Battlefield has a bot problem, and it could signal doom for the franchise

Michael Caruso
Duncan Proctor
calendar-icon
Table of Contents
  1. TL;DR
  2. Battlefield is a realistic FPS at heart
  3. Bots are fine for beginner game modes, but not much else
  4. Bots threaten to disrupt Battlefield’s popularity
  5. Conclusion
  6. FAQs
Battlefield 6 multiplayer battle displayed on a PC monitor
Combat in Battlefield 6 / Image credit: EA

TL;DR

  • Battlefield 6 offers one of the most realistic first-person shooter experiences on the market in 2026.
  • Bots have dominated Battlefield 6 lobbies for quite some time, causing players to take notice and become frustrated.
  • Bots undermine both the challenge and the realism in Battlefield 6, which may lead some gamers to jump ship and play other online FPS games instead.
  • Battlefield 6 bots are perfect for portal mode, but they make standard matchmaking feel less realistic since AI enemies can’t compete with human players.

Battlefield is one of the most successful FPS franchises ever, and BF6 has reignited its popularity like never before. Despite great success at launch, Battlefield 6 has faced numerous controversies, including a long wait for Season 2, and most notably, a plethora of bots in matchmaking.

Battlefield bots are perfect for new players who wish to learn the lay of the land, but they take away from the realistic atmosphere that Battlefield has cultivated over the years. We’re going to answer the question: Should EA remove bots from Battlefield 6?

Battlefield is a realistic FPS at heart

Tank operating during combat in Battlefield 6
Tank operating during combat in Battlefield 6 / Image credit: EA

At its core, the Battlefield franchise represents realism and warfare that simply can’t be found in arcade shooters like Call of Duty. The giant maps, lifelike destruction, and dynamic gameplay mechanics all allow for an immersive play session in every match, but bots disrupt the realism by toning down the difficulty level.

Bots behave predictably, and they’re usually not very useful in a fight, so after playing BF6 for a while, it’s easy to identify which enemies are bots and which are real players. Taking the time to determine if you’re dealing with a real player or AI pulls you out of the immersion zone, and it can also ruin the competitive spirit of a match.

Overall, a Battlefield 6 bot lobby is terrible for realism, and though AI enemies may reduce long matchmaking intervals, it’d be better to simply be missing a few players on each team.

Bots are fine for beginner game modes, but not much else

Soldier and gun in Battlefield 6
Soldier and gun in Battlefield 6 / Image credit: EA

New players can use bots in modes like Casual Breakthrough to help get a grasp of the core mechanics in Battlefield 6. Beginner game modes prove that bots can exist in a useful capacity within BF6, but the problem is filling many open spots with bots in standard matchmaking modes. Serving as a learning tool, bots are actually quite useful, but they also ruin the immersion due to their low skill level and predictable actions.

Bots threaten to disrupt Battlefield’s popularity

Helicopter and soldiers in Battlefield 6
Helicopter and soldiers in Battlefield 6 / Image credit: EA

As of February 18, 2026, the bots in Battlefield 6 are causing mass outrage across the FPS community. Players online are calling for EA to remove or reduce bots in online lobbies, as a large collection of bots in each match is ruining the immersive gameplay for competitive players.

If the frequency of bot encounters isn’t toned down soon, then players may begin to look elsewhere for their daily dose of competitive gaming. Battlefield 6 has gained recent traction, so it’d be a shame if bot-dominated lobbies sank the franchise’s newfound popularity.

Conclusion

For Battlefield 6 to thrive in 2026, EA will need to make some important decisions regarding non-player enemies. Removing, or at least heavily reducing, bots from standard matchmaking is key in reforming the AI enemy problem, while bots could remain in casual modes for new players.

The immersion of the Battlefield franchise is at stake as bots dominate unfilled BF6 lobbies. Longer matchmaking times are a small price to pay for preserving the realism in Battlefield, especially since it’s one of the franchise’s key attributes.

Bots are destructive to the natural state of Battlefield 6. Without a reduction, AI enemies could bring about a downfall for EA’s popular shooter. In the end, players log on to Battlefield to compete against other players, not bots, and that point remains true in Battlefield 6 as well.

FAQs

Why are there bots in my Battlefield 6 match?

Bots are added to Battlefield 6 matches to reduce matchmaking times, allowing players to load into matches faster. Battlefield 6 bots offline are also available for solo lobbies, though BF6 does require an internet connection to play.

How many bots can be in a Battlefield 6 server?

The maximum number of bots in a match depends on the game mode, though it’s generally limited to a set number or half of the spots on each team.

How do bots work in the Battlefield 6 portal?

Players can select the difficulty and number of bots they’d like in a match while customising the portal settings in Battlefield 6.

Do Battlefield 6 bots count towards challenges?

Yes, bots count towards most challenge progress in Battlefield 6, though bot eliminations reportedly don’t count towards your K/D ratio. The Battlefield 6 bots XP does contribute to your level progress, though the experience gain is often reduced.

Michael Caruso

Features Writer
  • linkedin-icon
Michael has been a freelance game journalist for six years. With a deep passion for competitive gaming and first-person shooters, he now focuses his time writing about the fast-moving world of esports. If Michael isn't writing, he's likely in a high-stakes match of Fortnite or Call of Duty.
Read Full Bio
Stay updated with the latest in Esports Follow Esports Insider for breaking news, features and guides
Add ESI as your preferred source on Google Add ESI as your preferred source on Google
ESI Ranking System
We’ve created a ranking system to help you quickly know how good each gambling platform is. As gamblers ourselves, we know which factors matter most to you, so we follow a best-in-class methodology to test each one with no stone unturned. Once done, we then rank each platform based on the following tiers:
  • A-Tier High-quality sites that deliver a top experience every time. They boast strong performance, nice features, and reliable support, but are just shy of perfection.
  • B-Tier Solid platforms that are worth a spin. They’re safe, fun, and functional, but may be lacking advanced features or have minor drawbacks.
  • S-Tier Reserved for elite operators only. These go well beyond the norm with lucrative bonuses, rewarding promotions, lightning-fast payouts, and a flawless experience overall.
To read more details about how we review casino and betting sites, check out How We Rate Gambling Operators.