Battlefield's New Class System: Evolution or Erosion?

DICE doubles down on flexibility in Battlefield’s class design, but not without controversy.

UPDATE, 12 July, 2025: Community manager Kevin Johnson clarified on Battlefield Subreddit that "Two primary weapon" perk for Assault class has been removed from the current Battlefield Labs build.

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In the latest wave of news from DICE, the team behind the next Battlefield title has revealed more about the returning class system—except this time, there’s a major twist. A recently released blog post confirms that while classes are returning, weapons will no longer be restricted to specific classes. This decision, unsurprisingly, has stirred heated debate within the Battlefield community.

Here at the Battlefield One Podcast, we broke down the announcement in-depth during Episode 40 and Episode 41 and added our perspective to the growing discussion. This article aims to summarize the update, explain the controversy, and share our reflections on what this means for the franchise going forward. Original post can be found here: https://x.com/Battlefield/status/1943692970106269912

The class system has long been a hallmark of the Battlefield series, with specific weapon types traditionally locked to specific roles - assault rifles for Assault, LMGs for Support, sniper rifles for Recon, and so on. Fans welcomed the return of the class system following Battlefield 2042's controversial pivot to Specialists, but now that excitement is tempered by frustration. According to the latest official blog post from Battlefield Studios, the new game will allow players to equip any weapon on any class.

This is part of an ongoing series of updates from DICE, including earlier posts about destruction, sandbox design, and Battlefield Labs - a playtest initiative giving selected community members early hands-on time with the game.

The announcement has fractured the Battlefield community. On one side, veteran players decry the loss of weapon restrictions as a betrayal of Battlefield’s identity. “This is not Battlefield anymore,” is a common sentiment echoed in comment threads, Reddit, and forums. On the other side are those - including us at the Battlefield One Podcast - who see this change as part of the franchise adapting to modern expectations.

During Episode 40 of the podcast, host Tom (TheLankySoldier) tackled this debate head-on, acknowledging the anger from long-time fans but defending DICE’s logic. "Battlefield needs to adapt to the modern times whether you like it or not," he said. The sentiment throughout the episode was clear: while nostalgia is powerful, Battlefield cannot survive by clinging to the past. In their second official blog update on the upcoming Battlefield game, Battlefield Studios (DICE) provided an in-depth look at how classes and weapons will function moving forward. This new blog post aimed to clarify their direction for class identity and how it intersects with player freedom and gameplay balance.

Here’s a breakdown of the key points and systems announced:

Class Structure

• Four Traditional Classes Return:

  • Assault – Focused on frontline combat.

  • Engineer – Equipped with anti-vehicle tools.

  • Support – Focused on resupply and sustain.

  • Recon – Handles long-range engagements and spotting.

DICE emphasized that classes are returning as a foundational layer of the sandbox, aiming to bring clarity and structure back to Battlefield’s core gameplay loop.

Weapon Access: No Restrictions

• All classes can use all weapon types. There is no restriction preventing a player from equipping a sniper rifle on a Support class or an assault rifle on a Recon.

• This means player freedom is prioritized over rigid roles.

  
  

According to DICE, this was a deliberate design decision. Their reasoning: players often select classes based on the weapons they prefer rather than the role, which led to skewed class distribution in past games.

Class Identity Comes From Gadgets and Equipment

• Primary role identity will come from gadgets, perks, and class-specific tools, not from weapon limitations.

  
  

• Each class will have access to:

  • 2 gadget slots (some perks or options may trade this off).

  • Role-specific items, such as:

    • Engineers getting RPGs or anti-vehicle gear.

    • Support getting ammo crates or medical supplies.

    • Recon getting spawn beacons and spotting tools.

      
      

DICE argues this system allows for tactical flexibility while maintaining gameplay roles through equipment rather than firearms.

Assault Specific Dual-Primary Weapon Perk

• A perk is available that allows a player to equip two primary weapons (e.g., an LMG and a sniper rifle).

• Trade-off: Equipping two primaries takes the place of a gadget slot.

  • This introduces a meaningful choice—versatility vs. utility.

Loadout Freedom with Tactical Depth

• Players can now fully customize their loadout across all classes, combining:

  • Any weapon type.

  • A selection of gadgets and equipment specific to their chosen class.

  • Class perks that define gameplay enhancements (e.g., faster revives, better spotting, more gadget efficiency).

    
    

The goal is to let players express their personal playstyle, while still contributing to their team’s success through class-based abilities.

DICE’s Rationale

The blog addressed the core question: “Why remove weapon restrictions?”

• Their data shows that players are more motivated by weapon choices than by class roles, often avoiding helpful roles just because they didn’t like the weapon options.

• Removing weapon locks is meant to encourage broader exploration of all four classes.

• DICE believes this will lead to better class distribution, stronger player engagement, and more creative loadout combinations.

  
  

They reiterated that this is not a step away from Battlefield’s DNA, but a modern evolution of it—bringing structure without limiting player agency.

The Battlefield One Podcast crew offered a nuanced reflection on the change. While many community members claim the decision “goes against Battlefield’s DNA,” Tom reminded listeners that similar outrage occurred when Battlefield 3 launched. Battlefield 2 veterans accused DICE of making a “casual Call of Duty clone.” Ironically, Battlefield 3 is now regarded by many as the franchise’s high point.

Tom compared today’s backlash to that same cycle of resistance: “History is repeating itself,” he said. “Battlefield 3 was someone’s first Battlefield. This new game will be someone else’s Battlefield 3”.

The episode also pointed out that weapon freedom doesn't necessarily lead to chaos. Tom noted:

Even in Battlefield 4, people wouldn’t drop ammo half the time. Restricting weapons won’t change bad behaviour.

A critical insight from the episode was this: weapon restrictions never guaranteed teamwork or balance. What encourages good team play is design clarity, incentive structures, and ease of access. Letting players use the weapons they enjoy might help broaden the game’s appeal—something the franchise desperately needs after the disastrous reception of Battlefield 2042.

This article is brought to you by the Battlefield One Podcast, where we break down announcements like this, analyze gameplay footage, and track the development of Battlefield week to week. Whether you're new to the franchise or a returning veteran, follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen, and get the full picture behind the frontlines.

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