Battlefield 2042 is doing a lot of new things, many of which were shown off in its newest trailer. Battlefield 2042’s raw gameplay showcased features like the tornado in action, while vehicle drop-ins were also on display. Players saw a Specialist ability in action as well, with Webster’s grappling hook used as a player swung from a rooftop to the top of a crane. However, one of the most interesting moments in the trailer is when the action slows down.
At one point, a group of Battlefield 2042 players get into an elevator, with the intense music stopping as the players huddle up inside the lift. While the silence and sniffles are a fun callback to the older games, it is what the player is seen doing in the elevator that has gotten fans talking. Viewers see the character pulling out their weapon and beginning to adjust their attachments in real time. This is huge for Battlefield fans, as this Weapon Plus system could make combat feel more engaging than ever before.
What Is Battlefield 2042’s Weapon Plus System?
Essentially, Battlefield 2042’s attachment system works like the one from the Crysis series. Rather than being required to customize weapons from a menu screen when dead or before the match, players will be able to do it live in-game. To do this, all they need to do is press a button to have their character pull out their gun. Once done, a series of attachments will appear on the player’s HUD. Gamers can then scroll through them, selecting which ones they want before closing the menu.
When the HUD is up, the attachments are displayed in the shape of a plus, explaining the name that DICE has assigned to the mechanic. Four areas are able to be customized on the assault rifle the player is using in the trailer, though it is unclear if different attachment types will be used for different weapons. Regardless, Battlefield fans can at least expect the following attachment types to be changeable in-game.
- Reticle: When the Plus menu is pulled up in the trailer, players can see three reticles at the top of the screen. These include iron sights, a holo sight, and a red dot sight.
- Grip: Two different foregrips are seen on the Plus menu, with the first being smaller and the other being larger. Similar to Call of Duty’s gunsmith, these likely have positive and negative boosts attached.
- Muzzle: On the left side of the screen, players can see two options for their gun muzzle. The first seems to be a Muzzle Brake, while the second is a suppressor. Assuming that it keeps players off radars, being to take this attachment on and off at any time is a huge benefit.
- Magazine: Finally, there are three magazine options on the right side of the screen. The images seem to depict a fast mag, extended mag, and drum mag, all of which would have some huge effects on just how often gamers are reloading.
In total, there are ten different attachments on the players Plus System wheel. This could indicate that gamers can choose the ten attachments they want to bring with them into battle, though this is purely speculation. Right now, all players know is that the system lets them spawn in with several attachments alongside their Specialist gear, ensuring that Battlefield players are more equipped than ever before. In Battlefield 2042, players are not stuck with the gun build they have on their loadouts, something that should add a lot more versatility to each weapon.
Why Battlefield 2042’s Weapon Plus System Is A Game Changer
Much like Battlefield 2042’s destruction changes and large player count, the Weapon Plus system is a big step forward for the franchise. In previous games, players were stuck with what they spawned in with. Given how much goes on in a Battlefield match and how much things can change on the fly, as well as how long one life can last in the game, being so limited when it comes to weaponry was a massive downside. In Battlefield 2042, though, those limitations are finally being stripped away.
For fans of sniping in Battlefield, being able to change reticles is huge. Normally, players need to decide if they want to snipe at mid-range or long range, as they can only choose one sight for their rifle. Now they can be equipped for both scenarios, limited only by their mastery of bullet drop. This flexibility extends to other attachments as well, as bipods can be pulled out when in a long-range scenario. Likewise, smaller mags can be added on for mid-range fights where quick reloads are important. With even iron sights able to be switched to for close range encounters, Battlefield fans have more options at their fingertips than ever before.
Another huge advantage of Weapon Plus is that it does not slow the game down. Players can customize their guns at any time, giving them the freedom to do so during lulls in a battle. The way the menu is designed is helpful as well, as it does not take players to a separate screen. Instead, they can keep an eye on the action, looking out for changes in Battlefield’s weather or enemies popping out from around a corner. With players not needing to worry about menus, they can stay in the action at all times, customizing their guns as they ride on a vehicle or run to the next objective.
While this is all great, DICE will need to avoid running into a major balancing problem with Battlefield 2042. While attachments like reticles and magazines would hardly be considered game-breaking, being able to switch to a grenade launcher whenever an enemy vehicle appears could be. As such, DICE will need to make sure that there are systems in place that stop the Plus system from being overpowered. Whether that be a cooldown system for attachment changes or barring certain attachments from being changed, any kind of limitations would stop any worries fans have about overpowered setups.
Overall, though, Weapon Plus is a big deal for those that love infantry in Battlefield. Switching between attachments in all of Battlefield 2042’s game modes should be a breeze because of this system, and being able to adjust for close and long range fights is going to be important due to the sheer size of the game’s maps. While a reflex sight may be great for a fight taking place in a building’s interior, an ACOG sight would be better for outdoors battles. Now, players can have both attachments on them at all times, switching between them whenever they feel the need to do so. With the Plus system rewarding smart decision making with attachment selection, a whole new level of strategy has been added to the gameplay.
Battlefield 2042 launches October 22 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.