It’s been about about a month since Ubisoft altered Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege‘s premium content structure. Prior to this, Ubisoft used an annual ‘Season Pass’ which offered between six-to-eight operators and a long list of perks, including 600 R6 Credits. The Season Pass came in at €29.99. The Battle Pass system splits the Year up by season and each pass is available for 1,200 R6 Credits (€8.99). Our first season with Battle Pass as the main event (versus an optional extra) offers better value than the Season Pass and here’s why.
Monetary Policy
The Battle Pass gives users a two-week preview of the new operator with the operator unlocked for the user after the preview period. It also unlocks the premium track of the seasonal rewards scheme. The free track contains 35 mostly cosmetic items while the premium track adds 100 bonus prizes for a total of 135.
The value of the cosmetics items and Alpha Packs will be in the eye of the beholder. However, the provision of 600 R6 Credits (half of what you paid) and fifteen 24-hour boosters give the Pass universal value. Considering a 24-hour booster costs 180 R6 Credits, the in-game value of these alone is 2,700 R6 Credits. Add the 600 and you have a potential reward of 3,300 R6C. Not a bad return, though you will need to play many games to max it out. Battle Pass points are only earned during PvP games so grinding out Training Grounds missions won’t help.
For players who aren’t into skins and outfits, this is incentive enough. The operator himself is available for 25,000 renown – easy enough to gather but it was nice to have the opportunity to hone his tactics and strategy for the fortnight’s preview. Better still, he genuinely affects how the defenders play while making certain, arguably overpowered, defensive operators a little easier to deal with.
Flor-ish
The single operator offered by the pass is named Flores. The Argentinian is the first character not affiliated with a real-world counter-terrorist organisation though he has worked with the FBI according to his bio.
Flores’ gadget is a plague for defensive utility. The RCE-RATERO is a drone-like robot with a ten second timer. Flores places the RCE on the floor, he cannot throw it. Once he places the device it cannot be stopped (in its movement phase) or reversed – pulling the trigger caused it to stop on the spot, attach to the nearest surface like a limpet and become bulletproof. After three seconds it will explode, causing damage to a three metre radius.
The RCE can jump with the same limitations as regular drones. Pulling the trigger mid-air will cause it to stick to a wall if said wall is nearer to the device than the floor.
Thanks to the RCE-RATERO’s flashing lights and loud noise, you won’t be damaging opponents unless they are AFK. It will, however, destroy any utility that a C4 or an Ash Breaching Round will destroy. This includes deployable shields, Maestro cams and all of your pet peeves while on attack.
Secondary Strats
Flores’ secondary gadgets are excellent. Electing to bring the claymore mine means he can cover his own flank while assaulting the site from off site or using his RCEs while in close proximity to the opposition. Choosing stun grenades mean Flores can clear a path to the objective and then ‘flash out’ as an entry fragger.
In a pinch, the RCE can be used as a short-lived drone, peering around corners to see what fresh hell awaits.
It must be noted that during the movement phase, the RCE is vulnerable to gunfire. Even in its bulletproof, timed phase the RCE can be destroyed with explosives (C4, impact grenades etc.).
Meta Adjustment
Flores’ RCE, and to a lesser extent, his secondaries disturb the trap meta. Gadgets used to slow rushing fraggers are a relatively easy target for the RCE. Frost’s welcome mats became more difficult to destroy with bullets a couple of seasons ago – they are very visible while in RCE mode. Jäger’s ADS is ineffective against the RCE and particularly vulnerable to it. Trap synergies like Kapkan, Goyo and a deployable shield are easy to destroy.
My personal favourite disturbance brought by Flores’ RCE is how Mozzie’s Pests are destroyed by them. After the pest latches on, the device enters its bulletproof, timing phase. Then the RCE explodes taking all other gadgets within range out with the pest. Considering Mozzie’s Pests are usually on or close to the site, clearing several defensive gadgets at once is common. Previously, Mozzie’s drone theft was a major advantage to defenders. Now, RCEs can clear the pest for easier site intelligence.
Mute, a former ‘must-pick’, is relevant again. His jammers are the only device that remain effective when confronted with the RCE. Having a Mute who knows the tricks of the trade is the only true counter to RCE since all other devices are either traded (Mozzie) or destroyed within a relatively generous range.
Value
Considering the potential 3,300 R6 Credits value of prizes along the premium track, the Battle Pass system is much better value than previous Passes. The incredible utility of the new operator only bolsters this value. It must be noted that the RCE doesn’t feel overpowered – the limitations seem fair. Though it must be noted that I used Mute as a main for the first few seasons and it was very easy for me to pull on the gasmask and block RCEs.
