Battlefield 6 Players Criticize Explosives in Open Beta
Battlefield 6’s second open beta weekend is underway, and while players are praising certain aspects of the game, not all feedback has been positive. A growing number of fans are voicing frustration with the balance of the grenade and rocket launchers, with some labeling the weapons as “largely useless.”
The latest testing phase began on August 14 and is set to conclude on Sunday, August 17. With hundreds of thousands of players now having hands-on time with the upcoming shooter, community discussions have highlighted perceived flaws in the explosive arsenal.
Complaints About Grenade Launcher Effectiveness
The grenade launcher has become one of the most criticized weapons of the open beta. Many players argue that its limited area of effect (AoE) forces direct hits to score eliminations, making it feel unintuitive and ineffective. Fans note that while Battlefield 6 is not a strict military simulator, its weaponry should still reflect reasonable power and utility.
One widely shared Reddit post compared the weapon to a “spitball pen,” with some players suggesting that its current balance undermines its intended role. Others argue that the grenade launcher feels disconnected from the game’s military theme due to its lack of destructive impact.
Rocket Launcher Faces Similar Backlash
The rocket launcher has also been criticized for similar reasons. Players point out that it offers minimal splash damage and, when missing its target, often only suppresses enemies rather than dealing meaningful harm. Additionally, fans expected rockets to be able to destroy walls and static structures, but this functionality is absent in the beta.
These frustrations were further amplified by a viral gameplay video that highlighted both weapons’ shortcomings, sparking wider debate within the Battlefield community.
Why DICE May Have Balanced Explosives This Way
Despite player criticism, there are design reasons behind the current weapon balance. Limiting splash damage appears to be an intentional choice by developer DICE to ensure that grenade and rocket launchers serve primarily as anti-vehicle tools, rather than all-purpose infantry killers.
With players already able to equip two launchers, vehicles are considered difficult to operate effectively in the beta. Increasing explosive AoE risks further disrupting that balance. It is also worth noting that certain ammunition types, such as Thermobaric Grenades, provide strong utility by stunning and burning enemies even without precise hits.
Looking Ahead to Launch
DICE has not yet indicated whether it plans to adjust grenade or rocket launchers before launch. With Battlefield 6 scheduled for release on October 10, there is still time for the developer to make balancing changes based on community feedback. For now, however, fans remain divided on whether explosives should be more powerful or left as they are to preserve vehicle balance.
