Battlefield 6 brings massive battles, but two persistent questions keep popping up in community discussions: are mortars completely useless, and can you turn off the AI bots that fill up servers? If you’ve unlocked the mortar gadget only to watch your shells plink harmlessly off tanks, or if you’re tired of seeing bot names in the kill feed, you’re not alone. This guide breaks down the truth about mortars and explores every option for minimising (or eliminating) bot presence in your matches.
Are Mortars Useless in Battlefield 6?
The short answer is no, mortars are not useless. However, they demand a very specific playstyle and a willingness to sacrifice raw killing power for tactical support. The perception of uselessness comes from players who drop a mortar tube in the middle of an open field and expect it to delete infantry squads the way a sniper rifle or assault rifle might. In reality, mortars excel at area denial, flushing out entrenched enemies, and softening up vehicles before a push.
Why Mortars Get a Bad Rep
Several factors contribute to the idea that mortars are weak. First, their damage against heavy armour is intentionally low. A direct hit on a main battle tank will only scratch the paint, and the slow fire rate means you’re unlikely to land follow-up shells before the tank moves. Second, infantry can often sprint out of the blast radius before the round lands if they’re paying attention. Finally, the mortar’s static deploy mechanic leaves the user vulnerable to counter-snipers and flankers. All of these issues are real, but they don’t make the gadget useless—they just define its role.
How to Make Mortars Deadly
To get the most out of your mortar, you need to think like a team player rather than a lone wolf. Start by pairing up with a recon player who can spot targets with a drone or spotting scope. The mortar’s minimap interface becomes lethal when you see moving red diamonds instead of blind-firing at capture points. Use smoke rounds to cover friendly advances or to blind enemy snipers—a single well-placed smoke shell can win a breakthrough push. For actual kills, aim at choke points, doorways, and common camping spots where enemies huddle. Another pro tip: set up behind solid cover, not just in the open. The mortar can arc over most obstacles, so place it behind a building or rock formation where you’re shielded from direct line-of-sight. Finally, coordinate with your squad leader to call in mortar strikes on marked objectives; some versions of Battlefield 6 reward squad play with bonus points and even increased shell effectiveness when targeting designated areas.
Best Maps and Modes for Mortars
Not all environments are kind to mortar users. Flat, open maps with little overhead cover (like desert or tundra biomes) let enemy snipers pick you off too easily. Instead, choose urban or hilly maps where you can tuck the mortar into a courtyard or behind a ridge. Breakthrough and Rush modes are mortar-friendly because attacking forces cluster around objectives, making area damage more valuable. Conquest can work, but you’ll need to reposition frequently as flags change hands. Avoid small infantry-only modes where the chaos makes static emplacements impossible to defend.
How to Play Battlefield 6 Without Bots
The presence of AI bots in Battlefield 6 has been a hot topic since launch. While they serve a purpose—keeping server populations healthy and preventing endless queue times—many players want a pure player-versus-player experience. The good news is that there are ways to minimise or entirely remove bots from your games, although a universal toggle does not currently exist in standard matchmaking.
Understanding Bot Filling Mechanics
Bots appear in official multiplayer servers when the matchmaking system cannot find enough human players to fill all slots. This is especially common in less populated regions, during off-peak hours, or in large-format modes like 128-player Conquest. The game prioritises human players, but if you start a round with 100 real players and 28 empty slots, those slots will be filled by AI soldiers. They behave like basic infantry: they capture objectives, revive teammates, and even use vehicles, but they lack the unpredictability and skill of seasoned human opponents. Importantly, bots are not present in ranked or competitive playlists if those exist in the game.
Portal Mode: Your Best Bet for Bot-Free Games
The Battlefield Portal feature is the definitive answer for those who want zero bots. Portal allows you to create custom servers with precise rule sets. When setting up your server, look for the “AI Soldier” option. You can set this to “Off” to guarantee that no bots will ever spawn, regardless of the player count. If you want a mixed experience, you can also adjust the bot count dynamically—for example, allowing bots only until the server reaches 64 human players, then automatically phasing them out. To join a bot-free game, either host your own Portal server with friends or browse the server browser for community-hosted games tagged “No Bots” or “PvP Only.” Many dedicated players run persistent servers with these settings, so you can often find a full match with zero AI.
Are There Any Other Workarounds?
Beyond Portal, your options are limited. Some limited-time events and featured playlists occasionally disable bot backfilling to create a more competitive atmosphere. Keep an eye on the game’s official news for these modes. Additionally, playing during peak hours in your region will naturally reduce the number of bots, as more human players are queueing. Enabling crossplay also expands the potential player pool, further decreasing the chance that a bot takes a seat. However, if you’re on a platform with a smaller user base (like last-gen consoles), you may need to accept some bot presence in standard matchmaking until the community grows or until DICE implements a toggle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are mortars completely useless against vehicles? Mortars can damage light vehicles like jeeps, ATVs, and helicopters, but they are not effective against heavy armour. Focus on infantry and light transports. If you must engage a tank, use the mortar to harass it and force it to move out of position rather than trying to destroy it outright.
Can I one-shot infantry with mortars? Generally, no. A direct hit will kill a full-health soldier only if they are standing directly on the impact point and the mortar has high explosive shells equipped. Most kills come from hitting wounded enemies or chipping away at groups until someone finishes them off. Use the mortar to weaken, not to instantly delete.
Why does the game add bots even when I have crossplay on? Crossplay increases the number of available players, but it does not guarantee a full server in every region and mode at all times. If the system still cannot fill all slots after searching across platforms, bots will be used. The matchmaker’s priority is to start the round quickly rather than make you wait indefinitely for one more human.
Can I report bots for cheating? No, bots follow strict AI behaviour and do not cheat. Reporting a bot will likely be ignored. If you see a player name that looks like a bot but exhibits human-like unpredictability, it may be a real player with a default or auto-generated name.
Is there a way to exclusively play against bots? Yes, although not for the same competitive progression. Solo/Co-op modes allow you to play with and against bots only. This is a great way to practice without pressure. In Portal, you can also create a server populated entirely by bots if you want to test weapons or explore maps.
Will DICE add a no-bot toggle in the future? The developers have acknowledged the request but have not confirmed a universal toggle. Their focus appears to be on improving bot AI and giving more control through Portal. Keep an eye on patch notes for any changes to bot handling in standard matchmaking.
Mortars are a niche but rewarding part of Battlefield 6’s sandbox, and while bots may never fully disappear from public servers, dedicating a few minutes to Portal setup can give you that pure player-versus-player experience. Experiment with different mortar tactics and don’t let the naysayers discourage you. With the right approach, you can turn those explosive shells into a decisive battlefield advantage.
