Operation Deep Freeze: What's Coming to Rainbow Six Siege?

Operation Deep Freeze: What's Coming to Rainbow Six Siege?

Kaustavmani Choudhury

15 Oct, 2023, 09:42

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Last updated: 10 Apr, 2025, 22:45

As the frosty winds of anticipation sweep through the Rainbow Six Siege community, Ubisoft gears up to introduce Operation Deep Freeze, a game-changing update set to revolutionize the tactical landscape. With the arrival of Tubarão, the 35th defender armed with the innovative Zoto Canister, and the unveiling of the expansive Lair map, players are in for a fresh and challenging experience. From significant reworks in grenade mechanics to Mira's Black Mirror facing a strategic overhaul, Operation Deep Freeze promises to reshape the way operators engage in the intense battles of Rainbow Six Siege. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of this frozen frontier, exploring the new possibilities and challenges that await players in the ever-evolving world of Rainbow Six Siege.

The New Additions:

Tubarão: The New Defender

Rainbow Six Siege is gearing up for Operation Deep Freeze, introducing Tubarão, the 35th defender in the game. Tubarão, a Portuguese operator, brings a unique device called the Zoto Canister. This throwable gadget freezes surfaces for 12 seconds, proving to be an effective tool against hard breachers like Thermite and Hibana. Tubarão's strategic use of the Zoto Canisters enables late flanks and temporary disabling of devices like Nomad's AirJabs or Claymores.

Tubarao Main Loadout
Tubarao Main Loadout. Image Source: Ubisoft

Lair: A New Challenge in Map Design

Welcome the expansive map, Lair, to Rainbow Six Siege. Known as one of the largest map in the game, Lair poses a challenge with its intricate exterior design, making spawn peeking difficult for defenders. The map's soft walls and floors make it ideal for vertical plays, offering a fresh tactical experience for players.

The Reworks:

Grenade Rework: A Game-Changing Shift

In a significant gameplay alteration, fragmentation grenades are undergoing a massive rework in Operation Deep Freeze. The "cooking" feature is being bid farewell, preventing attackers from preparing grenades before throwing them. Ubisoft aims to diversify attacker options, distributing grenades to more operators like IQ, Lion, Sens, Blackbeard, and Osa. This change not only alters the dynamics of grenade usage but also aims to balance operator pick rates.

Mira's Black Mirror Nerf: Explosive Interactions

A crucial change awaits Mira enthusiasts. In Operation Deep Freeze, attackers gain the ability to crack Mira's Black Mirror windows with explosives. This adjustment increases the importance of operators like Ash or Zofia in lineups, while defenders can turn this nerf to their advantage by forcing attackers to expend valuable explosives.

Maestro's Upgrade: Third Evil Eye

Maestro receives a buff in the form of an additional Evil Eye in his loadout. This enhancement empowers Maestro to gather more information while efficiently dealing with attacking gadgets. The extra Evil Eye also increases the potential for attackers to waste their explosives, tipping the scales in favor of the defenders.

AI Playlist and Farewell to Terrorist Hunt

Ubisoft introduces the AI Playlist on Clubhouse, allowing players to compete against real operators in a limited operator pool. However, this new game mode signals the departure of the beloved Terrorist Hunt. This change adds a dynamic layer to the gameplay, pitting players against a more challenging AI experience.

White_Mask
The infamous White Masks wreaked havoc on the old T-Hunt playlist.
Image Source: Ubisoft

The Market Place: Trading Skins for R6 Credits

In Operation Deep Freeze, Ubisoft introduces the Market Place, a system allowing players to trade cosmetics for R6 Credits. This addition provides a new dimension to customization and personalization, creating opportunities for players to acquire desired skins through trades.

The Marketplace is taking in registrations as of November 12th, 2023. And it will enter the Beta version in early 2024. Transactions made in R6S Marketplace can only be made using R6S credits, and there will be a 10% transaction fee. Click HERE to register for the Beta.

Conclusion: A Frozen Frontier Awaits

Operation Deep Freeze promises an array of changes, from the arrival of Tubarão and the Lair map to significant reworks in grenade mechanics. Mira's Black Mirror faces a strategic shift, and Maestro gains additional firepower. With the introduction of the AI Playlist and Market Place, Rainbow Six Siege players can brace themselves for an evolving and engaging experience.

Learn everything about the new season and all the additional tweaks and changes HERE.

Featured Image Source: Ubisoft

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