Why can't we have five classes?
I'm curious as to why we always seem to be stuck with only four classes in battlefield titles of late. From a balance perspective it comes across as an odd choice as there's always one hybrid class p...
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AnEejit I agree with your overall point, and I think moving to 5 classes would already be a big improvement for Battlefield.
Right now, the main issue isn’t just the number of classes, but how one class is handling multiple roles — especially Support. The current Support class feels like it’s doing two jobs at once (ammo + healing), which makes it too self-sufficient and reduces the need for teamplay.
In my opinion, the best solution would be to go back to something closer to BF3/BF4:
Support focused on LMGs, ammo crate, C4, and fire support
Medic as a separate class again, with defibrillators, health bag, and healing tools
This alone would already fix a big part of the balance issues by clearly separating roles.
We would then have a much clearer class structure:
-Assault for more solo-oriented, aggressive players
-Medic focused on healing and revives
-Support for ammo resupply and suppressive fire
-Recon for spotting and long-range roles
-Engineer for anti-vehicle and repairs
Each class would have a clear identity, and no one would feel overloaded or overpowered.
Also, having 5 classes wouldn’t even be new to Battlefield. If I remember correctly, Battlefield 1942 already had 5 classes. So this wouldn’t be a radical change, but rather a return to something that has already worked well in the past.
On top of that, it could make sense to increase squad size to 5 players instead of 4. This would better match the class system and encourage stronger teamwork.
For those concerned about balance issues with adding a 5th class, I don’t think it would actually create problems. Right now, players who pick Support to be self-sufficient don’t revive teammates anyway — they already play for themselves.
The current system actually creates frustration because Support is seen as a Medic, even if players don’t play it that way. That’s why you often hear: “another Medic who doesn’t revive.”
By splitting the roles, players would have to choose between healing or ammo instead of having both. That alone would naturally rebalance things and improve teamplay.
Finally, for the Medic class, I think carbines would be the best fit as a signature weapon. They’re versatile, effective at multiple ranges, and suit a mobile, support-oriented playstyle.
Overall, this kind of system would bring back stronger class identity, better teamwork, and a more balanced experience without overcomplicating the game.
Initially my thoughts were to go back to the BF3 / 4 setup of Assault/Medic hybrid, but then we'd run into some classic issues that plagued is back then and still do to this day.
Assault/Medic hybrid: you run to numerous issues, some Assault players will want to play more aggressive than those who chose to play as a hardcore Medic. What this means is some of your " Medics " will be too aggressive and dieing more frequently, which is less of an issue if they were just an Assault, as a dead medic isn't of much use. Just look at Support currently, a Medic who's in spawn with a mortar isn't of much use, a Medic who's hunkerd down with an LMG away from the action isn't of much use either.
Since there will be a clear distinction between the two roles, play styles and players alike you might as well have two different classes at this point, it saves people in chatt complaining about all the assault players who don't run defibs.. Which we all remember fondly from BF3 /4 days.
Also, with Assault just receiving the health pack element from supports kit it doesn't stop the mortar spam we see from them. Which only leads to stagnant frustrating gameplay.
So while the four class setup with Assault/Medic hybrid is better than the mess we currently have, it doesn't solve all of our issues. Five classes however, does.
AnEejit I agree with you that ideally having 5 classes would be the best solution.
Regarding Support, I also agree with your point, and that’s exactly why I think introducing a separate Medic class would be a great improvement. The Medic could be fully focused on teamplay, with gadgets like defibrillators, med packs, and smoke grenades, and carbines as their signature weapons.
On the other hand, Support could return to a more classic Battlefield role, focused on sustained fire and area control. For example, giving them ammo crates, mortars, an interception system, C4, incendiary grenades, and LMGs as their signature weapons. This would make Support feel much closer to how it played in older Battlefield titles.
I also understand your point about Assault being too solo-oriented right now. The idea of an explosives crate could actually be a really good addition. It would give Assault more tactical value and a bit more teamplay potential, instead of being purely focused on aggressive solo gameplay.
Cheers, I forgot to mention with Assaults adrenaline pen not doing much, they could rework it to a medipen and do a small self heal and revive, 25hp ought to be enough to get you out of a pinch.
Since it's a healing gadget it could only be restocked from the Medics med bag, giving the two classes a bit more leverage off eachother.
As for the med bag, ammo bag and explosives crate to save the map being littered with them constantly they could implement a charge system. Each bag/crate has a set amount of uses till it's used up and destroyed.
Med bag has ten heals ( including medipens ).
Explosives crate has ten explosive restocks.
Ammo bag works off of ammo count, you take two mags worth which could be just 60 rounds total. The bag has a stock of 300 rounds in total to dish out to players.
A little counter above each gadget would display the stocks once you get close enough.
Something like that anyways.
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