Too many recons
When I first began playing Battlefield 6, both during the beta and after the full release, I was immediately drawn to the sniping experience. Compared to previous titles in the series, sniping feels noticeably easier and more accessible. The reduced bullet drop, combined with the addition of the range finder feature, which allows players to instantly zero their scope to a target with a single button press, has made engaging enemies at long distances both faster and more accurate. Landing headshots at range is now simpler and far more satisfying.
On paper, these improvements are fantastic. They have made the Recon class more enjoyable than ever and have allowed players like myself, who never excelled at sniping in earlier Battlefield titles, to perform significantly better. I have gone from managing only one or two sniper kills per match to regularly achieving 20 to 30 kills, which is a huge improvement and has made the class incredibly rewarding to play.
However, issues arise when switching away from the Recon class. Over time, as the community has adapted to the new sniping mechanics, I have noticed a substantial increase in the number of players choosing to play as Recon. It is now common to find lobbies where more than 60 percent of the enemy team consists of snipers, often positioned at their main flag or HQ. This has led to frustrating gameplay experiences where it becomes nearly impossible to advance or even spawn without being immediately eliminated by multiple snipers.
While I still believe the sniping changes are strong additions to the game in theory, their current implementation has made the class too dominant in practice. The balance issue, in my opinion, primarily stems from the range finder. The feature is simply too quick and convenient to use, removing much of the skill and challenge that used to define long-range engagements.
To address this, I propose a rework rather than a removal of the range finder:
Increase the Point Cost:
The range finder should have a higher point cost, ideally matching that of the ADS bolt at 30 points. This change would encourage players to make meaningful choices between faster follow-up shots or more precise long-range targeting, rather than benefiting from both simultaneously.
Adjust Unlock Requirements:
Increasing the level requirement to unlock the range finder, for example around level 15, could also help reduce the prevalence of inexperienced players defaulting to sniping early on.
If these adjustments do not sufficiently resolve the issue of Recon overpopulation, a more drastic but potentially effective measure could be to limit the number of Recon players per match. This limit should be high enough to maintain flexibility but low enough to prevent an overwhelming number of snipers. A reasonable cap might be eight to ten Recon players per team, or roughly 30 percent of total players. Selection could work on a first come first served basis, with a small indicator showing how many Recon slots remain available.
That said, I recognize this approach could be controversial and would prefer less restrictive balance changes, such as the range finder adjustments, before implementing any class limits.
My overall goal is to ensure that the Recon class remains accessible, enjoyable, and rewarding, without becoming a source of frustration for others. I currently have over 150 hours of playtime and my M2010 sniper rifle is level 33, so my feedback comes from extensive experience with the class rather than as an outside observer.
If anyone has alternative suggestions on how to maintain the fun and fairness of sniping, I would love to hear your thoughts. Please keep responses constructive and respectful, as this discussion is meant to improve the experience for everyone.
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