The Basics of Battlefield 4: A Refresher/Beginner’s Guide

Considering we are at the jump to next generation consoles, it should be no surprise that some players are coming in to play Battlefield for the first time. For them, and for those who need a refresher, here’s a guide to the basics of Battlefield 4. You can watch the video here and a summary below.

First off, wins are more important than stats. Call of Duty veterans may find this hard to adjust to, but no worries. Don’t pay attention to things like KDR, SPM and skills. Just focus on winning and getting a good win-loss ratio. KDR and SPM do not matter in Battlefield because there are too many variables involved to make them viable goals. Skills are scored using an algorithm that players don’t even understand yet.

Secondly, Battlefield 4 is focused on team play, so join up a squad. Being a good teammate is enough to earn you points, and this goes beyond healing squad members, to acting as a spawn point, reviving, and just following orders. Field Upgrades were also designed in such a way that you benefit from cooperating with your team.

Third, play the objective. No, I mean seriously, play the objective. The game revolves around the objective. Not playing the objective means you lose the round, points, skills, everything. This connects to the first two points above. Don’t go gungho and aim for the top of the leaderboards when it compromises the team’s efforts. The best way to play is to make sure your team gets its job done. It also makes the game even more fun to play with this in mind.

Lastly, do not be that guy. Do not be that sniper on the top of the roof trying to pick everyone down. You’re undermining your team, undermining the game mechanics, and ruining it for everyone. If you want to play sniper, go out and play Silent Scope, that game’s much better for that.

Similarly, don’t be that guy who takes the helicopter all the way to the rooftop, and ditching it with your teammates still in it. This should not even be pointed out, if not for all the players who keep doing it.

Lastly, don’t be a hero. Don’t try meeting objectives alone. Be a team player. Benefiting the team benefits you. Besides, you do not want to be out there alone when the hordes go after you.