Long time Battlefield players will understand the class system, such as Recon or Assault, but in Battlefield 2042, classes are being upgraded to Specialists, with the class now becoming more of a group. These Specialists will provide new play options for players, with each having a unique trait and specialty and customisable loadouts. Each Specialists will have a gadget that is made for them and only them, so if you want to access to a different gadget, then you need to choose a different Specialist. That is the only specific for each of them, the secondary gadget, weapon and grenade can be fully selected, so each Specialist you play as can have the same weapon loadout, if you so desire. What this means is that you loved being able to support players in previous Battlefield games but loved the idea of a sniper rifle as your weapon of choice, you can now achieve that in Battlefield 2042.

While the final game will have 10 Specialists at launch, the team at DICE have only revealed four for now, these are the details you need for each of them:

WIKUS “CASPER” VAN DAELE

• Place of Birth: South Africa

• Class: Recon

• Specialty: OV-P Recon Drone – This specialty means that he can survey the surrounding area, picking out enemies that might be hiding from his normal view. The drone can be controlled by the player or left to follow you on its own.

• Trait: Movement Sensor – This allows for Casper to perch up high, perfect for those who want to be a sniper, but when active, makes it quite a challenge for people to sneak up on him.

WEBSTER MACKAY

• Place of Birth: Canada

• Class: Assault

• Specialty: Grappling Hook - This specialty allows for quick movement, in a vertical sense, making him perfect for an overlook role, or if you want to ambush someone who is sniping from up high.

• Trait: Nimble – The skill allows him to move faster while aiming, perfect for a player who wants to keep pushing the fight forward, no matter the risks.

MARIA FALCK

• Place of Birth: Germany

• Class: Support

• Specialty: S21 Syrette Pistol – This specialty means that no longer do you have to throw down health kits, now you can just shoot them from a distance. This will heal those in danger and revive those who have fallen.

• Trait: Combat Surgeon – This trait is perfect for those who want to help others get back into the fight, as other players can revive, but only partial health, but Maria can revive to full health with this trait.

PYOTR “BORIS” GUSKOVSKY

• Place of Birth: Russia

• Class: Engineer

• Specialty: SG-36 Sentry Gun – It is what its name suggests, a sentry gun, but one that can lock onto infantry soldiers and vehicles, leaving you free to fight on

• Trait: Sentry Operator – This ties into the sentry gun, for if Boris remains close, it gets powered up, allowing for faster lock on and the ability to track all people inside a vehicle.

No matter the specialist you select, because of the freedom to choose the weapon layout you want, there is more freedom to find a playstyle that works for you, I personally, can’t wait to start zipping around the maps with Mackay.

Weapons will get an overhaul as well, especially with the new ‘Plus System’ which lets you swap scope, ammo type, barrel type and under gun attachment, without any need to pause your game, wait til the end of a round. No, this means that if you find yourself with a few moments of peace and quiet, you can, without pausing anything, bring up the + Menu and make the changes, which in turn lets you change up your weapon to better suit the space you are fighting in. Couple that flexibility, with the Specialists and you can really become a one-man army, just as long as you can reach the fights and the best way to do that, is vehicles. 

Get in, we’re going for a ride

In 2042, vehicles are more than just a way to get around, though they do that as well, instead now you can allow for them to play a critical part in your forward push. Some vehicles will provide better boosts, the more soldiers you have in them, while some now have specific seat types, like anti-air, spotters and a bevy of gun options.

It isn’t just about having more powerful vehicles in the game because what the game now allows for, is if the vehicle cap for the map size has not yet been reached, you can - without any requirements, i.e., no cash, points, kills or anything, pull out a tablet and request any vehicle that the map supports. Within seconds, your ride will drop from the sky, letting you climb in and get back into the action. That means, buggies, tanks, APC’s, choppers, planes and just about everything else are just a touch away.

Battlefield 2042 is coming to PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on October 22nd, with early access happening on October 15.