🎯 Battlefield 6 Hands-On Preview: Tactical Destruction, Revamped Classes, and Next-Gen Warfare

Battlefield 6 is finally here — or, at least, close enough to taste. With a full release set for October 10, EA and Battlefield Studios offered press and select players a first chance to go hands-on with the game’s massive multiplayer chaos, new combat systems, and explosive destruction.

I got to jump into the action across four of the nine launch maps, trying out multiple classes, playing both large-scale All-Out Warfare modes and tighter infantry skirmishes, and—of course—destroying more buildings than I could count.

So what’s new? What’s improved? What’s classic Battlefield chaos?

Here’s everything I learned from my boots-on-the-ground experience with Battlefield 6.

🎖️ Return of the Class System — But with a Twist

Battlefield 6 brings back a refined version of the traditional class system, complete with a new mechanic called Training, which acts like subclass specializations. Think of it as a hybrid of Battlefield 3’s Specializations and Battlefield 4’s Field Upgrades, now merged into a dynamic progression mechanic.

Each class earns passive buffs mid-match as you complete objectives, assist teammates, or rack up kills. These buffs culminate in an ultimate-style ability, tailored to your Training. Here’s a breakdown of the four core classes:

🔥 Assault

Equipped with assault rifles and combat stims
Frontliner Training: Faster health regen, extra stimulants, better accuracy while moving
Ideal for aggressive flanking and front-line chaos

🎯 Recon

Sniper rifles, spotting tools, and long-range precision
Sniper Training: Marks targets longer, sniper shots halt healing, headshots deny revives
The choice for lone wolves and overwatch roles

🔧 Engineer

Explosives, repair tools, and anti-vehicle gear
Anti-Armor Training: Extra rockets, disables vehicle repairs
Vital for taking down tanks and defending chokepoints

🛡️ Support

LMGs, deployable cover, and healing tools
Combat Medic Training: Passive healing while reviving, area-of-effect heals
Not just a medic—you're a moving support station

One of the more interesting features is how playlists affect weapon access. Some playlists enforce class-specific weapons (Closed), while others let you mix and match as you please (Open). It’s a clever system that balances competitive and casual play.

💥 Tactical Destruction is Battlefield’s Best Weapon

Destruction has always been a Battlefield staple, but Battlefield 6 dials it up, refines it, and turns it into a strategy.

You can still blow up walls with RPGs and grenades, but now every environmental interaction feels intentional. Smash through doors and windows, hammer holes in walls, or collapse entire floors to trap enemies below.

Creative Director Thomas Andersson described it best: “Destruction is no longer just visual spectacle—it’s a tactical tool.”

That proved true in my sessions. Dropping a building on a squad of defenders never gets old, but my favorite moments came when I used debris as cover, adapting to the battlefield as it evolved in real-time.

This isn't mindless chaos — it's predictable, tactical destruction you can plan around.

🎮 Kinesthetic Combat: Feel Every Fight

The new Kinesthetic Combat System makes every fight feel dynamic and grounded. Instead of simple run-and-gun mechanics, Battlefield 6 now adds layers to how you move, shoot, and survive.

Here’s what stood out:

Peek and Lean: At any corner, you’ll get a prompt to hold R1 to lean and fire around cover. It’s intuitive, fast, and completely changes how close-quarters combat flows.
Combat Drags: Reviving isn’t just holding Square anymore. Now, you can drag fallen teammates out of danger before patching them up—especially useful in tight quarters or open kill zones.
Gun Recoil Feedback: Battlefield 6 “teaches” recoil compensation visually. Your gun will tilt subtly in the direction it's pulling, letting you adjust on the fly—even if you don’t realize you’re learning.
Vehicle Hitching: Can’t fit in a tank? No problem. Grab onto the side and hitch a ride. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and extremely Battlefield.

The result? A more visceral, grounded shooter where every movement counts.

🗺️ The Maps – Big Battles, Small Details

I played on four of the nine maps that will ship with Battlefield 6, and each one showcased the series’ signature scale—along with more detail and complexity than ever before.

Maps are broken into Combat Zones — smaller, designed areas within the larger map where the fighting concentrates. These Combat Zones also serve as the basis for infantry-only modes.

Here’s a breakdown of the four maps I played:

🏔️ Liberation Peak

A towering, vehicle-heavy mountain battlefield. Great for helicopters and tanks, but also for snipers setting up long shots from ruined structures.

🏙️ Siege of Cairo

An urban warzone where buildings are actively crumbling around you. Combat flows from exterior firefights to close indoor brawls. Be ready to adjust constantly.

🏢 Empire State

Set in Brooklyn, this map is infantry-only, throwing players into a maze of alleyways, apartments, and rooftop paths. Perfect for SMGs, shotguns, and ambushes.

🌉 Iberian Offensive

A winding battle through Gibraltar’s old streets. Tight chokepoints, flanking opportunities, and destructible cover make for intense cat-and-mouse gameplay.

Each map offers something different, and Battlefield 6’s Combat Zones ensure that even the most expansive maps have spaces that feel intimate and tightly designed.

🎯 Game Modes – Big Battles and Small Skirmishes

Battlefield 6 splits its multiplayer into the classic large-scale All-Out Warfare modes and several new and returning small-squad modes for tighter gameplay.

Conquest

The traditional Battlefield sandbox. Two massive teams, vehicles galore, and a wide-open map with multiple objectives to capture.

Breakthrough

Attackers push forward sector by sector while defenders dig in. It’s pure chaos, with front lines shifting constantly. Great for team coordination and flanking tactics.

Domination

Fast-paced, infantry-focused mode with three control points. Close-quarters madness. You’ll be respawning a lot.

Squad Deathmatch

Four squads battle it out in small arenas. It’s not just about kills—it’s about coordination. This returning mode from Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is all about knowing your class and playing smart.

The variety is welcome and well-implemented. From 128-player mayhem to squad-based firefights, Battlefield 6 offers a playlist for every mood.

🧪 Try It Yourself – Battlefield 6 Open Beta Dates

You won’t have to wait until October to see what Battlefield 6 is all about. EA is hosting two open beta weekends this month:

📅 August 9–10
📅 August 14–17

The beta will give players access to select classes, maps, and modes. Based on my time with the game, the beta is more than just a stress test — it’s a true showcase of what the final game offers.

🧨 Final Verdict: Battlefield 6 is Big, Brutal, and Brilliant

Battlefield 6 feels like the most confident, ambitious entry the franchise has delivered in a long time. It’s a clear return to form that pulls from Battlefield 3 and 4 while adding enough new systems to feel fresh.

Destruction matters again — not just as spectacle, but as strategy
Classes are meaningful, with real gameplay consequences
Combat is smarter, more physical, and far more immersive

Whether you’re flying jets, dragging a teammate to safety, or bringing down a building with a rocket launcher, Battlefield 6 is full of unforgettable moments.

The wait for October 10 just got a whole lot harder.

📌 Will you be jumping into the Battlefield 6 open beta? Let us know what class you’re choosing first, and how you plan to bring the destruction!