Battlefield 6 Launches Free Access Week as Update 1.4.3.0 Brings Deep Six Event and Balance Changes
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15.09.2026 15:22
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2 min read
Publisher Electronic Arts has kicked off a free access week for military shooter Battlefield 6. Running from September 15 to 22, the event coincides with major Update 1.4.3.0 and the launch of Season 4 Phase 3: Tidal Strike. At the same time, the game introduced the Deep Six collection event and began testing proximity voice chat.
Free Access Content and Deep Six Event
Free access includes a set pool of competitive content. Through September 22, players can access the Wake Island, Tsuru Reef, Cairo Bazaar, and Hagental Base maps in Conquest, Escalation, and casual Breakthrough modes, alongside vetted user playlists in Portal mode. Double XP will be active throughout the entire week.
The centerpiece in-game event is the Deep Six event, running through October 12 in both the main game and the free-to-play battle royale Battlefield REDSEC. Completing contracts awards thematic skins, while finishing the full mission chain unlocks the British combat swimmer Royal Navy Diver’s Knife as the ultimate reward.
The REDSEC mode also launched the fan activity Phantom Program, challenging players to search for hidden Easter eggs and cipher fragments in Fort Lyndon.
Additionally, the developers rolled out proximity voice chat testing for the battle royale mode: voice volume fades realistically with distance, walls and obstacles muffle sound, and armored vehicle interiors alter voice timbre.
Vehicle Balance and Reticles in Update 1.4.3.0
The latest patch brings noticeable adjustments to gunplay and combat vehicles. According to Electronic Arts’ patch notes for version 1.4.3.0, the developers reworked optical reticles, removing visual clutter and improving crosshair visibility on bright sand textures.
Balance changes affect ground vehicles and aircraft:
- The RCB90 armored boat received a health increase from 800 to 1,000 units and more responsive steering;
- High-rate-of-fire machine guns on the AH-6 Little Bird helicopter now overheat 1.5 seconds faster and deal 50% less damage to naval vessels;
- MANPADS lost the directional arrow indicator that warned pilots of the lock-on bearing.
Free access to select modes ends on September 22, and all earned progress, weapon levels, and unlocked cosmetics will carry over to the player profile upon purchasing the full game.
