The Maps of Rainbow Six Siege: Navigating the Tactical Terrain
In the heart of Rainbow Six Siege, where precision meets chaos, the battlegrounds are as crucial as the operators themselves. Ubisoft's tactical shooter has captured the hearts of millions with its intense gameplay, intricate strategy, and dynamic environments. At the core of this experience are the maps, meticulously crafted arenas that serve as the canvas for thrilling encounters between attackers and defenders.
Rainbow Six Siege boasts a diverse array of maps, each with its own personality, challenges, and strategic nuances. As players traverse through high-stakes situations, these maps become the stage for intense firefights, clever strategies, and heart-pounding moments. Every map in the game presents a unique set of challenges that require adaptability and teamwork.
In this exploration of Rainbow Six Siege's cartographic landscapes, we delve into the exhaustive list of maps, categorizing them into two distinct realms: the crucible of the ranked pool and the dynamic playgrounds that lie beyond. So, let's embark on a journey through the virtual terrains that have become synonymous with tactical excellence and high-stakes competition.
Most of the maps available in the Ranked Pool are also available in the Standard, Quick Play, and Team Deathmatch game modes, and it will be mentioned.
The Ranked Pool:
Lair
Locale: Portugal
Release Date: Operation Deep Freeze (November 2023)
Available Playlists: Standard, Quick Match, Ranked, Team Deathmatch
Lair stands as a competitive map spanning three floors, characterized by numerous entry points and strategic breach opportunities, where mastering vertical gameplay is paramount. Anticipate potential flanks in Armory Hall or seize the element of surprise by infiltrating the R6 room.
Nighthaven Labs
Locale: Offshore
Release Date: Operation Solar Raid (December 2022)
Available Playlists: Standard, Ranked, Quick Match, Team Deathmatch
Nighthaven Labs emerges as a competitive map featuring a multitude of entry and breach points, posing challenges for sustained position holding. Expect potential flanking maneuvers within Nighthaven's HQ or seize the initiative by infiltrating the R&D lab to catch your adversaries off guard.
Emerald Plains
Locale: Ireland
Release Date: Demon Veil (April 2022)
Available Playlists: Standard, Ranked, Quick Match, Team Deathmatch
Embark on a journey through the picturesque Northern Irish landscapes at the Emerald Plains country club and private ranch. The map unfolds across two distinct floors, featuring a modern bottom floor in stark contrast to the classic styling of the manor's upper floor. This deliberate design choice aims to enhance clear callouts and provide easily identifiable orientation landmarks for players navigating the terrain.
Bank
Locale: Los Angeles, California
Release Date: Base game (December 2015)
Available Playlists: Standard, Ranked, Quick Match.
Map Rework: Minor Adjustments, September 2021
Team Rainbow receives a critical assignment to infiltrate a prominent bank in Los Angeles. The mission prioritizes creating a tangible sense of progression for attackers, guiding them through increasingly fortified sections of the building as they advance towards their objectives.
Border
Locale: Middle East
Release Date: Dust Line (May 2016)
Available Playlists: Standard, Ranked
Map Rework: March 2021
Team Rainbow responds to a call for assistance from local law enforcement to restore control over the border. A blend of ancient and contemporary structures, coupled with open-air pathways, positions this map as the most destructible and openly planned environment to date.
Chalet
Locale: Courchevel, France
Release Date: Base game (December 2015)
Available Playlists: Standard, Ranked, Quick Match
Map Rework: September 2020
Engage in a high-stakes shootout within an "après-ski" chalet nestled in the French Alps. The ambiance of warm, cozy interiors sharply contrasts with the cold, restricted visibility of the exteriors, creating a dynamic and challenging environment for tactical encounters.
Clubhouse
Locale: Hannover, Germany
Release Date: Base game (December 2015)
Available Playlists: Standard, Ranked, Quick Match
Map Rework: Minor Adjustments, September 2021
Immerse yourself in the action with an assault on a biker gang clubhouse situated in Hanover, Germany. Boasting a full bar, gaming tables, and leather furniture, the map's mixed interior and exterior layout presents a myriad of intriguing tactical possibilities for both attackers and defenders alike.
Coastline
Locale: Ibiza, Spain
Release Date: Velvet Shell (February 2017)
Available Playlists: Standard, Ranked, Quick Match, Team Deathmatch
Map Rework: Minor Adjustments, September 2021
Team Rainbow is summoned to protect the sun-kissed seashore of Ibiza, Spain. Positioned along Ibiza's rugged coast, maneuver through Balearic ruins and bustling bars to eliminate the looming threat. Brace yourself for a dynamic ebb and flow of combat, intertwined with chaotic rushes, as you navigate through a paradise turned awry.
Consulate
Locale: Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Release Date: Base game (December 2015)
Available Playlists: Standard, Ranked, Quick Match
Map Rework: May 2023
Embark on a high-stakes mission within a highly secured and fortified setting as Team Rainbow stages an assault on the French consulate in Ivory Coast. The reimagined map promises intense encounters, challenging both attackers and defenders in a thrilling tactical showdown.
Kafe Dostoyevsky
Locale: Moscow, Russia
Release Date: Base game (December 2015)
Available Playlists: Standard, Ranked
Map Rework: June 2019
Step into the epitome of glitz and glamour at this high-class café in central Moscow, a prime intervention ground for Spetsnaz forces. Expect the destruction of opulent, chic, and classic decor to play a pivotal role in shaping the dynamics of this reimagined map.
Kanal
Locale: Hamburg, Germany
Release Date: Launch (December 2015)
Available Playlists: Standard, Ranked
Map Rework: September 2019
Set against the industrial backdrop of Hamburg, Germany, 'Kanal' unfolds in an intricate landscape of multiple buildings connected strategically over canals. The map's dynamic terrain, featuring numerous bridges, buildings, and related vantage points, presents a plethora of fascinating strategic possibilities for players to explore and exploit.
Oregon
Locale: Redmond, Oregon
Release Date: Base game (December 2015)
Available Playlists: Standard, Ranked
Map Rework: March 2020
Embark on an intense assault within the confines of a fortified survivalist compound in Redmond, Oregon. The atmosphere of Oregon exudes rustic charm, with an eclectic and lived-in ambiance. The vast and spread-out layout of the map demands adaptive tactics for both sweeping through and effectively holding key positions.
Outback
Locale: Australia
Release Date: Burnt Horizon (March 2019)
Available Playlists: Standard, Ranked
Map Rework: November 2021
Nestled in Australia's Red Heart, this map pays homage to the dusty service stations and motels that line the forgotten highways of the continent. It captures the essence of these places, inhabited by hardworking locals and featuring specialty menu items found nowhere else. Explore a unique terrain that combines the rugged charm of the Outback with the strategic challenges of a reworked battlefield.
Skyscraper
Locale: Nagoya, Japan
Release Date: Red Crow (November 2016)
Available Playlists: Standard, Ranked, Team Deathmatch
Map Rework: December 2020
Team Rainbow receives a critical mission to diffuse a Yakuza conflict unfolding high above the streets of Nagoya, Japan. Positioned atop the Skyscraper, operatives will navigate through the intricate works of Japanese architecture within a perilous mansion. Brace yourself for vertiginous rappels in the morning sun's haze, where the convergence of modernity and tradition creates a captivating and dangerous battleground.
Theme Park
Locale: Hong Kong
Release Date: Blood Orchid (August 2017)
Available Playlists: Standard, Ranked, Team Deathmatch
Map Rework: December 2019
Team Rainbow responds to a call to infiltrate an abandoned theme park nestled on the shores of Hong Kong. Lead a lethal raid within this challenging perimeter as you delve into the vibrant and eclectic new map, setting the stage for dynamic and fast-paced face-offs.
Villa
Locale: Tuscany, Italy
Release Date: Para Bellum (June 2018)
Available Playlists: Standard, Ranked, Quick Match, Team Deathmatch
In the heart of Tuscany, the land is claimed by the notorious Vinciguerra crime family, infamous for their illicit smuggling operations. Our snapshot in time captures the villa in chaos as the Vinciguerras hastily burn documents and transport their holdings in anticipation of a major raid. However, tipped off by Operation Para Bellum, the crime family has fled, leaving behind a scene of disarray ripe for the taking of vital information.
The Other Maps:
Stadium
Locale: Greece
Release Date: Operation Brutal Swarm (September 2022)
Available Playlists: Quick Match
The iconic map from the Road to SI 2021 Event has undergone refinements to solidify its place in the game. Notably, it showcases unbreakable glass walls, introducing a unique level of transparency between attackers and defenders in specific locations. The Gantry spawn, perched high above the main structure, allows attackers to make a stylish entrance. Once inside, navigate through the color-coded areas to optimize your strategic approach.
Favela
Locale: Brazil
Release Date: Skull Rain (August 2016)
Available Playlists: Quick Match, Team Deathmatch
Map Rework: June 2021
Team Rainbow is summoned to restore order and reclaim control of the vibrant Favela. Combining colorful and narrow streets with elevated vantage points, this map facilitates exterior shell destruction, solidifying its status as the most destructible map to date.
Fortress
Locale: Morocco
Release Date: Wind Bastion (December 2018)
Available Playlists: Quick Match
Set against the backdrop of the southern region of Morocco, this expansive daytime map showcases a mudbrick kasbah adorned with iconic architecture. Welcoming all visitors is the imposing main entrance, featuring two towers and the inscription "Kasbah Sehkra Mania" proudly displayed above the archway.
Hereford Base
Locale: United Kingdom
Release Date: Base game (December 2015)
Available Playlists: Quick Match
Map Rework: September 2018
This is the training ground where SAS agents hone their skills, characterized by a patchwork of plywood targets, sandbags, barbed wire, and various obstacles. It stands as one of the most archetypal examples of siege gameplay, offering a challenging and strategic environment for players.
House
Location: Los Angeles, California
Released: Base game (December 2015)
Playlists: Quick Match
Map reworked: June 2020
Playing on themes of familiarity and vulnerability, this encounter takes place in a typical suburban home. It’s a prime example of destructive depth and replayability, and is one of the showcases for classic siege gameplay.
Presidential Plane
Locale: London, United Kingdom
Release Date: Base game (December 2015)
Available Playlists: Quick Match
Embark on a unique siege experience aboard this presidential plane, offering an fascinating twist to the typical battlefield. The environment is claustrophobic, tense, and constrained, presenting limited breaching opportunities and sightlines that add to the intensity of the encounter.
Tower
Locale: Seoul, South Korea
Release Date: White Noise (November 2017)
Available Playlists: Quick Match
Embark on a daring rescue mission as you ascend the snow-capped Mok Myeok Tower in Seoul, South Korea. This modern communications and observation tower introduces new vertical vantage points, providing panoramic views of the entire cityscape. The stage is set for engaging multilevel tactics within this dynamic urban environment.
Close Quarter
Locale: Greece
Release Date: Operation Vector Glare (June 2022)
Available Playlists: Team Deathmatch
Introducing Close Quarter, the inaugural dedicated Team Deathmatch map that prioritizes movement over traditional defense setups. Designed with a circular flow and an assortment of diverse lines of sight, this facility, utilized by Team Rainbow for training, promises an entirely distinct and dynamic experience for players.
Yacht
Locale: Baffin Bay
Release Date: Black Ice (February 2016)
Available Playlists: Quick Match
Amidst the frigid expanse of Baffin Bay, a luxurious yacht collides with an iceberg, rupturing its hull. Team Rainbow is deployed to secure the stranded vessel, as an unidentified submarine docks near the scene, adding an element of intrigue and urgency to the mission.
You can find more information on all the maps HERE. Ubisoft also provides the option to download the map blueprints of each map to aid you in your journey to get acquainted with the game and to begin your ascent up the ranks.
In the realm of Rainbow Six Siege, the meticulously designed maps serve as the dynamic stages where precision converges with chaos, offering players a diverse array of landscapes and challenges. Ubisoft's tactical shooter has not only captured the hearts of millions with its intense gameplay and intricate strategy but has also established a virtual world where the battlegrounds are as crucial as the operators themselves. As Rainbow Six Siege continues to evolve, these cartographic masterpieces remain integral to the pulse-pounding experience that has become synonymous with the game. Explore the realms, hone your skills, and revel in the ever-expanding world of Rainbow Six Siege.
Featured Image Source: Ubisoft
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