Characters & Roles

Introduction

Battlefield 1 offers a variety of playable roles spanning its multiplayer classes, vehicle roles, elite kits, and single‑player protagonists. This guide covers every major playable unit—from the four core classes to the special pickups and campaign heroes—detailing their backgrounds, strengths, weaknesses, playstyles, unlock conditions, recommended equipment, and team synergy.

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1. Core Multiplayer Classes

#### 1.1 Assault

Background: Frontline infantry specialized in anti‑vehicle combat and close‑quarters assault. Equipped with shotguns, SMGs, and explosive gadgets.

Strengths: Highest close‑range damage; can destroy vehicles (tanks, armored cars) with Anti‑Tank Grenades and Dynamite; also carries a Rocket Gun or AT Grenade.

Weaknesses: Limited effectiveness at long range; low health compared to other classes; no healing or ammo capabilities.

Playstyle: Aggressive flanker, ambush tanks, clear buildings. Use SMGs for mobility or shotguns for one‑shot kills. Stick to cover and close the distance.

Unlock Conditions: Unlocked by default. Weapons unlock via class progression (e.g., MP 18, Model 10‑A, Automatico).

Recommended Equipment:

Team Synergy: Works well with Support (ammo resupply for explosives) and Medic (heals after close engagements). Captures flags quickly.

Background: Combat medic with ability to heal and revive squadmates. Uses self‑loading rifles and a syringe for revives. Carries medical pouches/crates.

Strengths: Revives downed teammates (including non‑squad) instantly; heals ally health; effective at medium range with semi‑auto rifles.

Weaknesses: Weak at long range (low damage per shot), vulnerable up close; no anti‑vehicle capability; must be near teammates to be effective.

Playstyle: Stay behind the front line, prioritize revives and heals. Use cover and peek‑shoot with SLRs. Always push with squad.

Unlock Conditions: Unlocked by default. Class progression unlocks weapons like Selbstlader 1916, Mondragón, etc.

Recommended Equipment:

Team Synergy: Vital for pushing objectives. Supports all classes. Works with Support for ammo to replenish smoke grenades.

Background: Machine gunner and resupply specialist. Provides covering fire and ammo crates. Uses light machine guns (LMGs) and mortars/limpet charges.

Strengths: Sustained fire suppression; resupplies ammo and gadgets to teammates; bipod allows steady aimed fire; can deploy mortars for area denial.

Weaknesses: Slow movement with LMGs; long reloads; vulnerable when bipod not deployed; limited anti‑vehicle (only limpet charge or repair tool).

Playstyle: Set up bipod in defensive positions, suppress enemies, resupply teammates. Use mortars to clear objectives. Repair friendly vehicles.

Unlock Conditions: Unlocked by default. Class progression for LMGs (e.g., BAR, Lewis Gun, MG15).

Recommended Equipment:

Team Synergy: Squad anchor; resupplies Assault's explosives and Medic's pouches. Works with Scout to provide covering fire.

Background: Recon and sniper. Uses bolt‑action rifles, flare guns, and spotting periscopes. Can spot enemies with flares and periscope.

Strengths: Long‑range precision kills; flares reveal enemy positions on minimap; periscope spots without being seen; can use K‑bullets to damage vehicles or destroy equipment.

Weaknesses: Very weak at close range; slow rate of fire; no healing or ammo; requires good aim; often camp far from objective.

Playstyle: Find elevated or flanking positions, spot enemies, take long‑range shots. Use flares to highlight objectives. Switch to Carbine variants for closer engagements.

Unlock Conditions: Unlocked by default. Class progression for rifles like Gewehr 98, SMLE, etc.

Recommended Equipment:

Team Synergy: Provides intel to team. Combine with Support for ammo to spam flares. Medic can heal if sniped.

2. Vehicle Roles

Background: Driver of tanks (Landship, Heavy Tank, Light Tank, etc.) and armored cars.

Strengths: Armor and heavy firepower; can direct main cannon and machine guns; can pop smoke to disengage.

Weaknesses: Slow, vulnerable to Assault attacks; limited visibility; can be disabled; must expose oneself to repair from outside.

Playstyle: Support infantry pushes, avoid being flanked, use cannon on infantry and buildings. Repair when safe.

Unlock: Must spawn into a tank from the spawn screen.

Recommended Equipment: Vehicle variants determine loadout; no custom primary/gadgets. Use repair tool if you exit (optional).

Team Synergy: Coordinate with Assault to clear enemy tanks; Support can repair vehicles.

Background: Aircraft operator (fighter, attack plane, bomber, etc.).

Strengths: Air superiority, ground attack; ability to spot ground targets; high speed.

Weaknesses: Fragile, can be targeted by AA guns and enemy planes; must land to repair.

Playstyle: Dogfight or strafe ground targets; use altitude and speed to evade.

Unlock: Spawn into aircraft.

Team Synergy: Spot for ground troops, destroy enemy vehicles; Support can repair landed planes.

Background: Cavalry soldier riding a horse. Carries a saber, a carbine, and self‑health packs.

Strengths: High mobility; self‑heal; saber one‑hit kill from horse; carbine for ranged engagements.

Weaknesses: Horse is loud; vulnerable to small arms; can be dismounted; limited anti‑vehicle.

Playstyle: Flank, charge objectives at speed, use hit‑and‑run tactics. Heal after skirmishes.

Unlock: Spawn as Cavalry from spawn screen (limited per team).

Team Synergy: Works with Scout for spotting, Medic for heals when dismounted.

3. Elite Kits (Special Pickups)

Background: Equipped with a flamethrower, gas mask, and gas grenades.

Strengths: Devastating close‑range area damage; clears bunkers; immune to gas.

Weaknesses: Short range; slow; loud; vulnerable to long‑range fire; no secondary weapon.

Playstyle: Push into tight spaces (trenches, buildings), burn enemies. Use gas grenades to block sight lines.

Unlock: Pickup on maps like Monte Grappa, Amiens.

Team Synergy: Support resupplies ammo; Medic follows to heal.

Background: Heavy machine gunner with extra health and a large LMG.

Strengths: High health, high damage, suppression; can hold chokepoints.

Weaknesses: Slow, loud; head is exposed; poor mobility.

Playstyle: Set up at key corridors, provide covering fire for advancing teammates.

Unlock: Pickup on maps like Sinai Desert, Suez.

Team Synergy: Support resupplies ammo; Medic heals.

Background: Equipped with a powerful bolt‑action anti‑tank rifle (e.g., M1903 Springfield) and a spotting scope.

Strengths: Can destroy tanks in few shots; also effective against infantry (one‑shot kill); good range.

Weaknesses: Slow bolt action; low ammo; no automatic weapon; vulnerable at close range.

Playstyle: Stay at a distance, prioritize vehicles; use scope to spot targets. Ammo conservation is key.

Unlock: Pickup on maps like St. Quentin Scar, Ballroom Blitz.

Team Synergy: Support resupplies precious anti‑tank rounds.

Background: Melee‑focused elite with a one‑hit‑kill club (mace) and a sawed‑off shotgun.

Strengths: One‑hit melee kills; powerful shotgun; fast movement; increased health.

Weaknesses: Short range; vulnerable to explosives; no long‑range capability.

Playstyle: Rush enemy lines, use club for instant kills in close quarters; shotgun for backup.

Unlock: Pickup on maps like Argonne Forest, Fort Vaux.

Team Synergy: Medic can heal; Support resupplies shotgun shells.

4. Single‑Player Protagonists (War Stories)

Play as various unnamed soldiers in a brief prologue that ends with their deaths. Emphasizes the brutality of war.

Background: An American pilot who crashes behind enemy lines in France.

Playstyle: Aerial dogfighting missions with some ground segments. Fast‑paced, uses a plane with fixed weapons.

Background: A Bedouin woman fighting alongside T.E. Lawrence against the Ottoman Empire.

Playstyle: Stealth and open combat; uses explosives, carbine, and melee. Focus on sabotage and guerrilla tactics.

Background: A young African‑American soldier in the 369th Infantry Regiment (Harlem Hellfighters) during the Italian campaign.

Playstyle: Trench warfare with a pistol, rifle, and smoke grenades. Must deliver a message under heavy fire.

Background: A British tank crewman. Experiences tank warfare from inside a Mark V tank.

Playstyle: Inside the tank (controlling cannon and machine guns) and on foot segments. Team‑oriented, heavy focus on vehicle combat.

Background: An Italian Arditi assault soldier fighting on the Alpine front.

Playstyle: Aggressive close‑quarters combat with a mountain gun (cannon), daggers, and grenades. High mobility.

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5. Summary Table

Role	Type	Main Strength	Main Weakness	Unlock Condition
Assault	Class	Anti‑vehicle & close‑range damage	Long‑range inaccuracy	Default, weapon progression
Medic	Class	Healing & revives	Low close‑range survivability	Default, weapon progression
Support	Class	Suppression & ammo supply	Slow mobility	Default, weapon progression
Scout	Class	Long‑range kills & spotting	Weak up close	Default, weapon progression
Tanker	Vehicle	Heavy armor & firepower	Vulnerable to Assault players	Spawn into tank
Pilot	Vehicle	Air superiority & ground attack	Fragile, needs landing to repair	Spawn into aircraft
Cavalry	Vehicle	High mobility & self‑heal	Loud, can be dismounted	Spawn as Cavalry
Flame Trooper	Elite	Close‑range area denial	Short range, slow	Map pickup
Sentry	Elite	High health & suppression	Slow, head exposed	Map pickup
Tank Hunter	Elite	Devastates vehicles	Limited ammo, bolt‑action	Map pickup
Trench Raider	Elite	One‑hit melee	Short range, no long‑range	Map pickup

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6. Team Synergy Quick Tips

Assault + Support: Support resupplies Assault's explosives; Assault clears vehicles for Support to set up.

Medic + Assault: Medic revives Assault after risky charges; Assault protects Medic with close‑range power.

Scout + Support: Scouts spam flares; Support provides ammo to keep flares active.

Elite Kits + Support: Always have a Support following to resupply limited ammo (e.g., Tank Hunter, Flame Trooper).

Cavalry + Scout: Scouts can spot enemy armour for Cavalry to charge and use its speed.

By mastering these roles and their synergies, you can adapt to any situation in Battlefield 1 and contribute effectively to your team's victory.