SinceBattlefield 6’s multiplayer was unveiled, I haven’t been able to stop thinking of it. I simply cannot wait to try the beta in a few days’ time, eagerly refreshing the PlayStation Store so I can get theBF6open beta clientdownloaded and hop on early access the second it goes live. Until that time, I’ve been half-heartedly playing games likeBlack Ops 6while watching footage and impressions of the FPS release I’m most looking forward to. And in that time, I’ve seen plenty of discussion about the Recon specialization Killshot. Though traits like Recon users automatically spotting foes that are being aimed at are useful, they’re not game-changing, making Killshot stand out.
As Recon players accumulate XP through aBattlefield 6match, they will level up their chosen specialization, with Recon’s Sniper path eventually granting the ability to make headshots with bolt action rifles. This immediately sparked discussion on social media and the mainBattlefieldsubreddit, as some players were for the addition while others were against it. Those in favor feel that it rewards skill, and appreciate that it will prevent sniper nests where a dedicated medic just revives any sniper that is eliminated. Those against the addition point to how hard it was to balance in games like Vassili, while medics are concerned that there will be far less revives on the table because of this trait. Me, though? I think it’s an excellent addition, and that it should be accompanied by another way to permanently eliminate enemies.
Battlefield 6’s Killshot is Fine as Is, But Can Inspire Something Else
While I have fun with all ofBattlefield’s classes, Recon has always been the most enjoyable for me. I have fond memories of getting home from school, hopping right onBattlefield 3, and mastering bullet drop to take out targets while my friends worked on clearing M-COM stations. I loved using a SOFLAM to help their rockets wipe out vehicles, and spotting enemies around a map likeOperation Firestormwas surprisingly satisfying. Placing a sneaky Radio Beacon to spawn in allies before wreaking havoc with an M1911 was a regular part of my gameplay loop, but above all else, there was sniping. Few shooters do it better thanBattlefield, as long-distance sniper kills feel satisfying because of how hard they are to pull off. With the aforementioned bullet drop to consider, and sniper glare giving up one’s location, consistent headshots are no easy feat - which is exactly why I love the idea of Killshot.
To be clear, I’m not someone who values immersion above all else. Yes,Battlefield’s realistic gun animations, destruction, graphics, sounds, and so on are a key part of its identity, but so is fun gameplay. If I wanted a fully immersive experience, I’d play agame likeArma. Instead, I’d sayBattlefieldis better off doing what it has always done - deliver fun gameplay with a realistic coat of paint. I don’t want the gameplay to slow to a snail’s pace or become tedious by implementing things like wind impacting gunfire, nor do I want Killshot to apply to every weapon in the game like some have suggested. Sure, all headshots being fatal would be more realistic, but it would make medics nearly pointless. Instead, fatal headshots being limited to bolt action rifles is the perfect balance, as it adds an extra incentive for playing Recon without ruining the fun for another class. However, with all that said, I do think there could be some more instances of permadeath inBF6.
Battlefield 6’s other Recon specializationis Pathfinder, which silences players’ footsteps when crouch sprinting, allows them to ignore motion sensors, and makes melee executions silent. Recons can also call in a UAV as their active trait and can reload bolt action rifles faster/hold their breath for longer.
Battlefield 6 Should Make Explosions Lethal, Too
Though immersion may just be part of theBattlefieldequation in my eyes, I’d be lying if it didn’t bother me a little seeing some of the things players have survived in theBattlefield 6beta. For instance, it won’t take long to see footage of a tank or ground vehicle exploding and some undamaged bodies just flopping to the floor, sitting still for a second before reaching up for a revive as if they had just taken a few shots to the body. If bolt action headshots are fatal, and being crushed under a building removes the revive option like in otherBattlefieldgames, so too should being blown up while stuck inside a metal death trap.
Realistically, there is a case to be made for all explosive damage being fatal, from grenades to launchers. A bit of gore could also help with immersion, as it’s hard to accept a character’s limbs being left fully intact when they’re caught near a massive explosion that took down a building. It would also help medics quickly identify who can and cannot be revived just by looking at the corpse in front of them. Obviously, withBattlefieldlacking gorein all its older titles, it’s hard to imagineBF6adding it now - but it would bring a bit more realism to what already looks to be an immersive game. With or without gore, though, I’d appreciate a bit more consistency with what characters can and cannot come back from, as bolt action headshots should be just as fatal as being stuck dead center in an explosion. It won’t break the game for me by any means, but it’d be another nice touch that I appreciate.
