Battlefield’s Commander Was Ahead of Its Time, and BF6 Should Prove It

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home December 28, 2024 3 Views 6 Min Read
Battlefield’s Commander Was Ahead of Its Time, and BF6 Should Prove It

Each Battlefield entry has tried to add at least one major new feature to the series, often to mixed success. Battlefield 2142 took players into the future, Battlefield: Bad Company introduced realistic environmental destruction, Battlefield 4 doubled down on that with its Levolution system, Battlefield 1 added Operations mode, and Battlefield 2042 added Specialists.

These new features have often been a good way to refresh a familiar formula, but they can sometimes change that formula a bit too much. After Battlefield 2042‘s identity-altering changes, many fans want Battlefield 6 to feel like a return to basics. But that doesn’t mean it should completely forget some of the franchise’s best additions over the years, and there’s one past Battlefield mechanic that deserves a revival.

Battlefield 6 Prop Hunt Mode

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Battlefield 6 Should Bring Back The Series’ Commander Mechanic With Modern Tweaks

Battlefield’s Commander Mechanic Explained

2005’s Battlefield 2 was the first entry in the franchise to include the “Commander” mechanic. In this first iteration, one player on each team would take on the role of Commander. As a Commander, players could access a unique overhead map, issue specific orders to teammates, deploy powerful Commander Assets like artillery strikes, and start voice chats with squad leaders to better direct them in battle.

To become a Commander, players would need to apply for the position at the start of the match. The player with the highest experience would be picked. Players could also exit the Commander’s overhead map at any time and join the action themselves. The Commander feature returned in Battlefield 2142, where it was virtually unchanged aside from a few Commander Asset changes to reflect the futuristic setting.

The Commander feature then disappeared for seven years, before finally returning in 2013’s Battlefield 4. Battlefield 4‘s Commander mechanic carried forward many of the same gameplay features as its previous iterations, though players who took on the role of Commander were no longer able to participate in the battle themselves. Another major change in Battlefield 4‘s Commander mode was that players could use a mobile companion app to control the game, using touch-screen controls to issue orders and deploy Assets.

How Battlefield 6 Could Revive Commander Mode

Generally speaking, Battlefield‘s Commander mechanic was a nice inclusion, offering experienced players a brief change of pace that still felt impactful. It would be nice to see this Commander mechanic return in Battlefield 6, though it might need a few tweaks to feel properly rewarding.

The most important change Battlefield 6‘s Commander mechanic would need to make is to allow players to participate in the battle themselves rather than view the action via an overhead map, similar to Battlefield 2 and 2142‘s version of the mechanic. This is where a new mobile companion app could come into play, letting Commanders quickly issue orders and deploy powerful Assets via a tablet or phone, then get back into the action straight away on the TV screen or monitor.

Some improved incentives would also be nice to see if Battlefield 6 resurrected the series’ Commander mechanic. For instance, players could be encouraged to take on the demanding leadership role if it offered exclusive cosmetic rewards such as a unique skin, dog tag, or emblem. Similarly, Commanders could be given an in-game bonus, such as increased health, thus giving them a slight advantage and encouraging them to continue being an efficient leader.

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