Battlefield’s New Beta: Game Modes Explained for New and Returning Players

The Battlefield experience is back! The open beta for the latest installment is live, drawing massive crowds and already surpassing previous player numbers on Steam. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer curious about the franchise, the beta offers a taste of the action to come. With so many players jumping in, some are experiencing longer wait times, but it is worth it!

Perhaps you’re diving in for the first time, or maybe it’s been a while since you last hit the Battlefield. If so, the available game modes within the beta might seem a bit overwhelming. Let’s break down each mode to help you find the perfect fit for your playstyle.

A Guide to Battlefield’s Beta Game Modes

During the Battlefield beta, players can engage in four distinct game modes:

• Conquest
• Closed Weapon Conquest
• Breakthrough
• Domination

The full release will introduce even more options, but these four are available to play during the beta period. While you can discover the details firsthand, understanding the basics beforehand enhances your strategic gameplay.

Let’s dive into each mode, outlining the objective, victory conditions, and ideal player types.

Conquest: The Battlefield Classic

Conquest is the quintessential Battlefield experience. It’s a staple of the franchise and functions similarly to past iterations. Two teams, each potentially consisting of up to 32 players, start on opposite sides of a large map. Each team has access to various vehicles like tanks, helicopters, and off-road vehicles, depending on the map. Six capture points (Flags A through F) are distributed across the terrain.

The goal is to secure as many flags as possible and eliminate opposing forces to control more territory. By holding flags longer, the team can score points. Capturing a flag requires standing within its designated zone for a brief period, but the enemy can contest or recapture it.

The team score is displayed at the top, beginning at 1,000 points. Point totals decrease as teams lose flag control. The first team to reach zero points loses. Conquest is essentially a strategic struggle for territorial dominance.

Upon death, players respawn after a short delay, either at a squad member’s location or a controlled flag. Players are organized into squads of four, making squad coordination essential for effective map control. A Conquest match typically lasts between 20 to 30 minutes.

Closed Weapon Conquest: Class Specialization

Closed Weapon Conquest is a unique twist on the traditional Conquest mode. It restricts players to using the primary weapon assigned to their chosen class. For example, Assault players are limited to assault rifles, Engineers use SMGs, Support utilize LMGs, and Recon are restricted to sniper rifles.

However, players still have access to their secondary weapons and gadgets. This means the Assault class can choose their rifle, pistol, and two gadget weapons that can be a shotgun, DMR, carbine, or explosive sidearm.

This variation promotes the intended class roles within Battlefield. It encourages players to leverage the strengths of their chosen class for maximum impact.

Breakthrough: Attack and Defend

Breakthrough is another classic Battlefield mode, often resulting in the longest matches. Teams of 30+ players engage on large-scale maps, but with designated roles: Attackers or Defenders.

The Attackers must advance across the map, capturing objectives and pushing the defending team back. Success hinges on reaching the enemy’s base within a set timeframe.

The Defenders aim to thwart the Attackers’ advance by holding strategic positions and denying objective captures. Strong coordination is vital for the defense to effectively hold their ground.

Breakthrough matches can last from 20 to 40 minutes, demanding strategic teamwork and coordinated assaults.

Domination: Fast-Paced Capture Points

Domination offers a scaled-down, more intimate experience similar to capture point modes in other FPS titles. Maps are sections taken from the larger Battlefield maps, focusing on three capture points (A, B, and C).

Two teams of eight players battle for control of the flags. Teams start with zero points and aim to reach 200 to win. Points are earned by controlling flags, with bonus points awarded for holding multiple flags.

Respawning is immediate, creating a chaotic and fast-paced environment. Domination favors players seeking quick action and smaller-scale engagements. Vehicles are not available in this mode.

These are the game modes available in the Battlefield beta. New modes will be introduced with the full launch later. Get ready to experience the thrill of the Battlefield!