Battlefield 6 Testing Labs Drops Class Weapon Restrictions and Fans Are Not Happy

The latest update in the Battlefield 6 testing labs has hit a nerve with the community. DICE has decided to remove class-specific weapon restrictions, and now, anyone can use anything. Want to snipe with a Medic? Go ahead. LMGs with Recon? Sure. But don’t expect players to be quiet about it—this is not going over well.

The change was announced through an official post from Battlefield Labs—the current internal name for the testing environment leading up to Battlefield 6. Think of it as a live playground where DICE can test core mechanics before the final release. That makes it important. It’s also where ideas either die quietly or end up in the finished game.

This time, fans are calling it the “first big L.”

Weapon Restrictions Are Gone

Traditionally, Battlefield has always used class-based weapon locks to define how you play. Medics got SMGs or ARs. Recons got snipers. Assault had rifles. Engineers got explosives and PDWs. That system has been one of the key identity markers of the franchise. It created synergy and forced players into tactical roles. If you saw a Medic, you knew what they were doing. Same with a Recon.

Now, Battlefield Labs says you can use any weapon with any class.

"Sorry, first big L. Restrict weapon classes." – Top comment on Battlefield Labs’ Reddit announcement

Instead of locking loadouts, DICE is shifting toward signature weapons and class traits. That means while everyone can use anything, classes will still have slight advantages depending on how you spec. If you’re a Recon using a sniper rifle, for example, you’ll be able to hold your breath longer and automatically tag enemies when aiming down sights.

But that doesn’t stop a Medic from taking the same sniper rifle and camping in the back.

The Community Response Is Brutal

The Reddit thread quickly turned into a community referendum on class identity. The biggest complaint? DICE is removing one of the few things that still made Battlefield feel like Battlefield.

"Stop trying to reinvent the fucking wheel, DICE. Class restricted weapons are class restricted for a reason."

"I don’t think I ever saw the community ask to use an LMG as Recon, or a sniper as Assault in the BF3-BFV era. It’s just nonsense."

Others pointed out that past games already had a decent compromise, allowing carbines, shotguns, and DMRs as universal weapons. That gave players some flexibility without letting every class use everything.

Now it feels like that compromise has been scrapped in favour of total freedom. And not everyone wants that kind of chaos.

DICE is in a tricky spot. On one hand, Battlefield 2042 was a major miss, with poor launch reception and several broken features. Since then, the studio has made it clear they’re trying to win players back. But decisions like this one risk alienating the core fanbase that stuck with the series through thick and thin.

Removing weapon restrictions sounds like a quality-of-life change aimed at casual players, but it may cost the identity and tactical depth that long-time fans care about. If every class can do everything, why even have classes?

It’s not just about gameplay—it’s about how people understand their role in the game.

This is important: Battlefield Labs is still a testing ground. Nothing shown here is final. These updates are designed to provoke feedback, and DICE has pulled back on things before. But it’s clear that this particular experiment has already hit a wall with the community.

The idea of signature traits and subtle boosts tied to weapon-class combos is interesting in theory. But in practice, players want structure. They want their Recons spotting and sniping, their Medics healing and staying near teammates—not hiding in a bush with a long-range rifle.

So while the testing labs might give you the freedom to do what you want, don’t expect the final game to keep that same energy if the backlash continues.

Credit: Leaked Image

Bad Company 2 Vibes, But Not the Good Kind

Visually and stylistically, the new Battlefield still channels the look and feel of Bad Company 2. That’s part of what’s keeping some players hopeful. Early leaks and trailers have a more grounded tone, with stripped-back HUDs and gritty maps. There's a hunger to return to a simpler era of FPS design.

But simplifying doesn’t have to mean removing core mechanics. And right now, the decision to toss out class restrictions feels like it’s trending in the wrong direction.

DICE says they want to listen. This might be the moment to prove it.