In many ways, Battlefield 6 is a return to form for the franchise. Its setting is properly modern, unlike 2042’s near-future aesthetic, while classes are given more importance than they’ve had in a long time. Destruction shines in Battlefield 6’s beta maps, keeping gameplay frantic and intense at all times. And after 2042 went in a more cartoony direction, Battlefield 6 is back to showing that Frostbite is a graphical powerhouse, with a current-gen only release giving BF6 an edge over Call of Duty. However, as shown by the game’s beta, Battlefield Studios has an ace up its other sleeve that it will be able to play again once its battle royale experience releases.
Alongside all the classic vibes Battlefield 6 has, it also manages to introduce some cool new mechanics to the mix. There’s an immersive roll that players can perform when they land from a high enough ledge, getting them back into the fight quicker while softening damage and looking cool in the process. The quick turn feature allows controller players to have a better chance against their PC-playing counterparts, while Battlefield Portal could be a source of endless content thanks to its use of Godot. Still, what is arguably the game’s best new addition is a twist on the classic revive mechanics, as the addition of dragging adds a unique element to Battlefield 6 that could easily be extended to the Firestorm battle royale mode.
Battlefield 6’s Drag Mechanic Stole The Show in The Beta’s First Weekend
While there were plenty of standout Battlefield 6 moments involving vehicles, shotgun sprees, and flashy sniper plays, it’s the ability to drag and revive allies that arguably stood out the most. In addition to the traditional defibrilator revives, all players are able to drag and revive those in their squad, which makes for a hugely cinematic moment most of the time. Even when players are simply dragging their injured squadmates behind cover, they’re likely to see gunfire coming their way from the person that had downed that ally at the very least. In more extreme situations, there will be explosions from tank rounds and grenades, buildings crumbling nearby, and battle chatter surrounding them as they attempt to get their ally back into the fight. All of this comes together to create more of the “Only in Battlefield” moments the series thrives on.
The camera angle players get while being revived in the Battlefield 6 beta is also a strength of the feature, as they can watch their rescuer’s back and call out what they see, while also taking in the surrounding war.
The drag and revive mechanic is also perfectly balanced in its current state, as it takes a fair bit of time for a non-Support to pick up their teammate. Instead of just being stuck standing still during this window, though, having the freedom to maneuver the body around cover or go prone and revive gives players they opportunity to dodge and avoid attacks while reviving. Sure, attackers can still toss grenades or run at the player as they try to revive, but letting medics “fight back” in a sense through movement gives Battlefield 6’s many players a way to defend themselves. This mechanic is perfectly designed, and what’s even better is that it won’t just be useful in Battlefield 6’s multiplayer.
Battlefield 6’s Drag Revives Could Help Give Firestorm Its Own Identity
After numerous leaks and reports that a Battlefield 6 battle royale mode was in development, Battlefield Studios provided an official teaser for the mode during BF6’s multiplayer reveal event. While brief, it confirmed that the Ripple Effect-developed experience will bring back the encroaching flames from Battlefield 5’s Firestorm battle royale experience, ensuring that any players caught in the storm are burned and that said storm shows off the series’ trademark destruction when it hits structures. While it’s nice to see this unique take on storm mechanics returning, drag and revive could feel even fresher, as the only thing comparable is Fortnite’s ability to pick up downed combatants. When compared to something like Warzone — which will inevitably happen given how the two franchises are already pit against each other —BF6‘s battle royale could stand out due to its cinematic reviving.
It’s easy to imagine a scenario where players are in an intense 4v4 battle during a match of Battlefield 6’s battle royale mode, an ally goes down, and the other two members of the squad provide suppressing fire as the final member of the group drags their friend to safety. Assuming that BF6’s fun ragdoll physics stick around in the battle royale mode, players should also be able to snatch injured teammates out of the air to trigger the revive animation more quickly, allowing for some flashy plays. Knowing that this mechanic is in the game will force players to be more aggressive after downing someone, encouraging a fast-paced battle royale experience at all times. While defibs could certainly be a lootable gadget in battle royale, having the base revive system utilize the drag mechanic is a no-brainer, as it’s been a realistic addition to Battlefield 6 that’s gotten unanimous praise.
