Player progression in Battlefield 1 has been an issue among the player-base for some time. Unlike previous Battlefield games, and its rival Call of Duty, most equipment unlocks come very quickly, and the few remaining can take quite a while to gets. DICE is attempting to remedy this by bringing a new specialization system to the game that will offer players more customization and variety in playstyle.
DICE took to the Battlefield One Reddit to give an overview of what the new system will be like once it hits the Community Test Environment. There will be fifteen specializations in total when the system debuts, with seven being available for all classes, and two unique to each of the four classes.
Battlefield 1 Specializations List
The current list of Battlefield 1 specializations is:
Generic Specializations (All classes)
- Bayonet Training: A bayonet charge lasts one second longer, and you’ll recover from the speed penalty one second quicker.
- Camouflage: Spot flares can’t spot you when you’re moving slowly or are stationary.
- Cover: Suppression penalties are reduced by 25%.
- Flak: Explosion damage is reduced by 15%.
- Hasty Retreat: Your sprint speed is increased by 10% while suppressed.
- Quick Regen: Time for out of combat heal is reduced by 20%
- Quick Unspot: The length of time you stay spotted in decreased by 2 seconds.
Assault Specializations
- Controlled Demolition: TNT can now be detonated in sequence instead of all at once.
- Juggernaut: When wearing your gas mask, explosive damage is reduced by 15%.
Medic Specializations:
- Concealed Rescue: If a squad mate goes down within 20 meters, they’ll pop a smoke grenade. (40-second cooldown)
- Stimulant Syringe: When you revive an ally, you both get a 20% sprint speed increase for eight seconds. (Non-stacking)
Support Specializations:
- Pin Down: The amount of time an enemy remains spotted is extended when you suppress them.
- Unbreakable: Incoming suppression penalties are reduced by 75% when your bipod is deployed.
Scout Specializations:
- Perimeter Alarm: When a trip mine is triggered, enemies within 15 meters are marked on your mini-map.
- Scapegoat: When your health is knocked under 35% by a distant enemy, you’ll automatically drop a decoy.
According to DICE, this is just the first wave of specializations and more will be released down the line. This list isn’t finalized though, and will be tested in the PC CTE with the first version starting tomorrow.
When specializations go live in a future update, players will start with three generic ones by defaults: Flak, Cover, and Quick Regen. Further ones will be unlocked by completing Service Assignments which will come with September’s In the Name of the Tsar Expansion.
There’s plenty of criticism to be seen in the Reddit thread, which shows that players aren’t super excited about the new system. Battlefield 1 still has a lot of issues that haven’t seen themselves worked out, like not being able to choose vehicle loadout unless you actually highlight a vehicle point on the deployment screen.
Due to the nature of the weaponry in Battlefield 1, the only counter to snipers and campers, in particular, tends to be spot flares. With the new Camouflage perk, this is going to reward further that type of play, which is concerning. Hopefully, CTE testing will help DICE iron out these specializations, so they’re a bit more balanced when they hit the live servers.
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