Battlefield 1 was recently updated to fix balance issues in many of the prime game modes. Including a big change to the Suez Canal map in Conquest. What was more exciting for me was the addition of the first Custom Game Modes. The lonely Custom Game Mode tab that previously was a ‘Coming Soon’ landing page is now filled with options.
The two new game modes, ‘Fog of War’ and ‘Hardcore,’ can best be seen as rule adjustments laid on top of the current game modes. For example, you won’t just be playing Hardcore, it would be Hardcore Rush, Hardcore Conquest and so on. Currently it looks like Fog of War is only available in Team Deathmatch. Without further ado, here is how they work:
Hardcore
If you’re one of the few who isn’t already overwhelmed by the visceral intense action that Battlefield 1 provides, then Hardcore mode is for you. While the individual changes are adjustable based on server settings common changes include:
Removing the Minimap
Removing the Targeting Reticule
Increased Damage
Friendly Fire Enabled
More limited use to Spot Commands
No Post Death Kill Cam
While I am generally a pretty competent Battlefield player, my first Hardcore game involved me getting shot in the head from unseen snipers in windows. Normally, after a death, the game would reveal the location of my killer, allowing me to easily infiltrate their sniper nest and deal with them. Now you really have to be situationally aware as you move through levels, since if you aren’t careful the same sniper can be killing you over and over before you locate them. There is also greater sense of danger around you at all times, as it is harder to root out individual enemies as your team pushes past a point.
I really enjoyed Hardcore and think it is an especially good fit for Rush mode - as a team will have to start to use real tactics of clearing building by building before they know an area is safe from enemy presence.
Fog Of War
Currently, Fog Of War seems only available in Team Deathmatch. Changes include levels shrouded in a thick mist. No indicators for friend or foe, and spot commands clearing after only a few seconds. While I haven’t gotten info from Dice, so far all the Fog Of War matches I played did not allow any primary weapons. That means it’s all pistols, all the time. Most equipment and grenades were also disabled. Even when you shoot someone there is little feedback as to it being a friend or foe, so you’d better learn to quickly identify uniforms if you want succeed in this Mode. It reminded me a little of War Pigeon mode in that, for me, it will serve as a once in awhile oddity for when I burn out on the other game modes.
It will be exciting to see what other Custom Game Modes Dice and EA come up with, and to see if some dominant Hardcore settings emerge as the most popular. Try them out in the next twelve days to also reap the Battlefest Rewards.
