While EA, along with DICE, are busy with getting ready for the October 10 release of Battlefield 6 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, it looks like Battlefield 2042 isn’t being left behind just yet. A new update, numbered at 9.2, has been released as a surprise for the game on all platforms, bringing with it quite a bit of context, including the return of a fan-favourite map.
The map in question is Iwo Jima, which first made its debut with the first ever Battlefield game – Battlefield 1942. The map has since shown up quite a few times in games like Battlefield 1943, and most recently before this update, Battlefield 5. The version of the map featured in Battlefield 2042 will include an active volcano as its big spectacle, while also giving players the option to make use of boat landings, bunkers, and trenches along the reimagined map.
The update also brings in two new weapons and vault vehicles for players. The new weapons are the KFS2000 assault rifle and the Lynx sniper rifle. As for the vehicles, players can now make use of the A10 Warthog and the SU-25TM Frogfoot in their matches. The two new attack jets will be available for use in the game’s All Out Warfare playlist, and both of them focus on taking out opposing vehicles thanks to their loadouts.
The update has been described by DICE as the start of the Road to Battlefield 6, and also brings with it a brand new free Battlepass that players can complete to unlock new rewards. The update is also bringing with it challenges that players can complete to unlock rewards for Battlefield 6. The new battlepass features 60 tiers worth of rewards, all of them being cosmetics. Of these, more than 50 are described as being inspired by Battlefield 1, Battlefield 5, Battlefield Bad Company 2, Battlefield 3, and Battlefield 4.
Along with this, DICE has also announced a new themed event, dubbed the Best of Portal, which will kick off on September 2. Going on until September 30, players will be able to earn new rewards throughout the event, which will feature rotating new game mode experiences every 48 hours.
More content has been teased for yet another update down the line, with a quote at the end of the patch notes saying that “The time has come to end this once and for all. Your mission gear is being prepared. Open your eyes, sharpen your ears, and do your research.”
Battlefield 2042 Update 9.2 Patch Notes:
Weapons
- Fixed an issue for various weapons where the Underloaded Magazine didn’t show the correct mesh when equipped.
- Vault Weapon LMGs and DFR Strife
Dev comment: Updated UI stats on extended ammo attachments to better reflect how they behave. Most of them were missing “Reload speed” as a negative trait and slightly lower handling. Note that this is purely an UI change and that the weapons themselves already had this active.
- Laser and flashlight underbarrels should now show correctly the on/off state in the inventory UI.
- Fixed an issue where underbarrel grenade launchers would sometimes be more accurate while moving, they should now always be less accurate when moving.
Dev comment: This fix comes with a small tuning pass on accuracy to make it more consistent with hip fire and aim down sights.
- Added texture variations to all underloaded mag attachments and fixed an issue where AEK-971 extended mag would not show a visual variation in most cases.
- Text description for different magazine attachments updated to be more reflective and accurate.
- NTW-50:
Slightly increased Anti-Material High-Power damage versus light vehicles, civilian vehicles and deployed gadgets.
Dev comment: The intention is to lean in a bit to the anti-materiel identity for this weapon when the soldier chooses to go for extra armor penetration.
Fixed an issue where the Ghost Hybrid scope did not show a hint for switching between magnification modes.
Fixed an issue where high power ammo had a slightly higher fire rate than standard issue ammo. It should now have a slightly lower fire rate than standard issue.
Fixed an issue where the AK5C extended mag gave unintended bonuses to horizontal and vertical recoil. The extended mag is now not granting said bonuses, making it the same as other standard issue extended magazines.
- Fixed an issue with Masterkey and Underbarrel Grenade Launcher reducing the ammo a player spawns with for the Masterkey on LCMG and SWS.
- Fixed a bug with the Arcom Tactical Muzzle Attachment obstructing the player’s view.
Dev comment: With fixing this bug we’re also re-enabling the attachment in-game!
- Fixed a bug where the red laser attachment on the PP-2000 appeared green.
- Fixed LS-1 laser icon layer in the collection screen for MP443.
Modes
Once the round has started it is no longer possible to change characters.
- Fixed a bug where the wrong icons were shown on the Frontlines scoreboard.
Gameplay Flow & Social
- Improved visibility of controller input prompts in the inventory HUD against light backgrounds.
- Updated the game credits list with the final list of all the passionate developers who have poured their hearts and souls into this game. Please check it out, and thanks for playing and sticking with us!
Vehicles
- Removed plow collision from the CAV-Brawler skin “Crossroads”, to keep it from getting stuck on terrain and buildings.
- Added new hints for the pilot of the attack jets including free look.
- Bomb hatches of the XFAD-4 Draugr now correctly open and close.
- A10 Warthog and Frogfoot no longer take damage when upside down midair on low velocity.
- Updated the eject impulse on the A10 Warthog and Frogfoot to be consistent with other vehicles
- Added intro sequence for A10 and Frogfoot attack jets.
- Frogfoot and A10 require more contact with water to automatically eject players now
- Improved instances of roadkills not being rewarded when performed by frogfoot
- Free look in 1p in A10 and Frogfoot no longer steers the vehicle
- Zoom hold/toggle player option is now correctly taken into account by the SU-25TM Frogfoot
- Fixed a bug where the “Normandy” XFAD-4 Draugr skin would make the vehicle take more damage.
- Increased the damage RPG and recoilless deals to EBLC-Ram.
- Blast radius of EBLC -Ram driver missiles decreased from 3 to 1.5″
- Fixed an issue with attack jets slightly floating on the menus.
- Improved camera positions during customization of the attack jets to have a better visibility of what is being customized.
- Fixed inconsistent FoV on the attack jets.
- Updated the attack jet to use a similar bullet transform to 2042 jets.
- All locking weapons now should correctly lock onto empty vehicles if the vehicle is designated.
- Littlebird will no longer fly backwards at very high speed when hacked.
- Lowered G force effects on the attack jets to reduce blackout early during turns.
Developer comment:
With the addition of the two new Attack Jets, we are reducing the role of Fighter Jets in ground combat.
F35/SU57
- Regular rocketpods ammo reduced from 16 to 14
- Regular rocketpods blast damage lowered from 150 to 100
- Afterburner of F35 and SU57 increased from 6 to 9 ( Draugr unchanged) this is to further increase the effectiveness for dogfighting
XFAD-4 Draugr
- HE impact damage lowered from 15 to 13.5
- HE blast damage 20 to 18
- JDAM bomb reload time increased from 20 to 25
- Napalm bomb reload time increased from 30 to 35
- Napalm inner (max damage radius) lowered from 8m to 4m
- Overall blast radius from 20m to 8m (retains 20m burning radius but no initial explosion damage)
- Napalm bomb shockwave damage has been drastically reduced.
A10 Warthog and SU-25TM Frogfoot Attack Jets:
- New look!
- Fresh audio for some of the weapons.
- Overall increase to maneuverability of the planes especially the elevators.
- Moved the old Air to Ground Missile camera from behind the plane to under the wing for better visibility
- Moved the cockpit cameras for a wider view when inside.
- Added a new secondary weapon with explosive rounds for soft targets.
- Various adjustments to the primary cannon to fit the roster of 2042.
- Various changes to air to ground missiles including rate of fire, damage, secondary projectile when designated for higher damage.
- Various changes to rockpods to fit the roster of 2042.
- Missile countermeasure now has a cooldown of 18 seconds, other jets retain their 12 seconds flare cooldown.
- We have added an emergency, secondary countermeasure similar to what the XFAD-4 Draugr uses for these vehicles as they are a big and slower target in the battlefield. This is meant to be used rarely to save the pilot, so expect long cooldowns and short life time. Players will have the option to choose this over repair.
- Belt speed has been reworked to function similarly to the IFVs we have released recently, it applies on all weapons.
- Added a new ability to enhance maneuverability of the airplane, choosing this will increase nearly all mobility factors; however, players will spawn with fewer ammo on specific weapons.
- Added a new ability that will increase the damage output on all weapons with cost of your maneuverability
