Battlefield 6 players are already flooding the game’s beta servers, with the game nearly doubling 2042’s beta player count in just its early access phase. Overall, the reception to Battlefield 6 in the lead-up to its beta testing has been largely positive, with the multiplayer event going a long way to building hype for its release. Sure, there are still minor Battlefield 6 controversies to consider and ongoing debates about things like server browsers, but overall, the outlook is largely optimistic. Not only are gamers happy that Battlefield 6 looks like a return to form, but a few of DICE’s planned changes – like giving the radio beacon a new home – have also sparked intrigue.
For those unfamiliar with the concept, the radio beacon or spawn beacon (or soon-to-be deploy beacon) is a gadget that players can place down nearly anywhere on the map, with those in their squad then able to use it as an additional spawn point. Think Call of Duty’s tactical insertions, but on a grander scale, with 4-5 people using them to parachute back into the fight after being eliminated. Since Battlefield 3, the radio becon has been a Recon staple, but that’s changing in Battlefield 6 – though not quite yet. In the next build of the game, the spawn beacon will be tied to the Assault class, but in the early access beta that players are currently enjoying, it’s still attached to Recon. As such, for better or worse, old-school Battlefield fans can have one last hoorah with the classic beacon approach.
While Battlefield 2142 had its own version of the spawn beacon, it was not tied to a class like with the games released since. Instead, it was given to the leader of the squad to help them lead the way for their group.
On Paper, Battlefield 6’s Assault Beacon Makes Perfect Sense
As for why DICE is making this significant adjustment to Battlefield 6’s classes, the developer was quick to point to a very common occurrence with beacons in previous games. Said scenario saw a greedy Recon player using their spawn beacon purely as a way to reach a cheesy sniper spot, placing it out of reach of enemies so it cannot be destroyed – effectively creating a permanent sniper nest out of a power point on the map. This essentially made the spawn beacon useless to the rest of the squad, which was frustrating since when it was used correctly, it could completely change the flow of a fight and help win a battle.
Battlefield 6’s Assault class was also in desperate need of something to make them worth picking. While they are meant to be leading the fight and pushing in first, there has been a concern that they would not be able to effectively do so without any special gimmick. The other classes all had means to advance, whether it be Engineers and their launchers to clear ground vehicles, Supports and their defibrillators to keep the push moving, and previously, Recon’s spawn beacon. By moving the beacon to the class that is supposed to be leading the push, DICE has both eliminated the problem of snipers using beacons selfishly while also helping the Assault class fulfill its purpose. In theory, this should be an improvement across the board.
That said, there are a few things to consider. First and foremost is that the Battlefield community tends to react negatively to change of any kind. While this is understandable to an extent given how far Battlefield 2042 strayed from the series’ identity, Battlefield 6’s bot controversy and the unnecessary dooming about skins show that DICE will have to deal with exaggerated complaints alongside constructive criticism. So even if the change is a net positive, some old-school fans will hate it purely because it’s different from what they’re used to. Letting players see the old style in action could risk stirring a hornet’s nest if the new approach isn’t a home run.
Additionally, there’s a concern about Recon being the worst class and losing a bit of purpose, as it’s now just sniping and spotting (the former of which is more difficult due to the severe sniper glare in the current build). One of Recon’s Battlefield 6 specialization paths was even geared toward the spawn beacon, as it saw players moving silently when crouched alongside other sneaky abilities – with the obvious goal being to find ways behind enemy lines to place spawn beacons. Now, this specialization path has been renamed to Spec Ops and slightly reworked, but there is a concern that it still doesn’t do enough – meaning Recon may feel like a one-trick pony. Perhaps DICE will give Reconds another exclusive gadget that suits the Spec Ops skillset at some point, but following the loss of spawn beacons, Sniper seems like the only worthwhile endeavor. For players who do want to try Spec Ops, though, its levels are as follows:
- Spec Ops Base Level: Available from the start and allows quieter takedowns, crouch and prone movement.
- Spec Ops Level 1: Spots nearby enemy gadgets (except when sprinting).
- Spec Ops Level 2: Going prone takes you out of combat much faster and removes the spot on self.
- Recon Level 3 provides a UAV that covers a chosen area of the map and auto-spots foes.
Regardless of whether the Battlefield community likes this change, the adjustment has made Battlefield 6 and its beta monumental, as players have just a few more days to experience the Recon and spawn beacon combo that has been an iconic aspect of the series for well over a decade. For those ready to see spawn beacons change hands, a new era is in sight, but any snipers who have found joy in getting into fancy spots via spawn beacons should enjoy doing so while they still can.
Battlefield 6
- Released
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October 10, 2025
- Developer(s)
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Battlefield Studios
- Engine
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Frostbite
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Number of Players
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Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
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Unknown
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