Battlefield 6 Season 5: Siege of Vegas dropped four weapons at once on October 13, 2026 with Update 2.1.1.0, covering every engagement range from casino doorways to Area 51's open desert. The Mk 24 Assault Rifle, RSPR Personal Defence Weapon, Z84M Light Machine Gun, and ELR-40 Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle are all live now. Here is what each one actually does, how to unlock them, and which one deserves your Hardware XP first.
What are the four Season 5 weapons?
EA describes the lineup as one weapon per engagement band. That framing holds up in practice:
- Mk 24 — Assault Rifle, built for mid-to-long range precision with a 20-round base magazine
- RSPR — Personal Defence Weapon (not a second AR, despite early confusion), with rifle-like damage and heavier recoil than most SMGs
- Z84M — Light Machine Gun with a 100-round box magazine, high damage, and a high rate of fire
- ELR-40 — Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle claiming the furthest sweet spot in its archetype and the best bullet drag performance in the class
Two naming errors circulated at launch. The Mk 24 has a space and is not MX24. The Z84M is not 784M. Both come from the compressed stencil font EA used in the Season 5 roadmap graphic.
Mk 24 loadout screen
How do you unlock the Season 5 weapons?
Here is the short answer: all four are free, and the Mk 24 is reported at Tier 11 of the Audacious Breach path in the Season 5 Battle Pass. You finish the Recruit Path first, then switch to Audacious Breach and work it to Tier 11. Players confirmed getting the Mk 24 on day one without buying the pass, just by completing weekly challenges and a few matches.
EA's Battle Pass page references free weapons under internal names. The file name for the ELR-40's roadmap image is BF6_S5_ELR-40_NewWeapon_CDX40, so the free "CDX-40 Sniper Rifle" listed on the pass page is the ELR-40. The free "MRGG-A Assault Rifle" listed there is almost certainly the Mk 24 by the same naming logic, since it is the only AR in the Season 5 launch lineup.
Mk 24 Assault Rifle: is it just a worse AK4D?
That question dominated Reddit in Season 5's first week, and the honest answer is: on body shots, yes. On headshots, no.
The Mk 24 fires at 635 rpm with a 556 m/s bullet velocity and a 1.8x headshot multiplier. The AK4D runs at 514 rpm with 680 m/s velocity and a 1.4x headshot multiplier. The Mk 24 sits exactly one damage tier below the AK4D at every range:
| Range | Mk 24 body damage | AK4D body damage | Mk 24 shots to kill | AK4D shots to kill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-20 m | 26 | 35 | 4 | 3 |
| 20-75 m | 20.6 | 26 | 5 | 4 |
| 75 m+ | 17.2 | 20.6 | 6 | 5 |
Land two headshots per kill and the Mk 24 wins at every range, by 44 to 89 ms. A single headshot does not flip the comparison at 20-75 m: one headshot plus three body shots totals 98.9 damage, just short of 100. You need two.
The 556 m/s bullet velocity is also worth noting. That is 18% slower than the AK4D's 680 m/s, so you lead moving targets more at the ranges EA says the gun is built for. EA's "deadlier at longer ranges" claim holds only when you are consistently hitting heads.
What is the best Mk 24 loadout?
Two builds are performing well in current tracker data, both requiring weapon level 40 for the full setup:
Long-range build (level 40)
- Muzzle: Lightened Suppressor (level 24)
- Barrel: 18" GBR (level 8)
- Underbarrel: 6H64 Vertical (level 28)
- Magazine: 30RND Magazine (level 40)
- Ammunition: Hollow Points (level 34)
- Optic: Baker 3.00x
Versatile build (level 40)
- Muzzle: Lightened Suppressor (level 24)
- Barrel: 18" GBR (level 8)
- Underbarrel: Slim Angled (level 16)
- Magazine: 30RND Magazine (level 40)
- Ammunition: Hollow Points (level 34)
- Optic: RO-M 1.75x (level 35)
Before level 24, run the 18" GBR barrel and Slim Angled grip with the default 20-round magazine. Play it as a mid-range picker, not a room-clearer. The mistake most players make is trying to use it in close quarters where it needs four body shots to the AK4D's three.
One attachment to avoid for now: EA temporarily disabled the Underslung Mount on the Mk 24 during Season 5's first week to fix an unintended interaction. Any build you see using it will not load as written. Swap in the 6H64 Vertical or Slim Angled until EA re-enables it.
For a deeper look at how the Pick 100 attachment system works and how to unlock attachments faster, the Battlefield 6 best attachments guide covers unlock paths and XP optimization across every weapon category.
ELR-40 sweet spot range
ELR-40: does it actually beat the L115A3?
EA claims the ELR-40 has both the best bullet drag performance and the furthest sweet spot in the bolt-action class. That claim is checkable because the 1.3.3.0 ballistics update published every existing bolt-action sweet spot:
| Rifle | Sweet spot after 1.3.3.0 | Band width |
|---|---|---|
| L115A3 | 100-133 m | 33 m |
| PSR | 90-120 m | 30 m |
| M2010 ESR | 75-100 m | 25 m |
| SV-98 | 54-75 m | 21 m |
The deepest published sweet spot in the game reaches 133 m, held by the L115A3. For EA's claim to hold, the ELR-40 has to clear that figure. That is the number to watch as more data comes in.
Context matters here: the 1.3.3.0 update cut the combined sweet-spot band width across all four rifles from 186 m to 109 m, a reduction of 41.4 percent. Bolt-action sniping is operating on far tighter windows than before that patch, which makes a gun with genuinely better bullet drag a meaningful advantage rather than a marginal one.
EA also mentioned a "custom single-shot ammunition option" that shifts the ELR-40's sweet spot into close range, referencing functionality that "longtime Battlefield players may find familiar." EA has not named the mechanic, so treat that as a tease for now.
Best for: Area 51's open desert and the long boulevards of Vegas Strip. The ELR-40 is the clearest value of the four new weapons given the current ballistics baseline.
RSPR: why EA benchmarked an SMG against a Carbine
The RSPR is classified as a Personal Defence Weapon in the 2.1.1.0 notes, not an Assault Rifle, despite early confusion from EA's own roadmap describing it as "an SMG with the characteristics of a rifle."
EA placed the RSPR "between the SG 553R and SCW-10 in terms of performance." The unusual part: the SG 553R is a Carbine, not an SMG. EA is deliberately bracketing a PDW between two different classes. Using the current stats for those two bookends:
- SG 553R (Carbine): 35.8 degrees recoil, 483 m/s muzzle velocity
- SCW-10 (SMG): 33.5 degrees recoil, 398 m/s muzzle velocity
That places the RSPR at roughly 34-35 degrees of recoil and somewhere between 400-480 m/s, which means it kicks noticeably harder than the SMG class mean of 30.16 degrees. EA's warning that it needs "more control" lines up with those figures.
If you already run the SCW-10, the RSPR is the harder-hitting sidegrade: more damage per shot, fewer shots per magazine, less forgiveness when you miss. Vegas Strip's casino interiors and storm drains are exactly the environment where that trade makes sense.
For context on how the RSPR fits against the existing weapon meta, the Season 4 best weapons and loadouts guide covers the full class breakdown and which guns the RSPR is entering competition with.
Z84M suppression in Vegas
Z84M: what does a 100-round box actually do for you?
The LMG class in Battlefield 6 has nine weapons, and EA already describes it as the class with the largest average magazine capacity. A 100-round box is consistent with that, not exceptional.
What makes the Z84M stand out is the combination EA claims: high damage, a high rate of fire, and that 100-round magazine together. Three advantages at once is why EA front-loads the warning about "significant recoil and handling trade-offs." This is a sustained-fire suppression tool for casino interiors and crowded streets, not a general-purpose LMG you bring to every map.
The Z84M also enters the same class currently dominated by the DRS-IAR, which holds a perfect 100 Meta Score in the current BF6 Tracker seven-day data. Whether the Z84M can challenge that standing needs actual match data, not just firing-range numbers.
Current weapon meta: where do the new guns fit?
As of October 13, the Season 5 weapons are too new for reliable tracker data. The existing meta heading into Season 5 looks like this:
| Rank | Weapon | Type | Meta Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRS-IAR | LMG | 100 |
| 2 | SG 553R | Carbine | 97 |
| 3 | M87A1 | Shotgun | 93 |
| 4 | M4A1 | Carbine | 89 |
| 5 | SCW-10 | SMG | 87 |
| 6 | NVO-228E | Assault Rifle | 83 |
| 6 | Mini Scout | Sniper Rifle | 83 |
The Z84M enters the DRS-IAR's category. The RSPR enters the SCW-10's territory. The ELR-40 challenges the Mini Scout. The Mk 24 enters the most crowded class in the game, where the NVO-228E currently leads at 83.
The Mk 24 is currently rated S Tier on Battlefinity with a 14.5% pick rate among assault rifles in early Season 5 data, which reflects novelty as much as performance. Check back after the first full week of match data.
Update 2.1.1.0 also changed SVDM recoil and reduced gamepad recoil compensation for it, so the DMR category is in flux. The SVDM was leading DMRs at 73 before the patch, but that score still includes pre-update matches.
Which weapon should you level first?
Hardware XP is per-weapon. A freshly unlocked gun is the worst version of that gun, because every attachment, Weapons Package, and camo sits behind weapon-level gates. Prioritizing which one to grind matters.
Based on what each weapon has to offer and the current state of the rosters:
- ELR-40 — the only new weapon with a stated best-in-archetype advantage, on a map (Area 51) built specifically for open sightlines. Best bullet drag in a game that raised bullet drag 40% across all weapons is the clearest value.
- RSPR — Vegas Strip's close-range environments suit a harder-hitting PDW. The current SMG meta is strong, and something that bridges SMG handling with Carbine damage fills a real gap.
- Z84M — suppression is situational. Strong in the right environments, but the DRS-IAR already owns this role at a perfect Meta Score.
- Mk 24 — last for most players. The AR class is the most crowded in the game, the 30-round magazine does not arrive until level 40, and the 556 m/s bullet velocity works against its stated long-range strength. Only prioritize this if you consistently land two headshots per kill.
For tips on cutting down the time it takes to reach those key attachment levels, the weapon recoil elimination guide has proven loadout approaches that make the grind more efficient by keeping you in fights longer.
Audacious Breach unlock path
What else does Season 5 add?
Season 5 runs in three phases. Not everything is live yet:
Siege of Vegas (October 13): Vegas Strip and Area 51 maps, all four new weapons, Rapid Royale (a faster REDSEC battle royale in Trios and Solos with a quicker Ring of Fire), Ranked BR Open Series with new leaderboards. The Gauntlet mode left the game on this date.
Casino Heist Update (November 10): A new infantry-focused European Casino map, a limited-time Casino Heist event, a new Carbine, a new gadget, and a new vehicle.
Frozen Aces Update (December 8): Operation High Roller, Platoons and Server Browser (both long-requested features), updated versions of Blackwell Fields and New Sobek City based on community feedback, the B-81 Cavalry vehicle, a DMR, and a melee weapon.
The Dead Space Convergence Event runs October 20 to November 7. Its Marker Incursion mode is a 16-player PvE event against AI enemies, framed as a dark discovery beneath Area 51.
A free trial runs October 15 to 19 on PlayStation and Steam, covering all available maps and modes. Xbox is not listed for this trial.
For the full breakdown of every balance change in Update 2.1.1.0, including vehicle adjustments, the 70mm light-rocket splash damage reduction, and the anti-air tuning, see the Season 5 full patch notes.
FAQ
Are all four Season 5 weapons free? Reported yes. Players confirmed unlocking the Mk 24 on day one through weekly challenges without purchasing the Battle Pass. EA's Battle Pass page lists free weapons that correspond to the ELR-40 and Mk 24 by internal naming.
Is the Mk 24 better than the AK4D? On body shots at every range, no. With two or more headshots per kill, yes, by 44-89 ms. The 1.8x headshot multiplier is the entire case for the Mk 24.
What is the ELR-40 sweet spot? EA claims it is the furthest in the bolt-action class. The current record is 133 m, held by the L115A3 after the 1.3.3.0 ballistics update. Published ELR-40 stats will confirm whether it clears that.
Why can't I equip the Underslung Mount on the Mk 24? EA disabled it during Season 5's first week to fix an unintended interaction. It will return once EA resolves the issue.
Does the RSPR count as an Assault Rifle? No. The 2.1.1.0 update notes classify it as a Personal Defence Weapon. The confusion comes from EA's roadmap describing it as having "the characteristics of a rifle."
When do Platoons and Server Browser arrive? December 8 with the Frozen Aces Update, the third and final phase of Season 5.
For everything else Season 5 has to offer across all weapon classes and playstyles, the full Battlefield 6 guides collection has you covered.
