Developer Ubisoft has announced the Shifting Tides update for Rainbow Six Siege, which will introduce a new operator named Kali with a seemingly overpowered weapon. Rainbow Six Siege released all the way back in December 2015, but numerous updates and a dedicated fan base of over 20 million Rainbow Six players have kept this series of tactical shooter games inspired by Tom Clancy’s books afloat.
Seasonal events like last month’s Rainbow Six Siege Doktor’s Curse are another reason why the game has continued to draw in so many players. Last June Ubisoft announced Rainbow Six Quarantine, a separate game which is very much inspired by Siege’s Outbreak mode. Although it remains to be seen how long Siege will continue to see updates, for now it seems like Ubisoft should be more concerned about the balance issues its new sniper character may create.
In a video posted on their official YouTube channel Ubisoft showcases new features available in the Rainbow Six Siege Shifting Tides update, as well as gameplay gadgets and starter tips. Kali, the game’s new sniper, is a medium armor, medium speed character. Any shot to the head from her bolt action rifle will instantly kill an enemy, while any shot to the torso or lower will instantly down them. Kali’s sniper rifle also comes equipped with a variable 5x and 12x scope. As for gadgets, Kali uses a special lance explosives kit, which allows her to penetrate both breakable and reinforced walls and surfaces.
Kali’s greatest weakness is that her shots leave a clear trail back to her location. When an enemy is downed they’re automatically turned straight towards her, but in reality this is a small price to pay for Kali’s skills, as she still holds more than an advantage over the downed enemy. Siege’s second new operator, Wamai, is a gadget-heavy defender. His main gadget, aptly termed the “magnet,” is an anti-projectile defense mechanism. All Wamia has to do is deploy the magnet and it will automatically pull most projectiles in the game towards it and have them detonate at a time of the player’s choosing. The Shifting Tides update will also include a free, updated version of Siege’s Theme Park map. The map itself is heavily re-worked, with major barriers removed and a general simplification of all routes.
It’s great to see Ubisoft holding true to Rainbow Six’s tactical gameplay history, and the two new characters and updated map show the developer is cognizant of gameplay issues and community feedback. Although it seems like Kali’s sniper rifle may be overpowered, the developer did address her weaknesses. In a day and age where first-person shooters struggle to differentiate themselves, and in a world where Ubisoft has already announced the delay of Rainbow Six Quarantine, Rainbow Six Siege continues to set the standard for tactics.
Next: Cancelled Rainbow Six Game Name-Dropped In Ghost Recon: Wildlands
Source: Ubisoft
