Chapter 4 of Tides of War is just around the corner, and ahead of the first new content release, DICE is launching Battlefield 5 Update 4.0. Like all pre-Chapter updates, this latest patch will set the stage for much of the new content coming in the next few months; content which spans four new maps, several new game modes, and a whole lot more.
What’s Coming in Battlefield 5 Update 4.0 This Week
Battlefield 5 Update 4.0 doesn’t merely contain new content for Chapter 4 – Defying the Odds. According to DICE, the update is larger, bringing new content to the Armoury and a whole set of quality-of-life improvements. Of course, like any patch, it also contains plenty of bug fixes. The full patch notes are available on the official Battlefield website. However, here’s a breakdown of the key changes coming in 4.0.
When it comes to vehicles, a host of fixes have been applied. Airplane engine sounds will no longer repeat during a flyby, visual dust effect glitches have been removed from some tanks, and a bug that allowed players to spot opponents with stationary weapons is gone. Additionally, DICE has added a new “cooking destruction animation,” to the Churchill Crocodile. Weapon-wise, this patch doesn’t include many changes. The Boys AT Rifle magazine will now contain 5(+1) bullets, and its medium scope will now have a scope glint as normal. Additionally, players should find that bipods deploy and undeploy more smoothly; reduced from 0.3 to 0.1 second.
When it comes to Gadgets, the PIAT has some new changes; its one-shot-kill radius has been reduced to 0.25 metres, while its splash damage now deals a minimum of 55 damage to infantry up to 3 metres. The Rifle Grenade Launcher’s blast damage has been reduced, though its blast radius has gone up by 25%. A major change here is that players will now be able to throw back Rifle Grenades, providing they act quickly!
Medical Crates, Ammo Crates and AP Mines
Ammo and Medical Crates are set to receive some notable changes in Battlefield 5 Update 4.0. The latter will now award healing score when their aura heals allied players, and players who select either crate can now be seen holding it in-game. Ammo Crates will now resupply both primary and secondary ammo within a radius of 4 metres and also award score, just like the Medical Crate. Interestingly, both Crates will now collide with vehicles. This means that players can actually place them on top of vehicles and drive around without them falling off.
AP Mines have also received a host of changes in the new update. Their activation radius has been increased by 20%, while their blast radius has been expanded commensurately. If players go prone quickly enough, they can actually avoid blast damage from an AP Mine. Plus, in some cases, players can avoid triggering AP Mines while crouched. While they are theoretically a bit more powerful now, the number of placeable mines has been reduced from 3 to 2, and the minimum distance between mines has also been increased.
Soldier, Map and Mode Fixes in Battlefield 5 Update 4.0
When it comes to soldiers themselves, a variety of changes and tweaks have been made in Update 4.0. When killed outside of the combat area, for instance, players will no longer enter a bleed state. Additionally, inside the combat area, the bleed out timer has been increased. As such, players can bleed out in 2.5 seconds instead of 3.5. You will also be able to hold on for longer, up to 25.6 seconds from 21.3. Additionally, the distance at which downed players will be notified of nearby Medics that have confirmed that they are on their way is dramatically increased by 100%; up to 50 metres from 25.
In Firestorm, players can now lean manually, and players will now get their selected weapon skins on weapons that they find around the map. Additionally, the map is getting some interesting changes; the Excavation Site now includes a large dome of sorts. DICE says of this area; “Whatever is being built does not yet appear to be operational,” seemingly teasing some sort of upcoming addition. Weapon-wise, players can now find the VGO, Lahti-Saloranta M/26 and Commando Carbine in the Firestorm map.
A wide variety of small changes have been made to certain maps and modes, mostly fixing incorrect displays or altering objective interaction radii. In Frontlines, for instance, the game mode timer will no longer pause and un-pause the round, while the flag capture time has been increased for all flag layouts.
Team Deathmatch Changes Coming to Four Maps
DICE has chosen to change the layout of four of the game’s maps for Team Deathmatch; Aerodrome, Devastation, Fjell 652, and Narvik. “The goal is to increase intensity and give players a more consistent experience by reducing the size of combat areas and focusing on specific map locations.” In Aerodrome, for example, the new layout focuses much more on the hangar area. In Devastation, the layout has also been reduced to focus on the mall. Meanwhile, in Fjell 652, the layout will now focus more on the village. Finally, the Narvik layout will no longer feature the southern portion of the map.