NitroEx41 I generally agree with the overall HQ + TOW + Phalanx analysis, but I think some solutions could be refined.
First, in my opinion, the CIWS (Phalanx) is at the core of the problem.
Because it is fully automated, it removes too much counterplay. An armored vehicle can sit safely inside HQ, passively protected, while still using offensive weapons like TOW.
A better approach would be to return to something similar to BF3 and BF4:
Keep the CIWS in base
But make it player-controlled instead of fully automatic
A possible compromise could be:
Manual control → full effectiveness
Automatic mode only when no player is using it, but with a delay before it starts firing
That delay in automatic mode would still allow an enemy helicopter to quickly dive in and destroy a vehicle camping in HQ. However, if the helicopter stays too long or tries to hover, the CIWS would eventually engage and shoot it down.
This way, the spawn remains protected from abuse, but it no longer becomes a completely risk-free and offensively dominant position.
Regarding air spawns, I think spawning directly in the air is a good idea — but only for jets, and mainly on smaller maps.
On these maps, jets are immediately exposed during takeoff. An airborne spawn would significantly reduce instant deaths from HQ TOW fire.
For helicopters, I’m more cautious, since their gameplay relies more heavily on positioning and altitude control.
As for TOW systems, it’s probably difficult to remove or heavily restrict them without affecting overall balance. However, some adjustments could help:
Reduce damage against air vehicles
Make the missiles harder to control
Add a maximum range after which the missile explodes mid-air
Slightly reduce missile speed
The goal isn’t to remove counters to air vehicles, but to prevent a fully protected position from also being one of the strongest offensive positions on the map.
Right now, the real issue comes from the combination of:
Small maps + ground air spawns + automatic CIWS + very strong TOW systems.
It’s this cumulative effect that completely breaks the risk vs. reward balance.
Hey, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. The solutions you proposed are also really solid.
I hope the topics we create here and the ideas we present won't go to waste. Battlefield is a unique game with its own dedicated niche community, and seeing it struggle with issues like this right now is simply dissappointing.
Hopefully, the feedback grom players who genuinely care about the game can help push it in the right directions.
NitroEx41 It’s my pleasure, and I completely agree with you. Hopefully our feedback will be heard.
