As the Battlefield 6 launch day draws near, the fan community is buzzing with debate (of course it is—this is Battlefield we’re talking about). Everyone has an opinion on the new class system. Many long-time players are calling for a return to the old-school “locked” classes from past games, while others are curious about the fresh “open” classes approach. It’s a proper gamer dilemma: stick to tradition or embrace the new? And yes, the discussions are everywhere. From Reddit threads to Discord chats (and maybe even while grinding out a cheeky reward on BUFF in the background), players are voicing their thoughts on how classes and weapons should work in BF6.
Battlefield 6 brings back the familiar four classes – Assault, Engineer, Support, Recon – but weapon choice is more flexible this time.
Open vs Locked: The Great Class Debate
Battlefield veterans will tell you that classes used to mean something. Back in Bad Company or BF3/BF4, if you picked Assault, you were the rifle guy; if you went Recon, you’d better love sniper scopes. Each class had its own weapon set and gadgets, giving the series a distinct “class identity” feel that was bang on. Those were the locked classes days, and many players have fond memories of that era. It made the game feel proper unique compared to other shooters because your role had clear gear limits. You couldn’t have a sniper running around with a shotgun or an engineer toting a sniper rifle – that kind of mix-and-match would’ve been mental in older titles.
But times change, and Battlefield has been experimenting. Recent entries (looking at you, BF2042) moved away from rigid classes. We got open classes, or even no classes at all – basically letting any soldier use any weapon. The idea was to give players freedom, but it turned out a bit chaotic. (Remember the specialist system in 2042? Chaos is putting it politely – it was like giving everyone the keys to every vehicle in the garage, and surprise, not everyone drove responsibly.) With weapons no longer class-locked, some folks felt the game lost a bit of its soul. If any class can carry any gun, what’s the point of classes, right? The community’s reaction was loud and clear, and the developers eventually had to backtrack a bit in 2042 by reintroducing some class elements. Fast forward to Battlefield 6, and this debate has come roaring back. Players who grew up on the older games are itching for that classic class structure, while newer players (often coming from more loadout-flexible games like Call of Duty) think open weapon choice is just fine. It’s a clash of mindsets – tradition vs. freedom – and everyone’s got a side.
“Play Battlefield How You Want” – Devs Offer Both Options
Caught in the crossfire of this debate, the developers at Ripple Effect have decided not to take a side – at least, not a single side. In a recent interview, BF6’s team explained that they don’t want to force anyone into a particular play style. Matthew Nickerson, a console combat designer at Ripple Effect, told IGN the studio’s goal is to be as agnostic as possible about open vs locked classes. In plain English, they want to give us options rather than issuing a decree from on high.
“We don’t really want to make a decision or really pigeonhole how you want to experience Battlefield,” Nickerson said. The plan for Battlefield 6 is to support both open and closed weapon sets in different game modes – notably in the new Portal mode – so players can essentially “play Battlefield how you want to.” That’s the mantra the team keeps repeating. Open classes, locked classes, whatever – they’ll have modes or settings for it. They just “don’t want to make the decision for the player,” which is a pretty bang-on way to keep the community happy.
This approach means BF6 won’t rigidly stick to one philosophy. If you’re a fan of the classic class system with limited weapons per class, you’ll have a way to play that. And if you prefer the modern approach of picking any weapon regardless of class, that’ll be available too. It’s like a restaurant saying, “We have pineapple pizza and classic pepperoni – take your pick, no judgment.” For a franchise that’s seen its share of creative fan feedback (to put it lightly), this move is a clever way to get things sorted. Rather than alienating one half of the player base, Ripple Effect is trying to give everyone something to enjoy. After all, player choice is the name of the game here. They want you to hop into Battlefield and feel free to be the kind of soldier you want, whether that’s a sniper with a shotgun or a medic with an LMG – or sticking to the traditional loadouts if that’s your cup of tea.
One place where this flexibility truly shines is the Battlefield 6 Portal mode. Portal is basically a playground where you can mix and match rules, gadgets, even content from past Battlefield games. The devs have confirmed that in Portal you can set up matches with either open weapon selection or classic class-locked gear. This means the community can create their dream Battlefield experiences. Yearning for the tight teamwork of Battlefield 3-era rules? Sorted – make a Portal mode with locked classes and relive the glory days. Want absolute mayhem with everyone wielding whatever they fancy? You can do that too. By not taking a hard stance in the core design, BF6’s team is handing us the keys. It’s a bold move – essentially saying “you lot decide how you want to play” – and honestly, it could pay off with a happy, engaged community (instead of the dreaded subreddit meltdowns we’ve seen in the past).
Beta Lessons and What to Expect at Launch
The recent open beta gave us a small taste of this philosophy, though you might have missed it if you blinked. The default beta experience leaned into the new open-weapon system – all classes could use most guns, so you weren’t forced into a particular arsenal. A lot of players jumped in thinking, “Right, guess they’ve gone fully open this time.” But in true cheeky Battlefield fashion, the devs quietly slipped in a separate mode with locked class weapons as well. It wasn’t obvious on the menu (it felt a bit hidden, to be honest), so only the keenest of fans discovered that playlist. Those who did were chuffed to find a more classic gameplay option available. It’s almost like the developers were winking at us, saying “See? We told you we’d support both.” This dual approach in the beta pretty much confirms that both systems will co-exist in the full game. The open classes might be the default in many modes (since it appeals to a broader, perhaps more casual crowd), but the purists out there can find refuge in modes or servers that keep things old-school.
With launch day almost here, we’re all eager to see just how this plays out. Will most players gravitate to the free-for-all weapon flexibility, or will we see packed servers running strict class rules for that authentic Battlefield nostalgia? It’s going to be fascinating to find out. The developers have promised to support both styles, but the real test will be how they balance it and keep both sets of players happy over time. There’s also the question of progression and unlocks: will unlocking a new sniper rifle feel less special if any class can use it? Or will it feel more awesome because you can take that rifle into any scenario? These are the little things we’ll only truly grasp once we sink our teeth into the full game.
In the meantime, there’s more to look forward to beyond multiplayer mayhem. Word on the street is that we might get a peek at Battlefield 6’s single-player campaign at Tokyo Game Show later this month. The devs have been pretty mum about the campaign so far, so a reveal at TGS would be a proper treat for those who enjoy Battlefield’s story modes. Maybe we’ll see how the class system (open or locked) factors into single-player, or maybe they’ll surprise us with something entirely different there. Either way, keep your eyes peeled on TGS news if you’re curious about BF6’s solo experience.
Finally, let’s talk launch. Battlefield 6 is set to drop on October 10 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Mark your calendars, book your days off, stock up on snacks and caffeine – the usual drill for a proper gamer ready for battle. Whether you plan to jump into all-out warfare with an LMG-wielding medic, or meticulously assemble a classic squad with each class carrying its traditional kit, Battlefield 6 is giving you the choice. It’s all about that freedom to play on your own terms. And hey, while you’re at it, don’t forget to have a bit of fun with it. The beauty of this new approach is that the game can be what you want it to be. So squad up, decide your class (or don’t), and get ready to create some epic Battlefield moments. See you on the front lines – just don’t be alarmed if you spot an engineer sniping from a rooftop or a recon running around with a shotgun. In Battlefield 6, anything could happen, and that’s kind of the point. Game on, and good luck out there (bring home a cheeky win or two)!
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