What it is about
Every round pits attackers against defenders. Defenders get a preparation phase to reinforce walls, barricade doors and set traps. Meanwhile attackers drive drones around to find the objective. Then the fight starts, and information, sound and where you open a new path through a wall, floor or ceiling decide everything.
Destructible environments
Siege is built on destruction. Soft walls can be shot through or smashed with a hammer, floors blown open, and only special charges turn a reinforced wall into a passage. Footsteps and gunfire travel through materials, so players play with headphones.
Operators
Instead of classes the game has operators inspired by real counter-terrorist units. Each has a unique gadget: Thermite burns through reinforced walls, Mute jams drones, Valkyrie scatters cameras. There are more than 70 of them today. Details in Rainbow Six Siege: operators.
From a bad start to Siege X
The game launched in December 2015 with server problems and cheating. Ubisoft did not give up: every year brought four seasons with new operators and maps, in 2017 an entire season was dedicated to fixes (Operation Health), and the game grew.
In June 2025 came Siege X: free access, modernised maps, new destructible elements such as gas pipes and fire extinguishers and a new Dual Front mode. With Operation Silent Hunt in March 2026 the game returned to the name Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege.
Year 11 (2026)
| Season | Name | Headline feature |
|---|---|---|
| Y11S1 | Operation Silent Hunt | Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid |
| Y11S2 | Operation System Override | Dokkaebi remaster, Calypso Casino map, Ranked 3.0 |
| Y11S3 | Operation Split Fire | Egyptian defender Noor, a shield counter |
| Y11S4 | announced for December 2026 | Another operator remaster |
More in Rainbow Six Siege: Year 11 (2026).
Competitive scene
Rainbow Six Siege has a strong esports scene with the Six Invitational, covered in Rainbow Six Siege esports and the Six Invitational. Ranked matches have run on Ranked 3.0 since June 2026.