Attrition is a brand new system designed for Battlefield 5. Players have got to experience it a little already in the game’s Open Beta. However, its long-term effects on the franchise could be much more pronounced, especially as DICE polishes the game ahead of its November launch. Recently, the studio published a lengthy breakdown of the Battlefield 5 Attrition system and explained how it makes the game more tactical.
The Battlefield 5 Attrition System
According to DICE, the primary goal of the Battlefield 5 Attrition system is to make working together as a squad more meaningful. By reducing ready access to ammunition and medical supplies, the studio also hopes to encourage players to take more risks; adopting a more flexible and dynamic style of play. While previous games offered players plenty of ammo and health, the same is not true in Battlefield 5; “Does the Attrition system make Battlefield V harder than earlier games?” asks DICE; “No – but it makes it deeper.”
“Attrition gives more agency to you,” continues DICE; “letting you manage health and ammo through short-term and long-term methods. You can still regenerate up to max health, but you need an item and to press a button to do it. Your choice of Class and Combat Role can also affect Attrition; deploy as the Assault’s Light Infantry Combat Role, for instance, and you’ll regenerate a higher amount of health than other Combat Roles. Self-healing used to be unconscious, now it will be in your mind more. It’s a matter of learning the system – which everyone can do.”
DICE also highlights Attrition as a way to counter camping. Incentivising players to claim loot from fallen enemies, stock up on ammo and health, and so forth all encourages movement rather than static play. This also stops both snipers and tanks from camping too, as both will have limited ammunition.
How Attrition Changes the Role of the Medic
With healing much more restrictive in Battlefield 5 thanks to the Attrition system, Medics have become even more vital. Medics can supply the rest of their squad with Medical Pouches, allowing them to heal themselves; “Medics are not just there to heal you,” explains DICE; “but also to supply you with Medical Pouches. This provides more weight and purpose to the Class.”
According to DICE, the Attrition system will feel different in the full release than it did in the Open Beta; “It’s worth noting that the Attrition system has been dialed down compared to how it was in the Open Beta, where some players were concerned about tedious ammo hunts. For the final game, we’re increasing your amount of ammunition when you spawn in, the max amount of ammo will be larger, and you’ll start with a Medical Pouch.”