DICE has unveiled the first season of post-launch content for Battlefield 2042, named Season 1: Zero Hour. Following a turbulent launch, the community has been anticipating meaningful updates, and this season aims to deliver a mix of new gameplay experiences and essential improvements. The reveal showcases a striking new map, a determined Specialist, fresh weaponry and gadgets, and advanced vehicles. This release also introduces a 100-tier Battle Pass to keep players engaged, with all gameplay-impacting items available through free tiers. For those seeking enhanced practice and progression, resources like Battlefield 6 Bot Lobby can complement the in-game experience.

The standout addition is the new map, Exposure, set amidst the Canadian Rockies. Defined by dramatic verticality, the map is shaped by an earthquake-triggered landslide that uncovered a secret research facility within the mountains. This environment offers varied combat opportunities, from high-altitude sniper battles to intense subterranean skirmishes.

• Extreme Verticality: Combat spans from towering peaks down into the facility’s depths, enabling diverse tactics such as long-range sniping, wingsuit infiltration, and close-quarters fighting.
• Diverse Combat Zones: Open clifftops and landing zones favor vehicles and large infantry pushes, while the facility’s interior demands agility with shotguns and SMGs.
• Dynamic Terrain: Shifting landslides can alter pathways, requiring teams to adapt strategies in real time.

Exposure supports the full 128-player format on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a streamlined 64-player version for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Its design addresses player feedback by offering clearer frontlines and improved cover compared to launch maps.

Season 1 also brings a new Specialist and hardware to reshape battlefield tactics. The Polish anti-vehicle expert Ewelina Lis joins the roster, equipped to counter armored dominance.

• Specialty – G-84 TGM (TV Guided Missile): A manually guided missile launcher for precision strikes against moving vehicles, aircraft, or entrenched infantry.
• Trait – Armor Hunter: Highlights damaged enemy vehicles on the HUD, enabling players to target and destroy weakened threats efficiently.

Lis’s role provides infantry squads with a strategic edge against vehicle-heavy opposition, rewarding skill and coordination.

Two new primary weapons and a gadget expand tactical choices, with all available in free Battle Pass tiers:

Air combat evolves with the introduction of stealth helicopters: the RAH-68 Huron for the US and the YG-99 Hannibal for Russia. These aircraft feature dual operational modes:

• Stealth Mode: Reduced radar visibility, ideal for covert positioning and infiltration.
• Attack Mode: Deploys weapon pods and bombs, increasing offensive capability but exposing the craft to radar and lock-on weaponry.

This mechanic introduces risk-reward dynamics, encouraging pilots to balance aggression with stealth.

Season 1’s Battle Pass offers 100 tiers of rewards, with all gameplay-changing content accessible for free. Premium tiers provide cosmetic upgrades such as skins, charms, and takedowns. Alongside new content, a major update improves quality-of-life with bug fixes, performance boosts, and refined soldier animations. Map reworks are also planned, starting with Kaleidoscope, which will gain more cover, distinct points of interest, and better flow to address longstanding player concerns. For players aiming to maximize their tactical skills and progression, options like cheap Bf6 bot lobby can serve as valuable training tools.