It’s time to turn out the lights. The Battlefield™ 4 Summer Update is now rolling out worldwide for all platforms today, September 1^st, 2015. Battlefield 4 Night Operations, a free* DLC release for all Battlefield 4 players, is also rolling out today in most territories (with PS3/PS4 in Europe coming on September 8).

Check out the Summer Update notes here!

Night Operations includes Zavod: Graveyard Shift, the first map for Battlefield 4 that takes place entirely at night. As you might expect, this changes things up – instead of being able to rely on your eyes, you’re going to need to listen closely, and focus on tools like night scopes and your radar to survive. We put together a tactical strategy guide with some tips for players looking for that competitive edge.

Ready to try out the Graveyard Shift? It supports Conquest, Rush, Obliteration, Team Death Match, Domination and Gun Master, so head out and make your enemies afraid of the dark.

Need help downloading/installing #BF4 Night Operations? Check these helpful guides.

PC: http://bit.ly/bf4nopc
Console: http://bit.ly/bf4noconsole

*REQUIRES BATTLEFIELD 4 FULL GAME ON APPLICABLE PLATFORM.

EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY CREDITED, NO WEAPON, VEHICLE OR GEAR MANUFACTURER IS AFFILIATED WITH OR HAS SPONSORED OR ENDORSED THIS GAME.

What’s it like to play a Battlefield 4™ map that takes place at night? You’ll know soon enough, when Battlefield 4 Night Operations releases in September 2015. But if you want a peek at what it’s like to play Zavod: Graveyard Shift, this incredible trailer created by the immensely talented Two Scotsmen does an amazing job of giving a cinematic look at the upcoming free DLC.

If you haven’t seen The Two Scotsmen’s videos, you’re missing out – the channel includes some absolutely brilliant cinematic trailers showing off Battlefield 4 and Battlefield Hardline at their absolute best. They’re basically short movies, and you should definitely check it out.

 

EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY CREDITED, NO WEAPON, VEHICLE OR GEAR MANUFACTURER IS AFFILIATED WITH OR HAS SPONSORED OR ENDORSED THIS GAME.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a master of the PDW, or if it’s your first time – for the next Battlefield 4 Zodiac Mission, you’re going to want to become really familiar with it. If you want to get the fantastic Virgo Dog Tag, that is…

Jump into any Battlefield 4 multiplayer mode and map and score 20 Kills with any Personal Defense Weapon. This mission is active between August 18, 2015 9AM PT and August 24, 2015 2AM PT.

Get those 20 kills and you’ll walk away with the Virgo Zodiac Dog Tag. What better way to tell the world that you know what to do with your PDW? Before the mission ends on August 24, 2015 at 2AM PT, make sure to claim the Dog Tag on the Community Mission page or in the Battlelog menu that you can access while you’re in the game.

To make sure you don’t lose track in all this excitement, head to the Community Missions tab to check your progress. You can also see how you’re doing if you bring up Battlelog in-game – just check the “Missions” tab (“Missions” tab is only available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One).

 

THIS OFFER IS BEING ISSUED TO YOU FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CREDIT, CHARGE, DEBIT OR GIFT CARD. REQUIRES BATTLEFIELD 4 (“PRODUCT”) ON APPLICABLE PLATFORM, INTERNET CONNECTION AND EA/ORIGIN ACCOUNT TO PARTICIPATE AND ACCESS IN-GAME CONTENT. LIMIT ONE OFFER PER EA/ORIGIN ACCOUNT. PC PRODUCT REQUIRES ACCEPTANCE OF THE ORIGIN END USER AGREEMENT AND INSTALLATION OF THE ORIGIN CLIENT SOFTWARE (WWW.ORIGIN.COM/ABOUT). YOU MUST BE 13+ TO REGISTER. EA ONLINE PRIVACY AND COOKIE POLICY AND TERMS OF SERVICE ARE AVAILABLE AT WWW.EA.COM. SEE APPLICABLE END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT AND DISCLOSURES ON WWW.EA.COM/1/PRODUCT-EULAS. VALID WHEREVER BATTLEFIELD 4 IS OFFERED. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER, GIFT CARD, REBATE OR DISCOUNT COUPON. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED, TAXED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW.

EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY CREDITED, NO WEAPON, VEHICLE OR GEAR MANUFACTURER IS AFFILIATED WITH OR HAS SPONSORED OR ENDORSED THIS GAME.

Think you’re pro with the L85A2? Now’s your time to prove it, and to score a Gold Battlepack in this new Expert Community Mission.

Jump into any Battlefield 4 multiplayer mode and map and score 99 kills with an L85A2. This mission is active between August 14, 2015 at 9AM PT and August 17, 2015 at 2AM PT.

We know some of you have been asking for Community Missions that’ll really test your skills, so we thought we’d answer that by asking you to get 99 kills in three days – all by yourself.

If you succeed before the mission time runs out, we’ll reward you with a Gold Battlepack (be sure to redeem your reward through Battlelog before August 17, 2015 at 2AM PT).

You can also see how you’re doing if you bring up Battlelog in-game – just check the “Missions” tab (“Missions” tab is only available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One).

Note: You must unlock the L85A2 by completing the ‘Open Fire’ Bronze Assignment in order to access the weapon.

 

THIS OFFER IS BEING ISSUED TO YOU FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CREDIT, CHARGE, DEBIT OR GIFT CARD. REQUIRES BATTLEFIELD 4 (“PRODUCT”) ON APPLICABLE PLATFORM, INTERNET CONNECTION AND EA/ORIGIN ACCOUNT TO PARTICIPATE AND ACCESS IN-GAME CONTENT. LIMIT ONE OFFER PER EA/ORIGIN ACCOUNT. PC PRODUCT REQUIRES ACCEPTANCE OF THE ORIGIN END USER AGREEMENT AND INSTALLATION OF THE ORIGIN CLIENT SOFTWARE (WWW.ORIGIN.COM/ABOUT). YOU MUST BE 13+ TO REGISTER. EA ONLINE PRIVACY AND COOKIE POLICY AND TERMS OF SERVICE ARE AVAILABLE AT WWW.EA.COM. SEE APPLICABLE END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT AND DISCLOSURES ON WWW.EA.COM/1/PRODUCT-EULAS. VALID WHEREVER BATTLEFIELD 4 IS OFFERED. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER, GIFT CARD, REBATE OR DISCOUNT COUPON. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED, TAXED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW.

EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY CREDITED, NO WEAPON, VEHICLE OR GEAR MANUFACTURER IS AFFILIATED WITH OR HAS SPONSORED OR ENDORSED THIS GAME.

What changes when playing a Battlefield 4™ map that takes place at night? How can you best exploit this new setting and come out the victor? This tactical guide will get you started and ready for nighttime play in Battlefield 4 Night Operations when it releases in September 2015.

ON THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT
The new night map, Zavod: Graveyard Shift (based off of Zavod 311), is dark and has several differences to its daylight counterpart.

Here are some examples:

Destructible lights
At night, the map is littered with destructible lights, which you can use to your advantage. Want to make sure you gain the upper hand using night vision scopes? Take all lights out in an area and prey on your enemies!

Ground Level fog
At night, the exterior areas are blanketed in a thick fog – this fog makes it very hard to spot players on the ground from above – unless you sport a night vision scope…

Vehicle lights
All vehicles have lights, which makes anyone inside an easy target – don’t use vehicles if you want to stay hidden!

Flanking routes
With darkness descending on the map, using flanking routes on the side of the map is a very viable tactic to get around the center area and take a backside objective from the enemy.

Use new Gun Master to your advantage
We’ve added a new Gun Master weapon preset with night vision and utility in mind – use to practice night time play if you haven’t unlocked all the needed gadgets yet. It really shines when played on the alternate Gun Master layout on Zavod: Graveyard Shift!

STEALTH GAMEPLAY AND TACTICS

Battlefield 4 Night Operations release includes several improvements to “gadgets of the night” and their usability on the Battlefield.

Think about what cues you give off:

Sprinting
Gets you quickly from point A to B, but makes footstep sounds which makes you easy to pinpoint and prey on.

Vehicle usage
Being in a vehicle normally means relative safety, but headlights and engine sounds put a rather large target on your back

Flashlight, laser, and other weapon attachments
While great help in an engagement, they draw attention to your position and exact location.

RECOMMENDED COMBINATIONS AND COUNTERS

Smoke + Nightvision scopes
An oldie but goodie, chuck a smoke grenade into an area and using your night vision scope to pick off unsuspecting enemies. This works best in narrow passages, like the underground tunnel between C & D for instance.

Flare + LMG
Used as a Smoke + Nightvision counter, Flares negate the positive aspects of night vision scopes, and you’ll be able to blanket the area with bullets as it’s engulfed in smoke.

Flashbangs + Shotgun/PDW
A tactic viable in both and nighttime play. Using a flashbang against a night scope user gives you a significant advantage in the dark, even more so than using a flashbang under normal conditions. Clean it up with a well-placed shotgun blast and you’re deadlier than ever.

Dirty, dirty claymores & mines
Claymores are very effective at nighttime, especially if you are being hunted. Remember to use sounds to your advantage, or why not your flashlight? AT Mines are also very effective in negating that pesky tank, but they do have a new little red blinky light attached to them, so you’re not all out of luck if you’re controlling a vehicle if you keep your eyes peeled!

We hope that this information equips you the tools you need for the night time playstyle.

See you during the Graveyard Shift!

 

THE DEPICTION OF ANY WEAPON OR VEHICLE IN THIS GAME DOES NOT INDICATE AFFILIATION, SPONSORSHIP OR ENDORSEMENT BY ANY WEAPON OR VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.