Just implement the bf1 mechanic, where the bipod was always deployed so you just walked to a ledge and didn’t have to do an animation to put it down

literally all the problems you give sound exactly how an mmg should be played and balanced. I haven't had any problems in game with mmg players, and when I do get killed i give mt squad the heads up and we take him down

Having fired a real MG42 from prone and a supported tripod, unwieldy isn't the way I'd describe it. It kicks like a mule, but its fairly easy to control. I'd never fire it from standing simply because it is fucking heavy. Heavy guns tend to be a little more manageable

Clearly you're unfamiliar with the joke, "Two Germans walk into a BAR..."

there's defiantly more skill in topping the leaderboard with an mmg than a stg, I'd know, I've done both. and I'm gonna be real with you, there's way less skill in using a smg or an assault rifle than the mmg. you can camp with it sure, but you ain't gonna get a shit ton of kills

I dont see that much more MMG's on console, but I see people camping with ALL the weapon classes. Just because of the poor visibility.

Personally I don’t have an issue with MMG’s. Sure it sucks when you die to one, but it’s no worse than getting killed by a sniper. MMG’s can be easily countered. A sniper can quickly dispatch an MMG, medics can pop smoke for visual cover and thus potentially flank the MMG, or assault can use explosives to destroy the MMG’s cover, Force then to relocate this making them vulnerable or outright kill them. It’s really not that hard if you use brain power. People that refuse to actually think and just want to run and gun will be easy prey for MMG’s. Using tactics and outwitting an opponent is a fun and rewarding experience. I know this isn’t a a huge tactical game, but it does allow for that at some points, which I think is a good thing. Don’t cry about MMG’s because they make it so you can’t do brainless run and gun, outwit them. You’ll find that countering a stationary gunner is easy when you just think a little.

Normally I would I agree, but I think battlefield players need to understand that camping/defending is an acceptable meta for this game. Not everyone wants to play aggressively and I think defensive play is definitely okay and important. There is more than one style to playing battlefield. Battlefield lends itself to different styles of play. Sometimes it's nice to have enemies coming at you and your squad and being able to hold them back from taking the point. It doesn't always happen and in that case you take it back and defend it again. These guns give you a fighting chance because it's harder to defend a point with smg's, bolt action, and assault rifles. It helps you to strategically place yourself and defend the point. And most likely another player will find a way to take you down one way or another.

Meh, this is just something to play around. If we encounter a fortified position with an MMG nest, we either stay away or try to flank. It is supposed to be an area control weapon, so I don't really see the problem with it. It gives depth to the battlefield, and you don't constantly meet run and gun resistance. Everything is it's own challenge... You already have two highly aggressive classes, you don't need more of those... It's not your play style, nor is it mine frankly, but the MMG class is there to frustrate the type of class you are playing... If you constantly pick scissors in Rock, paper, scissors, don't get frustrated when you encounter a rock. Either adapt, or disengage...

Yea but like. You're a sitting duck when you're set, snipers pick you off within seconds. MG42s were never really a run and gun weapon. Since it's a niche weapon class why can't I hold a corridor with a MG42 to feel like a badass mowing people down..... Then if you run and gun with it, you are assault with infinite ammo...... Lugging an mmg should have a slower post Sprint fire. Seriously the gun is huge and bulky. I do like the ledge idea a lot. This would speed up the gameplay better, adds depth and I like that. It should be a mid range weapon not a sniper or smg

"there needs to be some burst-fire mechanic for mmgs" Barrel: overheats

"Mom! Mommy! They're playing defensively again! Tell them to stop!"

levelcap is the type of guy that just doesn’t revive squad members

The skill celling is about being able to deploy the friggin bipod

"We want the game to be historically accurate"- gaming community. A year later... "why can't we run around with mmg and mow players down." Classic battlefield

People complained that machine guns were too weak in Battlefield 1.

Ok now what do you do about the camping Sniper's halfway across the map ?

An MMG is a camping weapon. Best used for holding points down. Or for raining lead on a postion as your teammates move under your fire to take over the postion.

Personally I like mmgs. I don't use them much, but they are a drastic change of pace and can be fun. Sure they don't lend to a perfect game balance, but the same could honestly be argued about shotguns, or assault rifles, or anything. Just being salty that you died from something outside of your direct control. It sucks, but it happens.

I can be (and usually am) aggressive with an MMG. It's all in your positioning-just like sniping, but medium range instead of long range. Many of the people getting butthurt about MMG's are the ones who also complain about snipers-if you're getting killed by those 2 weapon types a lot then stop running out in the open in areas of the map where those 2 weapon types are most viable. Run medic with your smoke to conceal your approach to objectives instead of assault when there aren't any enemy tanks on the map because you want the "most aggressive COD style class" and think "someone else will play medic-so I don't have to because I'm too good to play a healer role-I'm all DPS". Play the class your team needs the most at any given time. If MMG's are a problem, play smarter. They are balanced as they are. I do agree with visibility still being an issue-that's why close-quarters prone MMG players in dark corners of objectives are still hard to counter-the player model visibility is still off even after the latest "fix" DICE implemented.

They are MMGs!!! You will see no German using a mg42 like Rambo...

The only time I see the chat go mad in game is when someone uses a shotgun, piat or a whole team is sniping. I've never seen them complain about MMGs

It say in game MMgs are DEFENSIVE!!!! defensive NOT offensive. Back to the drawing board.

Isn't a problem. Levels version of "Campy" completely forgets most game types have an attack and defensive aspect. I don't even use MMG's but see no problem.

I'm okay with the MMGs in BFV. I'm honestly not on the same page as you here Level.

I think the Biggest Problem is this Massive Visual Clutter. If you compare BFV to BF1 you will see that BFV feels like a much harder game to play becuase of this visual overload of textures. BF1 Looks really nice and cleaned up wich makes it easier to spot targets and actually aiming at it self.

So... you're advocating a series of buffs for a weapon type where the typical complaint is them being overpowered?

I love how old this video is while the same problems still prevail even after the “balance changes”

Diversity in play styles is good. MMGs are good but they come with their downsides. Overall balanced.

I hope they don't change a thing. You're not supposed to be able to gather your wits, turn and return fire, engaging your enemy in a "battle of skill" when crossing through a prone machine gunner's trap. There are easy ways to improve your life span WITH and AGAINST MMGs with a little thing called teamwork.

Bipods are a great equalizer. There is always a counter measure available.

This weapon is awesome against cheaters. This weapon forces other players to play slower. This weapon makes good use of fortifications. I don’t see the problem. Not everyone is trying to play aggressive medic. Recons have flares. With the amount of ammo stations I’m never having problems with mmgs as a sniper. Just delete the spotting of mmgs maybe. That’s unnecessary.

I have no issue with mmg's, you have to change your playstyle to even be effective with em; you have to be cautious and "tactical" in your movements and locations to deploy, or you're easy to pick off, and before "awwww campers boo hoo," campers are insanely easy to deal with; stop running around like a chicken with its head cut off and find your targets(which can be kinda hard with how every soldier blends with the environment.) I don't have any issue with MMGs as they are now (also AP mines should stay on the map after death-all other nerfs/buffs were necessary.)

Sounds to me like you'd prefer the name of the game to be changed to suit your interests. Maybe Level Capfield 5?

Wow. Its almost like dice mad the MG's based on REAL MG's. So sad.

One huge issue is that you're able to ADS with MMGs while you are prone on your back. That was a critical mistake by the devs.

The same could be said about sniper rifles really. You need pros and cons for weapon types. That’s what makes them fun to use.

Levelcap: MMG's are bad for aggressive play. Me: Charges straight at the enemies like there's no tomorrow with my MG34 and somehow survives. Hmmmm...

Recoil is already nasty, trying to hit someone at medium range even while bursting on the 42 is pretty bad, as for the ready times i agree with DICES standpoint. These are 20+ lbs weapons the soldiers are carrying around it takes that small second more and puts you at a disadavantage when running around with the thing. MMGs are not agressive weapons by principal. I cant tell you how many times i get kills when hunkered down by people trying to rush me down, but get murdered by the one person taking their time and peeking the corners our moving slowly. Battlefield has pushed to much aggressive tendincies that its beileved the proper technique is to rush around everywhere, i cant tell you how hard it is to get people to defend a point in breakthrough so we dont lose it. I think more the issue with them is people want to rush head long into the fray without thinking about whats around the corner and cry when its an MMG or AP mine. Slow down your rush, and youll find you can find your targets easier and be able to punish more often those that stay in one place. MMGs are fine where they are and do not need a change.

Nothing like the humor of a 30 round magazine fed medium machine gun. Oh the logic

MMGs are the least of my worries. I'm more concerned with camping snipers and parkour ninjas.

Ah.... how i miss the BF1942 BAR.... shooting down planes with one magazine.

I love when these Battlefield KZfaqrs project their personal gripes with certain classes on to the greater community. Simply do a twitter poll asking "is there a problem with the MMG weapon class?" and do it between console players and PC players. I can't tell you the amount of times I've heard levelcap complain about issues that no-one else in the greater community is really having.

Placing the barrel on a ledge as you described to any of the MMG’s that don’t have a free floated barrel like the mg42 does( I’m saying the 42 is free floated), would result in up pressure on the barrel causing your rounds to go high

Idk why people even crying over this. They added this mechanic and restrictions on the MMG after people bitched on it since BF3. Make up your mind. Requires patience to use the MMG effectively. Pistols can delete a MMG player in CQC as they cant hit shit. On PC weapons dont recoil much, consoles it's like riding a bull in rage with one arm tied behind your back.

Why do people always cry about defensive weapons? Especially in modes that require defending.

I love how you say that its an unskilled weapon, yet list all of the drawbacks to using it. These drawbacks are what offset the 'unskilled' use of the weapon.

I might be suggesting something really stupid but here we go: Make so you can aim down the sights of an MMG while standing, but for a limited time like the overheat mechanic, when your soldier gets "tired" of holding It up then it's hipfire only for a cooldown period. As for firing bipoded from prone, make them pop up on the minimap while firing, I guess fixed machine gun posts were super high value targets in WW2 and were heavily focused, making them show up on the mini map like BF3 and BF4 isn't unfair.

I’ve never heard anyone say “Meta” as much as Levelcap has in the last month! And I still done know what it means, It’s the flavour of the month

IMO, the S2-200 should of been a LMG without the ROF upgrade... It could of been a great option...

Here's the counter: Don't continually walk into a deployed machine gun's line of sight. After the first time, maybe switch to a sniper, or approach from a different direction, or insta-headshot them because they're stationary and the netcode favors the rushing player. Perhaps shed a tear that you can't play one class that handles planes, tanks, snipers, and machine guns at the same time.

I agree with everything you said Level, except for the visibility. I personally like the fact I can find cover literally anyway and be able to sneak/hide from players who aren't being cautious. I would offer one additional suggestion. When prone, after firing X shots in the same spot, maybe you are temporarily spotted. The logic is that players can hear where the gunfire is coming from (if a stationary point) and can easily notify their team. This would be automatic since (as you have pointed out) in game communication doesn't allow for this. This would discourage camping and make it easier to spot/find campers.

Nah, allow ads unsupported but give it some wicked recoil.

MMGs are my least used weapons because I never liked the idea of leaving my fate to the poor visibility of the game and I despise prone campers.

I simply disagree that MMG's are an issue. If you want to be prone and or standing still at a ledge then I have no problem with them having high rate of fire high damage weapons. The root problem is spotting or rather the lack of it. Class roles need a rework to allow for spotting to be a more prevalent aspect of BFV rather than just spotting flares.

I just got BFV recently and once I realized this was a core mechanic of the MMGs, I closed the game. I was so confused about not being able to ADS lol. It’s such a bummer! I was so excited to use the MG42 like i did in CoD WaW.

I feel like dice needs to fix the bugs before anything else

Completely disagree with levelcap on this topic

I remember for some reason for the longest time (until like a march patch or something) the MG-42 had a completely different recoil pattern in the practice range, and it was a lot worse there than it was in normal multilayer... but with how fast it fired, it made sense, did anyone else notice that?

Very good ideas! I agree with all of them. Even though I think it's a cool feature that some weapons types take different amounts of time to shoot after sprinting. And I also think it's good to have some delay when standing up from prone before you can shoot

I have a question. Where is your computer specification ?

Personally Snipers are the most useless and annoying class in the game. Support MMGs don';t compare.

ArmA does the ledge resting very well. Basically if your weapon is rested on a ledge, depending on the kind of resting (if your whole weapon is on the ledge or for example just your elbow), it reduces recoil and idle sway for all weapons. This allows people to be quite effective with MGs even while not bipoded because they get that ledge bonus. Bipoding from that position is super quick and easy anyway

People like lvl cap are a gift for the bf community. Thank you for doing what you do and putting in all the hard work huge fan bro! 🤘

I feel like before they even start messing around with the mmg's they have to fix the visibility issue, cause that in itself I feel like could make a huge difference in being able to find those people that are camping.

I I think I wrather deal with low visibly mmg users compared to bf1s smalls map and high magazine and firerate assault class

I've noticed that on PS4, in my experience, that MMGs are not an issue. I think that this is a console vs PC implementation problem

I think the main reason for visibility problem is because of the improving graphics in VGs these days. I mean the graphics for an object is more detailed, the amount of objects is so much more compared to BF4 days, especially the debris of destroyed objects. The huge increase in amount of these details and objects overall in a general scene of the map forces a player to observe for more **time** because it requires more processing power to tell whats what or to spot a completely still target and it makes the blending-into-surrounding process much more easier for a MG bipod player. Just imagine, how easy it is to spot a bipod player in a plain detailess area compared to a spotting him in a detail rich area where the details of the object and the amount and types of objects are much more. All this in the pursuit of "realism"....

I don't see an issue I've had no problem dealing with these players, they can even be extremely easy to kill tbh.

But isn’t that how I MMG is supposed to be in real life. Sit back and let the lead fly. I have always played support on battlefield. I agree with the make MMG more offensive. But the defense play in my opinion is good since you’re sitting there and going to get shot eventually.

Seriously, This video is the kind of videos that should be made as a presentation in DICE HQ with all the involved devs listening and watching every single second of it, Thanks

For me the best would be to make mmg like the parrabelum in BF1 but even more incontrolable to force player to burst and introduce more recoil with the bipod i would also like to have the old ads mecanics

A very minor problem, compared to all the other stuff that is not right.

It's all most like a lot of the the skill of using the mmg is knowning where to deploy it... Mmgs are fine IMO

I completely agree! Excellent Ideas!

totally agree with you and i`am a realism nut.. Rising storm 2 Vietnam handles hip fire accuracy similar if you were to be able to aim down sight, if you shot a wall you gun does have a recoil pattern even off the hip but it`s much more erratic as it climes the wall with the spacing \ grouping between shots not only in the vertical but also the horizontal get far worse beyond 10 round hip fire burst and holding the trigger down from the hip is dam near impossible to keep a Browning 30 cal MMG pointing in a straight line off the hip and recoil gets harder and harder to pull down with mouse or joysticks and fight recoil against like your solider is getting tired, i also agree though that you should not able to ADS an MG42

Bf1 end game support play mechanics was the best IMO. Take the positives of that game and incorporate them into BFV.

The problem with the MMG is that when you play with it it’s shit, but when you play against it it’s OP. When you use it, your play style is very limited, often boring and not particularly good. Occasionally you’ll get kills, often in large clusters, but they’re very low consistency and require luck to be successful. Unfortunately, when you do get those kills you just pulverise the enemy, requiring little to no skill. This means that you almost never engage in skill based firefights: you either get killed before you ever have the chance to deploy and fire, or you pulverise the enemy before they notice you, which is very unfair on them. I think the best fixes would be decreasing accuracy at long ranges, increasing recoil, making the “aim down sights” when not bipoded slightly more accurate and making it quicker to set up your bipod.

I sometimes lay prone on a point that was already taken over enemies... and they simply dun see me.. they just run past me... and I mow them down....

I would say having the mmg have a recoil pattern of the gun going back with little recoil but then after let's say 30 rounds the recoil becomes almost uncontrollable perhaps encouraging burst fire which is the preferred way of firing in real life for these types of weapons

BF3/4 mechanics with more recoil/spread increase would be better. Its a shame you can't ADS, mandatory mechanics are the worst.

What about a weight system instead. MMG, going prone or ledge support be faster than if you throw that pig up to your soldier. Or reduce soldier speed with MMGs. Kinda like the weight system in WW3.

If you have played battlefront two (2017), the heavy class has a sentry gun they can pull out. You have to walk and move slower, but you can still aim it regularly. This should be implemented for the MMGs. You could still aim down sights when not bipoded, but you would have to walk and move slower. So people are not just running and gunning with them but you could be more mobile

Ubisoft's Ghost Recon Phantoms did weapon mechanics really well in my opinion, you'd get bonus accuracy and less recoil if you pin your weapon against a wall or ledge, and also bonus accuracy and less recoil if you prone with a bipod, however it took longer with a bipod on the ground. It's a shame that game died out, Ubisoft doesn't exactly have the brightest devs/executives.

A steady target?, Thats not a problem, the problem is all those call of duty headless chiken players who want to parkour everywhere, if some one is defending a flag with a MMG is just smart use of the terrain, just adjust your aproaching to the target man grow up.

Wait a low skill ceiling then talk about all the negatives...... funny. So many bad mmg users.. not knowing how to even use them well.... but no skill needed. You want mmgs to play more offensively? Give them back visual blur suppression so they can do suppression tactics. The reason low skill players camp with mmgs is they can't do much else do to hyper accuracy of every other classes weapons.

I think the last thing we need in BF V is that some aggressive player rush towards you with an MMG that can react to you so fast like they having an SMG (thanks to the suggested removal of the MMGs reaction penalty) with high damage, high rate of fire and very big magazine that can end more than full squad

The mg30 is my most aggressive MMG for the sole purpose of its reload speed and accuracy. I call it the buffed FG42 because of the side loaded magazine

The bipod isn't the problem it is the visibility, this wasn't an issue in previous games because there was spotting. DICE decided they wanted a hardcore light game instead of a fun game now the have made a game that just isn't fun to play. BFV has been a step backwards in every way except the gun play.

MMG's are fine. It's visibility of prone players that are the problem.

My idea to allow them to be used aggressive and fairly "realistic" in a sense would be to allow ads fire when standing or crouched but add a stamina bar like for the bayonet charge. You ads and begin fire with a manageable yet high recoil pattern and after a short time begin to hip fire only like the slow movement delay after a bayonet charge. This way you can push a point with smart timing and positioning while not having to lay down or mount or anything.

My dad had mg42 back in the 90s war they fired from bipod and aimed from the arm but burst to control recoil and they even had sniper scope on it

I love how you say "MMGs are for absolute noobs" with so many nice and soft words.

I hope EA make a re-master of BC2 and BF3 ( with DLC maps ) for consoles.

I agree with everything you said and wouldn't mind those changes except for wall bang. More damage tru walls with an mg42 would be ridiculous imo.

Shoulder firing MGs is generally quite easily done and in many situations it can match the accuracy of AR as well. Especially weapons like the negev and m249 that use a smaller caliber round compared to heavier mgs like the PKM or M240B.

They should just bring back the spotting system again. All these visibility issues would go away.

Level, you are OBSESSED by the concept of SKILLS

Bruh level cap felt like me when I’m trying to reach word count on an essay. That first minute was hard to listen to lol

At which FOV do you play at? Do you have the setting for FOV whilst ADS on or off? Love the content :)!