How to Play Obliteration and Tactical Obliteration - Tips and Tricks

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• HOW TO PLAY OBLITERATION AND TACTICAL OBLITERATION
• OBLITERATION - THE BASICS
  • WIN CONDITIONS AND OVERTIME
• UPDATE - HOW TO PLAY TACTICAL OBLITERATION
• TOP TEN TIPS AND TRICKS FOR OBLITERATION
• UPDATE - TOP FIVE ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR TACTICAL OBLITERATION

HOW TO PLAY OBLITERATION AND TACTICAL OBLITERATION

The iconic Battlefield 4 Multiplayer experience returns with a new epic evolution. 

Obliteration is a battle to destroy enemy M-COMs (Military Communications) using bombs placed neutrally on each map. Both sides must risk everything to get the bomb, escort their carrier to the detonation site, and obliterate the enemy. 

Obliteration is Battlefield at its most competitive, supporting up to 64 players on some of the game’s largest maps. Similar to Obliteration is Tactical Obliteration: refined for an 8v8 experience, Tactical Obliteration is concentrated on high-stakes infantry combat where every soldier can catalyze a winning strategy.

Here’s what you need to know about this mode, including core strategies distilled down into ten quick tips for success:

OBLITERATION - THE BASICS

Your mission is to destroy three enemy M-COMs before they can destroy three of your own.

At the start of the match, a single neutral bomb spawns in one of several locations in the middle of the map. On foot or using vehicles, you and your team must secure the bomb and advance to one of the enemy bomb sites. The bomb always appears on the mini-map, whether it is on the ground or being carried by an ally or an enemy. Bombs are also active upon pick-up: take too long to plant it on an M-COM and it will explode, dropping immediately for anyone to pick up. If it is not picked up after a short period of time, it will explode again, resetting back to one of the multiple midfield spawn locations.

Given Battlefield 6’s Obliteration supports the largest Multiplayer lobby size, expect dozens of enemies and allies swarming towards the bomb at all times. Fortunately, there are no tickets or lives to worry about; both teams have unlimited respawns, but reviving allies is a smart way to bring them back closer to the fight sooner. Obliteration is all-out warfare at maximum intensity, with all fighting concentrated near the bomb or M-COMs and constant reinforcements.

Just like Rush, it takes several seconds to plant or defuse a bomb on an M-COM (with the Assault Class granting faster plant and defuse times to nearby allies due to its Signature Trait Mission Focused). M-COMs are reinforced with stationary turrets of all varieties and additional vehicle spawns to help with defense and counter-attacks following a bomb defusal.

If the bomb is still armed after a short period of time, it explodes, with the team responsible gaining a point. If a bomb is defused, it is automatically picked up by the defuser, unless this happens during Overtime…

WIN CONDITIONS AND OVERTIME

A game of Obliteration ends after one team’s three M-COMs are destroyed or if one team destroys more M-COMs than the other team before the time limit is reached. Obliteration games can end in ties if neither team destroys any M-COMs or destroys an equal amount, although there are two additional rules to prevent stalemates:

First, seven minutes before the time limit expires, a second bomb appears in one of the central map locations. This creates an additional path to victory: if both teams are deadlocked over the initial bomb, then it opens up an opportunity to launch an alternative assault with another bomb.

Overtime also exists: if teams are tied and there is at least one bomb in play or planted on an M-COM, the game is extended until there are no more active M-COMs or bombs. During overtime, each bomb only has one timer that does not reset when picked up, a charged M-COM explodes more than three times faster than normal play, accelerating the end of a match. If a bomb explodes before being planted, or if an M-COM is disarmed, the bomb is removed from play. The first team to destroy an M-COM in Overtime wins, otherwise the game ends in a tie.

UPDATE - HOW TO PLAY TACTICAL OBLITERATION

Tactical Obliteration - the new name for Squad Obliteration, also originally released in Battlefield 4 (but, as our community historians know, came after launch in the Winter Update) - is functionally similar to the original Obliteration. However, there are several key differences:

• Max of 16 players instead of 64; this is 8v8, two squads against two squads combat.
• Smaller maps.
• No Vehicles; leave those tank keys at home, Engineers.
• Only two out of three M-COMs need to be destroyed for a team to win.
• The fuse timer is dramatically shorter in Tactical Obliteration compared to regular Obliteration.
• Only one Bomb can spawn, regardless of time left in the match or overtime.
• Shorter time limit in general compared to regular Obliteration.
• Enemy Bomb Carrier icon isn't always visible; every few seconds, their location blinks onto the minimap and overworld.

All these differences add up to a focused, infantry-based brawl where every squad member’s individual skill is put to the test. Action is centered around a single bomb, losing track of an enemy carrier is a common possibility, and not every M-COM is necessarily treated equally. Although there is no one right way to win this mode, here’s a few initial thought starters for strategy:

First, remember one of Battlefield’s core words: squad. Tactical Obliteration culls the selfish heroes and un-coordinated teams out quickly from those who work together as one unit. Knowing each of your squadmate’s strengths when it comes to weapon proficiency, Class tendencies, what missions they want to complete, and how they carve their personal path to victory are all pieces of vital information that formulates an explosive gameplan. Simply put, tough to deliver in practice, the “tactical” part of Tactical Obliteration doesn’t simply mean small; it defines a mode that demands calculated, deliberate, localized strategic decisions to be made within your squad that determine who wins every last engagement.

Outside of your squad, study your enemy: when there are only eight compared to 32, noticing tendencies becomes a lot easier. For example, just like in regular Obliteration, it might not always be the smartest decision to rush forward at the start of the match. What about holding back and setting up a stronger defense? Is the bomb initially at the center of a main intersection or long alleyway, and if so, can a certain weapon’s effective range decimate an eager runner? And what about those smoke and fire gadgets and grenades - if the enemy expects a straight gunfight, how can you use those to ruin their plans?

Getting into the enemy’s head also applies to staying off their radar; because the bomb carrier is not always on the radar, there can be lapses in knowing their position. A drawn-out firefight or eliminating nearby enemies might make a hostile squad lose sight of the bomb, only for it to turn up planted at one of their M-COMs. The Recon Portable Jammer Gadget complements this strategy by hiding allies near the Bomb Carrier; while it won’t hide where the Bomb is exactly due to its icon, it can at least shroud those supporting the runner and cause confusion.

Otherwise, knowing only two out of three destroyed M-COMs are required to win adds a potential strategic sacrifice play. If one side of the map is harder to defend, perhaps it’s easier to let the enemy think it’s an easy win before they walk straight into more formidable defenses. As your squad gains map knowledge, don’t always jump to the conclusion of needing to win via shutout… Unless the enemy team can be steamrolled, which if you come to find that out, by all means go ahead and run up the score.

In short, Tactical Obliteration - under its previous name - was a cornerstone of the Battlefield Multiplayer competitive community during its heydey. Remembering those roots and putting yourself in an elite player’s mindset will ultimately bring you into winning ways.

TOP TEN TIPS AND TRICKS FOR OBLITERATION

1. BRACE FOR KICKOFF. Obliteration’s opening seconds are chaotic - when everyone wants the bomb, think about ways to grab it quickly or trap entire squads trying to escape open space.
2. THE BEST OFFENSE IS A GOOD DEFENSE. Want to avoid the opening scramble and help your team? Use the first few minutes to set up strong defenses at M-COM sites, or rush ahead to clear out an enemy site.
3. START YOUR ENGINES. When available, vehicles are key to a winning Obliteration strategy; work between squads to ensure heavy ground and aerial vehicles are in use and well-protected. And remember: although Transport Vehicles don’t have on-board weapons or bulky armor, they do have faster cooldowns to get you back into the fight.
4. NO TIME TO STALL. Carried bombs will eventually explode if they are not planted; don’t get caught camping with an active explosive.
5. ALL-OUT ASSAULT. The “Mission Focused” Signature Trait allows you to grant nearby allies faster M-COM plant and defuse times. If your middle name is “PTFO,” then pick this Class and stick close to the bomb runner.
6. PILOT AND PULVERIZE. Combat Engineers should prioritize driving vehicles to avoid giving enemies the “tank keys” for powerful tools, while Anti-Armor Engineers should focus on using Launchers and Mines to knock hostile tech out of the fight temporarily.
7. KEEP THEM IN THE FIGHT. Respawning close to the action is a huge momentum swing; be the reason why that happens. If the squad is waiting to respawn, consider a tactical retreat to get them back, or drive a transport vehicle - especially the helicopter - to become a mobile respawn point. Playing the Support Class takes this a step further: use faster revive times and the Defibrillator Gadget to save the squad from respawning.
8. INTEL IS POWER. Using the Recon Class? Gather information and disrupt enemy movements using your spotting abilities and Gadgets, such as the Motion Sensor to spot hostels or Anti-Personnel Mines to ruin their full-sprint tactics.
9. WATCH THE CLOCK. Seven minutes left in the match means a second bomb is in play; if your squad is far from the main fight, try taking position near the new bomb’s potential spawn site.
10. OVERTIME MAGIC. M-COMs explode faster in overtime. Focus on making that quick plant or, if your team is on the receiving end, a rapid defuse, ideally with an Assault squadmate nearby to help with the defusal.

UPDATE - TOP FIVE ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR TACTICAL OBLITERATION

1. TRAIN ON THE RANGE. Before heading into an infantry-based mode, consider brushing up that gunskill on the Firing Range in the Loadouts menu.
2. THINK TACTICALLY, THINK TOGETHER. “Tactical” Obliteration requires lockstep coordination within your squad. Keep comms clear and focused on a strategy that leans into everyone’s individual strengths.
3. KNOW YOUR ENEMY. With only eight hostile targets, paying attention to their tendencies can help you develop a devastating counter-attack. 
4. TRACK ‘EM DOWN. Go beyond trailing an enemy Bomb Carrier: Think a few steps ahead and cut them off on their route to - or directly at - the M-COM.
5. LET THEM THINK THEY WON. Only two out of three M-COMs are needed to win, but losing one isn’t the end of a match. Consider sacrificing a tougher-to-defend M-COM if it means a stronger front on the remaining two.

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