Between 13 games in the series, there were hundreds of multiplayer maps to choose from, but here are the nine best Battlefield maps of all time.
Battlefield maps come in many shapes and sizes, but most are large-scale environments that feature destructible elements, tanks, airplanes, other vehicles, and infantry combat. Additionally, some maps have also experimented with dynamic weather, and Battlefield 1 even had Behemoth super vehicles that altered the course of an entire match.
Over the years, DICE has recreated iconic battle scenes spanning several eras of war. Yet, at their core, all Battlefield maps have the same set of core characteristics that make this series so unique and special, and a few capture that indescribable feeling better than others.
Honorable Mentions
There are several reasons why some maps are better than others, including the amount of cover they offer, the variety of Conquest flag locations, settings, Levolution, and the general flow of the match. However, it all comes down to personal preference, and Battlefield has too many good maps to choose from.
All of these maps could have easily made the list, and they are still amazing even though they didn’t make the final cut.
- Siege of Shanghai (Battlefield 4)
- Grand Bazaar (Battlefield 3)
- Operation Metro (Battlefield 3)
- Parcel Storm (Battlefield 4)
- Operation Locker (Battlefield 4)
- Port Valdez (Battlefield Bad Company 2)
- Atacama Desert (Battlefield Bad Company 2)
- Passchendaele (Battlefield 1)
- Mashtuur (Battlefield 2)
- Rotterdam (Battlefield 5)
- Arras (Battlefield 5)
9 Best Battlefield Maps of All Time
9. Pearl Market (Battlefield 4)
This may come across as a controversial pick, but Pearl Market is one of the best maps in Battlefield history because it is home to some of the best infantry gunfights in the series. The cramped reimagining of Hong Kong feels alive, as you can enter and scale most of the buildings, and engage in parkour from roof to roof.
DICE flexed its map-making prowess for the Conquest version of the map, as all of the flag locations provide different combat landscapes. And in Team Deathmatch, fighting on top of the buildings is a thrill-ride worth trying, if you haven’t already.
8. Operation Locker (Battlefield 4)
Some fans will also question the choice to feature Operation Locker instead of Operation Metro. However, Battlefield 4’s Operation Locker is the best version of a three-lane meat grinder map because of all of the natural and man-made flanking options. Whether it be destroying walls with C4 or an RPG, going through the snowy mountains on the side, or climbing the broken platforms in the middle of the map, you have plenty of options to catch enemies off-guard and go on long kill streaks.
The biggest issue that holds Operation Locker back, as well as other similar maps, is the inconsistency in the experience. It’s not uncommon for your team to get trapped in spawn, or for a match to get completely bogged down in a tight corridor. But when everything falls into place, the adrenaline rush you get from the intense close-quarters gunfights is a feeling other FPS games aren’t able to replicate.
7. Wake Island (Multiple Battlefield Titles)
Wake Island first appeared in Battlefield 1942 and subsequently appeared in eight other Battlefield titles. The map puts a unique spin on the traditional Conquest formula because at the start of the match, all five Conquest flags are held by the United States, forcing the Japanese forces to approach by boat from a fleet. It’s an unforgettable cinematic experience storming the beaches by boat, and it results in an excellent multiplayer experience, as you can strike anywhere on the island and swing the tide of the match.
Even though we have seen so many different versions of the map, Wake Island never gets stale, and it’s a beloved series staple.
6. Amiens (Battlefield 1)
Based on aesthetics alone, Passchendaele provides the most accurate representation of World War I, as flames and despair have engulfed the once-peaceful Belgian countryside. Yet, it’s Amiens who is the lone Battlefield 1 representative on this list because it is the most memorable and replayable map from the game. Urban city maps usually are among the best in Battlefield games, and that rings true with Amiens.
DICE nailed the flow of this map, as you dip and dive through alleyways to avoid tanks and other vehicles while buildings crumble around you. Conquest, Operations, and Frontlines all work well on Amiens, but Conquest is where it truly shines, as the flag placements are well-balanced and there is plenty of cover to run between objectives safely.
5. Valparaiso (Battlefield Bad Company 2)
Valparaiso is the best Rush map in Battlefield history, and one of the best overall maps in franchise history. Although the map layout is relatively simple, sneaking through the multiple villages, surrounding jungle, and even the water on offense is exhilarating. Meanwhile, defending objectives gets intense, as you desperately attempt to hold off waves of enemies approaching from all sides, and diffuse bombs when necessary.
Battlefield 2042 remade Valparaiso in Portal, and rumors suggest that the popular game mode will return in Battlefield 6. Fans are in for a treat if BF6 does indeed include the map, because the more Valparaiso, the better.
4. Caspian Border (Battlefield 3 & 4)
A common phrase coined by the Battlefield community is an ‘only in Battlefield moment,’ which refers to gameplay instances that cannot be recreated in any other FPS title. For example, one that always comes to mind is jumping out of a fighter jet and blowing up another jet while mid-air with an RPG. Caspian Border stands the test of time because it is the perfect sandbox to create these memorable moments.
Caspian Border offers the right balance of long and close-range engagements, while also providing vehicle users with the opportunity to take control of matches if they are skilled enough. In addition, the map has one of the most memorable Levolution moments in the series with the giant communication tower that topples over and takes out anything in its path. The door is also open for Caspian Border to be in BF6, since it was featured in Portal.
3. Arica Harbor (Battlefield Bad Company 2)
A large segment of the Battlefield fanbase never got to experience Arica Harbor because Battlefield Bad Company 2 launched in 2010, and that’s a shame because it’s some of DICE’s best work. Battlefield 2042 rectified that issue by remaking the map for Portal, and it’s just as good as the original.
All of the buildings in the central desert town are destructible, setting the stage for a different experience every match. That being said, there is still sufficient cover, so vehicles aren’t overpowered. The map works best in Rush, as you transition between different areas of the map seamlessly, but it’s still a fun Conquest map and offers plenty of variety.
2. Strike at Karkand (Battlefield 2 & 3)
It would be a disservice not to include a Battlefield 2 map, as it has one of the most well-rounded map pools in series history. You could make an argument for just about every map from this game getting a spot on this list, but Strike at Karkand built the foundation for future urban settings and strikes a perfect balance between vehicle and combat gameplay.
DICE understandably remastered Strike at Karkand for Battlefield 3, and it ended up being one of the best maps for that game as well.
1. Zavod 311 (Battlefield 4)
Zavod 311 is fun in Team Deathmatch and Rush, but it is the best map the series has to offer because it checks off every box from what you want from a Conquest experience. Levelution is on full display, as the abandoned Cold War-era Soviet tank factory can be torn to shreds. Additionally, the flags are spread out across different locations and are balanced, with a healthy mix of infantry and vehicle combat.
Zavod: Graveyard Shift is also a compelling variation of the map that’s set at night instead of during the day. The lack of visibility emphasizes stealth gameplay and close-quarters gunfights. While it’s not as much fun as the original version, it’s a welcome change of pace and highlights the map’s versatility, showcasing that it can be played in different ways.
What is your favorite Battlefield map? Let us know on the Insider Gaming Forum.
For more on Battlefield, check out if BF6 will have a campaign or battle royale.
