Battlefield 6 Soldiers Have Some Odd Limitations After BF5

The launch of Battlefield 6 has already given fans plenty to explore, but one of the strangest surprises they might find comes in the form of the game’s character cosmetics. Customization options are sparse in ways that feel confusing at best and regressive at worst, the most obvious example being that a soldier’s gender is now tied to specific characters and classes. That seems more like an oversight than an intentional design direction for Battlefield 6, and, frankly, it’s not the only one.

By default, players can no longer have the option to choose the gender of their chosen class’s operator. Players can still unlock male and female-appearing skins on both sides through various gameplay challenges, but they aren’t available at the start, and there is one glaring omission: NATO’s support class, which launched without a male-appearing option. DICE has confirmed one will be added later, but that omission and those default restrictions are representative of the many reasons Battlefield 6‘s customization system feels less impressive than one of its predecessors.

Battlefield 6’s Customization: Specialists, Squads, Omissions, and Restrictions

For context, Battlefield 6‘s campaign and multiplayer experiences are divided between two factions in the lore: NATO and Pax Armata. The multiplayer customization comes in the form of six distinct squads, three for each faction. Each team includes four unique characters for each of the four Battlefield 6 classes.

NATO

• Coyote Squad (US)
• United Albion (UK)
• Desert Locusts (Egypt)

Pax Armata

• Fireteam Vedmak
• Espada
• Kahina Unité

That’s neat from a narrative standpoint, but the obvious downside is that the new options are rigid, and some pretty basic ones are missing entirely. Battlefield 6 improves over Battlefield 5 in many ways, which only makes this downgrade to personalization feel all the more puzzling.

Interestingly enough, Battlefield 5 was the best of the franchise in this regard. Through its version of the loadout system, called The Company, players had a wide range of cosmetic customization options on offer. In fact, none of this new system’s issues would exist if the studio had stuck with Battlefield 5‘s customization.

Battlefield 6’s Confusing Step Back From Battlefield 5

Battlefield V

Battlefield 5‘s loadout system allowed players to personalize soldiers in much more detail, with cosmetics that had rarities running from Common to Legendary. Most importantly, players could select either gender for any class and fine-tune outfits piece by piece. This level of control gave the game a sense of ownership and expression that has now been stripped away.

By comparison, Battlefield 6‘s factions have earnable specific specialists with set voices and backstories, a few player models, and some additional earnable colorways. The new narrative element is admirable in theory, but the feature doesn’t seem like a very confident addition. Subsequently, locking customization into narrower lanes is likewise not exactly a fair trade.

Battlefield 6 Amends One Major Battlefield 5 Sin

To be fair, Battlefield 5 had its issues, too, particularly with that cosmetic rarity system. Players were widely and rightfully critical of that game’s store and loot rarity system, and its absence in Battlefield 6 (for now) should be commended. Few players would choose transparent monetization systems over additional gameplay grinds, even if they are a bit lackluster.

Still, DICE could have had its cake and eaten it, too, by preserving Battlefield 5‘s variety without carrying over the nasty monetization habits. Instead, Battlefield 6 goes too far in the opposite direction, and the resulting system feels no more realistic and far less customizable—not to mention the lack of incentive for players to engage deeply with it.

No Matter The Angle, Battlefield 6’s Customization Changes Don’t Make Much Sense

The new system trades flexibility for narrative flair that doesn’t really make any meaningful impact. DICE intended to create a more realistic and grounded experience; the inclusion of gender appearance options and in-depth uniform customization does not compromise that intention, and the added character bios, tucked away in Battlefield 6‘s unintuitive UI, do not make up for the difference. Instead, it feels like a half-measure that satisfies neither immersion nor expression.

The confusing part of all this is that, if one were to play devil’s advocate, this new system is also questionable from a business perspective. In-game cosmetics have become a reliable monetization tool across the genre, yet the new customization system limits monetization opportunities, which, given EA’s track record, would likely never happen intentionally.

Customization Problems Are Small Flaws With Bigger Implications For Battlefield 6

Right now, soldier customization in Battlefield 6 is a minor blemish on an otherwise strong return to form for the franchise. The problem is that it’s hard not to see the potential for this flaw to worsen, especially following the $55 billion EA acquisition, which would leave Battlefield 6 players with the worst of both systems if the decision is made to pivot harder into monetization.

DICE’s vision is the right one in the sense that Battlefield 6‘s customization should be immersive, but that does not mean it has to be particularly restrictive. Tying roles to specific characters or genders can be compelling when executed meaningfully and with intention, but right now, the narrative and lore just don’t justify the shift. It doesn’t derail the experience, of course, but it’s a limitation that makes Battlefield 6 harder to keep on track than it should be.

Released

October 10, 2025

ESRB

Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, In-App Purchases, Users Interact

Developer(s)

Battlefield Studios