Introduction
by David Hutchison | Last Updated: April 3, 2006
Weapons lie at the heart of any good battle and on this front
- as the extensive weapons list at left clearly shows - Battlefield does not
disappoint. We have divided this brief weapons and equipment overview into seven
weapons classes.
Look for tactical analyses of many of these weapons in the
weeks ahead. And browse the soldiers page to learn
more about the weapons load out for each soldier class.
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Close Quarters
Weapons:
- Auto-injector
- Blowtorch
- Knife
- Pistol
Close quarters weapons are only effective against enemies who
are positioned no more than a few feet away. Use the one stab, one kill knife
(special ops) when attacking unsuspecting enemies who have their backs turned
to you.
The engineer's blowtorch is a dual use weapon. In addition
to repairing vehicles, it can be used against enemies during close up encounters.
The support soldier's auto-injector is not a weapon per se. Use
it to heal wounded allies whose health meter (above their character) is depleted.
Support soldiers can also heal themselves.
Every soldier is equipped with either a standard issue or silenced
pistol. Use the pistol as a last resort when your primary weapon runs out of
ammo in a firefight.
Guns
Weapons:
- Assault Rifle
- Machine Gun
- Shotgun
- Sniper Rifle
The guns in Battlefield each have their own levels of
accuracy, range, recoil, and other characteristics. Each also holds a varying
amount of ammo.
The standard issue assault rifle is a solid choice if you are
looking for a well rounded gun. Choose the machine gun when you need to
lay down plenty of suppressing fire.
The shotgun is an effective short to medium range weapon, ideal
for close encounters. In contrast, the sniper rifle is a long range weapon that
features two zoom levels that can precisely target enemies in the distance.
New players are advised to test out all of the guns. Then choose
one or two to specialize in and become proficient at.
Grenades
Weapons:
- Frag Grenade
- Smoke Grenade
- Stun Grenade
There are three types of grenades. The frag grenade is
lethal. The smoke grenade obscures the immediate vicinity where it is deployed.
And the stun grenade temporarily blinds and deafens nearby soldiers.
Use the frag and stun grenades to respectively kill or disorient
small groups of enemy soldiers. Deploy smoke to conceal your squad's approach
to a target or to blanket an open area that must be traversed.
Practice lobbing grenades in order to improve your aim and accuracy.
Grenades can be "cooked" (by holding down the right trigger) in order
to more precisely control the time at which they detonate.
Projectiles
Weapons:
- Grenade Launcher
- Rocket Launcher
The grenade and rocket launchers shoot out projectiles
over long distances. The grenade launcher is primarily intended as an anti-infantry
weapon. The rocket launcher is ideal for taking out vehicles and other armored
targets.
Use the grenade launcher to take out small clusters of enemy
soldiers. A direct hit is ideal, but enemies will also be killed or seriously
injured by splash damage.
Use the rocket launcher to take out tanks and other vehicles.
Aim for the rear of a tank where it is less shielded by armor. One or two rockets
should be all it takes.
Explosives
Weapons:
- Anti-vehicle Mine
- C4 Explosives
In addition to carried, vehicle mounted, and stationary
weapons, Battlefield also features weapons that can be
placed on the ground to serve as demolitions or booby traps.
Use anti-tank mines to mine strategic positions (e.g. control
points) and the most likely avenues of enemy approach. Anti-vehicles mines do
not explode when soldiers step on them, but they are devastating
to vehicles that drive over them.
In addition to being placed on the ground, C4 charges can
be attached to walls and vehicles. Sneak up behind an enemy tank and plant a
C4 charge on it's rear or side. Quickly move away and detonate the charge to
destroy the vehicle.
Stationary
Weapons:
- Machine Gun
- Anti-tank Missile Launcher
- Grenade Launcher
- Stinger Turret
Most of the stationary weapons in Battlefield are strategically positioned
near control points. They are designed to be used as defensive armaments.
Use the stationary machine gun to lay down a base of suppressing fire against
an advancing enemy. Use the anti-tank missile launcher to take out nearby vehicles.
The stinger turret shoots heat seeking anti-aircraft missiles.
Target an enemy helicopter and hold down the right trigger to lock on
to the aircraft.
Target Designators
Weapons:
- Forward Observer
- Laser Target Designator
- Mortar Strike
- Artillery Strike (Command Computer)
The target designators are by far the most advanced class of weaponry and
equipment in Battlefield.
Snipers are equipped with forward observers that reveal (to fellow soldiers)
enemy positions in a sniper's immediate vicinity.
The laser target designator "paints" stationary or moving vehicles.
Once a lock is achieved, a laser guided missile targets the vehicle even if it
is moving at breakneck speed.
While support soldiers can call in targeted mortar strikes from any location,
all soldiers can use the strategically positioned Command Computer to direct
artillery strikes at enemy infested locations. Keep in mind, however, that artillery
and mortar strikes take some time to restock between use.
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