How Many Primary Weapons Are in Battlefield 2042?
As of Season 4: Zero Hour in 2023, there are 23 primary weapons available in Battlefield 2042‘s multiplayer across 6 categories:
| Category | Number of Weapons |
|---|---|
| Assault Rifles | 4 |
| Submachine Guns | 6 |
| Light Machine Guns | 3 |
| Marksman Rifles | 3 |
| Sniper Rifles | 3 |
| Shotguns/Utility | 4 |
Breaking Down the Latest Primary Weapons
Season 4: Zero Hour added 4 new primary weapons spanning assault rifles, SMGs, shotguns, and LMGs:
- AC9 SMG: Excellent rate of fire at 870 RPM with a 50 round mag. Easy to control recoil pattern makes this a great CQC option.
- RM68 Assault Rifle: Hardest hitting AR with a 3 shot kill potential. Heavier recoil takes practice to master at range.
- Super 500 Shotgun Sidearm: Semiauto shotgun packing serious punch up close. Limit of 2 shells makes follow up shots critical.
- RPT-31 LMG: Large 100 round belt fed LMG with accuracy enhancing bipod for ranged suppression. Mobility suffers when deployed.
These new weapons unlock at Tier 40 of the Battle Pass, allowing all players to expand their arsenal for free by simply playing.
Let‘s analyze Battlefield 2042‘s overall weapon selection in more depth…
Assault Rifles – The All-Purpose Combat Rifles
With only 4 assault rifles in the game, this category surprisingly lacks variety so far. Fortunately, each AR fills distinct combat roles. Stats below:
| Weapon | Damage (Body/Head) | Fire Rate (RPM) | Recoil | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M5A3 | 25/40 | 850 | Low | All-rounder |
| SFAR-GL | 30/48 | 600 | Medium | Mid-range |
| AC-42 | 22/35 | 680 | High | Long range |
| RM68 | 30/48 | 540 | High | Short range |
The M5A3 stands out as the most versatile option. With minimal recoil and a fast fire rate, it‘s effective at any range in the hands of a skilled shooter. The SFAR-GL‘s integral grenade launcher provides versatility to flush out enemies behind cover. The AC-42 rewards accuracy with a faster 6 shot kill potential tapping heads at a distance. And the RM68 is built for aggressive CQB play with its hardest hitting 3 shot kill up close.
Overall, assault rifles continue to dominate as the best primary weapons to carry for their balance of firepower, range, and mobility…
Submachine Guns – Specialists for Close Quarters
With 6 SMGs to pick from, Battlefield 2042 gives players plenty of rapid firing options for up close and personal work. How do they compare?
| Weapon | Damage | Fire Rate | Mobility | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PP-29 | 22/35 | 860 RPM | High | Room clearing |
| K30 | 25/40 | 1100 RPM | Low | Extreme CQC |
| PBX-9 | 27/43 | 720 RPM | Medium | Flanking |
| MP9 | 22/35 | 830 RPM | High | Versatile CQC |
| KURTz | 34/54 | 420 RPM | Medium | Short range engagements |
| P39 PDM | 27/43 | 640 RPM | Medium | All situations |
The K30 is an absolute monster up close, able to drop enemies instantly with its insanely fast cyclic rate. But it‘s terrible at range with high recoil and bullet spread. The PP-29 offers versatility for all maps with good mobility, large mags, and easy recoil while retaining competitive TTK (time-to-kill) up close. The P39 PDM is perhaps the most underrated, acting almost as an assault rifle sized SMG in mid range fights.
Overall the SMG category gives all playstyles powerful CQC options while fulfilling niche combat roles…
Sniper Rifles – Reigning Supreme at a Distance
With only 3 sniper rifles in BF2042 currently, this category is lacking in diversity, but still offers distinguishable long range weapons…
[Content truncated for length]Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!
