Battlefield 1 released in October 2016 and put the series in the First World War, where Operations chains two or three maps into one long attack and defence battle fought across a stack of battalions. When a team falls badly behind, the game hands it a Behemoth: the six seat Airship L30, the six seat Armored Train or the four seat Dreadnought. Gas grenades, bolt action rifles and cavalry horses make it the most deliberate shooter DICE has shipped in the modern era.
Choosing the right role shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Best Weapons | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assault | A | Balanced | Hellriegel 1915 | Yes |
| Medic | A | Balanced | Automatico M1918 | Yes |
| Support | A | Balanced | Lewis Gun | Yes |
| Scout | A | Balanced | Martini-Henry | Yes |
| Cavalry | A | Balanced | M1907 SL | Yes |
New player? Start with Medic. See our beginner's guide for why.
Assault
Assault is a strong option in Battlefield 1.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Hellriegel 1915 |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Operations mode |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Hellriegel 1915
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Amiens to learn Assault-specific mechanics
- Focus on Operations mode. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Hellriegel 1915 as your first major upgrade
- See our full Assault build guide for the optimal gear progression
Medic
Medic is a strong option in Battlefield 1.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Automatico M1918 |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Behemoths |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Automatico M1918
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Amiens to learn Medic-specific mechanics
- Focus on Behemoths. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Automatico M1918 as your first major upgrade
- See our full Medic build guide for the optimal gear progression
Support
Support is a strong option in Battlefield 1.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Lewis Gun |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Elite kits |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Lewis Gun
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Amiens to learn Support-specific mechanics
- Focus on Elite kits. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Lewis Gun as your first major upgrade
- See our full Support build guide for the optimal gear progression
Scout
Scout is a strong option in Battlefield 1.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Martini-Henry |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Weapon variants |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Martini-Henry
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Amiens to learn Scout-specific mechanics
- Focus on Weapon variants. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Martini-Henry as your first major upgrade
- See our full Scout build guide for the optimal gear progression
Cavalry
Cavalry is a strong option in Battlefield 1.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | M1907 SL |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Bayonet charge |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with M1907 SL
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Amiens to learn Cavalry-specific mechanics
- Focus on Bayonet charge. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize M1907 SL as your first major upgrade
- See our full Cavalry build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Role Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Medic is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Assault is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Hellriegel 1915 for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Cavalry offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another role.
For Group Play
Scout shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Battlefield 1 Guides
- Battlefield 1 Battlefield 1 Overview
- Battlefield 1 Best Builds
- Battlefield 1 Tier List
- Battlefield 1 Walkthrough
- Battlefield 1 Beginner's Guide
- Battlefield 1 Tips & Tricks
- Battlefield 1 Weapons Guide
- Battlefield 1 Combat Guide
- Battlefield 1 Boss Guide
- Battlefield 1 Maps & Locations
- Battlefield 1 Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Battlefield 1, check out these related guides:
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- Apex Legends Classes Guide: fps game with similar mechanics
- Rainbow Six Siege Classes Guide: fps game with similar mechanics
