More Battlefield 4 Naval Strike expansion details revealed

Gustav Halling, lead gameplay designer on EA'sBattlefield 4, has taken part in an Ask Dicesession to shed further light on what players can expect from the upcoming Naval Strike expansion.Following on from his recent post detailing the[A HREF="http://blogs.battlefield.com/2014/03/naval-strike-carrier-assault/"]Carrier Assualt mode[a], some of Halling's information isn't exactly new, but the session did provide some very interesting tidbits to whet gamers' appetites.Perhaps most important is the way different units will be able to impact the action. With naval-based combat being the driving force behind the new content, Halling explained that the main challenge was ensuring naval units are even more effective, with others able still able to counter the threat and affect strategic changes in the gameplay:"As always when working with water-based maps the challenge is to give naval units a prominent role on the Battlefield, and at the same time give infantry players enough areas to fight around", Halling explains. It's to be expected that the game's attack crafts should provide the main on-sea threat, while RHIB boats and the new land-and-sea capable hover craft unit provide logistical support.But infantry shouldn't be lost at sea. Halling explains that water-vehicles won't have things all their own way, with players able to "interact within the levels to create and block paths for vehicles, or make other strategic use of the environments." They'll also be able to "close flood doors to stop vehicles from entering a submarine base and capturing the objective inside".The weather may also play a part, adding a little extra chaos, with "many different visual styles" that isn't simply "copying what has already been done in Paracel Storm", but more chaos might also come form the new pieces of kit to be made available. A new M320 grenade launcher gadget allows three successive shots without reloading, albeit with reduced plash damage, while chopper pilots could now be targeted by anti-helicoptor mines.