The long-awaited 10th-anniversary season of Rainbow Six Siege has officially launched, bringing the most comprehensive update in recent years. Operation Tenfold Pursuit wraps up Year 10 and introduces extensive gameplay overhauls, a legendary operator rework, a complete map redesign, and significant anti-cheat improvements that promise to reshape the competitive Siege scene.

Revolutionary Thatcher Rework

The centerpiece of Operation Tenfold Pursuit is the complete modernization of Thatcher, one of Siege's most iconic operators. The Thatcher rework is not just a minor tweak; it fundamentally reimagines how the British special forces operator interacts with the game.

New Gadget: Electronic Gear Scanner Disruptor (E.G.S. Disruptor)

Thatcher's traditional EMP grenades are replaced by the E.G.S. Disruptor—a two-stage device combining scanning and suppression. The scanner component allows Thatcher to detect enemy electronic devices through walls and other obstacles, providing the team with valuable intel. The launcher component then fires electromagnetic pulses that disable detected gadgets for up to 15 seconds.

The most game-changing aspect? Thatcher now has 6 disruptor charges instead of the previous 3 EMP grenades. This massive increase in utility makes Thatcher nearly indispensable both for site entry and post-plant scenarios. Coupled with the E.G.S. Disruptor's ability to fire into tight angles without precise grenade throws, Thatcher has transformed from a situational pick into a potential permaban on the competitive scene.

Four Primary Weapons: A First in Siege

Thatcher becomes the first operator in Siege history to have access to four different primary weapons:

• L85A2 (Assault Rifle)
• AR33 (Assault Rifle)
• PMR90A2 (Sniper Rifle) — NEW
• M590A1 (Shotgun)

The new PMR90A2 sniper rifle is designed for mid- to long-range control with minimal recoil, making it arguably the most precise sniper rifle in the current meta. This arsenal of flexibility allows Thatcher players to adapt to virtually any combat scenario, further cementing his dominance.

Implications for Competitive Play

Previously, teams battled to ban combinations like double Ace-Thermite or shield operators. Now, Thatcher must be considered during the ban phase, potentially leading to more diverse tactical approaches but also raising concerns that the rework has shifted Thatcher from irrelevant to overly powerful.

Disable State for Electronic Gadgets (DSEG) System — Complete Redesign

Alongside Thatcher's rework comes a complete rethinking of how electronic gadgets interact with suppression effects. The new DSEG system changes the fundamental mechanics of device interactions:

• Old system: Devices were temporarily deactivated and then reactivated after a set duration or when moved out of the effect field.
• New system: Devices within the suppression field cannot be activated via wireless signals, and operators within the field also cannot remotely activate devices. Both the operator and device must exit the field for the device to function.

This rethinking affects numerous operators and creates ripple effects throughout the defensive meta:

• Mute's Signal Disruptor now has an increased radius but only jams gadgets reliant on wireless signals, like Hibana's X-Kairos
• Aruni's Surya Gates can now be instantly disabled by EMP Impact Grenades or Thatcher's E.G.S. Disruptor and remain offline until manually reactivated
• Castle's Armor Panels can now be electrified by power sources, enhancing his anti-entry role while providing attackers with new tactical options
• Weapon optics are now classified as electronic, meaning Thatcher's EMP will disable player scopes and weapon sights for the effect duration

Hard Breacher Rebalancing

Operation Tenfold Pursuit includes significant buffs to hard breacher operators, aiming to create a more balanced assault meta where multiple breaching options are viable:

Hibana Improvements:

• X-Kairos now reloads automatically every 0.4 seconds instead of requiring manual reload
• Fuse time reduced from 5 to 4 seconds for quicker breaching
• Gains access to Claymore as additional gadgets to secure breached positions
• Type 89 assault rifle receives reduced recoil for better usability

Thermite Improvements:

• Now carries 1 more Exothermic Charge for greater flexibility
• Gains access to ITA12S shotgun as a secondary weapon option

Maverick Updates:

• Breaching Torch no longer has a pause, allowing continuous breaching lines without interruptions
• Gains access to Frag Grenades as a grenade option
• New secondary weapon: Reaper MK2

Ace Adjustments (slight nerf):

• Gains Stun Grenades as an additional gadget
• Speed reduced to 1, armor increased to 3 for hard breacher standardization
• While this nerfs Ace's mobility, it aligns him with other breachers

Ash Vulnerability:

• Breaching Rounds are now vulnerable to electrified surfaces (Deployable Shields, Castle Panels, Mira's Black Mirrors), increasing counterplay options

These changes fundamentally shift how assault teams will breach reinforced walls, with Hibana potentially becoming the meta hard breacher due to X-Kairos improvements and Claymore access.

Fortress Rework: Complete Map Redesign

The Fortress map has undergone a complete structural overhaul and is being added to both the Ranked playlist and Pro League immediately. This represents a serious commitment to improving competitive viability:

Key Changes:

• Reduced corridor density for clearer map navigation
• Rebalanced plant sites for improved attacker entry points
• Courtyard transformed into an exterior zone (previously an indoor corridor)
• Enhanced lighting, improved textures, and destructive elements modernize the visual gameplay experience
• Ranked playlist: Emerald Plains removed, Fortress added
• Pro League playlist: Skyscraper removed, Fortress added

The rework addresses long-standing community complaints about Fortress's complexity and unfairly defensive-sided design, positioning it as a legitimate competitive arena rather than a pub-stomping map.

Secondary Upgrades: Skyscraper and Theme Park

In addition to the complete Fortress rework, two additional maps receive visual and technical upgrades:

• Improved lighting and shadows for better visibility and tactical readiness
• 4K textures for enhanced visual fidelity
• Destructive elements for expanded tactical options

These are not full reworks but significant visual updates that bring these classic maps in line with current aesthetic and gameplay standards.

Ranked Matchmaking System Overhaul

Operation Tenfold Pursuit introduces refined matchmaking parameters aimed at creating more balanced and fair ranked matches:

Integration of Visual Rank and Squad Size:

• Visual Rank becomes a secondary search parameter alongside skill
• Squad composition (mixed ranks) considers both player skill and the highest rank in the squad
• Skill remains the primary parameter, maintaining competitive integrity

This adjustment aims to address player complaints about mismatched rank games while keeping skill-based matchmaking as the foundation.

Anti-Cheat Enhancements

Acknowledging the persistent issue of cheating plaguing the competitive scene, Ubisoft is doubling down on anti-cheat efforts:

• ShieldGuard updates now roll out twice a week instead of the previous pace
• Daily monitoring of cheating patterns allows for faster identification and issuance of permanent bans
• Expanded recoil script detection system distinguishes scripted cheating from legitimate skilled recoil control (developed in collaboration with pro players)
• Full rollout of enhanced detection planned for Year 11

While these enhancements won't eliminate cheating overnight, the accelerated enforcement schedule demonstrates a genuine commitment to competitive integrity.

Training Mode Expansions: New T-Hunt Features

The training experience receives significant updates:

• Target Drill renamed to "Clear House"
• AI Keres Legion can now flank, overwhelm, and kill players, creating intensity closer to real matches
• Mini-map added to all bot playlists (Enlisted, Field Training, Landmark Drill, Clear House), showing walls, destructible elements, hatches, and ladders
• Operator teammates available in Enlisted and Field Training for full 5v5 practice scenarios

Dual Front Seasonal Updates

The Dual Front mode (limited-time) receives seasonal attention:

• Hostage assignment returns with new VIP character extraction mechanics
• Operator pool rotates with 15 operators available per season
• Incoming operators: Thermite, IQ, Buck, Blackbeard, Nøkk, Kali, Grim, Tachanka, Jäger, Echo, Zofia, Vigil, Melusi, Mira, Zero
• Outgoing operators: Ash, Capitão, Hibana, Maverick, Nomad, Ace, Osa, Pulse, Kapkan, Frost, Maestro, Warden, Wamai, Aruni, Azami
• Leave penalties are now active with reputation consequences for mid-match departures

Quality of Life and Cosmetic Updates

Alongside gameplay changes, Operation Tenfold Pursuit includes numerous quality-of-life updates:

• New presets for controller and keyboard for simplified input configuration
• Reworked bleed-out mechanics—players now enter a slow bleed-out when downed and only accelerate it by moving (no more button holding)
• Separate career menu for Dual Front vs. Core Siege stats
• Bookmarking challenges (up to 5 challenges) for easier progress tracking
• Operator price reductions: Solis dropped to 10,000 Renown (240 R6 Credits), Tubarão to 15,000 Renown (360 R6 Credits)
• Expanded dialogue system adding Thorn and Blackbeard

Operation Tenfold Pursuit is the most ambitious Siege update in recent years. While the Thatcher rework may require balance tweaks, the comprehensive nature of this season—combining operator reworks, map redesigns, anti-cheat improvements, and ranking system refinements—signals that Ubisoft is seriously addressing core player concerns.