The upcoming Battlefield 5 Squad Conquest game mode is the first of three coming to the game with the Lighting Strikes chapter update. The second entry in the Tides of War, Lightning Strikes is introducing Squad Conquest, Rush, and Combined Arms. However, Squad Conquest will only be available for two weeks, from the 17th of January to the 30th. The 8 vs. 8 miniature Conquest mode takes place on one of three special map variants. DICE has reworked the Arras, Hamada, and Rotterdam maps to make them smaller and more suited to the lower number of players.
The Battlefield 5 Squad Conquest Arras Map Variant
The Battlefield 5 Squad Conquest variant of the Arras map establishes the three objective sites in a triangle. The two teams start close to objectives A and C, respectively. The Axis start near Flag A, while the Allies start near Flag C. Flag B, meanwhile, is roughly equidistant from the two respective camps; “The third piece of the Flag triangle overlooking the other two capture points is Flag B, Ruins,” explains DICE; “Owning this point offers a significant visibility advantage, as it is situated on ruins at the top of a slope. Much of the hectic battles will likely take place on routes to and from Flag B.”
The triangle formation forces the two small teams into two avenues of attack; one diagonally towards Flag B, and one straight across the map to the opposing HQ. “The path between Flags A and C can be used to fire from cover such as the trees and bushes along the country road and riverbed,” continues DICE’s map description; “Although this covered route is an ideal flank path, soldiers must be wary of fighting from the low ground should they be engaged by the enemy.”
According to DICE, the Arras map variant is actually the largest of the three. It allows a single tank per team, the same as the Hamada map variant. Unlike the actual Battle of Arras, the map doesn’t feature aircraft.