Battlefield 2042 gameplay shows Battlefield 4's Irish as new Specialist

What you need to know

• Electronic Arts has provided the first look at returning Battlefield 2042 cast member, Irish, and how the Specialist impacts its multiplayer warfare.
• Battlefield 2042 is set to launch on October 22, 2021, on consoles and PC.

Electronic Arts has unveiled new details on its latest Battlefield 2042 Specialist, returning Battlefield 2042 hero, Kimble "Irish" Graves. Battlefield 2042's Specialists play a fundamental role in multiplayer, as playable hero-style soldiers, each bringing distinct abilities and gadgetry to combat. The return of Irish brings new defensive capabilities to squads and marks the fifth of 10 Specialists slated for October 22.

While the latest Battlefield 2042 story trailer spotlighted the revival of Irish, we now have further context on how the returning commander fits into its multiplayer-only offerings. New footage from Electronic Arts unveils new abilities positioned under the Engineer class.

Irish boasts a unique "Fortification System," a two-part tool that brings cover and safeguards for projectiles in battle. The DCS Deployable Cover establishes a bulletproof wall for extra protection from incoming fire. The accompanying APS-36 Shootdown Sentinel shoots down incoming rockets via a deployable crate. We also see a new Veteran trait, a passive ability that provides Irish with extra armor, with protection increasing as foes are downed.

Irish is the latest joining the list of Battlefield 2042 Specialists, with five more still to come ahead of launch. While Specialists have unique gadgets and abilities, the game retains traditional Battlefield classes, assigning Specialists to Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon roles. However, weapons and secondary gadgets remain more customizable than ever, available across all Specialists and classes.

The announcement also details the Irish Battle-Hardened skin, a legendary-tier skin, available to those who preorder Battlefield 2042 on any platform. Other preorder benefits include early access to the open beta, plus additional cosmetics for multiplayer.

Battlefield 2042 is scheduled to launch on October 22, 2021, with preorders now live for console and PC. The title starts at $60 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC copies, with next-generation Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 versions available from $70. The latest consoles and PC provide enhanced visuals, plus support for 128-player battles and larger maps.