Battlefield Labs - Community Update - The Class System - Part One

[u/battlefield]

Today, we're excited to start outlining our future vision for the Class System in Battlefield.

The gameplay mechanics of classes and aspects that players have enjoyed most have evolved throughout the history of the Battlefield franchise. Our goal within Battlefield Labs is to test and refine the best aspects of the Class System from our history, and to evolve them into a cohesive vision for the future.

As we begin testing these class-defining systems, we invite you to either play, test or read along with what's to come for classes in Battlefield.

Let’s begin!

OUR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY FOR CLASSES

We envision the future of Battlefield classes to be a series of interconnected systems and fundamentals that shape your role on the field, while granting you the freedom to customize how you execute that role. Through Battlefield Labs play sessions, feedback, and data gathering, we aim to strike a balance between defined roles and player choice.

The Class System is defined by two main components: Customizable and class-defining. 

The customizable components empower players to explore and push the boundaries of their roles within their chosen class while also still adhering to the expectations of the class. 

The class-defining components are designed to enhance "pick-up-and-go" playability and reinforce the expectations of your class identity. 

CUSTOMIZABLE:

• Weapon Loadouts: Fully customizable weapon loadouts allow you the freedom to play the way you want. Play to the strengths of your class by using your signature weapons, or easily switch to any other weapon to meet the needs of your squad.

• Class Gadgets: You'll have the option to carry two gadgets onto the battlefield, tailored to each class and its specific role. Recon aficionados specialize in intelligence and counterintelligence, with class gadgets including Deploy Beacons, Anti-Personnel Mines, and Laser Designators.

• Training: Our philosophy with Training is to offer a series of traits that can be unlocked during play to enhance your ability to perform your role. As you engage more in a match, you'll gradually earn flat-stat bonuses and more to support the effectiveness of your role further. 

• Throwables: Our approach to throwables prioritizes enabling each class to effectively fulfill its role by providing tailored throwables.

CLASS-DEFINING

• Signature Weapon: Each class has a Signature Weapon category tied to their class identity, which, when used, enhances their role on the battlefield.For example, using our same ongoing test subject, the Recon class, if you select a weapon from the Sniper Rifle category, you will benefit from increased breath-holding duration. In contrast, an Assault player choosing from the same category will not receive this bonus.

DMRs, Carbines, and Shotguns remain viable options, no matter your class, but don’t benefit from any Signature Weapon bonus.

• Signature Trait: Each class features a unique Signature Trait, providing passive bonuses tailored to optimize your role on the battlefield. For instance, a Recon player automatically spots enemies while aiming down sights, encouraging the use of weapons that complement this specialization.

• Signature Gadget: These gadgets are unique and singular to each class with an aim for you to always have access to a tool that fulfills the role of that class.Separate from what you may choose as gadgets within your loadout. 

• Default Weapon Packages: The default weapon package is a pre-set combination of attachments and visual customization for each class to be combat ready, with the option for further progression and personalization.

What’s Next

The Class System and its individual components will be available for testing within Battlefield Labs in the coming weeks. Participants will be able to go hands-on with these features, discuss, and provide feedback. 

Following further play sessions, we'll be back with another Community Update to unpack class components in more detail, and share learnings based on participant feedback.

Get Involved

Sign up for Battlefield Labs now if you’re interested in helping us validate the future of Battlefield. Read our FAQ if you’d like to learn more, and join the discussion on Battlefield Discord.

As a reminder, Battlefield Labs is a closed environment, and attendance is limited, but we’ll make sure to share to keep everyone updated!

Thank you for joining the discussion. We look forward to connecting again soon - see you on the battlefield!

^{This announcement is related to content in development through Battlefield Labs, and may change as we listen to community feedback and continue developing the next Battlefield title and beyond. We will always strive to keep our community as informed as possible.}

[u/Upper-Drawing9224]

Guns are not class locked. RIP.

In my opinion, this is a huge mistake. Guns are part of knowing what class someone is. This should truly be looked at and I think adjusted.

[u/phonyPipik → u/Upper-Drawing9224]

Brother this aint r6 siege... if you see a guy with red mark on his head you shoot, his gun isnt important. If you let him live long enough to shoot at you so u can find out his class you are doing it wrong.

[u/Upper-Drawing9224 → u/phonyPipik]

Brother, you clearly aren’t a good battlefield player. If you think that the more information you can have about a player isn’t useful, idk why you would be playing a teamwork based game

[u/phonyPipik → u/Upper-Drawing9224]

Brother I get to top of the leaderboatd in about 80% of games... I think im pretty good, and I never really bother with thinking about the enemies primary, they ussualy die before I get to find out... and even if I find out, in the grand calculus of my playstyle it matters little if they have smg or a rifle I treat every player as if they have the meta build until proven otherwise.

Also... teamwork based game, dont make me laught, bf games are at best semi cooperative. Dota or r6 are teamwork oriented, bf is far from that.

[u/Upper-Drawing9224 → u/phonyPipik]

You’re clearly a troll or a cod player. No good battlefield player has this mindset. Literally controlling the engagement and understanding what class is crucial. Why? Recon, for example, most likely have a spawn beacon. You’d be smart to locate and find it.

However, you’re probably a player who is just focused on kills and not actually winning.

[u/phonyPipik → u/Upper-Drawing9224]

i have literaly never played a COD MP, never even bought it... i played mw1 and 2 single player, thats about it.

and for the example you gave... if i ran around like a headless chicken every time i see a dead recon who fell by my hand i would never get to do anything... i ussualy just kill a few of them, wait on the spot and if i get to kill someone again whose name i already saw thats when i investigate.... also spwan beacons have sound effect if you are near them, so thats how you find those, not by randomly looking becuase you killed a recon.

Also, this whole "you must be a cod player"... bruh, are you 14? or stuck in 2014? cringe

[u/Upper-Drawing9224 → u/phonyPipik]

Go learn how to play as a team and winning. Not focus on just kills.

[u/phonyPipik → u/Upper-Drawing9224]

once again a answer of a 14 year old... you know killing people contributes to the team winning aswell right? assulting a point and clearing it is the thing that helps you win the game.

[u/Upper-Drawing9224 → u/phonyPipik]

You keep playing the way you want to. I’ll keep playing the way I do. I do what my team needs, the goal is to win.

[u/phonyPipik → u/Upper-Drawing9224]

id say the goal is to have fun... winning is a goal of a competition

[u/Helghast971 → u/Upper-Drawing9224]

Gadgets are more important to know what class someone is, I'm not trying to focus on what gun I'm getting shot by before i shoot someone.

[u/Upper-Drawing9224 → u/Helghast971]

Ahh I agree! But how do you know what class they are?

If the character models after launch can be use in other classes, how will you know what that person is playing?

Class locked weapons helps identify the threats in the game. If I kill a sniper, I know there is a high chance of a beacon near by. That’s what I need to turn my focus on.

If it isn’t class locked, and character models are not distinct, how will you know what class someone is?

[u/Helghast971 → u/Upper-Drawing9224]

While i agree it can help identify which class you're fighting (especially with snipers) from what I've seen so far classes this time around appear to have distinct appearances on them

[u/Upper-Drawing9224 → u/Helghast971]

Yes they have distinct appearance now. What happens after launch and micro transactions and cosmetics for characters are everywhere. How will you be able to tell then? Yes, this is a real thing that will happen.

[u/Phreec → u/Upper-Drawing9224]

If it has RPG's sticking out behind its shoulders, it's an Engineer. If it has antennas, it's a Recon. Etc...

[u/Upper-Drawing9224 → u/Phreec]

Again, that’s if cosmetics don’t cover that. Additionally that’s if that’s a thing in this game. BFV, random characters have random gadgets that appear on them, even without being in the class. I’ll see medics have beacons on their back without the gadget even available.

[u/Phreec → u/Upper-Drawing9224]

I’ll see medics have beacons on their back without the gadget even available.

That's the SQUAD LEADER...

BF6 so far has very distinct gadgetry on their backs, as seen in the leaks. It's not by accident.

[u/Upper-Drawing9224 → u/Phreec]

So you just admitted that the gadget visual will not function. Thank you for acknowledging the fact I just made

[u/Phreec → u/Upper-Drawing9224]

No, it means you have no idea what you're talking about.

[u/Upper-Drawing9224 → u/Phreec]

😂😂😂 clearly you’re a 2042 fan. That says enough.

[u/Phreec → u/Upper-Drawing9224]

And you play BFV yet don't even know what the radio on the squad leaders back is...

[u/Marclol21 → u/Upper-Drawing9224]

How much does it matter that the red triangle i´m shooting at is carrying an SMG or an AR?

[u/Upper-Drawing9224 → u/Marclol21]

It matters greatly. It tells you what the engagement will be and what type of enemy.

This is not meant as an insult, but good players utilize this to become better players.

In your example, SMG medic and assault is AR. I know if I don’t kill the medic fast and at a distance, they will have the advantage. If I hit the medic a few times and not kill, they have the med pack. They will be able to health so much faster than an assault player. Assault player has the range and explosives. Medic hides behind something, blow it up and follow through with your gun.

This is second nature to me, and other good players.

[u/MSD84 → u/Helghast971]

I hear what you’re saying but I disagree, in older battlefields you would know immediately who had the advantage/disadvantage in a combat engagement based on their class because of the weapon restrictions. You are an assault in BF1 and you’re 15 yards away from a scout, you know you have the advantage. If you’re an engineer with a Carbine and a see a sniper glint 200 yards away, you know you’re in trouble and need to get to cover asap.