Summary
Players itching for a strategic team-based shooter can enjoy more tactical FPS matches withRainbow Six Siege. Here, two teams of five players pursue objectives in tight spaces where even the tiniest sound and movement can determine the outcome of a match. Similar to other FPS titles,Rainbow Six Siegetasks players on Operators that have unique toolkits designed specifically to bring some sort of utility to the map.
However, unlike other shooters, theRainbow Sixentry demands more tactical finesse in the usage of these Operators. Grouped as either more aggressive Attackers or more protective Defenders, players need to learn how each Operator’s kit matches an offensive or defensive playstyle. Not only that, but there’s the added layer of knowing which Operator kits mesh well with each other.
Updated on June 22, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam:With upcoming Year 9 Season 2 ofRainbow Six Siegeintroducing balancing changes, fans of the tactical shooter will be seeing more tactical viability to the Striker and Sentry Recruits as well as Fenrir and Solis - all courtesy of tweaking their loadouts. The Barbed Wire also receives buffs to make it a better defensive tool and threat to Attackers, making Operator combos more crucial than ever in the meta. Considering these slate of changes, players may want to consider going for different duo combos instead of full teams, with some examples including pairs that excel in hit-and-run tactics, a healer with a heavy-hitter, dual support setups, and even an enemy detector with backup.
Kona Station (shoots healing pellets at injured allies)
Clash
CCE Shield (front-facing shield with tasers)
Despite Thunderbird sharing similarities with Doc in their healing capabilities, Defenders inRainbow Six Siegeoften choose Doc for a more mobile kit than the former’s site-reliant setup. However, should a Thunderbird player find a careful teammate, chokepoints and sites can arguably be defended efficiently with consistent survivability.
The key here is to set up theThunderbirdKona Station deep within a defensible location while a more aggressive Defender like Clash is on standby. Should Attackers trigger traps set up by allies,Clashand her CCE Shield can tase enemies to submission while getting ample protection in the ensuing firefight. Should Clash fall, Thunderbird can finish the fight and provide enough covering fire for Clash to self-revive and repeat the process. This setup works best if the Kona Station is close enough to Clash in engagements but far enough from entryways so enemies can’t use the Station for their own recovery.
Gadgets, Playstyle
Doc
MPD-0 Stim Pistol (can revive and heal allies hit with the weapon)
Rook
R1N Armor Plates (deploy 5 Armor Plates that give 15% Damage Reduction each)
The best team setups inRainbow Six Siegeultimately become the team that stays alive as often as possible. Players confident about their counteroffensive, even on the defense, should opt for Doc and Rook as support units, providing the teamextra survivability in fierce rounds.
At its core,Docand his MPD-0 Stim Pistol can provide much-needed healing to survivors of firefights and even revive fallen allies, potentially turning the tide of combat in emergencies. His hyper-efficiency is complemented by the Rhino Armor Plates ofRook, as their 15% Damage Reduction buff can mean Defenders are tougher to take out when protecting locations. The extra time they provide in lasting rounds can give other members of the team time to cement their defenses, flank attackers, and even defuse the package post-plant.
Surya Laser Gate (detects anyone moving through it)
Fenrir
F-NATT Dread Mine (releases obstructive gas that slows down and obscures the vision of people in it)
ADS-MKIV Magpie (intercept live grenades and thrown gadgets)
Melusi
Banshee Sonic Defense (slows down intruders and alerts allies of enemy intrusion)
Mute
Signal Disruptor (can jam electronic devices in a location)
Apowerful Defender compositioninRainbow Six Siegemay rely on a team’s capability of securing and locking down areas - which can be favorable for Operators who specialize in booby-trapping locations. Areas and chokepoints can be locked down separately by both F-NATT Dread Mines (Fenrir) and Banshee Sonic Defences (Melusi), both capable of alerting Defenders and slowing down Attackers who try to get through an area. While both Operators can swoop in and secure frags, the rest of the team can ensure enemy backup won’t be able to set up counters.
Such setups can come as early flank detectors through the Surya Laser Gate (Aruni). Likewise, Attackers with a knack for throwing grenades inside locations can be made useless with the Magpie (Jager) intercepting them. Lastly, a nifty Signal Disruptor (Mute) can remove any chances of infiltrating a location by conveniently jamming electronics that can be used against Defenders.
Tactical Crossbow (fire Asphyxiating Bolts and Micro Smoke grenades)
Glaz
HDS Flip Sight (has Thermal Feedback System that can highlight enemy players through smoke)
Sometimes, players who want hyper-efficient Attacker setups in theirRainbow Six Siegemay simply have togo guns blazingand catch Defenders unawares. This strategy makes the shock and awe tactics of Capitao and Glaz potentially terrifying, especially at the hands of players with good aim.
The principle here is simple:Capitaouses his Micro Smoke grenades to conceal an area before entering.Glazand his HDS Flip Sight provide a backup by shooting enemies through obstructive smoke. Should Capitao manage to plant, he can simply wait at a corner or outside the closest window to launch Asphyxiating Bolts near the package, igniting the immediate area and scoring potential frags as soon as enemies come close.
Dokkaebi
Logic Bomb (force Defender phones to buzz for 12s until they are reset manually or hack into a dead Defender’s phone to see feeds)
Blitz
G52-Tactical Shield (Ballistic Shield with manually detonated flash charges)
Aside from traps,Defenders inRainbow Six Siegebecome efficient Operators if they can turn the enemy’s resources against them. This is a specialty ofDokkaebi, whose Logic Bomb reveals the location of Defenders through their phones. In live combat, Defenders having their phones ring can force them to go into an offensive, as their relative locations can provide hints as to where they set up their traps and defenses.
When paired withBlitzand his G52-Tactical Shield, Dokkaebi’s detection can spell death for opponents. Blitz can wait for the Logic Bomb to ring in a particular location before barging in with his Shield to blind opponents during the chaos. He and another Attacker can then take out enemies before they can even react, potentially securing the site.
Banshee Sonic Defense (emits a low buzz when Attackers enter its line of sight)
Thorn
Razorbloom Shell (attachable proximity grenade explodes moments after an Attacker enters its radius)
Magpie Defense System (intercept grenades before they detonate)
Aruni
Surya Laser Gate (laser grid that covers the entranceway and destroys projectiles that enter)
Some of the bestRainbow Six Siegemap setupsfor Defenders aren’t always active defense but luring enemies into a false sense of security. In this setup,Jagerand his Magpie Defense System andAruniwith her Surya Laser Gate can lockdown usual entryways to ensure pesky grenades and projectiles don’t enter while also leading enemies to a particular “less-defended” spot.
This is where the other two Operatives shine with their gadgets. An unimposing shield or wall could encourage enemies to hop onto them to get into the site, which then leads them to Banshee Sonic Defense (Melusi) that declares enemy presence while leaving Attackers with little time to dodge the closely-placed Razorbloom Shell (Thorn).
Breaching Torch (create holes in breachable surfaces)
Flip Sight (thermal sights for his marksman rifle)
Rifle-Shield (head-focused rifle shields)
Gridlock
Trax Stingers (slows down opponents and makes noise to deny areas)
Capitao
Tactical Crossbow (can fire asphyxiating bolts, micro smoke grenades)
Instead of facing opponents head on, players can maximize theirRainbow Six Siegegameplay by wreaking havoc and eliminating enemies throughout the chaos. Players can start this by giving access to the site viaMaverickand his Breaching Torch, followed by a smokescreen byCapitaoand his Tactical Crossbow’s Micro Smoke Grenades.
These events should be loud enough to get enemies' attention, which makes it an appropriate time to slow them down withGridlockand her Trax Stingers. It’s at this point thatGlazand his Flip Sight can take out slowed enemies in the site, whileBlackbeardcan go inside to secure the location or check flanks with the safety ofhis Rifle-Shield.
Shock Drone (shock enemies and shoot lasers to disable gadgets)
EE-ONE-D (indestructible drone to scan for movements)
Zero
ARGUS Launcher (cameras that can view both sides of surfaces, including hatches and reinforced walls)
Buck
Skeleton Key (stronger Shotgun)
Due to mostRainbow Six Siegematches taking place indoors, it’s unsurprising for teams to encounter each other in extremely close calls. Maximizing such a situation can be made possible with wall-centric Operatives, whose kits likely allow them to dish out a lot of damage up close. In order to boost survivability,Zeroand his ARGUS Launcher can see past walls to ensure no opponents are on site, whileLioncan constantly monitor locations via EE-ONE-D to alert the team of nearby enemies.
WhileThermiteand his Exothermic Charge pave the way for traditional breaching,Twitchcan secure assists with his Shock Drone, which can stun enemies and disable gadgets. Lastly,Buckand his Skeleton Key can enter sites to dispatch opponents up close withthe tactical shotgun.
Kapkan
Entry Denial Device (mines on doorways and window frames that detonate when triggered)
Goyo
Volcan Canister (explodes when fired upon, leaving fire-based area denial afterrwards)
Gu Mines (damages and slows down affected enemies)
Some of the best defensive strategies inRainbow Six Siegeinvolve area denial, especially against extremely aggressive plays. Such a composition requires a combination of traps that both detect enemies and punish them for trying to take locations. When trying to defend one or two locations,Melusiand her buzzing Banshee Sonic Defense can be paired withThornand his Razorbloom Shell to punish opponents trying to enter specific locations. Another way of protecting a site would beKapkanand his Entry Denial Device, which can transform entryways into death traps with explosions.
The rest of the team can position their traps to spot Attackers or use them on the retake. This is especially the case withGoyoand his Volcan Canister, which can render a site or its immediate exit unusable, whereasLesionand his Gu Mines can slow down enemies in an area for easy pickings.
EMP Grenade (disable electronics in AOE)
Exothermic Charge (can breach any Reinforced Wall)
Hibana
X-KAIROS Launcher (fires remote-detonated explosive pellets that can pierce Reinforced Walls)
Players enjoying theirRainbow Six Siegegameplay can maximize their team’s entry capabilities with the right combination of breachers. Before heavy-hitters secure and clear areas,Thatchercan use his EMP Grenade to disable nearby electronics in a location. This can give cues toThermiteto perform a standard heavy breach with his Exothermic Charge, whileHibanacan use her X-KAIROS Launcher to secure other locations.
This trio can leave room for versatility with other Attackers to secure alternate strategies. For instance, Glaz and Capitao remain decent choices for area clears with a smoke and thermal sights combo, while Dokkaebi can spot enemies early on by triggering their phones.
