Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Siege X News

Recently, an interview took place where we made the following statement:

“So, if professional players are not happy with our proposed features, then that means we are going in the right direction.”

We wanted to take a moment to clarify the intention behind this. It is true that part of our balancing efforts is to push every player, professionals included, out of their comfort zone. This does not mean we are going about things to be intentionally frustrating for these players, but instead make adjustments to ensure our professional players are the best at the game as a whole, and not a specific update or meta. We also have to consider the entire player-base, and while some aspects of professional play will trickle down to general matchmaking, not all do (Goyo for example).

When it comes to the highest level of play, we find a few things to be true that we would like to share.

• Professional players are masters of the game, and place significant value on mastery of the game as it stands today. Naturally, this can lead to resistance when we make changes, as it can be disruptive to a teams composition, strategy, and performance, while beneficial for others.
  
• Professional players have an incredible understanding of the intricacies of Siege and are able to see many things from that perspective that we may miss. That said, we have to balance their understanding of the game with the data we have that is more representative of the game as a whole before we reach decisions.
  
• We recognize the importance of providing these high-level players with input into our balancing process. We have plans to adjust how we respond to the feedback they provide and explain situations where we make decisions that is contrary to their input, detailed below.
  
• We listen to pro feedback, but also monitor and gather data on every aspect of the game, their matches included. We make decisions on the best course of action with their feedback, player feedback, and data in mind.
  

We would also like to outline how we plan to address the concerns raised over the recent changes, and our previous communication.

• We will improve our communication around balancing changes to include additional context and explanations for instances where we make a decision on an important topic and are in disagreement with our professional players. This will provide everyone with a common starting point for discussion. Please note that this is not feasible for every topic, but we will do it for the more critical topics (For example, Jäger becoming 2/2).
  
• We will provide context for which section(s) of our player base changes are targeting.
  
• We will provide Designer’s Notes updates in advance of changes being deployed on the test server so our players can have more context and insight into the thought process behind the proposed changes, as opposed to when those changes go live with the next update.
  

Please note that we are using presence to gauge the popularity of an operator. This notion had to be introduced to reflect the implementation of the pick & ban. Presence definition: pick rate of an Operator when not banned. Win Delta: The Win Delta is aggregated from Operator’s Win Deltas per map. We usually compute it per map and per bomb site for more precision.

The Y5S1.1 Patch will deploy to both PC and Console on the week of March 23rd.


OBS compatibility with Vulkan (such as capture-mode) will work with the latest version of OBS Studio (v25.0).


[h2]GAMEPLAY[/h2]
FIXED – Inconsistent debris when barricades/hatches are destroyed by multiple different weapons.
FIXED – Sound propagation issues when the spikes on a reinforcement are destroyed.
FIXED – Explosion SFX of some gadgets can be muffled if detonated on the back/spiked sections of reinforced walls.
FIXED – Spamming gadget equip/unequip can cause shield operators to take longer to equip their shield.
FIXED – Incorrect animations when performing certain actions.
FIXED – When ADS some parts of the scope will go in and out of focus.

[h2]OPERATORS[/h2]
FIXED – Various operator visual animation issues.
FIXED – Operator’s shields will flip if going prone right after a melee.

[h3]BLACKBEARD[/h3]
FIXED – Using ADS while Blackbeard's shield is equipped causes SFX issues.

[h3]CASTLE[/h3]
FIXED – Castle’s armored panels are destroyed by any explosive if an operator is standing too close to the panel.

[h3]CLASH[/h3]
FIXED – Clash CCE shield has a slightly overextended hitbox.

[h3]ECHO[/h3]
FIXED – If Echo gets DBNOed while deploying his Yokai he is unable to deploy his 2nd Yokai later.

[h3]MAESTRO[/h3]
FIXED – Missing overheat SFX when firing his Evil Eye.

[h3]MAVERICK[/h3]
FIXED – Maverick can instantly destroy hatches with his suri-torch under certain circumstances.

[h3]MONTAGNE[/h3]
FIXED – Monty’s shield hitbox is larger than the shield and can prevent players from hitting enemies when they hide behind Monty.

[h3]NOKK[/h3]
FIXED - Sight alignment offset when Nokk goes from prone to standing if Hel is activated.
FIXED – Weapon stays on screen after ADSing with Hel activated.

[h3]IANA[/h3]
FIXED – EOR replay camera doesn’t move if Iana activates her gadget at the last moment.
FIXED – After hologram is destroyed or recalled, Iana can sometimes see OOW very briefly.
FIXED – Hologram VFX remains even if her hologram is destroyed right upon deployment.
FIXED – Iana’s operator model remains in the map even if the player leaves the game while controlling the hologram.
FIXED – From 3rd person POV, Iana’s hologram deploys facing the wrong direction.
FIXED – Iana’s hologram doesn’t take the same weapon that Iana is equipped with (Her hologram has a mind of its own).
FIXED – Iana’s hologram can trigger shrapnel holes.
FIXED – Iana can still control her hologram even after Mute places a jammer close by if she is already in the Hologram beforehand.
FIXED – Iana can’t deploy her hologram when there are Lesion Gu Mines in front of her.

[h3]JACKAL[/h3]
FIXED – Scanned Jackal footprints disappear during killcam when Jackal scans them.
FIXED – Scanned footprints disappear during a killcam when the owner of the footprints is killed.
FIXED – Jackal can swap scans between 2 sets of footprints of the same operator without getting his gadget reset.

[h3]KALI[/h3]
FIXED – Kali’s CSRX 300 won’t destroy a hatch if it only hits one panel of the hatch.

[h3]LESION[/h3]
FIXED – Operators with ballistic shields are stuck in an un-equipped shield state while trying to remove Lesion’s Gu needles.

[h3]ORYX[/h3]
FIXED – Inconsistent damage and concussion FX when using Oryx’s Remah dash in certain spots or in abnormal ways.
FIXED – If Oryx dashes into a reinforced wall next to a destructible, he will take damage without destroying the destructible wall. (Poor guy doesn’t need any higher insurance premiums).
FIXED – Oryx can sometimes lose control if he is pushed back by a Nomad Airjab at the same time that he attempts to climb a hatch.
FIXED – Players can melee after being knocked down by Oryx or Nomad’s Airjabs.

[h3]SLEDGE[/h3]
FIXED – Using Sledge’s breaching hammer on the sides of the hatches does not break them.
FIXED – Sledge continues to reload his weapon even if he cancels it to take out his hammer.

[h2]LEVEL DESIGN[/h2]
FIXED – Gadget deployment inconsistencies with various map assets.
FIXED – Inconsistencies/issues with the destruction of some map props.
FIXED – Various LOD issues on maps.
FIXED – Various problematic LoS issues on maps.
FIXED – Some pixel peeks and spawn peek spots on maps.
FIXED – Various visual/cosmetic fixes on maps and map assets.
FIXED – Various clipping/dynamic clipping issues with map assets.
FIXED – Various clipping and dynamic clipping issues
FIXED – Various lighting issues for dark spots on maps.
FIXED – Some collision issues with map assets + drones/Operators.
FIXED – When using a breaching charge on the lower section of a barricaded window, it destroys only the top layer of the adjacent floor.
FIXED – Some walls types do not take bullet damage when shot from a certain side.

[h3]BANK[/h3]
FIXED – Players can go OOB from the police barricade.

[h3]BORDER[/h3]
FIXED – Oryx can go through a wall using his Remah dash in 2F Armory Desk of Border.

[h3]CONSULATE[/h3]
FIXED – Hibana’s X-Kairos has no collision with the desk at 1F Lobby of Consulate.

[h3]OREGON[/h3]
FIXED – Inconsistent vaulting and vault issues for some areas of Oregon.
FIXED – Some collision/navigation issues with some map assets on Oregon.
FIXED – Various areas where players can still receive damage from outside indestructible walls on Oregon.
FIXED – Valkyrie Black Eye can be hidden inside a flower pot in 1F Lobby of Oregon.
FIXED – Indestructible wooden shelf in 1F Meeting Hall in Oregon
FIXED – Players can get stuck after vaulting the metal fence at EXT Construction Site on Oregon.
FIXED – Ceiling fans on Oregon have inconsistent SFX.

[h3]YACHT[/h3]
FIXED – Wall splinters remain when destroying some of the walls on Yacht.


FIXED – Duplicate running SFX when sprinting close to a wall.
FIXED – Overlapping running SFX when shield is on a shield operator’s back.
FIXED – Players receive a matchmaking error when making a full squad and trying to join an Unranked match.
FIXED – Various minor menu and HUD visual fixes and updates
FIXED – Toggling gadgets too quickly can cause Operators to look strange from 3rd person POV.
FIXED – Various shop and cosmetic visual issues.
FIXED – Various spectator mode visual issues on maps.
FIXED – Various minor menu and HUD fixes and updates.
FIXED – For bright light sources and bright cosmetics, the lens effect with Bloom/Lens flare is too bright.
FIXED – Infinite loading in menu for some Operator/weapon previews
FIXED – Situations: Operators can get stuck and lose functionality during Prep phase after skipping the cinematic.
FIXED – JIP/Reconnecting players sometimes see incorrect information displayed when spectating.
FIXED – Grainy thumbnail texture for maps in the Maps tab of the playlist guides.

Over the course of the Void Edge Test Server we've made numerous updates and bug fixes.

APPROXIMATE Y5S1 PATCH SIZES
PC - Steam: 66 GB, Uplay: 69 GB
PS4 - SIEA: 41 GB, SIEE: 42 GB, RUS-UK: 38 GB, SIEJ: 38 GB
XB1 - WW: 43 GB, UK-RUS: 39 GB


Click the image above for the rest of the Y5S1 Operation Void Edge Season Patch Notes.


[h2]OBS[/h2]
With the release of Y5S1, OBS is now compatible with Vulkan. This includes capture-mode.
[h2]LEARNING AREA[/h2]
Situations and Tutorials can now be found in the new Learning Area section.
The Learning Area is a new section that groups all learning-focused content in one place for easier navigation and better accessibility. We’ve also added new Learning Tips for beginners in the Learning Area to help new players ease more quickly into the Rainbow Six Siege experience. These tips will rotate automatically but players can scroll through the tips themselves as well.


[h2]YING[/h2]

• Removed Frag Grenades, replaced with Claymore.

[h2]ELA[/h2]
After the last buff to her Scorpion EVo3, we saw players primarily picking only the Scorpion and an overly large increase in her win-delta and pick-rate. We also observed Ela’s K/D and K/R ratios jump much higher than what we would like to see from a healthy balance change. While we still want to keep her Scorpion fun to play, our primary focus is to keep her balanced.
These changes are aimed at scaling back some of the changes made in Y4S4.3 and tweaking her EVo3 to be at a more appropriate power level closer to what we had in mind.

• Reduced recoil now only applies to the first 11 bullets
  
• Increased resettle time after burst firing
  
• Faster uptime to increase vertical recoil
  
• Slightly increased recoil + spread

• FIXED – Clash Exploit.
  
• FIXED – Various Iana/Oryx/Oregon Rework fixes to prepare for their release (see Test Server Patch Notes for details).

[h2]GAMEPLAY[/h2]

• FIXED – Melee SFX muffled while prone.
  
• FIXED – Missing SFX when picking up a claymore while crouched.
  
• FIXED – Some missing SFX when in observation mode.
  
• FIXED – SFX of throwable gadgets can be muffled or missing if another SFX is played before.
  
• FIXED – Various minor SFX issues when deploying gadgets.
  
• FIXED – Missing drone sounds for other players in the match.
  
• FIXED – Slug shotguns will destroy only the first layer of a destructible wooden wall.
  
• FIXED – Missing debris on the floor when the player damages a barricade with a shotgun.
  
• FIXED – Some weapons have inconsistent damage values between PvE and PvP.
  
• FIXED – Rappel prompt is sometimes available from a long distance from the ledge.
  
• FIXED – Gadgets sometimes not sticking when deployed on roof hatches during the prep phase.
  
• FIXED – Operators unable to climb ladders when a deployable shield is placed at the top of the ladder.
  
• FIXED – Planting the defuser on a breached wall can end the match and incur a loss.
  
• FIXED – Inconsistencies with shrapnel from Operator gadget explosions.
  
• FIXED - Barricades disappear when vaulting through them after they are only partially destroyed.
  
• FIXED – Operator collision issues with indestructible walls.

[h2]OPERATORS[/h2]

• FIXED – Various Iana bug fixes.
  
• FIXED – Various Oryx bug fixes.
  
• FIXED – Various gun, Operator model clipping issues while performing various actions.
  
• FIXED – Various issues with sight alignment and obstruction while/during ADS for some operators/guns.
  
• FIXED – Various Operator model minor VFX issues when performing some actions or sequences of actions.
  
• FIXED – Amaru can sometimes kill a defender after reeling in under certain circumstances.
  
• FIXED – Ash's and Zofia's projectiles can damage operators without destroying the barricade if they are shot at the window's frame.
  
• FIXED – Ash’s breaching round sometimes will not breach destructible walls if fired from an angle and close to a metal border.
  
• FIXED – Blitz exposes himself (from the safety of his shield people) from 3rd person POV when using his shield.
  
• FIXED – Caveira’s Luison damage text is incorrectly stated as 55 in the loadout menu (65 is the correct damage value).
  
• FIXED – Dokkaebi’s Logic Bomb VFX not appearing for a Defender kicked from cams.
  
• FIXED – Echo’s Yokai appears OOB while in support mode if thrown and the spectating player joins back into the game.
  
• FIXED – Echo’s Yokai can do a full rotation when spectating after being attached to a surface.
  
• FIXED – Echo's Yokai not visible and showing incorrect lights during replays.
  
• FIXED - Fuze and Monty deploying their drones in advanced mode even if the option is set to standard.
  
• FIXED – Glaz’s flip-sight has different FOV levels when standing vs proning and using the same sight.
  
• FIXED – Glaz's fire rate is lower on PvE compared to PvP.
  
• FIXED – AOE of Goyo Volcan flames is not propagating through a pre-barricaded door or large holes in walls.
  
• FIXED – Goyo is not receiving any points for Volan detonating after he is dead.
  
• FIXED – Goyo’s Volcan fire AOE sometimes displaced when his Volcan is destroyed by an explosive.
  
• FIXED – Goyo’s Volcan shield can trigger and detonate if a Mira Black Mirror is deployed next to it.
  
• FIXED – Using Jackal's Eyenox, older footprints are not visible for some players who reconnected.
  
• FIXED – Jackal can sometimes still scan if he is at the edge of Mute’s Jammer AOE.
  
• FIXED – Kali’s Lv-El can remain in the air after the barricade/wall is destroyed.
  
• FIXED – Lesion's Gu Mines not deploying properly when thrown directly on holes in grating in Club House garage.
  
• FIXED – Gu Mine HUD FX can get desynced with actual damage after canceling the removal of a Gu mine.
  
• FIXED – Maverick can destroy hatches instantly using a specific set of actions.
  
• FIXED – Nomad’s Airjab doesn’t detonate if placed at a 90-degree angle at the EXT Vehicle Customs window on Border.
  
• FIXED – Nomad’s Airjab ejects 2 shells after use.
  
• FIXED – The magazines of the ARX200 clips through the weapon's mag-well when reloading in first person POV.
  
• FIXED – Valkyrie can deploy her gadget inside knife block map assets.
  
• FIXED – Vigil receives a “Drone Deceived” bonus when forced out of his gadget by a Nomad Airjab.
  
• FIXED – Wamai can’t pick up his Mag-Net if thrown between some map assets.
  
• FIXED – Ying’s Candelas missing collision effect with other player models.
  
• FIXED – Ying’s Candela can’t be destroyed when captured by Wamai’s Mag-Net.
  
• FIXED – Studs on reinforced walls are not visibly destroyed after being broken by Zofia's or Maverick’s gadgets.

[h2]LEVEL DESIGN[/h2]

• FIXED – Various Oregon rework map tweaks and fixes.
  
• FIXED – Various dynamic clipping/clipping issues on maps.
  
• FIXED – Various LOS/pixel peek issues on maps.
  
• FIXED – Various spawnkill exploits.
  
• FIXED – Various LOD issues on maps.
  
• FIXED – Some lighting issues on maps.
  
• FIXED – Drones getting into places they should not be on various maps.
  
• FIXED – Gadget deployment inconsistencies on various map objects.
  
• FIXED – Floating gadgets after deployment on some map objects.
  
• FIXED – Various map assets have floating issues after the surface that they are on is destroyed.
  
• FIXED – Some map assets made of multiple parts that do not break all at once, the SFX is out of sync.
  
• FIXED – Various minor issues and inconsistencies with map assets.
  
• FIXED – Various collision issues with drones/Operators/gadgets across maps.
  
• FIXED – Various prop projectile destruction fixes on maps.
  
• FIXED – Some projectile gadgets will warp through specific props.
  
• FIXED – Players can vault on top of a shelf in 1F workshop of Border.
  
• FIXED - Players can reach the top of big rocks at EXT Cliffside woods of Chalet.
  
• FIXED – Attackers can plant the defuser inside the hand truck at B Arsenal Room of Clubhouse.
  
• FIXED – Bullets can penetrate the Pool table on Coastline.
  
• FIXED – 1F Toilet wall can be reinforced from a safe position in the bathroom on Consulate.
  
• FIXED – Metal skylight on Consulate rooftop is not blocking bullet penetration.
  
• FIXED – Missing collision for gadgets with the desk bars at 2F Hallway of Consulate.
  
• FIXED – Operators can throw gadgets outside during prep phase by destroying a hatch on Fortress.
  
• FIXED – Defuser can fall through the metal container in B1 Kayak when planted on top of the ammo box in Kanal.
  
• FIXED – Breaching charges placed on the floor of 2F Café of Theme Park destroy only one layer.
  
• FIXED – Defuser can be dropped OOB behind the truck on EXT Fuel Pumps of Outback.
  
• FIXED – Drones can scan enemy players without being seen through in 1F Nature Room in Outback.
  
• FIXED – Players can rappel through iron railings on EXT Roof of Yacht.
  
• FIXED – Operators receive damage through the foosball table if a nitro cell is placed on the other side of it.
  
• FIXED – TV screens white noise effect still present even when damaged.

[h2]USER EXPERIENCE[/h2]

• FIXED – Various spectator mode + caster HUD updates and improvements with the update.
  
• FIXED – Various Menu and HUB fixes.
  
• FIXED – Various cosmetic updates and fixes.
  
• FIXED – Purchasing items separately from a bundle does not mark the bundle as ‘Owned’ in the shop menu.
  
• FIXED - Some character's models appear distorted/missing on the Player HUB while reconnecting to the internet.
  
• FIXED – Guns sometimes appear on-screen when picking up gadgets.
  
• FIXED - Several Ubisoft Club Rewards do not display notification after they are redeemed.
  
• FIXED – Booster timer not updating properly in the Player Hub.
  
• FIXED – Casters can see OOB on some areas of maps.
  
• FIXED - Terrorist Hunt map preferences are not applied on Online matches.
  
• FIXED – Players can get stuck in an infinite loading screen if a player stays in the skip cinematic screen.
  
• FIXED – Switching weapons while flashed can sometimes cause visual distortions.
  
• FIXED – Random + Recruit selection options are sometimes missing from the selection menu.
  
• FIXED – Chat messages typed in too quick succession will not always send.

With the start of Y5S1, we're reworking how custom load-outs are saved in your player profile. If you log in at least once during Y5S1, we will be able to save and convert your custom loadout to the new load-out format. Players who don't log in at least once during Season 1 will find a default loadout upon logging in come Y5S2.

What happens when an explosion goes off in Rainbow Six Siege? What factors go into calculating explosion damage? How does it all work?

Explosions play a major role in the gameplay of Rainbow Six Siege. They don’t just go boom - they open defenses, create pathways, provide intel and utility, and sometimes they help you get the W. In this Dev Blog we’ll be diving a bit into how explosions work, and how we want them to evolve.


Destruction in Rainbow Six Siege is unique, and explosions never happen the same way twice.

The damage and destruction that happens once an explosion goes off is calculated in a matter of milliseconds. Players will receive visual and audio cues, and take damage if they are caught in the blast. To make all this possible, our explosion engine must go through several steps.

Each type of explosion is defined by multiple data points, and this determines the shape of the explosion and the radius of its effects. Explosion shapes vary depending on the type of explosive - a frag grenade is radial while a claymore is oblong.

When an explosion occurs, the game takes the explosion shape and sends a query to our physics engine. Then, using the origin of detonation and the explosion shape, the query returns with a list of entities (operators and objects) present in the blast radius. This list is our list of potential entities to be affected by the explosion.


With the list of potential entities from within the blast AOE, our physics engine executes raycasts. These raycasts are exploratory lines that travel outward from the epicenter towards any entities and their query points within in the blast radius.

Each entity has many individual query points that are used to determine whether or not damage is taken. Instead of targeting the bones in the model skeleton or setting an arbitrary single target point for an Operator, these query points let us better decide if an Operator should be vulnerable to blast damage while still optimizing performance and minimizing latency.

The raycasts target these query points based on specific parameters and create data points to later calculate damage output. For example, raycasts will target the closest points on an Operator’s physics capsule to the explosion origin as well as 4 points on their bounding volume (the shape that encompasses the Operator’s visuals), while raycasts will target query points of a wall using a different set of rules.

Before the damage is calculated, one more variable comes into play. Environment objects change elements of the blast shape and potentially save you from damage.


Once the raycasts have completed their journey towards entities affected by the blast, the returned data determines the outcome of the explosion. In Siege, there are objects that can block explosion damage. All objects contain metadata that define what it is, and how it interacts with other elements in the game. Certain objects contain metadata that block explosion damage, such as metal barricades, castle walls, deployable shields, etc.

If the raycast path collides with an object that has the metadata to block explosive damage before reaching the query points on an Operator in the blast radius, you are safe. If the raycast hits nothing, or objects without metadata to block the damage, you take damage. This also applies to gadgets with an AOE explosive effect, such as Thatcher’s EMP.

Finally, with all these data points, explosion damage is calculated and executed.


When calculating damage output, there is a drop-off in damage the further away you are from the epicenter of the blast. Different explosions have different damage curves, with the greatest damage output usually at the origin. Using the results of the raycasts, final damage output is determined by interpolating the damage curve with respect to your distance from the explosion.


Explosions in Siege are executed by our destruction engine, Realblast. It is a procedurally generated destruction system that is core to upholding the unique and dynamic gameplay elements that you know and love in Siege. You can watch a GDC panel by Julien L’Heureux on Realblast here.

Explosions commonly have two effects - destruction and damage. Damage deals damage to players and destruction is what causes any environmental destruction. Each can have varying ranges and shapes depending on the explosion.

Currently in Siege, after the initial raycast exploration and queries are returned, we determine the range of the damage and destruction effects. If the raycast runs into a blocker, the damage range is limited to the realblast radius.

However, the current solution for explosive effects and ranges is not ideal as in some cases it can make the outcome of the explosion unrealistic. For example, under the current explosion system, a C4 out in the open is far more lethal than when used inside a building due the walls which can cap the damage radius.


With Y5S1 we will be making some subtle but important improvements to explosions that will make explosion damage more realistic and transparent. We will be introducing a Shrapnel concept into explosions in Rainbow Six Siege. This means destructible objects will no longer limit the range of explosion damage, thereby addressing the problem of destruction vs damage range described above.

Shrapnel will allow explosion damage to be more realistic as damage that is applied to the player will be reduced based on the number of destructible objects the raycasts hit along the way. Explosions will also be more transparent as shrapnel holes will provide much more visual feedback on the direction from which the explosion damage originated.


The art of destruction in Rainbow Six Siege is a one-of-kind experience that promotes realistic results and reactions. The addition of Shrapnel damage will be an improvement towards more realistic explosion effects and damage, as well as making feedback from explosions much more visual and transparent.

To learn more about Explosions and Shrapnel, check out the Logic Bomb Podcast’s exclusive first look and discussion on the changes:

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

• Removed initial tick damage from Gu Mines.
  
• Gu Mine damage increased to 6 per tick (from 4).
  
• Players in DBNO will not receive any damage from Gu Mines.
  
• Removing the ability to see Gu Mines icons through obstacles.
  
• Gu Mines icons are invisible beyond 8 meters.

Lesion has been performing very well for quite a few seasons now. As you all know, he combines solid gunplay, visual and audio intel gathering on top of the damage dealt by his Gu Mines. By removing the initial damage tick from his traps, we want to achieve two things. We are addressing the frustration stemming from dying due to an invisible device and offering attackers a window of opportunity to remove the shard. Lesion will still be able to slow down the enemy, and to gather audio intel. Players in DBNO state will continue to trigger Gu Mines, but won’t suffer from their effect. We are preventing frustrating combos such as Welcome Mats and Gu Mines to leave teams without a possibility to help downed Operators. As for visual information gathering, we have removed the possibility to see Gu Mines icons beyond 8 meters and through obstacles altogether. It means that only traps within direct line of sight will have their icons displayed. This change aims at reducing the amount of information granted to defenders by Lesion.

• Increased recoil for F2 Assault rifle first 6 bullets.
  
• Shock Drone initial ammo reduced to 3 (from 5).
  
• Taser cooldown reduced to 1s (from2).
  
• Additional Dart is added every 30s (up to 3 times).
  
• Dart damage is reduced to 1 (from 10).

Our intention is to make players pick Emmanuelle for her ability, rather than her firepower. To achieve that, we have decided to increase the recoil of the first six shots fired from her F2 and to change the drone darts resource management. Twitch’s F2 will have an increased vertical and horizontal recoil and its bullet spread pattern will be more varied. Overall the weapon should be harder to control within reasonable limits. Her drone is a very useful asset to have when playing against a certain type of utility. However, we also realize that it becomes a second-grade drone as soon as its darts are depleted. It is big and cannot jump. The Twitch drone will now start with three darts and will replenish during the game , in the same way Yokai drones do it.

• IQ’s gadget will now spot bombs for the whole team.

IQ was already able to spot the bombs when using her gadget, but it will now share that information with everyone in the team, just like when using a drone. This change was implemented to facilitate communication when using this Operator.

• Removed Smart Glasses ability cooldown.
  
• Smart Glasses can be used if there is more than 20% of the total resource available.
  
• Smart Glasses can be stopped manually.

When fully depleted, the ability takes 10 seconds to be completely refilled. We are giving Warden the ability to deactivate and reactivate his glasses at any given moment, if his gauge is not entirely depleted. (It should now work like Vigil, Nøkk and Caveira’s abilities. That will provide him with more flexibility to react to attackers’ push. Warden is currently not quite where we would like him to be. Recent improvements to Ying and other Operators he can counter could potentially improve his presence.

• Super Shorty shotgun replaces of M45 as a sidearm.

At the moment, Castle can only create two rotations, thanks to his impact grenades. We want him to be an accomplished architect. Starting with Y5S1 Miles will be able to use his Super Shorty to create more advanced and complex set-ups. We hope that this new sidearm will lead to reducing the amount of remodelling that usually falls onto Smoke and Mira’s shoulders.



[h2]Vector.45[/h2]

• Increasing Vector.45 damage to 23 (from 21).

The SMG used by Goyo and Mira appeared quite clearly as underperforming. Goyo being the Operator suffering the most from the weapon poor performance. We have decided to give this weapon extra damage to try and bring it on par with other defenders’ primaries.

[h2]DMRs[/h2]

• Removed Compensator attachment from DMRs.
  
• DMR calibre tweak.

Compensators had no impact on DMRs behaviour. This attachment was designed to improve the recoil of fully automatic weapons. As semi-automatics weapons could not benefit from this attachment in Siege, we removed a potentially misleading option. As such it is not really a balancing change but the removal of something that was detrimental to this class of weapon. DMRs have had the same calibre as assault rifles in Siege. With this update, they will now have increased destructive power. It will result in greater soft destruction and easier barricade destruction. Operators using DMRs will also now have the possibility to create holes easily to cut enemy rotation. The following Operators are affected by the calibre tweak:

• Twitch and Lion – 417
  
• Buck – CAMRS
  
• Blackbeard – SR-25
  
• Dokkaebi – Mk14 EBR
  
• Maverick – AR-15.50

[h2]C9[/h2]

• Holo sight is now available for Frost’s C9.

The C9 is a somewhat decent weapon. There is however a strong suspicion that it might be underperforming as Frost often finishes off attackers in DBNO. Allowing players to equip the Holo sight is a first step towards offering more choice to players and looking into the actual performance of this weapon.


[h2]Frag Grenades[/h2]

• Dokkaebi: Replace Frag. Grenades with stun grenades.

At the moment, the amount of intel gathered by defenders is quite important in Siege. Frag grenades are a way to deny utility and to counterbalance the Defenders’ edge.

• Maverick: Replace Stun Grenades with frag grenades.

Maverick is often picked to counter some bans (Thatcher or other Hard-breachers). By giving him frag grenades, we want to solidify his performance and would like his pick rate to be on par with Thermite or Hibana.

• Nøkk: Replace Claymore with frag grenades.

Nøkk is a very potent attacker it terms of fragging ability, but when it comes to utility, what she brings to the table is quite limited. We would like her to contribute to neutralizing enemy devices.

• Ying: Replace Claymore with frag. grenades.

Ying is very much comparable to Nøkk, as they both rely on selfish gadgets. Giving her frags is also a way for other to emphasize teamwork.