Hey, No-Pats. EA and Battlefield Studios have released the patch notes for the upcoming January 20, 2026 update. While Season 2 is currently delayed until mid-February, this "quality of life" patch is designed to stabilize the game after a rocky end to 2025.
The update focuses heavily on "feel"—specifically fixing the clunky melee system and rebalancing the aerial dogfights that have dominated the REDSEC meta.
1. The Melee Masterclass
One of the most requested fixes since launch has been the melee delay. Previously, swinging a knife or sledgehammer locked you into an animation that felt like an eternity.
Sprint Interruption Fix: Sprint is now only interrupted until your weapon hits the target, rather than for the entire animation. You can get back on the move almost instantly.
Attack Speed: The knife has received a significant swing-speed buff.
Takedown Safety: Vehicles will no longer randomly explode if you perform a takedown on an enemy lying on top of them (a bizarre bug that haunted Multiplayer for months).
2. Air Combat Rebalance
Jets have been "shredding" helicopters and other air vehicles a bit too easily.
Jet Cannon Nerf: Damage against other air targets has been reduced by 40%.
The Goal: DICE wants dogfights to last longer and give helicopter pilots a fighting chance to pop flares and retreat before being deleted from the sky.
3. UI & HUD: Reticle Customization is Here
The "Netflix-style" horizontal menu remains for now, but the in-game HUD is getting a facelift:
Custom Reticles: You can finally change the color of your reticle for weapon and gadget scopes. This also applies to Thermal Scopes.
Armor Visibility: The armor bar in REDSEC and Battle Royale is now much more consistent and won't intermittently disappear during heavy firefights.
New Leadership: Julian Gerighty Joins DICE
In major industry news, Julian Gerighty (former Executive Producer of The Division franchise and Creative Director of Star Wars Outlaws) has officially left Ubisoft to join the Battlefield team at DICE.
This move comes at a critical time for the franchise following the tragic passing of Vince Zampella in December 2025. While Gerighty’s specific title hasn’t been confirmed, his experience with massive live-service shooters like The Division suggests he’ll be steering the long-term vision for Battlefield 6 and beyond.
Patch Summary: January 20, 2026
| Category | Key Change | Impact |
| Melee | Improved speed and sprint recovery. | Better "flow" in close-quarters combat. |
| Vehicles | 40% damage reduction for Jet Cannons vs Air. | Balanced dogfights; longer survival for helis. |
| Gadgets | Assault Ladder animation & entry fixes. | No more being "launched" into space by a ladder. |
| UI | Custom reticle colors & improved armor bar. | Higher visibility and personalized aiming. |
| REDSEC | Fixed jump-landing speed reduction. | Movement consistency across all modes. |
Final Drop: The Road to Season 2
This update is the "primer" for Season 2, which is officially set to launch on February 17, 2026. Expect more details on the new map and the next specialist in the coming weeks.
What’s your take, Quest squad? Is the melee fix enough to bring you back to the frontlines, or are you waiting for the big Season 2 content drop? Let us know in the comments!
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