Rainbow Six Siege, developed by Ubisoft, is a tactical first-person shooter that emphasizes team strategy and coordination. The game adheres to clear rules for its matches, in both ranked and casual modes, providing a balanced and competitive gameplay experience. This article explores the core match rules, game modes, and answers common questions about the game's format.

How many players are in a team?

A standard match in Rainbow Six Siege consists of five players per team, making the game format 5v5. Each player selects an operator from a list, with each operator having unique gadgets and abilities that contribute to the overall team strategy. The combination of operators and player roles—attackers or defenders—plays a crucial role in determining the game's outcome.

Operator Roles and Rules

Players are divided into two teams: attackers and defenders, each with unique objectives and strategies:

• Attackers: Use drones for reconnaissance and plan entry points to achieve their objectives.
  
  
• Defenders: Focus on fortifications, deploying gadgets, and map control to counter the attackers.

Teams choose operators, each with unique abilities and equipment. A competitive match includes an operator ban phase, allowing each team to ban two operators—one attacker and one defender—restricting their use for the entire match. Players must also choose unique operators for each round; duplicate operators on a team are not allowed.

Game Modes

Bomb

Attackers must plant and activate a defuser at one of two bomb sites, while defenders try to prevent this. Attackers can win by activating the defuser or eliminating all defenders after planting, whereas defenders must prevent the plant, defuse the device, or outlast the timer.

Secure Area

The attacking side attempts to capture a designated room by remaining uncontested in the zone, while defenders prevent this. Winning conditions are tied to zone capture or opponent elimination.

Hostage

Attackers must locate and evacuate the hostage, while defenders aim to prevent the evacuation. Notably, killing the hostage results in an automatic loss for the team responsible.

Match and Round Duration

How long does a round last?

Each round in Rainbow Six Siege typically lasts 3 minutes in ranked games and 4 minutes in casual matches. Attackers must complete their objectives—such as capturing a site, disarming a bomb, or eliminating all defenders—within this time frame. Defenders win if the time expires or if they neutralize all attackers.

How many rounds are in ranked matches?

Ranked matches are played in a format of up to 9 rounds. The first team to win 5 rounds emerges victorious. If both teams win 4 rounds each, the match proceeds to a final overtime round to determine the winner. Attacker and defender roles alternate between rounds, giving teams equal opportunities to adapt their strategies.

Overtime Rules

In ranked matches, if both teams have an equal number of won rounds after 8 rounds (4-4), the game enters overtime. It consists of up to three additional rounds, and the team that wins two of them secures victory. Overtime rules ensure a decisive result, maintaining the competitive match tension.

Map Selection and Spawn System

Map selection in Rainbow Six Siege

The map for matches in Rainbow Six Siege depends on the game mode:

• Ranked mode: Includes a map ban phase. Both teams take turns excluding maps from the list, narrowing it down to one randomly selected map for the match. This system ensures fairness and avoids undesirable maps.
  
  
• Casual mode: Maps are randomly selected from a predetermined list, providing a more relaxed and varied gameplay experience.

How does the spawn system work?

In ranked matches, attackers choose one of several spawn points on the map, while defenders select a fortification site. Careful planning of spawn points and defensive positions is crucial for gaining an advantage.

Ranked vs. Casual Matches

Ranked matches are more competitive and structured compared to casual ones. Main differences:

• Ranked games: Include map and operator ban phases, shorter round times, and an Elo rating system.
  
  
• Casual games: Offer a relaxed environment with longer round timers and random map selection.

Ranking System and Skill Assessment

Ranked matches use a skill-based matchmaking system. Players receive a rank after completing placement matches. Ranks range from Copper to Champion, with each rank divided into divisions (e.g., Gold III, Gold II, Gold I). Winning matches increases skill rating, while losing decreases it. This system emphasizes fair competition by matching players with similar skill levels.

How does team communication work?

Communication is a critical element in Rainbow Six Siege. Teams rely on voice chat and a ping system to coordinate strategies, relay enemy locations, and plan objectives. In ranked matches, toxic behavior or unsportsmanlike conduct can result in penalties.