Battlefield 2042 strikes back with surprise Iwo Jima map, new jets and cross-game rewards for Battlefield 6

DICE released a surprise update for Battlefield 2042 on Aug. 18, 2025, adding new weapons, vehicles and the fan-favorite Iwo Jima map. The patch arrives while discussion around the Battlefield 6 beta—especially map size and combat feel—is ongoing, and it includes a free 60-tier battle pass with cross-game unlocks tied to Battlefield 6.

What the update adds and fixes
Details on the new Iwo Jima map
Major weapon and vehicle changes from the patch notes
Battle pass rewards that connect to Battlefield 6

Update overview

The Aug. 18 update brings new weapons (a KFS2000 assault rifle and a semi-auto Lynx sniper), two new attack jets, and the return of the Iwo Jima map. Additionally, EA and DICE published a large set of fixes and tuning changes across weapons, vehicles, modes and UI. Previously in 2025 the game had smaller updates and crossovers with Mass Effect and Dead Space, but this patch is notably larger.

Iwo Jima map

The new Iwo Jima map is a 700×200 layout. It includes boats, bunkers and trenches, and features an active volcano that can erupt during matches. Players should note the map’s large scale compared to some Battlefield 6 beta maps.

Battle pass and cross-game rewards

DICE added a free battle pass with 60 tiers. Certain tiers will unlock content in Battlefield 6 if you earn them: tiers 8, 19, 30, 40, 49, and 60. Players have until Oct. 7 to earn those tiers. EA has not specified what the Battlefield 6 rewards are. Meanwhile, Battlefield 6’s devs say the full release will offer larger maps than those seen in the beta; see their comment here:

Battlefield 6 lead producer: full game will offer bigger battles than the beta

Weapons and combat fixes

The patch includes many weapon fixes and a few tuning changes. Highlights from the notes:

Fixed Underloaded Magazine mesh display and added texture variations for underloaded mag attachments.
Updated UI stats for Vault Weapon LMGs and DFR Strife extended ammo attachments (UI only).
Laser and flashlight underbarrels now show correct on/off state in inventory; red laser on PP-2000 was fixed (previously appeared green).
Underbarrel grenade launchers will no longer be more accurate while moving; accuracy tuning applied for consistency between hip fire and ADS.
NTW-50: slightly increased anti-material high-power damage vs light vehicles, civilian vehicles and deployed gadgets.
AN-94: fixed Ghost Hybrid scope magnification hint. GOL Magnum: fixed high-power ammo fire rate discrepancy.
AK5C: fixed extended mag giving unintended recoil bonuses; extended mag now behaves like standard extended mags.
Fixed Masterkey/Underbarrel Grenade Launcher ammo spawn issue on some weapons.
Fixed Arcom Tactical Muzzle obstruction bug and re-enabled the attachment.

Vehicles and air changes

The update adds two attack jets (A10 Warthog and SU-25TM Frogfoot) and adjusts multiple vehicle behaviors and armaments. Key points:

Removed plow collision on the CAV-Brawler “Crossroads” skin to prevent getting stuck on terrain.
Added pilot hints for the new attack jets, updated intro sequences, and improved customization camera positions.
Bomb hatches for the XFAD-4 Draugr now open and close correctly.
A10 and Frogfoot no longer take damage when upside down midair at low velocity; eject impulse and water ejection behavior updated.
Changed EBLC-Ram: increased RPG and recoilless damage, but driver missile blast radius decreased from 3 to 1.5.”
Adjusted jet behaviors to reduce fighter jet dominance in ground combat (developer comment included in notes).
F35/SU57: regular rocketpod ammo reduced from 16 to 14; rocketpod blast damage lowered from 150 to 100; afterburner duration increased from 6 to 9.
XFAD-4 Draugr: HE impact and blast damage lowered; JDAM and napalm reload times increased; napalm inner radius and overall blast radius reduced (burning radius retained).
A10 Warthog and SU-25TM Frogfoot received visual and audio updates, maneuverability improvements, camera adjustments, and a new secondary weapon for soft targets. Additional missile and rockpod tuning was applied, plus changes to countermeasure cooldowns.
New abilities: one boosts maneuverability at the cost of ammo; another increases damage output at the cost of maneuverability.

Modes, UI and other fixes

Several non-weapon and non-vehicle fixes were included:

Outbreak: players can no longer change characters once a round has started.
Fixed incorrect icons on Frontlines scoreboard.
Improved visibility of controller input prompts in the inventory HUD against light backgrounds.
Updated game credits to the final developer list.
Miscellaneous fixes: roadkill rewards improved for Frogfoot, littlebird flight bug fixed, inconsistent FoV and jet floating in menus addressed, and various UI icon fixes.

Patch context

The update arrives while conversation around the Battlefield 6 beta continues. Some players criticized Battlefield 6’s beta maps as smaller and the combat as more action-oriented; others remain skeptical about whether larger player counts and larger maps will return in the full release. Battlefield 6 is scheduled to launch on Oct. 10, 2025, while the new Battlefield 2042 battle pass rewards tied to Battlefield 6 must be earned by Oct. 7.