At the start of the year, we told you about the upcoming Year 8 content for Ubisoft’s tactical shooter, Rainbow Six Siege. For those who don’t know, Rainbow Six Siege is part of the popular Tom Clancy franchise. It launched in December 2015 for last-gen consoles and was upgraded for the current generation five years later.
I’ve been a fan of Rainbow Six Siege since its launch, and I still play it regularly today. The second season of Year 8, Dread Factor, launched recently. Fans of the game can read the patch notes for the new season here.
The new season includes a complete rework of one of the game’s original maps. I’ve played this map hundreds of times, but I’m having to completely relearn it and develop new strategies for approaching it. This is something that happens every season in Rainbow Six Siege, as new operators and gadgets are introduced.
With each new season, we see an increase in the player base, but some players eventually drop off. This is likely due to the game’s steep learning curve. A while ago, new players were often voted out of games because it was easy to tell they were new, even if they weren’t using an alternative account.
How To Approach Rainbow Six Siege
Therefore I got thinking, how can new players improve? What tactics and strategies could I even offer to help a new player? Though after several years I am by no way one of the best at the game. One thing I do know is how to play it. No two matches are the same and even two attacking or defending rounds can produce different results. For example, I played a match recently which was a best of five quick play match. The first four rounds I could only describe as poor. In the final round, I came away with an “ace”. For those unaware this means I killed all five of the enemy team. This is an example of how the game can swing so easily. So what advice can I offer?
Maps
There are a variety of maps and with each new map or reworked map, I go to the training grounds mode and play solo against a number of terrorists. The main goal I set is to learn the rooms, what walls are breachable, and where possible spawn kills can happen. After a few multiplayer rounds I will look to see how I like to play can be adapted to the map. Every entry point will have various angles for both teams. Learn to peak, use drones or cameras and if you have a team you’re talking to, communicate. All this takes time. Even a year after launch, after five rounds I found one kill a success. Now I find seven or eight kills a better target.
Operators
There are a variety of them and each offers a unique play style. We have some whose main asset is the shield. The weakness is they have just a pistol as a weapon. Some players flourish with these. I personally struggle with these operators. Other operators offer different attributes and have different strengths and weaknesses. Try each one out and discover a play style that suits you. It took me a while to find my style.
Communication
Rainbow Six Siege is a tactical team game and to get the best from it, you need a reliable team. If you die your role isn’t over. You can monitor cameras for example and provide intel and still aid in a victory. All this really needs communication. If you’re on a cam and pinpoint the last man to take out to win the match, the player or players left could use that intel. Effective communication can really make the difference between winning and losing.
Also, don’t give up. Yes, it’s hard and yes the game has a tough learning curve. It can frustrate and I have had countless matches I have felt angry and frustrated over bad luck or my poor round. Though on the other side, I have rounds I have been extremely pleased with. So what was the cause of my successes put down to? Simply perseverance and practice. You can always rewatch previous games. A handy tool to say where you went wrong and see what you can change. Also, study your opponent. Some will rush at the objective and some sit back. You’ll soon see a play style and can adapt accordingly. For example, if I’m defending and I know they’ll rush in, I’ll play a trap operator.
