Battlefield 2042 Hazard Zone is a PvPvE mode that takes cues from Hunt: Showdown, Tarkov

After months of talk about all-out war and portals, we finally know exactly what the last of Battlefield 2042's big three modes is, and it's pretty different from any Battlefield mode before it. Hazard Zone is a PvPvE elimination mode in which 4-player squads duke it out on multiplayer maps over control of contentious data drives. Unlike battle royale, the goal of Hazard zone is "not to kill, but to extract out of the Hazard Zone alive with as many Data Drives as possible," according to a briefing sent by EA.

Players have to buy guns and choose specialists before a match using in-game Dark Market credits earned through play. If the setup sounds familiar, Hazard Zone seems to take inspiration from raiding games like Hunt: Showdown and Escape From Tarkov. Like both of those games, Hazard Zone players risk losing gear permanently if they're eliminated before extracting from the map at designated exfiltration zones.

On PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X, Hazard Zone will support up to 32 players (eight squads). PS4 and Xbox One will be capped at 24 players (or six squads). Hazard Zone will support all seven launch maps that will also be present in the standard Conquest mode.

In addition to weapons, players can use Dark Market credits on perks for their next run. Here's the full list of perks that EA included in its briefing:

Free upgrades

Starting Armor: Start with +20 armor
Negotiated Bounty 1: 50% additional credits for kills on Occupying Forces

Purchasable

Squad Reinforcement: Reinforcement uplink that can bring back killed squadmates. Can only be used once!
Quickdraw Holster: Switch weapons +15% faster
Data Storage: Data Drive carry capacity increased by +2
Loadout Insurance: Should you fall in battle, reimburses 50% of Loadout and Tactical Upgrade costs
Biometric Scanning: Spot enemies for 50% longer
Insider Information: Reveal Data Capsule drop locations 30 seconds before they land
Table Deal: 100% additional credits reward for extracted Data Drives
Faster Healing 1: Heal 20% faster
Faster Healing 2: Heal 50% faster
Ammo Increase 1: Additional +1 magazine for primary weapon
Ammo Increase 2: Additional +2 magazines for primary weapon
Throwable Increase 1: Increase carried throwables by +1
Throwable Increase 2: Increased carried throwables by +2

The emphasis on upgrades seems comparable to Hunt: Showdown's perks that grant advantageous abilities to players that have previously survived matches with their selected hunter. Judging by the trailer shown to press, squads will also fight over control of vehicles on the map. All 10 launch specialists will be available to pick from, but only one of each will be allowed on a squad (so you probably won't see a crowd of Mackays running into each other like in 2042's open beta).

One lingering question about Hazard Zone is how much loot will factor into the mode. We know guns can be purchased and likely outfitted with attachments before a match, but can players loot each other for guns and upgrades as they can in Tarkov or Hunt?

Hopefully we'll hear more about the intriguing new mode before Battlefield 2042's November 19 release.

Morgan has been writing for PC Gamer since 2018, first as a freelancer and currently as a staff writer. He has also appeared on Polygon, Kotaku, Fanbyte, and PCGamesN. Before freelancing, he spent most of high school and all of college writing at small gaming sites that didn't pay him. He's very happy to have a real job now. Morgan is a beat writer following the latest and greatest shooters and the communities that play them. He also writes general news, reviews, features, the occasional guide, and bad jokes in Slack. Twist his arm, and he'll even write about a boring strategy game. Please don't, though.