I still get a little nostalgic when I think about the launch of Battlefield 2042. It was messy, ambitious, and full of questions — especially one that kept popping up in my squad chats: does playing solo, co-op, or Portal actually count toward XP and unlocks? In 2026, the game is older and quieter, but that question still matters for anyone jumping back in or trying to finish a weapon grind. So let me walk you through what I have learned, in plain player terms.

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The short version: everything gives something, but not everything gives the same

Battlefield 2042 has All-Out Warfare, which is the traditional experience. It splits into multiplayer — you against other online players — and solo and co-op, where you and possibly friends fight AI bots. Then there is Portal, the love letter mode that brings back classics from 1942 to Bad Company with some wonderfully weird twists. You might get all-melee zombie rules, or a grudge match between World War II gear and modern vehicles. Portal wears its nostalgia on its sleeve.

The key thing to know is that XP generally comes from how long you stay in a match and how much you contribute. Late joins get smaller rewards. Playing the full match and actually helping your team pays better. To unlock all weapons and vehicles, you need to reach level 60. After that, attachments, vehicle equipment slots, and cosmetics come from using that specific weapon or vehicle. Most requirements are simple: get kills, earn assists, or do both with vehicles like the MV-38 Condor or the MAV.

Here is the rub: anything you do in 2042 will net some XP or move an unlock forward, but efficiency depends on your time and patience. This is a grindy game. No shame in that — just go in with the right mindset.

Solo: bot army, real progress, soft cap

Solo mode puts you in charge of a bot army. You are the main driving force, and the good news is that kills and assists do count toward weapon and vehicle unlocks. The less good news is that DICE added a cap on XP earned in these modes because bot farming was becoming a problem. So you can progress, but the XP comes at a reduced rate compared with a normal online match.

If I am playing solo, I go straight to Breakthrough. It is the fastest way to reach that cap, and it gives me room to learn maps at my own pace. I can figure out flanking sides, the most valuable capture points, and which weapons or vehicles feel right without a lobby full of real players breathing down my neck. It is a low-pressure classroom, and I appreciate that.

Co-Op: bring a friend, still mind the cap

Co-op adds other players to the mix, so you and your friends can take on an army of enemy bots together. Like solo, kills and assists count toward unlocks. Like solo, the XP cap still applies. That means co-op is not a magic shortcut. It is a fraction of what you would earn in a regular online match against players.

For co-op, I prefer Conquest. It takes advantage of testing game mechanics, encourages practice with squadmates, and gives a bit more XP because the matches tend to run longer. If you are trying to learn a vehicle or practice a support role, Conquest is a comfortable place to do it. Just do not expect the XP bar to fly.

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Portal: nostalgia with a catch

Portal is a mixed bag when it comes to XP and unlocks. Gaining XP is not usually the issue — it depends on the game type, how long the match runs, and how much you contribute. The catch is unlocks. Only Battlefield 2042 weapons count toward weapon progression. If you are using weapons from 1942 or Bad Company 2, those kills will not apply to the same unlock track. That is a bit of a buzzkill if you came for the classic toys.

Still, Portal is an excellent way to take a break and relive the classics on an updated engine. I like to use it when I am tired of the same routine. It reminds me how far Battlefield has come as a franchise, even when the mode itself is not the fastest route to a new attachment.

A quick comparison

Mode XP situation Unlocks Best use
Solo Capped due to bot farming Kills and assists count Breakthrough for fast cap and map learning
Co-Op Capped, reduced rate Kills and assists count Conquest for squad practice and longer matches
Portal Depends on mode, duration, contribution Only 2042 weapons count Fun, nostalgia, and custom chaos
Multiplayer Standard rates Full progression Efficient XP and unlocks

What I would do in 2026

Battlefield 2042 still has 22 weapons, 14 vehicles, and a pile of attachments, badges, images, and cosmetics to chase. That is a lot to unlock. The XP grind boils down to match duration and contribution, so the real trick is simple: play the modes you enjoy, stay for the full match, and contribute. If you are grinding a specific weapon, use it in modes where you can actually get kills and assists. If you are learning a vehicle, co-op Conquest is a safe sandbox. If you want pure XP efficiency, multiplayer is still the standard.

Look, I get it — the game had bugs, server issues, and missing quality-of-life features like in-game chat at launch. It was a work in progress, and it still carries some of that reputation. But in 2026, I can appreciate Battlefield 2042 for what it is: an ambitious, uneven, sometimes frustrating, sometimes brilliant shooter. Play smart, pick your mode, and do not let the XP cap steal your fun...