Battlefield 6 Season 2 has finally arrived, and after some time with its early offerings—now and at an earlier playtest—it’s a clear improvement on its predecessor. It’s a subtly strong step forward, especially with Contaminated, Season 2’s first map, and the return of the AH-6 Littlebird helicopter. The best new addition to Battlefield 6, however, is the VL-7 Strike limited-time mode, and it’s so good that it may be worth it for DICE to consider making it a permanent inclusion.
The VL-7 Strike mode is the first of three new modes coming in the season, and as fun as it is, it isn’t a total game-changer in a vacuum. But, as an extension of Season 2’s thematic cohesion, the fun found in the gameplay changes there represents a meaningful shift that DICE should take note of. Battlefield 6 Season 2 is the first update to the game that feels truly comprehensive, and it’d be a shame to toss it when all is said and done.
Why Some CoD Players Struggled with Battlefield 6
Call of Duty instincts don’t carry over to Battlefield 6 well, and the beta revealed just how unforgiving the shift between the two shooters can feel.
Battlefield 6 Season 2’s New Mechanics Explained
For context, Battlefield 6 Season 2 is built around three separate phases of content, just as the previous season was. The key difference between the two is that Season 2’s phases are all connected, with maps and modes that cater to unique gameplay mechanics and intentionally work well when combined. Contaminated and VL-7 Strike are the first links in that chain, with the pair introducing VL-7 hallucinogenic gas clouds across various objective zones across the map.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
In practice, what that means is that during modes like Conquest or Escalation on Contaminated, players must use masks and manage their filters carefully, as running out will leave them exposed to VL-7’s disorienting effects. Beyond the blinding, intimidating orange cloud, exposure to VL-7 causes players to see phantom enemies and even mistake friendlies for foes. It’s a system that does quite a bit to change the flow of matches in interesting ways, and it’s made all the better by the season’s new equipment and weaponry, too.
Gas and Night-Vision Reshape the Battlefield
Battlefield 6 Season 2’s first map and mode are a perfect match, and the hands-on preview proved it even before release; the mid-map tunnel on Contaminated, for example, would always turn into an exhilarating firefight when filled with gas. Even with a gas mask on, the orange haze meant discerning an enemy from an ally was harder, and dodging the concealed claymore mine or machine gun placement was even harder still. It’s a good kind of challenge, though, one that makes one wonder why it’s restricted to one map, or possibly leaving at all, come Season 3.
DICE promises to expand on this system with Season 2’s second and third phases. The second will add Hagental Base, an underground companion map reminiscent of Operation Metro by the looks of it, and Nightfall, another limited-time mode that encourages players to use flashlights or night vision goggles to hunt or be hunted in the dark. The premise of Nightfall is similarly interesting to the degree that, again, it’s too good an idea to end up on a shelf.
Mechanics That Go Better Together
DICE seems to understand that, at least in part, because the third phase of Battlefield 6 Season 2 promises the synthesis of these two great gameplay designs with Operation Augur, the final limited-time offering of the season. It heralds the return of Operations from Battlefield 1, a mode that consists of two or three maps in a row, a grander version of Breakthrough. Operation Auger will allow players to experience VL-7 Strike on Contaminated and Nightfall on Hagental Base sequentially, and it’s the final piece of the puzzle that displays exactly why Season 2 feels so much more complete than its predecessor.
A Solid Start For Committed Seasonal Identity
A seasonal theme or tie like this isn’t a new concept in the genre, but it’s a step in the right direction for Battlefield 6, as Season 1 was much more disjointed. The gameplay additions bespoke to these maps and modes reflect a much more committed approach to seasonal identity, but the quality on display actually begs for different questions. Why must mechanics like these exist in a vacuum? Why do they eventually have to ride off into the sunset?
Ultimately, the fun to be had with this concept means the classification of Battlefield 6 Season 2’s best ideas as limited-time offerings is worrisome. It seems that when Season 3 rolls around, the maps and modes will no longer go hand in hand, if they even continue to exist at all. There are still plenty of unknowns, and something will (hopefully) replace it when the time comes, but wasting this opportunity would be a mistake, because it’s a home run.
DICE Shouldn’t Waste a Winning Formula
Nobody yet knows what will happen after the season, but for now, it’s worth reiterating that VL-7 Strike is a meaningful addition to Battlefield 6. As the intended compliment to Contaminated as a map, it flows very well. Even beyond interesting new weapons like the VCR-2 assault rifle and vehicles like the AH-6 Littlebird, VL-7 Strike represents some of the best Battlefield content to date.
Should Season 2 continue to be great through Nightfall and Operation Auger, one can only hope that DICE takes note, because if these offerings don’t end up permanent, these kinds of cohesive seasonal gameplay expansions should—at the very least—continue. What’s already there is too interesting to underutilize, and it’s a great way to potentially bring players back if DICE can maintain this level of quality. Season 2 could be the blueprint, and if it ends up that way, Battlefield 6 would be all the better for it.
- Released
-
October 10, 2025
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, In-App Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
-
Battlefield Studios
