EA has confirmed the full details of Update 1.4.3.0 (Tidal Strike) for Battlefield 6. Download is available starting 8:00 UTC on September 15, and all Season 4 content, including the new event, goes live at 12:00 UTC.
Release times
| Region | Download available | Content live |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific (PT) | 1:00 AM | 5:00 AM |
| Eastern (ET) | 4:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
| UK (BST) | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Central Europe (CEST) | 10:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
Proximity Chat lands in REDSEC
The most talked-about addition: a directional voice chat system where who you hear depends on where they actually are relative to you. Walls and indoor spaces alter how voices sound, up to 4 people can speak near you at once, and you can mute, report, or block anyone from the scoreboard. It's launching in REDSEC (Battle Royale) first, not core Multiplayer, since EA wants to test it live before expanding it.
Deep Six Collection Event (Sept 15 – Oct 12)
A limited-time event built around contracts and intel devices to collect. Exclusive rewards include weapon packages and the new Diver's Knife melee weapon.
Phantom Program
A limited-time REDSEC operation: investigate a security breach in the Fort Lyndon network, hunting for intel clues and easter eggs to unlock weapon packages.
The balance change everyone's arguing about
- AA lock-on warning removed: the SLM-93A and 9K38 Igla no longer give pilots a directional lock-on warning. In practice, pilots will have a much harder time knowing where a missile is coming from until it's too late. This is the change splitting the community hardest right now, infantry players see it as overdue, pilots see it as gutting air survivability.
- RCB90 Patrol Boat: health up from 800 to 1000, with improved steering.
- AH-6 Little Bird: minigun overheats ~33% faster, and its damage to RCB90s and ATPs is cut in half. Transport helicopters can now take small arms fire damage.
- Interdictor: minimum damage up from 62 to 80, limb damage now matches chest damage, and the sweet spot mechanic is removed for more predictable performance.
Maps and modes
- Carrier Strike: spawn camping mitigation added, jets now deploy from the selection screen only.
- Tsuru Reef (Breakthrough): all four sectors expanded for more flanking routes and boat usage.
- Manhattan Bridge and Iberian Offensive: collision fixes that were causing helicopter crashes.
REDSEC / Battle Royale
- Data Extraction download time cut from 15 to 5 seconds.
- New AFK detection system with warnings.
- Grace period added for the Tank Hunter mission.
- Ranked pre-lobby leave penalty extended to 3 minutes.
UI and Portal
A reticle overhaul for a cleaner view, refined Battle Pass and ranked info presentation, and more consistent event timers. Portal gets expanded spectator tools, support for more modes (Tactical Obliteration, Breakthrough, Escalation, Rush, Domination), improved AI water navigation, and new creator scripting functions.
This is the biggest systems update since Season 4 launched, and the fight over the AA lock-on change will likely keep going all week.