Battlefield 2042 Hazard Zone looks like Tarkov on steroids

Over the last couple of months, we've learned almost everything we need to know about Battlefield 2042's All-Out War and Portal modes, and now DICE is finally sharing more details on the third and final mode - Hazard Zone.

Hazard Zone is a PvPvE mode where the main premise is that each squad plays for itself, there are no 64v64 battles. Instead, four-man squads are being dropped on huge maps where they will try to survive and complete tasks before other teams.

While this might sound like a battle royale, the game mode is actually more akin to games like Escape from Tarkov and Hunt: Showdown.

Unlike battle royale games, where the goal is to kill everyone else and be the last man standing, in Hazard Zone, there is a specific task that squads need to complete and then get the hell out of there before a storm comes and destroys everything.

Here's everything we know about the Hazard Zone mode in Battlefield 2042.

What is Battlefield 2042 Hazard Zone?

If you are familiar with games like Hunt: Showdown and Escape from Tarkov, you will feel right at home while playing the Hazard Zone mode.

In this mode, up to eight squads of four (32 players in total) will be dropped on a map where they will need to collect as many Data Drives as possible while trying to stay alive and eventually extract them via dedicated extracting zones on the map.

There will be a limited time to collect Data Drives, as a huge storm is coming, which will eventually wipe out the whole map and kill anyone left behind.

Data Drives are scattered across the battlefield, and the winning team will be the one who collects and successfully extracts the biggest number of Data Drives.

You can already see that there will be a lot of decision making here. Players will need to calculate the risk and weigh if they have enough Data Drives for the extraction or should they risk collecting more and eventually lose what they have and die?

Finally, as if the storm and other squads weren't enough of a threat, there's also a third factor here: Occupying Forces controlled by AI which will fight against all other squads who try to take Data Drives.

Hazard Zone weapons, equipment, and Tactical Upgrades

Before a match starts, you and your teammates will choose which specialist you want to play. All ten launch specialists will be available in this mode, but a squad must have four different specialists.

Players will have to buy guns and other equipment by using a special in-game currency called Dark Market credits, which you earn by simply playing the game.

All the weapons available in other modes will also be purchasable in Hazard Zone.

In addition to weapons, players can spend Dark Market credits on perks, which are unique for this mode and are called Tactical Upgrades. Here's the full list of Tactical Upgrades for the Hazard Zone mode.

Free upgrades

• Starting Armor: Start with +20 armour
• Negotiated Bounty 1: 50% additional credits for kills on Occupying Forces

Purchasable

• Squad Reinforcement: Reinforcement uplink that can bring back killed squadmates. Can only be used once!
• Quickdraw Holster: Switch weapons +15% faster
• Data Storage: Data Drive carry capacity increased by +2
• Loadout Insurance: Should you fall in battle, reimburses 50% of Loadout and Tactical Upgrade costs
• Biometric Scanning: Spot enemies for 50% longer
• Insider Information: Reveal Data Capsule drop locations 30 seconds before they land
• Table Deal: 100% additional credits reward for extracted Data Drives
• Faster Healing 1: Heal 20% faster
• Faster Healing 2: Heal 50% faster
• Ammo Increase 1: Additional +1 magazine for primary weapon
• Ammo Increase 2: Additional +2 magazines for primary weapon
• Throwable Increase 1: Increase carried throwables by +1
• Throwable Increase 2: Increased carried throwables by +2

Similar to Hunt: Showdown and Escape From Tarkov, there is a risk factor in play here, as players will permanently lose equipment and perks if they are eliminated before a successful extraction. And you will need to spend your hard-earned Dark Market credits again. Though there is no pay-2-win in this mode, as Dark Market credits are in-game currency only, and you can not buy gear and perks with real-life money.

The more Data Drives you collect, the more XP and Dark Market credits you earn. And more Dark Market credits means you can buy better equipment for the next match.

Hazard Zone Uplinks

Uplinks are additional map features in Hazard Zone. There are special laptops that can be found throughout the battlefield and which can be of tremendous value to your squad and turn the tide of battle in your favour.

There are currently three revealed Uplinks:

• Vehicles
• Ranger
• Reinforcement Uplinks

Vehicles are self-explanatory; they will provide your squad with a vehicle upon using them. There will be various vehicles with unique characteristics, but not all vehicles have been revealed yet.

DICE didn't provide more details on the Ranger uplink, so we can only speculate about that one.

Finally, Reinforcement Uplinks are the most powerful ones in the mode, as they will revive all of your fallen teammates, who will drop near your location with parachutes.

If used in a timely manner, a Reinforcement Uplink can secure your squad a win.

And there you have it, that's everything we currently know about the Battlefield 2042 Hazard Zone mode. What do you think about it?

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Featured image courtesy of DICE / Electronic Arts.