What Is Battlefield 2042 Hazard Zone? – Info Overview

battlefield 2042 season 1

Electronic Arts and DICE released their first first look at Battlefield 2042 Hazard Zone today via an official trailer, but there’s always more where that came from as they say. Next up is the official deep dive for Hazard Zone, detailing everything you need to know about it.

battlefield 2042 hazard zone

EA introduces Hazard Zone via a short backstory, which you can read below:

In the year 2040, a worldwide event known as The Blackout has caused over 70% of satellites in orbit to malfunction and fall into the atmosphere. Communication, navigation, and surveillance were crippled, bringing an already tenuous relationship between the US and Russia to the edge of war.

In response, both countries have begun to use satellites equipped with capsules containing radiation-hardened Data Drives to collect important intelligence throughout the world. These capsules are dropped down into US/RUS controlled territories for the Occupying Forces to secure.

Such Data Drives are essential to No-Pats around the globe, providing them with valuable information to keep all No-Pats (including non-combatants) safe. And when necessary, the information can be sold to the Dark Market in return for supplies needed for survival.

This is where you come in.

In Battlefield Hazard Zone, you play as an Elite Task Force assigned to retrieve these critical Data Drives. You and your squad must locate, gather, and extract these drives before a storm overtakes the area in a high-stakes, one-life experience.

Every bullet, every skirmish, and every decision counts.

In essence, Battlefield 2042 Hazard Zone works a lot like the hardcore shooter Escape From Tarkov, except here you have squads and different kinds of classes. A game of Hazard Zone is divided into four distinct phases:

  • Strategize and equip – find the best tools for the job, and choose the Specialist that best suits your playstyle. There are also Tactical Upgrades available that are sure to give you the edge, so pick carefully.

There are 15 Tactical Upgrades available at launch, and here’s a quick glimpse at some of them:

  • Extra Throwable – Carry +1 of your selected throwable Gadget.
  • Insider Information – Show the landing position of crashing capsules 30 seconds before they arrive.
  • Loadout Insurance – Reimburse 25% of upgrades and Loadout cost if you die.
  • Negotiated Bounty – +50% Dark Market Credits bounty when killing Opposing Forces
  • Quickdraw Holster – Swap between weapons 15% faster

As for the others, you’ll have to discover them for yourself when you play Hazard Zone.

  • Insert – the next step is to deploy within the Hazard Zone, where you and your squad must collect Data Drives and downed capsules. Hindering your path are AI-controlled and human enemies, with the latter aiming to collect Data Drives for themselves.

Luckily, you’ll find several assets on the ground that can help you when enemies are closing in and picking off your squad one by one. Ammo stations are littered across the map and marked on your HUD, so you’ll always know where to go if you’re running low. Uplinks, randomly spawned collectible laptops, can also give you powerful abilities to help you turn the tide or even bring back the fallen squad members. Each Uplink is encoded with a particular Call-in – so keep an eye out for 3 different types available:

  • Support Uplink: Give your squad a Ranger Call-in
  • Vehicle Uplink: Give your squad a LATV4 Recon Call-in
  • Redeploy Uplink: Give your squad a squad redeploy Call-in.
  • Retrieve – as time goes on, more capsules land with even more Data Drives on them. However, the dangers also rise as time goes on, as the eponymous storm of Hazard comes your way.
  • Extract – this phase requires you and your team to head to a special extraction zone against the dangers of both the Occupying Forces and opposing Task Forces, with the latter trying to make an extraction of their own. If you miss your first window, then fret not, as there will be additional extractions. However, the full power of the storm kicks in after the first extraction, making the map more dangerous than ever before.

battlefield 2042 hazard zone

Electronic Arts also shared the progression system for this game mode, which you can read more on below:

Squads that successfully capture Data Drives and extract will be rewarded with DMC as well as a bonus dealt out to members based on their actions taken during the match, such as kills. The more Data Drives you extract, the higher the reward for your squad will be.

The more Data Drives you gather in a match of Hazard Zone, the more XP you gain for your overall level and Battlepass and the more DMC you collect to spend on equipment and upgrades during a future match.

If you’re on a hot streak and your Specialist extracts consecutively enough, you’ll earn an Extraction Streak marker tied to the chosen Specialist that will reduce the cost of weapons, equipment, and tactical items for that Specialist while you continue playing with them. However, if you fail to extract, that marker and all its benefits disappear until you earn another streak, so don’t get cocky, No-Pat. It’s a long fall.

Finally, the devs also put out an FAQ for those interested in learning more about Hazard Zone. Check it out below:

How long does a match of Hazard Zone take to play?

Get in, get the goods, get out. Easier said than done.

A Hazard Zone match can take anywhere from around 5 to 20 minutes based on how you play, when you choose to extract, and if you’re successful.

What’s the difference between last-gen and next-gen versions of Hazard Zone?

Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation® 5 and PC users will be able to play with up to 32 players in a massive playspace, while Xbox One and PlayStation® 4 players will be able to play a version scaled for up to 24 players.

How many maps does Hazard Zone have?

You’ll be able to experience Hazard Zone on all 7 of Battlefield 2042’s maps.

Can I play Hazard Zone to progress my character within Battlefield 2042?

Yes! Your Hazard Zone progression is tied into the rest of Battlefield 2042. Any progress you make in Hazard Zone will also grant you XP for your overall player level, weapon unlocks, and so on.

Can there be multiple of the same Specialists in the same squad?

Squads in Hazard Zone are composed of four unique Specialists, so you and your teammates will need to pick Specialists and Loadouts that complement one another if you’re to extract safely.

How is XP shared between you and your Squad?

Everyone present in your squad at end the of round will receive XP for the total amount of Data Drives your squad has extracted. There will also be a bonus for your personal performance during the match.

Are Occupying Forces always present in Hazard Zone?

Occupying Forces are an ever present and essential part of the Hazard Zone experience, and will pose a dangerous challenge in safely extracting with your recovered Data Drives.

How many Occupying Forces can we encounter in a match?

The Occupying Forces you’ll find in Hazard Zone are unpredictable. They may be roaming around the map, pursuing you, or protecting valuable resources. How many soldiers you come across varies and will depend on your actions and luck, so explore with caution.

What happens when I die?

You’ll be able to spectate your squad from the sidelines, hoping they can bring you back by finding a Redeploy Uplink in case no Squad Redeploy Call-in was bought before insertion.

Is it possible to redeploy multiple times in a Hazard Zone match?

If your entire squad bites the dust, the mission’s a failure and you lose the match. But should one member still be alive and manage to trigger a Redeploy Call-in (found in the world or purchased with DMC before a match starts), they can bring the entire team back to life.

Does Hazard Zone have any pay-to-win elements?

In Hazard Zone you will use Dark Market Credits which can only be obtained through gameplay, and not via real world currency. You can use them to purchase Tactical Upgrades, weapons and gadgets to give you the advantage over your enemies.

What do you think? Are you interested in checking out this brand-new game mode for Battlefield 2042? Let us know in the comments below!

Source: Electronic Arts

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