Battlefield Studios has officially delivered on its promise to shut down XP bot farming in Battlefield 6. A new update has quietly rolled out, significantly reducing experience rewards in Portal mode servers that use bots, a move aimed at restoring balance to the game’s progression system.
What Happened to XP Bot Farming?
Since launch, Battlefield 6 players have been using Portal mode to create or join bot-filled servers that offered an easy path to leveling up weapons, gadgets, and Mastery ranks. These “XP farm” lobbies allowed players to grind kills on defenseless bots, bypassing the intended progression system.
While not technically against the rules, this method undermined the spirit of the game. The developers had long signaled that such lobbies weren’t the intended use of Portal, which was designed to empower players to create unique, community-driven experiences — not automated stat farms.
Now, following community feedback and growing frustration over progression imbalance, Battlefield 6 has removed Mastery XP and challenge completions from any Portal lobby that includes bots. Players can still earn career XP and receive a 150% match completion bonus, but the days of effortless weapon grinding are over.
Why Battlefield 6 Made the Change
The decision to nerf XP farms comes after weeks of Portal servers being flooded by bot-only sessions. These lobbies not only broke the balance of progression but also clogged the custom server browser, leaving few legitimate gameplay options for those seeking genuine matches.
Battlefield Studios explained that internal data showed many of these bot-enabled lobbies were being created solely to earn XP, inflate stats, and collect Mastery rewards. The result? It became “noticeably harder” for players to find real, human-based Portal matches.
By stripping XP from these exploitative setups, the developers hope to “reinforce player-driven experiences that bring people together” while still allowing for creativity within the Portal framework.
How the XP Nerf Affects Battlefield 6 Players and Servers
Not every server has been affected equally. While the majority of bot-based lobbies have lost their XP privileges, others — particularly mixed or modified servers — still retain normal XP progression. Battlefield Studios appears to be flagging servers manually, striking a balance between fairness and flexibility.
However, the update hasn’t come without collateral damage. Some legitimate custom Portal servers are reporting reduced XP gains or progression stalls even when not running farming configurations. This has sparked frustration among players who feel punished despite following the rules.
Still, the move has improved the overall experience for many. The Portal browser now shows fewer XP farm servers and more genuine sessions — from hardcore Conquest playlists to creative community setups.
DICE Plans to Improve Battlefield 6 Progression
While the removal of bot farms tackles one symptom, the underlying cause remains — Battlefield 6’s slow and grind-heavy progression system. Many players turned to XP farms out of frustration with tedious challenge requirements and sluggish Mastery unlocks.
Acknowledging this, Battlefield Studios recently boosted match completion XP and daily challenge rewards while reducing the XP needed for early weapon Mastery ranks. The studio has also adjusted career rank-based assignments, making progression more attainable for new players.
The team has confirmed that further balance updates are planned to make normal play more rewarding — a necessary step if the removal of XP farms is to be accepted long-term.
If this all sounds familiar, it’s because it is. Battlefield 2042 faced nearly identical XP farming issues when its own Portal system launched, leading DICE to impose similar restrictions. The repeated scenario suggests a lingering challenge for Battlefield’s design philosophy: balancing creative freedom with fair progression.
Once again, Portal’s flexibility has proven both its greatest strength and its biggest vulnerability. The challenge now lies in refining its rules without alienating the creative community that makes it special.
Season 1 Preview: Battlefield 6 Next Phase Begins
As the game heads toward Season 1, launching on October 28, players can expect new maps, weapons, and a premium battle pass. With these systems in place, Battlefield Studios has a strong incentive to ensure XP isn’t too easy to exploit — especially with monetized tier skips entering the ecosystem.
The studio’s next focus will likely involve fine-tuning Portal’s balance and revisiting progression pacing to maintain fairness across both casual and competitive play. Play Now!
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