Battlefield 4 shipped from DICE on 29 October 2013 on Frostbite 3, launched in a famously broken state, and then spent two years being repaired through a public Community Test Environment until it became the reference point the series keeps getting measured against. It reached Steam years later when EA returned its catalogue to the store in 2020, under appid 1238860. The pitch is 64 player Conquest on PC, four infantry classes, Levolution events that permanently change a map mid round, and Commander Mode running above it all. It is still online in 2026, with Steam concurrents typically running between about 1,000 and 1,600 and a larger population on the EA App that Steam charts never see. Populated servers are concentrated in a smaller set of maps and modes than the map list suggests.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary weapons | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your role's key combinations |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary weapons | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
Siege of Shanghai
Key resources: The tower collapse Levolution, rooftop helicopter access, the busiest servers in the game Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for ACE 23 upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Golmud Railway
Key resources: Tank and jeep heavy play, the armoured train, long range Recon practice Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for ACE 23 upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Operation Locker
Key resources: Fast weapon unlock progression, Support and Assault at their strongest Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for ACE 23 upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Zavod 311
Key resources: The tower collapse Levolution, balanced infantry and vehicle fighting Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for AEK-971 max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Paracel Storm
Key resources: The destroyer Levolution, boat and air vehicle play, wide open Recon sightlines Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for AEK-971 max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Siege of Shanghai to Golmud Railway)
- Upgrade your starting weapons to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials, since you'll need them later
- Focus on ACE 23 once accessible
Mid Game (Operation Locker)
- Push ACE 23 to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for AEK-971
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Zavod 311 to Paracel Storm)
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple weapons: Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials: Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear: Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Operation Locker farming: This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early: Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Spotting is worth more than most kills. A marked enemy is visible to your entire team, and the assist score for a spotted kill feeds your Field Upgrade chain.
- Farm Operation Locker during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build. Some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Battlefield 4 Guides
- Battlefield 4 Battlefield 4 Overview
- Battlefield 4 Best Builds
- Battlefield 4 Tier List
- Battlefield 4 Walkthrough
- Battlefield 4 Beginner's Guide
- Battlefield 4 Tips & Tricks
- Battlefield 4 Weapons Guide
- Battlefield 4 Combat Guide
- Battlefield 4 Boss Guide
- Battlefield 4 Maps & Locations
- Battlefield 4 Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Battlefield 4, check out these related guides:
- Counter-Strike 2 Crafting Guide: fps game with similar mechanics
- Apex Legends Crafting Guide: fps game with similar mechanics
- Rainbow Six Siege Crafting Guide: fps game with similar mechanics
