Wake Island Developer Map Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• REIMAGINING HISTORY
• EXPLORING WAKE ISLAND SECTOR BY SECTOR
  • Taussig Radar Station
  • Heel Point Barracks
  • Hanger One
  • Ammunition and Ordnance Depot
  • True Energy Hydrocarbons Fuel Storage
  • Toyoshima Docks
  • Shipwreck of the MV Cetus
• TOP FIVE TIPS AND TRICKS

The legendary island returns to Battlefield.

As part of Battlefield 6 Update 1.4.2.0, the vast, isolated paradise in the Pacific Ocean known as Wake Island is back. Across this deceptively scenic coastal terrain, this tactical benchmark demands all-out warfare mastery out of every squad. Pushing the return of Naval Warfare to its full potential, opening up the skies for aerial combat, and challenging infantry to island hop around the atoll, Wake Island will once again stake its claim as a franchise cornerstone when it becomes Battlefield 6’s 17th map in Season 4. 

Here’s what you need to know about this love letter to Battlefield veterans and the community, straight from the developers at Battlefield Studios:

REIMAGINING HISTORY

Wake Island’s history defines Battlefield’s legacy.

Since its inception in Battlefield 1942, this horseshoe-shaped atoll has seen past, present, and future Battlefield combined arms skirmishes. Once a simple Pacific outpost and reimagined several times into modernized arenas, Wake Island is a direct reflection of Battlefield’s technological and design evolution.

In 2002, Battlefield 1942 introduced the world to a virtual Wake Island, the ultimate sandbox that forces aggressive, front-line clashes. Over the next two decades, Wake Island saw several reinventions: in Battlefield 2, the map returned with enhanced fidelity and refined vehicle combat for the modern era of warfare. Battlefield 1943’s arcade-style intensity transformed the map into a hotbed for high-octane combat with an emphasis for airstrip control. When it later surfaced in Battlefield 3’s “Back to Karkand” Expansion, its war-torn aesthetic and open layout leaned heavily into new destruction physics. 

Its last iteration in Battlefield V pushed the boundaries of visual fidelity and environmental storytelling, and was the basis for what Battlefield Studios developers used for its return in Battlefield 6.

“Wake Island is one of Battlefield’s most celebrated maps and the debut of Naval Warfare alongside our upgraded tech related to that meant it was the perfect opportunity to return to a fan-favorite and make it an even more immersive experience for Battlefield 6,” says Executive Producer Ryan McArthur.

Through development, Battlefield Studios Level Designer Victor Guillermo acknowledged community debates on what was “peak Wake Island,” especially when it came to all-out warfare game modes like Breakthrough.

“At first, we tried working with a similar layout to Battlefield V,” Guillermo said. “It looked great on paper, but the travel times were too great for players, and the second sector with three objectives was too challenging for the attackers to capture during playtests. So, we decided two objectives would be our max per sector, but still had trouble with spacing.”

At that point, Battlefield Studios turned to tweaking individual points of interest, map boundaries, vehicle distribution, and cover opportunities. That included adding a new point of interest, a Shipwreck, in the middle of the map.

“Previous iterations of Wake Island had open water in the middle of the island,” Guillermo said, “and we heard our community’s feedback loud and clear: this design heavily favored snipers and discouraged boat traversal due to a lack of cover. To solve this problem, we decided to put down the shipwreck, which also has ziplines for infantry to avoid swimming their way to shore.”

Across the final playtests, Guillermo noted how Wake Island was known for being an open map, but may not have had enough cover for infantry to have a fighting chance. However, there was also a fear of overcorrection - adding too much cover - that had to be balanced:

“We originally placed an immense amount of bushes and rocks throughout the island to counter the lack of cover and great amount of sightlines previous iterations of Wake Island had,” Guillermo said. “Eventually we got to a point where we placed too much cover and players were not able to properly find the routes they had available to them. To solve this problem, we strategically reduced the amount of bushes and rocks placed with sculpted, undulating terrain, and thematic set dressing.”

EXPLORING WAKE ISLAND SECTOR BY SECTOR

Even if you are a Wake Island veteran, the updates made for Battlefield 6 are worth taking another closer look:

Taussig Radar Station

This key NATO surveillance station on the northwest island is a large tower with an underground space placed on a hill, which is where the objective usually lies. There are multiple routes and supporting buildings to provide players ample opportunities to flank, capture, and contest objectives.

Defenders have a multitude of options to fend off attackers: For example, in addition to natural high-ground, the tower itself is a great sniping perch, albeit it can be shelled by explosives easily. Expect close-quarters weapons to thrive within the underground section, while the outdoor areas will be defined by vehicular combat and mid-to-long range infantry gunfights.

Heel Point Barracks

Active since WWII, now home to the best of the best, these three adjacent buildings can either serve as great sniping spots, opportunities for shaking off trailing enemy infantry, or just be completely destroyed to have their rubble piles used for cover. In between these buildings is the main capture area for all-out-warfare game modes.

This point of interest is where the Wake Island underground tunnel network begins, as Guillermo notes:

“There are tunnels placed in between the Barracks and the Hangar, in between the Ammo Depot and the Hangar, in between the Ammo Depot and Fuel Storage, and in between Fuel Storage and the Docks. These tunnels can trim down on travel times, provide flanking opportunities, and provide routes to escape from firefights. Use them wisely.”

Hanger One

The primary hangar and airstrip utilized by the island's air base, Hanger One is Wake Island’s focal point and the prized possession for teams across two decades of combat. Recently marked by nearby Pax Armata activity, the Hanger is a large interior space where armored vehicles could turn into a deadly drive-through, mid-to-long range weapons could lock down sightlines, or a CQB strategy could pester entire squads.

Along with the Barracks and Radar station, Guillermo noted the heavy foot traffic in playtests around this area due to its proximity to the middle of the map.

“Each of these points of interest provide a variety of playstyles for infantry: close quarters combat, cat and mouse gameplay, interior combat, and tactical destruction,” Guillermo said. “Because they are placed in proximity to each other and provide routes for infantry to enter and exit the Shipwreck POI, combat can often get hectic in these areas.”

Ammunition and Ordnance Depot

Six ammo structures were placed to support NATO military aircraft on base. In combat, they serve as great cover pieces for close quarters combat on varying elevations, but have the potential to explode. At the center of this potential danger zone is often a key objective for capture.

On the southwest corner of this landmass, outside the depot slightly towards the hanger, is an area that may not have an objective to capture, but can still serve a purpose in a winning strategy:

“Here, we placed several destroyed bunkers, raised terrain to provide cover and a flanking route for boats,” Guillermo said. “We typically see less foot traffic here in our playtests, so we predict it’ll be a good area to flank for infantry and boat players.”

The tunnel between this area and Hanger One is also big enough to fit large vehicles. For those searching for better cover against naval vehicles, head towards the inner part of this section and look for this underground path between objectives.

True Energy Hydrocarbons Fuel Storage

Two oil silos are the lifeblood for this island base's aircrafts as well as friendly passing aircraft, although its funding partners are shrouded in mystery…

This large semi-interior and exterior combat space for infantry features multi-level combat opportunities, including sightlines onto the central Shipwreck. In most game modes, the objective sits right at the center of the complex, inviting squads to get up-close and personal. Alternatively, given its proximity to the sea, a naval captain can rain down destruction and assist their fellow squads struggling to get a foothold.

Between this area and the nearby Docks is another bridge between islands and a small complex. In this space, naval and land vehicles are encouraged to trade blows, while anti-armor infantry can take to the multi-story buildings to launch counterattacks and otherwise disrupt combat flow.

Toyoshima Docks

Housing the island's main port facilities, the Toyoshima Docks is the processing point for any cargo that doesn't arrive by plane.

The Docks are an inlet with a few surrounding buildings and structures, which Guillermo says should create exciting moments for Naval Warfare.

“In multiple game modes, the Docks, Fuel Storage, and Shipwreck points of interest have capture areas that extend into the water, allowing boats a chance to capture and contest,” Guillermo explained. “This gives boat players a vital role in game modes such as Conquest, Breakthrough, and Escalation. In other words, if a player can master Naval Warfare, they can seriously turn the tide of the game for their team.”

Shipwreck of the MV Cetus

This brand-new point of interest is the remains of the MV Cetus, an Egyptian shipping vessel that got caught during a supply run to the island base. It was due to be salvaged by US forces until hostilities broke out on Wake Island between NATO and Pax.

As a central point of interest, there is only one land route from Hanger One, but there are also multiple ziplines and clear waterways into the space. Once on the shipwreck itself, infantry can find shelter within the wreckage, or jump into the seat of an in-tact AA gun on the bridge to pepper incoming aerial and naval vehicles.

“We cannot wait to see how this new point of interest lands with our community,” Guillermo said, “as in our playtests, it created many exciting gameplay opportunities for boats and infantry.”

TOP FIVE TIPS AND TRICKS - WAKE ISLAND

1. GET IN THE WATER. Wake Island is surrounded by it: Don't be afraid to hop in a boat to quickly traverse Wake Island. Or, if you prefer to stay on foot, take advantage of the ziplines to-and-from the Shipwreck for faster means of travel.
2. REMEMBER TACTICAL DESTRUCTION. Blowing up ammo structures, and tearing down buildings are key to opening up new paths to victory, maybe even earning an unexpected elimination in the process.
3. CQB HAS A HOME. When using SMGs, Carbine Rifles, and other close-quarters weapons, try sticking to the underground tunnel network and in between buildings to limit exposure to long-range weapons and stay within effective range.
4. BRIDGE AND TUNNEL. Wake Island’s bridges allow for quick routes between objectives while the tunnel network between most of the points of interest, especially the wider tunnel between the Hanger and Depot, can help keep your enemies guessing.
5. LEAN ON YOUR VETERANS. Real-life friend or new squadmate from our Official Discord, no guide can replace 20+ years of Battlefield experience. Squad up, take notes, and follow these leaders in our community.

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