The Specialist characters in Battlefield 2042 have been a controversial change to the series' formula, but they add new variety to gameplay. There are currently 10 Specialists in 2042, and each has their own unique gadgets. Some Specialists are proficient at one specific task, while others have a range of utility options at their disposal, with different strategies possible with each.
DICE's latest shooter decided to forgo the franchise's usual class-based squads in exchange for a hero shooter-type system. Battlefield 2042's Specialists could use some changes, but unless DICE overhauls the system, players will have to get used to the game as it is now. As it stands, there are virtually no restrictions on loadouts aside from some items and weapons being locked behind level progression. Any Specialist can carry any gun or item, with the only difference between them being character models and their special gadgets.
Many have pointed to Specialists as an erosion of Battlefield's signature emphasis on team play. While this may be true to some degree concerning squad synergy, there are also a few Specialists whose abilities are solely concerned with teamwork. The wide-open chaos of All-Out Warfare can often make the player feel as if they're a one-person army, but this effect is mitigated in Battlefield 2042's Breakthrough mode, which improves on Conquest, and demonstrates how useful Specialists can be.
Constantin "Angel" Anghel is something of a jack of all trades in Battlefield 2042. Anyone can revive their squadmates, but Angel is one of two Specialists that can revive any teammate. Reviving someone as Angel will only bring them up to 50 health, but it will also give them 20 armor. Small packs of armor and ammo can be tossed to friendlies, and calling in his Loadout Crate will let players swap to another one of their preset kits.
When it comes to holding down an area, Pyotr "Boris" Guskovsky excels. His SG-36 Sentry System is an automatic turret that will engage enemies that come within range. Boris can be very helpful when defending objectives, and is especially effective when he stays near his turret, since it will spot and outline any enemies it locks on to.
Wikus "Casper" van Daele is perhaps the most competent reconnaissance Specialist in Battlefield 2042, utilizing proximity sensors and drones to get the upper hand over the enemy. His remote-controlled drone has quite a bit of range, so the player can keep themself hidden far away and out of sight while spotting enemies for their teammates. It also comes equipped with an EMP that can stun enemies, and disable equipment or vehicles for a short time.
Casper can also be effective at close range, however, since his Movement Sensor at the bottom of the screen turns red when enemies are nearby. This makes him one of 2042's most versatile Specialists, as he is able to excel at great distances and up close, allowing players to pick off enemies from afar as a sniper or to run interference behind enemy lines.
With his SOB-8 Ballistic Shield, Santiago "Dozer" Espinoza is most useful to attacking teams. He's essentially Battlefield 2042's riot shield class, being able to use his shield as simple protection, or as a battering ram when charging enemies. He may be useful to teams trying to breach a building filled with enemies, since his shield will block incoming fire and provide some cover to teammates stacked up behind him.
Maria Falck is as close as Battlefield 2042 gets to a traditional medic role, and joins Angel as the only other Specialist that can revive anyone on the team. Getting revived by Falck has the added bonus of bringing players back to full health immediately, though they don't get bonus armor like Angel provides. Falck also carries an S21 Syrette Pistol, which can be shot at other Battlefield 2042 players from afar to heal them. Holding the Specialty button (Left D-pad on Xbox/PlayStation, 3 on PC) will also let Falck inject herself with the Syrette Pistol, similar to Doc's ability in Rainbow Six Siege.
Kimble "Irish" Graves, portrayed in Battlefield by the late Michael K. Williams, is more versatile than he first appears. His DC-2 Deployable Cover and APS-36 Shootdown Sentry are good for creating defensible positions or dropping cover while advancing, but he is especially helpful for keeping vehicles from being destroyed. Equipping Irish with a Repair Tool will get vehicles back in usable shape quickly, while a couple of APS-36s on the ground will keep that final rocket from impacting before repairs can be made.
Battlefield 2042 may have replaced classes with Specialists, but Irish illustrates that it is possible for players to retain a semblance of the old system. In previous Battlefield games, the Engineer class acted as both anti-armor and as supports for vehicles, utilizing explosives and repair tools to influence the mechanized elements of the game. Irish can perform that same function in 2042, and ensure that a team's armor stays operational and in pristine shape throughout.
Both his gadget and his special trait make Webster Mackay one of the most mobile Specialists in Battlefield 2042. Grappling hooks were used to great success in Respawn's Titanfall and Apex Legends series, and Halo Infinite's grappling hook has added increased verticality to its multiplayer. Mackay's works much the same, being fired into a surface and then retracting to pull the player. On top of the grappling hook, Mackay moves faster while aiming down sights, making him a solid choice for players who prefer a run-and-gun playstyle.
Ji-Soo Paik is a recon Specialist like Casper, but excels at much shorter distances. Activating her EMG-X Scanner will allow her to see enemies outlined in red, even through walls, up to a certain distance. The scanned enemies will also be spotted with the usual red dot for friendlies to see. Additionally, Paik's passive trait spots any enemy that shoots her, making her a very dangerous Specialist in close quarters.
Technically a recon Specialist, Navin Rao excels most at countering enemy vehicles. His Cyber Warfare Suite allows him to hack a variety of gadgets on the battlefield, including vehicles, drones, Rangers (Battlefield 2042's robot dog), and environmental tools like bridge controls. Disabling helicopters can help open up a window to get a lock with an AA missile, since the helo's flares will be down momentarily.
Rao can also hack enemy soldiers, and if they get killed while hacked, Rao's Trojan Network will spot other enemies nearby. This means he can form a deadly combination with Paik, as both Specialists can provide more intel to their squadmates than any other character in Battlefield 2042. Rao's hacking tool can also perform defensive functions, activitating barriers to delay enemy vehicles and infantry.
At first glance, Emma "Sundance" Rosier and their wing suit seem to embody the idea of 2042 destroying the team work elements of the series, but their maneuverability can be very helpful to a coordinated squad. If a tall building is easily accessible, putting an Insertion Beacon in Sundance's loadout will let squadmates spawn behind enemy lines. Giving their weapon a suppressor makes this doubly effective, since the shots won't show up on enemies' mini-maps and more can be caught unaware. Sundance is also rather versatile with their Smart Explosives, since they come with three settings: Anti-Armor, EMP Field, and Scatter (essentially a cluster grenade).
Many still aren't sold on the idea of Specialists, and they certainly contribute to 2042 not feeling exactly like previous Battlefield games, but their abilities add a new layer of variety. Battlefield 2042's long list of missing features is more detrimental, and hopefully much of that will be addressed in the coming weeks and months with various updates. Either way, Battlefield 2042 is a new direction for the series, and its Specialists' unique abilities offer some opportunities for creative gameplay solutions.
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