Core Gameplay - Battlefield 1

Core Gameplay Guide for Battlefield 1

Main Gameplay Loop

Battlefield 1’s core loop revolves around large-scale, team-based warfare in a World War I setting. Players join a match (typically 64 players on PC/console), choose a class and weapons, spawn into the battlefield, and fight to complete objectives (e.g., capturing flags in Conquest, advancing in Operations). Actions like killing enemies, reviving teammates, resupplying, healing, and capturing flags earn XP (experience points) and War Bonds (in-game currency). XP progresses your overall rank and class ranks, unlocking new weapons, gadgets, and vehicles. The loop repeats, with each match offering varied tactical scenarios due to dynamic environments and class interplay.

Combat & Interaction Systems

Gunplay: Weapons have distinct recoil patterns, bullet drop, and spread. Aim Down Sights (ADS) improves accuracy. Bayonet charges (hold melee while sprinting) allow one-hit kills. Each class has specific weapon categories (e.g., Assault uses SMGs and shotguns; Scout uses bolt-action rifles). Weapon variants (Optical, Factory, Storm, etc.) alter stats like recoil and hip fire.

Vehicles: Tanks, planes, horses, armored cars, and behemoths (e.g., Zeppelin, Dreadnought) are drivable. Each vehicle has unique controls, weapons, and vulnerabilities. Repairing (support class tool) or destroying vehicles requires teamwork.

Gadgets & Equipment: Each class carries two gadgets (e.g., Medic has syringe for revive and med pouch; Support has ammo crate and mortar). Use gadgets to support squad or deny areas.

Melee: Quick knife attack (one hit from behind) or heavy attack (two hits from front). Bayonet charge is a sprint+melee combo.

Squad System: Up to 4 players in a squad can spawn on each other, share bonuses, and use squad orders (flags/missions). Squad members earn bonus XP for following orders.

Spotting: Press Q (PC) or R1/RB (console) to spot enemies, highlighting them for your team. Spot assists reward XP.

Reviving & Healing: Medics can revive downed teammates (syringe) and heal with pouches or crates. Support can resupply ammo.

Destruction: Environments are mostly destructible (walls, buildings, bunkers) via explosives, artillery, or vehicles. Destruction creates new sightlines and cover.

Progression Systems

Rank: Player rank (1–150) increases with total XP earned. Each rank up grants War Bonds (currency to unlock weapons and gadgets) and sometimes a battlepack (cosmetic skins). Higher ranks require more XP (elite ranks after 100 require millions).

Class Ranks: Each class (Assault, Medic, Support, Scout) has its own rank (1–50). Class XP is earned by playing that class (kills, heals, resupplies, etc.). Rank milestones unlock class-specific weapons, gadgets, and vehicle variants. Example: Medic Rank 3 unlocks the Selbstlader M1916 rifle.

Vehicle Ranks: Separate ranks for tank (Landship, Light Tank, Heavy Tank) and plane (Fighter, Attack Plane, Bomber) categories. XP earned by using vehicles unlocks new vehicle loadouts (e.g., Tank Hunter kit).

Service Assignments: Challenges that require specific tasks (e.g., get 20 kills with a certain weapon). Completing assignments awards unique weapon skins, dog tags, or the elusive Peacekeeper revolver (requires a series of puzzle-like assignments).

Battlepacks & Scrap: Random loot boxes earned after matches or via currency; contain weapon skins, puzzle pieces, or XP boosts. Scrap can be traded for specific cosmetic items.

Exploration

Levolution

Quests & Missions

Single-Player (War Stories): Six distinct campaigns (Prologue + 5 stories: Storm of Steel, Through Mud and Blood, Friends in High Places, Avanti Savoia, The Runner, Nothing is Written). Each is a linear mission with primary objectives, but some allow minor exploration. Completing missions unlocks weapon skins and achievements.

Multiplayer Assignments: Recurring objectives under the Soldier tab. Examples: 'Get 15 kills with the Lewis Gun' or 'Capture 10 flags in Operations'. These are essentially quests that reward XP, War Bonds, or unique items.

Economy

War Bonds: Earned from ranking up (first 50 ranks give 250 bonds each, then 100 each through rank 100, and 30 bonds per rank thereafter). Used to purchase weapons, gadgets, and vehicle variants from the in-game store. Once bought, items are permanent. No real-money purchase for War Bonds – only earned via gameplay.

Scrap: Earned from duplicate battlepack items or low-tier skins. Scrap can craft specific battlepacks or purchase superior versions. No premium currency; all progression is earned.

Premium Pass (Legacy): Previously for map packs, now included in Battlefield 1 Revolution edition. All DLC maps and weapons are accessible if you own the Premium Pass or Revolution edition.

Character & Build Growth

Classes: Choose from four roles:

Assault

Medic

Support

Scout

Specializations: Unlocked via assignments at higher levels (e.g., 'Flak' reduces explosive damage, 'Inconspicuous' hides you from spot flares). Equip up to two perks that modify playstyle.

Weapon Variants: Each weapon has several variants that change handling (e.g., Optical trades hip fire for ADS accuracy; Storm reduces vertical recoil). Players can tailor weapons to their preference.

Vehicle Loadouts: Customize vehicles with secondary weapons, gadgets, and skins (e.g., Light Tank with anti-infantry canister or anti-tank shells).

Core Gameplay by Progression Tiers

Early Game (Ranks 1–30, Class Ranks 1–10)

Focus

What you do: Play Conquest or Operations to earn basic XP. Stick with one class (e.g., Medic) to quickly unlock its first few guns (e.g., Cei-Rigotti for Medic). Use default weapons (e.g., M1907 SL, MP18). You have limited War Bonds (about 2000 after rank 10) – prioritize buying one versatile weapon for your chosen class (e.g., Hellriegel 1915 Factory for Assault).

Tips: Always stick with squad. Spot enemies. Use cover. Don’t snipe from the back – capture flags. Early game vehicles are unlocked at rank 1 (basic tanks and planes). Manage your limited gadgets; only carry one type (e.g., medic crate vs med pouch).

Key Unlocks: Rank 10 unlocks ‘Behemoth’ vehicle access (but you rarely get to drive). Class rank 3 unlocks first new weapon for each class. Service Assignments start appearing – ignore complex ones until mid-game.

Example Build: Assault with MP18 Trench (hip fire focused), anti-tank grenades, and AT Rocket Gun. This combo lets you take out tanks and fight CQB.

Mid Game (Ranks 31–70, Class Ranks 11–30)

Focus

What you do: You have multiple weapons per class (e.g., for Support: Lewis Gun or BAR). Now tackle service assignments for special weapons (e.g., unlocking the M1911 Suppressed). Try different classes – you have enough War Bonds (around 8000 total by rank 50) to buy several weapons and gadgets. Start experimenting with vehicle loadouts (e.g., Fighter plane with rockets vs trench darts).

Tips: Learn to use vehicle skills (e.g., bomb from plane, side-gunning in tank). In Operations, focus on squad orders. Use the ‘spotting flare’ as Scout to reveal enemies. Start saving some War Bonds for elite weapons (e.g., Peacekeeper requires many assignments). Join a platoon for coordinated play.

Key Unlocks: Rank 50 unlocks the ‘M1918 BAR Automatic’ and other powerful guns. Class rank 20 unlocks specialization assignments. Vehicle rank 10 gives new vehicle variants (e.g., Tank Hunter kit for Heavy Tank).

Example Build: Scout with Gewehr 98 Sniper, spot flare, and tripwire bomb. Use flare to highlight enemies for your squad; shoot from distance, then switch to K-bullets to harass enemy tanks.

Late Game (Ranks 71–100, Class Ranks 31–50)

Focus

What you do: Have most weapons unlocked. Now focus on class rank 50 for the final weapon variants (e.g., Selbstlader 1906 Sniper for Medic). Complete the more difficult service assignments (e.g., the Peacekeeper puzzle which requires a series of complex tasks: scanning Morse code in specific maps, shooting dog tags etc.). You may aim for rank 100 which grants a special dog tag and large XP boost.

Tips: Use all four classes regularly to maximize class XP. In combat, prioritize team-play gadgets (e.g., med crates over pouches for efficiency). Use the ‘Spot’ and ‘Revive’ functions aggressively. In vehicle play, learn advanced maneuvers (e.g., tank drifting, plane vertical loops).

Key Unlocks: Rank 100 unlocks the ‘Huot Automatic’ for Support (though it’s not necessarily better). Class rank 50 gives the final weapon variant per class – often the best one for that class (e.g., Hellriegel 1915 Defensive for Assault). Complete ‘The Peacekeeper’ assignment line to get the special revolver.

Example Build: Support with BAR 1918 Telescopic, ammo crate, and limpet charge. Use limpet to destroy vehicles and bunkers; ammo crate to support teammates. Use the BAR for accurate suppressive fire.

Endgame (Rank 100+, Class Rank 50, All Assignments Complete)

Focus

What you do: Max your player rank (150) – it requires millions of XP. Continue playing to maintain skills. Collect all weapon skins, dog tags, and melee weapons. Participate in community events (e.g., double XP weekends). Complete all DLC assignments (e.g., In the Name of the Tsar, Turning Tides). Play as elite classes (e.g., Tank Hunter, Flamethrooper, Sentry) when available on certain maps.

Tips: Squad up with high-level players. Use voice chat for coordination. Master all vehicles – especially behemoths. Exploit map knowledge to an extreme degree (e.g., know exactly which walls are destructible). At this stage, the only progression is cosmetic or bragging rights. Some players pursue the ‘Server Browser’ to find Hardcore mode matches for more challenge.

Key Unlocks: Rank 150 gives a unique dog tag. All weapons and gadgets are unlocked. You might have the Peacekeeper (if you finished the puzzles). All DLC maps and modes are accessible.

Example Build: Any class with top-tier variant and full customization (e.g., Assault with Annihilator Trench, AT grenades, and a specific skin like ‘The Ypres’). Use specializations: Flak (reduce explosive damage) and Quick Unspot (remove spot on kill).

Endgame Structure

Continue playing for higher kill/death ratios and win/loss records.

Join competitive platoons or tournaments (though not official).

Hunt for all collectibles in single-player (Field Manuals, Codex entries).

Grind for the Peacekeeper (a hidden weapon that requires ~5-10 hours of offline/online puzzle solving).

Master every vehicle class and weapon.

Play all game modes: Conquest, Operations, Domination, Rush, Team Deathmatch, War Pigeons, etc.

Use the ‘Custom Game’ browser to join unique community modes (e.g., pistol-only, knife-only).

The game provides no explicit endgame content beyond progression caps; the fun comes from emergent gameplay and mastering the systems.