BF6 progression is broken! Portal XP ban screws casuals
As a Battlefield veteran who's been playing since the original 1942 launch—through every title, good and bad—I'm deeply frustrated with the progression system in Battlefield 6. It's more punitive than rewarding, especially for older or less-skilled players like me. EA's decision to remove XP and progression from Portal matches against bots only exacerbates this, widening the skill gap and pushing casual players away.
Let's be honest: age catches up. My reflexes aren't what they used to be, and against younger, sharper players, I'm basically a walking target—essentially a bot myself. The system locks weapons, attachments, and equipment behind steep progression walls, like requiring 300 kills with a subpar gun. How is that feasible when you're getting sniped from across the map before you can even advance? This isn't just about skill; it's about an uneven playing field where unlocked gear gives veterans a massive edge, making it impossible for newcomers or casuals to catch up. We won't dive into cheating or console aim assist, but the core issue is that players with endless time to grind hold all the advantages, turning matches into stat-padding sessions at our expense.
What's particularly hypocritical is the backlash against bot grinding. Those complaining that bot users are "cheating" their way to unlocks are doing the exact same thing: exploiting their gear advantages to farm kills on disadvantaged players. Their stats aren't earned through pure skill—they're inflated by preying on those stuck with starter loadouts. True skill would shine if everyone started with equal access to gear. I have no issue losing fair gunfights because I'm outplayed, but I resent EA's design putting its boot on my neck from the start.
Allowing progression in bot matches wouldn't hurt anyone—it would level the field, letting under-skilled players unlock items without being cannon fodder. Skilled players could still earn recognition through badges, trophies, or leaderboards that highlight talent without granting mechanical advantages. Grinding is grinding, whether against bots or humans; just let us choose our method, or scrap the grind entirely. Otherwise, you're alienating buyers who want to enjoy the full game they paid for, not quit in frustration after endless one-sided matches.
And don't get me started on XP boosts. For those of us who shelled out for the Phantom Edition or bought boosters via microtransactions, it's a blatant cash grab. Using a boost just to die repeatedly and make zero progress feels like a scam—it forces you to buy more to stay competitive, turning the game into pay-to-win. We should all oppose this; it undermines fair play and rewards wallets over skill.
EA, rethink this. A more inclusive progression system would unite the community, not split it. What do you all think—am I off base, or is this killing the fun for casuals?
