Games
Destroy the online opposition with these top tips and tricks for the new Star Wars game.
With its brand-new story, class heroes and battle modes, Star Wars: Battlefront 2 is pulling out all the stops. Despite Battlefront 2 having a brief single-player campaign, the core of the series has always been multiplayer and it’s plain to see that that’s where EA DICE has focused most of its energy. It’s not the best multiplayer experience of the year but it’s enjoyable all the same and is a must-have for fans of the franchise.
This list of tips will help you get the most out of your Battlefront 2 experience and successfully kick some alien butt. May the Force be with you…
1. Finish the single player campaign
It may sound ridiculous to players who are no doubt itching to satisfy their PvP itch but before you dive straight into epic multiplayer space battles, set aside some time to complete the single-player campaign. It’s not incredibly long, averaging at about six hours in length, so it’s perfect for spreading across a couple of evenings or even powering through in one long sitting. In the campaign, you follow the story of Iden Versio, the leader of imperial Inferno Squad unit, as her and her team pledge to put an end to The Empire once and for all.
Not only do you get to experience one of the most interesting Star Wars stories to date, you’ll also bag yourself 5,000 Battle Points which can be used in multiplayer to unlock new heroes, villains and spaceships. Since one character can cost up to 10,000 points, it’s worth finishing the single player campaign as the game can prove frustratingly stingy when handing them out to you in multiplayer matches, giving you roughly 250 every ten minutes. You are only rewarded once though so there’s no racking up easy points by completing the story multiple times, sadly.
2. Work with your squad and play the objective
Whenever you enter a match or respawn, you’re thrown into a team of up to three other players in what is called a respawn wave. This is your assigned squad and although it can be tempting to stray and take down enemies in your own way, it’s best to stick together for maximum firepower, especially in the Galactic and Starfighter Assault modes where there are lots of players and a high chance of getting ganged up on.
Each mode you play has a list of certain objectives that must be fulfilled to win against the enemy team. Working together with your squad nets you additional Battle Points and XP, so there’s really no downside to teaming up to help complete them. Squad members are easy to distinguish from others since they’re marked with a yellow pointer over their heads so there’s no fear of losing them in the fray, and therefore no excuse not to stick to your pack. After all, there’s nothing worse than losing a match by a hair because your teammates refuse to co-operate, so don’t be that person.
3. Mix and match class roles
There are four classes to choose from in multiplayer, each with their own unique role to fill. Fans of short-to-medium range combat will probably default towards Assault as its main focus is closing in on enemies, flanking, and carving out openings for other teammates.
If defence is more your style, Heavy is perfect for holding down capture points and fending off enemies as it’s essentially a giant, walking bullet sponge.
Officer is the game’s medic role and the glue that holds any squad together, applying buffs to and healing any surrounding teammates, whilst also attacking with a powerful turret. Specialist is your sniper class, ideal for any player who prefers taking out enemies from afar.
Learning to adapt to your situation is crucial to survival so taking the time to learn each role is important. You can switch classes once you die, so there’s no fear of being locked into the same one for the entire match but just make sure to keep an eye on which roles your squad members choose so you don’t pick the same one – co-ordination is key to victory.
4. Spend your Battle Points wisely
We’ve already established that completing the single-player campaign is a fantastic way of netting you a bunch of points but you might not want to stock them up to buy the most expensive heroes and villains. Saving your points may seem like the best way to go but you could be better off spending them in small chunks.
Each match gives you the option to purchase two optional trooper classes: Heavy Trooper and Jet Pack Trooper. Although these are only temporary to the match, these two heroes pack a powerful punch and if used at the right time, can be real tide-turners if you’re losing a game.
Some maps also allow you to play as a Starfighter ship if you have enough Battle Points, meaning you can wreak havoc on ground enemies from the air. Of course, if you can afford an expensive hero or villain, go for it. They’re pricey for a reason – they’re the best. Just don’t be afraid to splurge some points on the cheaper options instead of hoarding them if you’re confident that you could change the outcome of the match.
5. Make use of Star Cards
If you’re serious about winning matches and earning maximum Battle Points, Star Cards are the way to go. There are two types: Boost and Ability Cards. Ability Cards are equipped to the four main classes to swap out an ability for an entirely new one, while Boost Cards are used with certain unlockable characters and ships to buff stats. Each card has a rarity rating and the rarer it is, the better the effects.
Each class also has its own Card Level which is based on how many cards you’ve unlocked for each class and their rarity. It is vital that you work on increasing your levels as they allow you to equip more cards and increase your stats even further.
Sadly, Star Cards are only earned through loot crates or by crafting them with materials. You’re given a free loot box every day but there’s no guarantee you’ll obtain a card every time, although you can also win by crafting materials in boxes too, making it a little bit easier to obtain the cards you want. Materials can also be gained by playing the single-player campaign and multiplayer matches, although like with Points, the game can be stingy with what it decides to hand out to you.
