Tom Clancy�s Rainbow Six series has been going strong since 1998. Each new game in
the series continues to innovate and build on the winning formula of the original. Ubisoft�s
latest offering is the biggest departure from the series� roots, but its new gameplay
framework breathes new life into the series and pioneers revolutionary ways for tactical
PvP games to evolve in the future. With that in mind, here are the top 10 really cool tactics
for you to take advantage of in Rainbow Six Siege.
10. Permadeath and Reviving. In Siege, death plays a much bigger role than simply a way
to earn points. When you die in Siege, you stay dead. Headshots kill instantly, but body
shots put players in a timed downed position where they are in need of reviving by fellow
teammates. It�s a nice mechanic that makes Siege feel more realistic than other shooters,
and strategically-minded players will excel in finding the best ways to rescue fellow
teammates and take advantage of downed-enemy situations.
9. Grenades and breach charges. These weapons come in several varieties and in limited supply.
They are oftentimes the key element between winning and losing. Players must become masters
at recognizing those perfect moments to throw a grenade or use a breach charge in order
to use their explosives arsenal to its fullest potential. In the hands of a master tactician,
these weapons become surprisingly deadly. 8. Team communication. Rainbow 6 Siege is
the first game in the series that is primarily focused on PvP multiplayer. This means that
communication among teammates is absolutely necessary. This is not a game that plays fast
and loose. In order to win, your team has to be precise, efficient, and able to communicate
your way through unpredictable situations. Teams that do not communicate well are quickly
and brutally overwhelmed by the teams that do. This is not your average FPS. Siege is
still a Rainbow 6 game and very much about the tactical movement of a team.
7. Freedom of Movement. There are no quicktime events in this game. Developer Ubisoft has
made it clear that their top priority is giving full control to the player at all times. This
becomes especially important in a game like Siege where there are many actions to perform
other than just shooting. From repelling to vaulting low obstacles, from setting breach
charges to escorting a hostage�all actions can be cancelled by the player at a moment�s
notice. This new mechanic gives the player an intense sense of control as well as unprecedented
freedom in strategy. 6. Operator classes. Ubisoft has promised
at least 20 classes of fighters to choose from, each one unique in appearance, starting
weapons, and perks. Varied weapons and abilities among your team means that you have to know
the capabilities of each operator class and use them together in a cohesive unit in order
to dominate the round. This is definitely a departure from other Rainbow 6 games, but
for a PvP-based game, it is a welcome addition that balances gameplay and creates ever-changing
matchups that push players to think strategically rather than going in, guns blazing.
5. The terrorists� planning phase. Before each round, both the terrorists and counter-terrorists
have a limited amount of time to plan for the attack. Terrorists take on the role of
defenders, so their planning phase consists of barricading their environment, laying traps,
and positioning themselves in areas that will give them the best advantage against the Rainbow
team�s infiltration attempt. The terrorists must consider all possible entry points and
weaknesses in their defensive strategies if they are to survive the round.
4. The counter-terrorists� planning phase. The Rainbow team, on the other hand, uses
the pre-round time to plan their attack strategies. Since they are the offensive team, they must
decide where they will spawn, what entry points they will take, and how best to either take
out all terrorists or rescue the hostage. Drones can be used to spy on the terrorists�
activities, identify the weaknesses in their defense, and mark out where each individual
is located, including the hostage. The planning phase is especially important for the counter-terrorist
team because it determines the initial clash of the round.
3. Drones are an interesting tool that get their own spot on this list because they create
a mini version of the overall gameplay of Siege. Drones allow the Rainbow team to spy
on the terrorists� defensive strategies, but in turn, the terrorist team can spot and
destroy drones before they provide too much intel. Terrorists also have jammer gadgets
that block a drone�s signal to disrupt visual feed and movement. In effect, drones create
a small-scale battle within the overall conflict. Both terrorists and counter-terrorists must
keep drones in mind if they want to gain the upper hand.
2. Close quarters. One aspect of Rainbow 6 Siege that has consistently been praised by
players so far is the close-quarters gameplay in each setting. Environments are intentionally
small in size and somewhat claustrophobic. This creates tension during the round, and
tension creates the need for tactical interaction between teammates. Siege is definitely a game
that builds teamwork, so it�s no surprise that players feel a strong sense of camaraderie
with the members of their regular team. Even in the other modes offered in Siege, such
as its version of Terror Hunt, tight and enclosed environments force teamwork and demand flexible
strategies to keep up with the unpredictability of battle.
1. Destructible environments. The greatest single aspect of Rainbow 6 Siege that separates
it from its predecessors is the ability to destroy virtually everything in the game.
Walls, ceilings, floors�all of it can be shot through, blasted down, or torn apart.
Gameplay footage has shown countless and ingenious ways to use this to your advantage, such as
creating peak holes, opening areas for teammates to access or fire through, and providing workarounds
against the terrorists� barricades and other defensive measures. This single innovation
to the game provides new and revolutionary ways to play, and it will no doubt affect
the development of other PvP games in the future. Simply put, it�s a game changer.
Rainbow Six Siege has the details that other tactical shooters can't even imitate. For
close quarter combat there's a lot of tools at your disposal. What are your favorite features
of Rainbow Six Siege? Let us know in the comments. And subscribe to the SKILLED youtube channel
for more previews and top 10s on cool action games.