Specializations

Specializations are a game mechanic introduced into the multiplayer of the Battlefield Series that provide benefits to the player, and allow greater customization and tailor-made combat roles. Specializations have their own unlock progression which is done by either the player's overall performance, performance specific to a kit, or performance specific to a vehicle type.

Battlefield 2142

Main article: NetBat Helmet#Specializations

Battlefield 2142 features four Specializations for each Class through the NetBat Helmet. They allow their respective classes to see otherwise hidden HUD elements.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2

There are three tiers of specializations available to players: Primary, Secondary, and Vehicle.

All specializations, excluding weapon altering specializations such as a sight or 12-Gauge slugs, are coupled with the player. This means that if the player acquires a stolen kit in the field, the specializations the player spawned with will still be active.

Vehicle specializations will not be combined if there are multiple people in the same vehicle with different specializations. All active specializations will only apply if the driver/pilot has it equipped. All passive specializations will only affect the player with it equipped. Active specializations are activated with the alternate fire button. If two or more players have the same passive specialization, they will not stack and increase the vehicle's armor, damage, etc. even further.

Specializations also appear in Battlefield: Bad Company 2: Vietnam, though they lack any "high-tech" specializations to fit with the time era, these being the Sniper Spotting Scope, the 4X Rifle Scope and the Red Dot Sight.

Battlefield 3

Specializations are revamped in Battlefield 3. Players can choose from a single Personal Specialization and a variety of Vehicle Specializations.

Weapon accessories are now organized separately by weapon and use their own progression. This leaves behind seven or eight personal specializations.

Squad-level versions of personal specializations available after earning individual versions, applying the benefits to the entire squad. On the HUD squad display, an icon shows which squad specialization a player has chosen, if they are using one. It is possible for each player to choose a different squad specialization for a total of four different effects. Otherwise, specializations do not stack.

Vehicle specializations are increased, and provide secondary weapons or alternate ammunition, use of a gadget or a different optic, and a passive upgrade.

Battlefield 4

Specializations in Battlefield 4 are utilized through the Field Upgrade system from Battlefield 2142. There are over 25 different specializations available for use when choosing from the 11 available Upgrade Paths. Each path holds up to four different specializations that are obtained by progress chained by squad-based team work.

Three of these specializations are initially locked. As the squad completes objectives, or the squad is granted a promotion by the commander, the remaining specializations are unlocked and stack. If everyone in the squad is simultaneously either dead or has not deployed, however, then the squad loses one specialization each time that happens. This system replaces the collaborative system in Battlefield 3 and the potential waste if squadmates selected the same specialization. Upstanding upgrades at the end of rounds will be carried over to consecutive matches on that server.

Vehicle specializations follow the same system as in Battlefield 3, but with optics and gadgets in separate slots, and gunner customization for additional vehicle types.

Battlefield Hardline

Specializations, known as Perks in-game, are featured in Battlefield Hardline. They are utilized through the Reputation system which replaces the Field Upgrade system from Battlefield 4.

Players are awarded the option of choosing from two specializations upon reaching a certain level of threshold in the reputation system. Threshold levels are obtained by completing team actions but unlike the Field Upgrade system, reputation is dependent on the player itself and not their squad. Once a round has ended, the reputation threshold is reset and does not carry over to the next round.

Battlefield 1

Specializations return in Battlefield 1 in a manner similar to past installments, featuring both Class and Vehicle Specializations.

Vehicle

Vehicle specializations function similar to past installments. Like weapons, a variety of preset Vehicle Packages are available, altering their role on the battlefield by providing different weaponry, built-in gadgets, optics, and upgrades. Certain vehicles gain the ability to deploy gadgets as well.

Class

Class Specializations will be reintroduced as part of the In the Name of the Tsar expansion and were added to the Community Test Environment in August 2017. They function similar to Battlefield 3, being active at all times with three specializations able to be active at one time. Players may choose from seven common specializations and two class-specific specializations.

Unlike prior titles, the current specializations do not interact with primary or secondary weapon usage or damage. Only two offer a bonus to defense, and only against explosions. Others affect or are affected by other gameplay features such as spotting and movement. Many of the class-specific specializations change or improve how gadgets are used, while the Support specializations focus on suppression.

When the HUD is active, Class Specializations will also show when they are in effect, glowing yellow when activated by their trigger conditions. Timed specializations will show a timer.