Conquest vs TDM for Progression

Optimizing Your Progression Through Game Mode Selection

Battlefield 6 features multiple progression systems that level at different rates depending on which game modes you play. Understanding which modes optimize specific unlocks can save you dozens of hours grinding and get you to end-game content faster.

Understanding BF6 Progression Systems

Career Rank (Overall Level):

• Progresses with total XP earned across all modes
• Unlocks gadgets, perks, and cosmetics
• Higher player counts = more XP opportunities
• Rewards objective play, support actions, squad performance

Weapon Mastery:

• Progresses with kills and challenges per weapon
• Unlocks attachments and weapon skins
• Requires specific actions (headshots, kills at range, etc.)
• Faster in action-dense modes with frequent combat

Class Specializations:

• Progresses with class-specific actions
• Unlocks class abilities and upgrades
• Medic needs revives, Engineer needs repairs, etc.
• Mode selection matters for class advancement

Conquest Mode: Best for Career XP

Why Conquest Excels for XP:

• 64-128 players means constant action and targets
• Objective captures award significant XP bonuses
• Long matches (20-40 minutes) compound XP gains
• Multiple ways to earn: kills, captures, defense, squad support
• Vehicle XP multiplies with more targets available

Conquest XP Optimization:

• Play the objective – captures give massive XP bonuses
• Squad up – squad orders and spawns boost XP
• Use support gadgets – ammo/health resupply earns steady XP
• Don't chase kills – objective play outearns kill farming
• Stick with winning teams – victory bonuses matter

Best Conquest Maps for XP:

• Large maps with multiple capture points
• Maps with vehicle spawns (vehicle kills = bonus XP)
• Urban maps with dense infantry action
• Maps where objectives change hands frequently

Team Deathmatch: Best for Weapon Unlocks

Why TDM Excels for Weapons:

• Constant combat with no objective distractions
• Smaller maps mean faster engagement frequency
• Shorter matches let you switch weapons more often
• Focused on pure gunplay where kills count most
• Challenge completion is faster with more kills per minute

TDM Weapon Grind Optimization:

• Focus on one weapon at a time until mastered
• Learn the maps' spawn patterns for kill opportunities
• Play aggressive – passive play slows unlock progress
• Use XP boost items on weapons you're grinding
• Queue for specific maps that favor your weapon type

Weapon-Specific Mode Selection:

• Assault Rifles – TDM or Domination, medium maps
• SMGs – TDM, close-quarters maps
• LMGs – Conquest for sustained fire opportunities
• Sniper Rifles – Breakthrough for long sightlines
• Shotguns – TDM lockers/metro style maps

Other Modes and Their Progression Benefits

Breakthrough:

• Good for class progression (defined attack/defend roles)
• Medics shine in the pushing gameplay
• Engineers valuable against attacking vehicles
• Moderate weapon XP (less kills than TDM but structured)

Rush:

• Excellent for explosive weapon unlocks (MCOM destruction)
• Engineer class progression is fast
• Smaller player counts but focused action
• Good for learning specific weapons in controlled chaos

Hazard Zone (if available):

• High-risk, high-reward XP gains
• Good for players who survive consistently
• Poor for grinding (long downtime between matches)
• Best for experienced players seeking challenges

Class-Specific Mode Recommendations

Assault:

• TDM for weapon unlocks
• Conquest for gadget/ability XP
• Breakthrough for class progression

Medic:

• Breakthrough/Conquest (lots of revive opportunities)
• Avoid TDM (less team-based healing needed)
• Large modes maximize support XP

Engineer:

• Conquest with vehicles (repair and anti-vehicle XP)
• Rush for MCOM-focused gadget progression
• Vehicle-heavy maps regardless of mode

Support:

• Any large mode (ammo resupply is constant)
• Conquest for suppression and mounted weapon XP
• TDM for LMG kill challenges

Recon:

• Conquest/Breakthrough for spotting XP
• TDM for sniper rifle unlocks
• Large modes for spawn beacon value

Progression Boosters and Timing

Use XP Boosters Wisely:

• Activate on double XP weekends for stacking
• Save for modes you'll play extended sessions
• Match booster type to your current goal
• Don't waste on modes you're learning

Session Planning:

• Set a progression goal before playing
• Choose mode based on that goal
• Track your progress mid-session
• Switch modes if current one isn't working

Common Progression Mistakes

Jack of All Trades:

• Switching weapons/modes too often
• Progress on nothing, master nothing
• Pick a focus and stick to it

Ignoring Objectives for Kills:

• In Conquest, objective XP beats kill XP
• PTFO (play the f***ing objective) is faster progression
• Kills without context slow your career rank

Wrong Mode for Goal:

• Grinding weapon kills in Conquest wastes time
• Seeking career XP in TDM is inefficient
• Match mode to specific unlock target

Pro Tips for Maximum Progression

Track your unlock trees and plan which attachments/items you want next. Then select the mode that gets you there fastest.

Daily and weekly challenges often reward specific mode play. Check challenges and let them guide mode selection for bonus XP.

Remember: different modes optimize different progressions. The smart player matches their goal to their mode, not the other way around. An hour in the right mode beats three hours in the wrong one.