Battlefield V DLC Map Guide: Mastering Every Expansion
Welcome, soldier! Jumping into the chaotic and beautiful battlefields of Battlefield V is one thing, but truly mastering them is another. The post-launch DLC maps, released through the Tides of War chapters, offer some of the most diverse and challenging combat environments in the game. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a fresh recruit, this guide is your ultimate resource for developing winning strategies on every expansion map. We're not just talking about where to go; we're talking about how to think, which classes and vehicles excel, and how to turn the terrain itself into your greatest weapon.
Let's deploy and break down the best strategies for conquering these war-torn landscapes.
The Pacific Theatre: Storming the Beaches and Jungles
The arrival of the Pacific Theatre was a game-changer, introducing two iconic factions and a completely new feel to the game. These maps are vast, often with a clear attacking and defending side, demanding coordination and smart play.
1. Pacific Storm: The Island-Hopping Gauntlet
Pacific Storm is a masterpiece of combined arms warfare, seamlessly blending naval, air, and infantry combat across a chain of tropical islands.
- Initial Beach Assault (Breakthrough): As the US attackers, your first hurdle is the beach. This is where smoke grenades are non-negotiable. Assault and Support players should blanket the approach with smoke. Don't just charge the main bunkers; use the amphibious vehicles to flank to the far-left and right islands. A well-coordinated squad landing on the flanks can create a devastating foothold and force the defenders to split their attention. The long-range combat effectiveness of the Japanese Type 99 Arisaka or the American M1 Garand shines here.
- Mid-Game Island Control (Conquest): The key to dominating Conquest on Pacific Storm is controlling the central flag, often the airfield. However, don't ignore the peripheral flags. A squad dedicated to a "navy" role, using the LVT or a boat to constantly capture and harass the outlying points (like the Resort or the Shipwreck), can bleed the enemy team's tickets and pull their forces away from the main fight. The best tank strategies for Pacific Storm involve the Sherman using its versatility to support infantry pushes from the water's edge, while Japanese tank destroyers should hold chokepoints.
- Final Sector Push (Breakthrough): The final Japanese defenses are brutal, centered around a fortified communications tower. The best way to attack fortified positions here is from above. Use the US faction's Corsair fighter with rockets to clear out machine gun nests and anti-air emplacements. Meanwhile, infantry should use the dense jungle cover to approach unseen. A Support player with a blowtorch can be a hero, building fortifications that provide crucial cover for the final push.
2. Iwo Jima: The Iconic Sulfur Island
Iwo Jima is an epic, linear experience in Breakthrough that perfectly captures the feeling of a grueling uphill battle.
- D-Day on the Black Sands (Breakthrough): The first sector is a meat grinder. For the US, the Mount Suribachi strategy begins the moment you hit the beach. Don't linger in the water. Use the landing craft and Amtracs to get as far up the beach as possible. The Japanese defenders have the high ground on Suribachi, so snipers and machine gunners will have a field day. As the US, your aircraft are critical for suppressing these positions.
- Climbing Mount Suribachi: Taking the mountain itself requires a multi-pronged assault. While one squad pushes the main path, another should use the caves and tunnels on the left flank to infiltrate the summit. A sneaky Support player can use their construction tool to rebuild the destroyed pillboxes on top, giving your team a powerful defensive position once it's captured. This is a prime example of how to use fortifications to your advantage.
- The Airfield and Beyond: After Suribachi, the battle opens up onto the airfield. For the Japanese, this is where a well-hidden anti-tank gun placement can stop a US armored column in its tracks. Hide them in the destroyed hangars or amongst the wrecked planes. For the US, coordinating tank and infantry advances is key—your tanks provide a moving wall of steel for your troops to advance behind. The final cave sectors are a chaotic close-quarters fight. As an attacker, equip shotguns or SMGs, and liberally use explosives to clear out dug-in defenders.
3. Wake Island: The Classic Returns
Wake Island is a long, narrow map that forces combat along predictable routes, making flanks incredibly powerful.
- The Flanking Game (All Modes): The most important Wake Island gameplay tip is to use the water. Ignore the central meat grinder around the airfield. Instead, dedicated squads should constantly be using boats to attack the flags on the far ends of the island, like "Sanctuary" or "Pilot's Knoll." Capturing these flags behind enemy lines causes massive disruption.
- Vehicle Dominance: Control of the skies and seas often dictates the match. The best plane loadouts for Wake Island are those geared towards ground attack. The Corsair with anti-vehicle rockets or the Zero with bombs can decimate enemy tanks and boats. The landing craft, often overlooked, are fantastic for transporting an entire squad quickly and providing mobile spawn points for a surprise attack.
- Defensive Setups: For defenders, setting up interlocking fields of fire with machine guns covering the beaches and open areas is devastating. A Recon player with a spotting scope can single-handedly win the game by highlighting the constant stream of enemy boats and flankers for their team to eliminate.
The European Theatre Expansions: New War Stories
Later Tides of War chapters brought us back to Europe with fresh, intense maps.
1. Operation Underground: The Metro/Locker Successor
This is Battlefield V's quintessential infantry-only cluster. It's a brutal, close-quarters map defined by chokepoints.
- Mastering the Choke Points: The central tunnel and the staircase near Flag B are killing fields. The best strategies for Operation Underground revolve around breaking these stalemates. Don't just throw yourself at the enemy. As an Assault player, your dynamite and PIAT can clear rooms. As a Medic, your job is to spam smoke grenades to block sightlines and revive the inevitable casualties. The Support's shotgun or MMG can lock down a corridor, but be wary of grenade spam.
- The Flanking Routes: The secret to dominating "Op Underground" is knowing the less-traveled paths. The side passages and the train cars are your best friends. A single squad slipping through these routes can capture the enemy's back flag (A or D), forcing them to retreat and breaking the chokepoint deadlock. This is a perfect map for the Medic class dominance with SMGs, allowing you to win the frantic close-range engagements.
- Gadget Choice is Key: Since vehicles are absent, gadget selection becomes paramount. The Support's Ammo Crate is a lifesaver for a team constantly expending grenades and rockets. The Medic's Smokescreen Launcher is arguably the most powerful tool on the map for enabling pushes.
2. Provence: The French Countryside Clash
Provence offers a mix of open fields and tight, close-quarters village fighting, creating a dynamic battle for all playstyles.
- Urban vs. Rural Combat: The map is split between the wide-open fields around the winery and the dense, labyrinthine streets of the town. Your ideal loadout for Provence depends entirely on where you're fighting. Recon and Assault players with semi-automatic rifles can excel in the fields, while Medics and Supports with automatic weapons rule the town.
- Tank Warfare Tactics: The open areas are a tanker's dream and nightmare. The effective tank combat on Provence requires careful positioning. Use the stone walls and buildings for cover instead of charging into the open. A coordinated tank crew can hold down an entire flank, but a lone wolf will quickly be ambushed by Assault players using the terrain for cover. Infantry must stick close to their tanks to protect them from these ambushes.
- Controlling the Church: The central church flag is a major focal point. Controlling its high tower provides a significant spotting advantage. However, it's also a death trap. Don't just sit in the tower; use it to overview the area, then move to secure the surrounding buildings. A well-placed spawn beacon nearby can keep the pressure on this crucial objective.
3. Al Marj Encore: The Revamped Airfield
A reimagining of a smaller map, Al Marj Encore focuses on a destroyed airfield with a mix of interior and exterior combat.
- The Hangar of Death: The central hangar is the heart of the map, a chaotic point that sees constant fighting. The key to taking it is not to fight inside it head-on, but to control the perimeter. Use the destroyed offices and the high ground on the catwalks to pick off enemies inside before making your move. Explosives are extremely effective for clearing the interior.
- Air Superiority: With a clear airfield, planes have a significant impact. A skilled pilot can repeatedly bomb the central objective, making it hard for the enemy to hold. Therefore, having a teammate dedicated to manning the stationary anti-air guns or playing as an Assault with a Fliegerfaust is a crucial countering vehicles on Al Marj strategy.
- Infantry Flanking Paths: The map may seem open, but there are numerous rubble-filled paths and destroyed buildings that allow for stealthy flanking maneuvers. Instead of running across the open tarmac, use these routes to get behind enemy lines and capture their home flags, disrupting their flow of reinforcements.
General Tips for Dominating Any DLC Map
No matter which map you're on, some universal principles will always improve your game:
- Play Your Role: A team of players doing their job is unstoppable. Medics revive, Supports supply ammo and build, Assaults kill vehicles, and Recons spot. It's simple, but it wins games.
- Squad Play is Key: Stick with your squad. You spawn on each other, earn points faster, and can take on larger threats. A full squad working in unison is the most powerful weapon in Battlefield V.
- Use the Environment: Destruction is a core mechanic. Blast new entry points through walls, use craters for cover, and rebuild fortifications to create new defensive lines.
- Adapt Your Loadout: Don't just use one loadout for every map. If you're getting cut down by planes, switch to an Assault class with a Fliegerfaust. If you're attacking on Breakthrough, equip smokes. Adaptation is the mark of a great player.
Mastering these DLC maps takes time and practice, but with these strategies, you'll be topping the scoreboard and leading your team to victory in no time. Now get out there, soldier, and see you on the battlefield
