rail: Pistol Grip
• Rear Grip: Lightweight Grip
• Stock: Lightweight Stock

Since the AA-12 deals the most damage at close range, you need to be constantly on the move to stay as close to your enemies as possible. Start with the Muzzle booster, which will increase the rate of fire at the cost of some horizontal and vertical recoil. Pair this with the Heavy Barrel, which will increase your damage at the cost of a hefty amount of fire, which will be compensated by the Muzzle Booster.

The Pistol Grip will increase sprint-shoot time, which will help you be on your toes, and when paired with the Lightweight Stock, will further increase your aim-walking speed and movement speed. Finally, the Lightweight Grip will help you gain ADS movement speed along with some recoil recovery.

How to unlock AA-12 in XDefiant

The AA-12 is unlocked by completing the following Base Challenge in multiplayer: “Get 15 Shotgun Point-Blank Kills.”

This can be a tricky challenge to complete, as Point-Blank Kills require you to be almost touching the enemy player when they die. The best strategy is to sneak up on enemies using the Echelon’s Digital Ghillie Suit. When activated, it makes you invisible for a short while, providing a great chance to close the gap unnoticed.

Best AA-12 alternatives in XDefiant

While another shotgun would work too, the Vector .45 ACP actually has the most in common with the AA-12. Both are deadly close-range weapons, relying on their high fire rates and fast TTKs to make up for their lower range.

That’s all for the best AA-12 loadout in XDefiant. For more top-tier options, check out the best XDefiant weapons, and consider using these meta builds for the ACR 6.8, M16A4, MP7, and TAC-50.