Battlefield 2042 Gets First New Update of 2025 With Big Changes

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2025 marks the first update release for Battlefield 2042 from Electronic Arts and DICE. With their focus shifting towards the upcoming Battlefield game, tentatively named Battlefield 6, DICE has been gradually reducing support for BF2042 in recent months. Though Battlefield 6 might be launched as early as this year, DICE is ensuring that Battlefield 2042’s support doesn’t get abandoned entirely just yet.

Currently, you can download the latest update, version 8.4.0 for Battlefield 2042, on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms. This update introduces two iconic vehicles from previous Battlefield games – the M3A3 Bradley and the BMP-2 – into Battlefield 2042. Furthermore, a new game mode called Frontlines Unlocked has been added, with an Unlocked version of Conquest set to go live next week. Lastly, this update includes numerous bug fixes and adjustments for weapons, vehicles, and gameplay mechanics in Battlefield 2042.

To see all changes made in the latest update for Battlefield 2042, the detailed patch notes are available just beneath.

Battlefield 2042 Update 8.4.0 Patch Notes

Changelog

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Battlefield 2042 IFV’s – M3A3 Bradley & BMP-2

Note from the Developer: The updates made to the Bradley and BMP-2 tanks will impact the fresh entries in Battlefield 2042’s lineup, but these changes won’t be applied to the tank variations available in Portal.

  • Added a new slot for both vehicles to open up the possibility to mix and match different loadouts.
  • Added visual effects for systemic damage on the IFVs.
  • Improved visibility of driver first-person views when second seat gunner rotates.
  • Both vehicles are now using a 4 seat configuration down from 6, in order to better fit in the category they are set in.
  • IFVs armor-piercing shell now penetrates the dozer shield.
  • The primary cannon of the IFV’s velocity increased by 10%.
  • Increased damage of armor-piercing shell vs Soldier body.
  • Various abilities have been moved between slots to allow for specific vehicle builds.
  • Added active protection system for both IFVs.
  • Added thermal weapons for passengers of the IFVs.
  • Added coax weapon and mesh for the Bradley. 
  • Additional abilities and weapons:
    • Shared loadout
      • Primary: 25mm cannon
      • Secondary weapons:
        • New to Bradley: Coax machine gun, Guided missile, APFSDS-T Sabot Shells
        • TOW
      • Gunner:
        • New: HMG with Thermal scope.
        • HMG
      • Equipment slot 1:
        • Thermal Smoke Package
        • Active Armor
        • Improved warhead
      • Equipment slot 2:
        • New: Repair System 
        • New Active Protection System
      • Equipment slot 3:
        • New: Stealth Package
        • Quick reload – see balance changes below
        • Maintenance – see balance changes below
        • Proximity scan – tweaked version of previously electronic warfare package.
  • Ability changes:
    • Improved warhead
      • Now deals 25% more damage on impact and blast damage.
        Developer comment: Previously was only on impact. This is to double down on the glass cannon build when configured with this ability.
      • Vehicle armor is now compromised when using this ability and will take more damage than usual. 
        Developer comment: This also supplements the glass cannon build.
      • All weapons on the vehicle now benefit from this ability, not just primary weapons.
    • Stealth Package
      • New: Now hides the vehicle from most spotting attempts. 
      • New: Hides the vehicle from thermal optics.
      • Lock on weapons take longer to lock on to the vehicle – same functionality players know from Thermal Camo in Portal.
    • Maintenance
      • Shortens the time it takes for the natural health regen to kick in, it repairs the vehicle at a higher rate and it also applies on each systemic damage of vehicle so broken system will be back online quicker.
    • Quick Reload Package
      • It now applies on all vehicle weapons (previously only applied on primary weapons), weapons such as the COAX that do not use a reload or replenish will instead have a longer up time before reaching overheat threshold.
    • Active Armor
      • It applies on both vehicle armor and each system, requiring all vehicle systems to take additional damage before breaking.
    • Guided Missile
      • Added the possibility to fire and lock on after in order to open up opportunities for new gameplay moments. 
        Developer comments: We will monitor this change and evaluate its impact going forward.
  • Increased impact damage of primary cannon from 32 to 48
  • Improved mobility on both IFV’s, it should now be easier to move from stand still position and turning at various speeds.
  • Added new minimap and in world icon for the IFVs.
  • Guided missiles fired by the IFV will  no longer lock on air vehicles, unless a teammate designates the air vehicle.
  • Proximity scan now has a 20m radius and functions for both infantry and explosives.
  • Improved zoom view on the IFV to be compatible with other Battlefield 2042 vehicles.
  • IFVs now use the same material and damage model as other vehicles of the same type.
  • The M3A3 Bradley now has zoom on the port weapons.
  • Fixed an issue that shots with steep angles wouldn’t deal consistent damage.
  • Added new UI elements for the guided missile of the IFVs to support their behavior and readability.
  • Added new impact hit audio elements depending on which ability is equipped for the IFVs to help readability.
    • For example, when using Improved Warhead, your vehicle has less armor than usual, therefore damage sounds will be more noticeable.
  • Missile arm activates when using both tow or guided missiles.
  • Improved flying characteristics of tow and guided missiles on IFVs.
  • Added new icons for passive abilities.
  • Added landing boosters for the IFVs when called in via the call-ins menu.
  • Added BMP-2 and Bradley to the end of round screen.
  • Added a vignette for the port weapons for a better presentation of the seat that is occupied.
  • New mesh for the Active Protection System to fit the new colors of the vehicle.
  • Removed smoke from the IFV and replaced it with thermal smoke ability.
  • Disabled neutral steering for IFVs, stopping them from moving forward when steering.
  • IFVs primary ammo increased from 6 to 8.
  • Primary cannon and Armor Piercing shells no longer use the same ammo pool like the Portal variant. Instead, they work as primary and secondary weapons, separately.
  • Increased base impact damage of primary cannon from 32 to 48.
  • Health regen on IFVs have been updated to be identical with other vehicles of the same class on 2042 AOW.

Vehicles

  • Added insertion cinematic for the Pondhawk.
  • Fixed an issue where the 9k22 Tunguska laser designation UI would overlap.
  • Fixed an issue where certain vehicle hints would remain on screen when they should not.
  • Improvement to suspension and other driving simulations to help lessen the frequency of getting stuck to other objects in the world.
  • Fixed an issue where vehicle hints would show up as unassigned under certain circumstances.
  • Half track wheel on Portal is now included as systemic damage.

Helicopters

  • Fixed an issue where AI soldiers did not use Repair System abilities when deploying on the UH-60 Helicopter.
  • Stealth Helicopters suppressed gunner weapon no longer spots the vehicle.
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Characters & Gadgets

  • Fixed an issue where custom colors selections (enemy, team, quad, and self-color options) did not apply on icons and gadget lights.
  • Added persistence logic to the M67 Grenade (BF3)
  • Fixed an issue where the Spawn Beacon color would not update after changing squad correctly.
  • Fixed an issue with SRAW not getting resupplied when revived by Irish.

Progression

  • Vehicle Disabled XP now tells you which part of the vehicle was disabled.

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2025-01-21 20:42