Read on below to find out more about what makes Battlefield 2042’s Hazard Zone mode different from its Multiplayer and Portal modes.
What is Battlefield 2042’s Hazard Zone mode?
In the year 2040, 70% of the world’s satellites are no longer operational. This sends the world into utter disarray, straining the already tenuous relationship between the United States and Russia. To help mitigate the effects of the lack of satellites, both powerhouses have launched temporary satellites containing Data Drives. In Hazard Zone, the goal is to acquire these Data Drives. Hazard Zone sends players to an area where the United States and Russia have sent Satellite Pods as they fight against other teams to collect as many Data Drives as possible. Even though the basic Battle Royale mechanics are there, this is a far more focused take on the genre. Hazard Zone will also have fewer teams. Instead of the usual 100+ or so players in each map, Hazard Zone will only have six teams of four players each (PS4 and Xbox One) and eight teams of four players each (PS5, Xbox Series S/X, and PC). Hazard Zone will also feature other limitations. Case in point, players won’t be able to pick the same Specialist twice, so team coordination and strategy is a definite must.
What is the Objective in Hazard Zone?
TLDR; Hazard Zone is all about finding, collecting, and extracting Data Drives. The game ends for you and your squad either when all of you die or successfully extract the Data Drives. Hazard Zone will also let players exchange Data Drives for Dark Market Credits to use in future Hazard Zone games. The game lets you loot Data Drives and get out as soon as the first extraction Condor arrives. But, if you choose to stay, you risk getting out with nothing. So, if all you’re after is some Dark Market Credits, you’ll want to get out as soon as the first extraction arrives. Otherwise, you’ll have to fight the other teams for that final extraction at the game’s end.
Will Hazard Zone have different phases?
Hazard Zone is separated into five different phases. The first phase is where you and your team can buy weapons, equipment, as well as equip Hazard Zone-specific tactical upgrades, and buybacks. During this phase, the game also gives you information on where you’ll land on the map and how rival teams you should expect to go up against once the game starts. After you’re done with what is effectively the game’s version of the buying phase, you and your team are then dropped onto a pre-determined position on the game’s map. As soon as you’ve dropped, you can start looting the map for Data Drives from an increasing number of Satellite Pods as the game goes on. Soon after, the First Extraction begins, which is you and your team’s last chance to get out with the Data Drives already extracted so far. If you and your team stay, then your goal is to survive while fighting against the other teams to see who can gather as many Data Drives as possible while the playable map shrinks around you.
Can you play Hazard Zone on all Battlefield 2042 maps?
Yes. Hazard Zone is available on all seven of Battlefield 2042’s maps at launch. It is not available on Portal’s remastered maps. EA also has no plans to release a dedicated map specifically made for Battlefield 2042.
Will Hazard Zone have unique equipment and vehicles?
EA has confirmed that it will release Hazard Zone-specific equipment that you can buy using Dark Market Credits. Unfortunately, we only know of the Intel Scanner, which lets you scan your surroundings to make it easier to locate Data Drives. Meanwhile, don’t expect to get a chance to use too many vehicles in Hazard Zone outside of the LATV 4 Recon vehicle shown in the trailers.
Can your teammates revive you in Hazard Zone?
Yes. Buybacks apply in Hazard Zone. If in case you are killed and downed, your teammates will need to locate a Reinforcement Uplink to buy you back. You and your teammates can also purchase buybacks pre-game. However, if your teammates can’t revive you after you go into a downed state, you’ll have no choice but to spectate the match until they buy you back.
What’s next for Battlefield 2042?
At this point, all fans can do is wait. Even though the beta period did not go as well as planned, it appears that EA and DICE don’t want to delay Battlefield 2042 any further. This means that players will only need to wait for a little over a month from now to get the chance to play Battlefield 2042 on November 19, 2021.
