Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege is a tactical first-person shooter (FPS) game developed by Ubisoft and released in 2015 for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. The game emphasises strategy, teamwork, and environmental utilisation.
Rainbow Six Siege is not your typical shooter—it features intense 5v5 combat, with one team attacking and one team defending. Each operator (character) has unique abilities and gadgets, and gameplay relies heavily on communication, positioning, and information.
Rainbow Six Siege Core Gameplay
1. Main Mode:
- Bomb (defuse/guard the bomb)
- Secure Area
- Hostage
2. Two Teams:
- Attackers – In charge of entering the objective area
- Defenders – Protecting the area and preventing enemies from entering
3. Operators (Characters):
1. There are over 60 operators from real-world special forces (FBI, SAS, GIGN, Spetsnaz, etc.)
2. Divided into Attackers and Defenders
Examples:
- Ash (Attacker) – Can destroy walls from afar
- Jäger (Defender) – Has a grenade launcher
- Thermite – Can open reinforced walls
4. Dynamic Environment:
- Almost all walls, floors, and ceilings can be destroyed
- Players can create rotations, lines of sight, and alternate paths
Types of Weapons in Rainbow Six Siege
1. Assault Rifles (AR) – Balanced for Medium Range
| Weapon | Operator | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| R4-C | Ash | High fire rate, moderate recoil |
| L85A2 | Sledge, Thatcher | Stable and accurate |
| 416-C Carbine | Jäger | High damage but high recoil |
| G36C | Ash | More stable alternative to R4-C |
| AR33 | Thatcher | Balanced damage and control |
| Weapon | Operator | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MP5 | Doc, Rook | Accurate; Doc version supports ACOG |
| MP7 | Bandit | High fire rate, great for rushing |
| MPX | Valkyrie, Warden | Low recoil, user-friendly |
| 9mm C1 | Frost | Easy to control, low fire rate |
| K1A | Vigil | Very stable, popular in ranked |
| Weapon | Operator | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| T-95 LSW | Ying | Strong LMG with high damage |
| LMG-E | Zofia | Balanced after nerf, used to be meta |
| DP27 | Tachanka | Classic mounted LMG with heavy firepower |
| Weapon | Operator | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CAMRS | Buck | Semi-auto, great for ranged engagements |
| SR-25 | Blackbeard | Consistent and accurate |
| Mk14 EBR | Iana | Hard-hitting and manageable recoil |
| Weapon | Operator | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| M870 | Jäger, Bandit | Versatile and powerful |
| Super 90 | Frost | Semi-auto, good range |
| FO-12 | Ela | Semi-auto, very deadly up close |
| ITA12S / ITA12L | Mira, Jackal, etc. | Small shotguns are used as secondaries for rotations. |
| Weapon | Operator | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CSRX 300 | Kali | A bolt-action sniper can penetrate walls |
| OTs-03 | Glaz | Thermal scope, great with smoke play |
| Weapon | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SMG-11 | Machine Pistol | Fast sidearm used by Sledge, Smoke |
| Bailiff 410 | Revolver/Shotgun hybrid | Used to make rotation holes |
| Standard Pistols | All operators | Backup weapons vary per operator |
Key Features
- Destruction system: Can open new holes, rotations, and angles
- Various gadgets: Drone cameras, EMP, flash grenades, barricades, traps, etc.
- Map knowledge is very important: each map has many tricks, spots, and secret paths.
- One life: No respawn during the round (every decision is crucial)
Why is this game tactical?
- Requires team communication and intel (enemy position info)
- Pre-match strategy: players choose operators, gadgets, and entry paths
- Utility usage is more important than aim alone
- All maps are different and full of tactical variations
Rainbow Six Siege Tournaments and eSports
International Tournaments:
- Six Invitational – Annual world tournament (most prestigious)
- Six Major – Held several times per year (eg, Copenhagen, Atlanta)
- BLAST R6 Major Series – New official tournament since Ubisoft & BLAST partnership
Regional Leagues:
- R6 South Asia League
- European League (EUL)
- North American League (NAL)
- Latin America League (BR6, MX, SA)
- Asia-Pacific League (APAC North/South)
Community and Pro Players
- Active community on Twitch, Discord, and Reddit.
- Major organisations: G2 Esports, FaZe Clan, Team Liquid, Ninjas in Pyjamas, Wolves Esports
- Many pro players come from Brazil, Europe, North America, and Japan
- Live Service Game: continues to receive updates, new maps, new operators, and balancing
- Battle Pass & Yearly Pass System
- Currently entering Year 9 (2025)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Rainbow Six Siege Pros
1. Rainbow Six Siege Pros
- Unique and highly strategic gameplay
- Every match is different (not repetitive)
- Competitive and active eSports community
- Consistent developer support
2. Rainbow Six Siege Cons
- Difficult for beginners (high learning curve)
- Requires active team communication to be optimal
- Requires deep map & operator knowledge
- Sometimes updates cause bugs/imbalances
Platforms That Support Rainbow Six Siege
1. PC (Windows)
> The main platform for competitive & eSports communities
> Playable via:
- Ubisoft Connect (UPlay)
- Steam
> Keyboard + mouse support
> Supports high graphics and 144Hz+ refresh rate
2. PlayStation
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 5 (upgrade version available)
- Supports controller gameplay
- Cross-play between PlayStation users (PS4 and PS5)
3. Xbox
- Xbox One
- Xbox Series X | S
- Supports smart delivery & next-gen performance
- Cross-play with Xbox players
FAQ Rainbow Six Siege
1. What is Rainbow Six Siege?
Rainbow Six Siege is a 5v5 tactical first-person shooter game developed by Ubisoft. The main focus of the game is teamwork, strategy, and the use of unique gadgets from each operator.
2. Is Rainbow Six Siege free?
No. R6 Siege is a paid game, but it is often discounted (even under $10). A Free Weekend version is also available periodically.
3. Does Rainbow Six Siege have a ranked system?
Yes. Ranked and Unranked modes are available. Ranks range from Copper to Champion, based on MMR and performance.
