Seeing Through the Smokescreen: A Rainbow Six Siege Operator’s Guide
Alright, Siege enthusiasts, let’s cut through the fog and get straight to the point. In Rainbow Six Siege, no Operator inherently sees directly through smoke without the aid of technology. However, certain gadgets and Operator abilities grant varying degrees of smoke vision. The key players here are those with thermal sights or the ability to highlight enemies within smoke. We’ll delve into the specifics below, so buckle up and prepare to navigate the tactical complexities of smokescreens in Siege!
The Science of Smoke Vision in Siege
Rainbow Six Siege strives for a degree of realism, and smoke mechanics are no exception. Smoke grenades and Operator-deployed smoke screens obscure vision by scattering light. Therefore, achieving visibility within smoke requires technology that can bypass this light scattering. The game achieves this through two primary methods: thermal imaging and enemy highlighting.
The Thermal Advantage: Glaz and Warden
Glaz: The Original Smokescreen Sniper
Glaz, the Russian sniper, is the poster child for smoke vision. His HDS Flip Sight is a thermal scope that highlights enemies in bright yellow, even through smoke. This is his core ability and what makes him a dangerous opponent in coordinated pushes and defensive holds. A skilled Glaz player can turn a simple smokescreen into a deadly kill zone. It’s crucial to remember that Glaz’s thermal vision is range-limited, becoming less effective at longer distances, especially through thicker smoke.
Warden: Seeing Through the Flash and Smoke
Warden is the defensive counterpoint to Glaz. His “Glance” Smart Glasses provide temporary immunity to flashbangs and allow him to see through smoke. Unlike Glaz’s always-on thermal sight, Warden’s ability is activated manually. This makes him a reactive counter rather than a proactive aggressor. Timing is everything with Warden; activating his Glance at the right moment can completely shut down an attacking smoke push. However, over-reliance can lead to vulnerability as the ability has a cooldown period.
The Enemy Highlighters: Using Tech to Breach the Veil
While not directly seeing “through” smoke in the thermal sense, some Operators and gadgets can highlight enemies within or behind it, effectively achieving a similar result.
Jackal: Tracking Through Smoke
Jackal’s Eyenox Model III headset can track enemy footprints. While it doesn’t provide direct vision through smoke, tracking a roamer’s footsteps leading into a smokescreen can give you a significant advantage. Knowing their approximate location within the smoke is often enough to secure a kill.
Lion: The Global Ping Through Smoke
Lion’s EE-ONE-D drone detects moving enemies and highlights their location for the entire team. While the scan doesn’t penetrate walls, if an enemy moves within a smokescreen during Lion’s scan, their silhouette will be revealed, making them an easy target.
Dokkaebi: Hacking Phones for Location
While Dokkaebi doesn’t directly see through smoke, her ability to hack Defender phones provides valuable intel. If a Defender is caught within a smokescreen while their phone is ringing, the sound and potential vibration can give away their position. Combine this with map knowledge and communication, and you can effectively “see” through the smoke indirectly.
Drones and Observation Tools: Indirect Vision
Drones and other observation tools (cameras, Valkyrie cameras, etc.) can provide a crucial line of sight. If you’re droning ahead and know an enemy is entering a smokescreen, you can relay that information to your team, giving them a tactical advantage. This highlights the importance of teamwork and communication in Siege.
The Importance of Counters: Denying Smoke Vision
Just as there are ways to see through smoke, there are also ways to counter those abilities.
Smoke Grenades: The Basic Obscurant
The most obvious counter is, well, more smoke. If Glaz is covering a doorway with smoke, throwing your own smoke grenade can disrupt his thermal vision and create confusion.
Jäger’s ADS: Eliminating Smoke Before It Deploys
Jäger’s Active Defense System (ADS) can intercept and destroy smoke grenades before they detonate. This prevents the initial smokescreen from forming, denying the advantage to attackers relying on smoke-based strategies.
Wamai’s Mag-NET: Redirecting Smoke Grenades
Similar to Jäger, Wamai’s Mag-NET System can intercept projectiles, including smoke grenades. However, instead of destroying them, it redirects them to a different location. This can be used to strategically reposition the smoke, potentially turning the attacker’s advantage against them.
Mastering Smoke Tactics: Beyond Vision
While seeing through smoke is important, mastering the art of using smoke offensively and defensively is just as crucial. This involves understanding timing, map knowledge, and effective communication.
Offensive Smoke Pushes: Coordination is Key
Coordinated smoke pushes can overwhelm defenders, especially in objective-based modes. This requires a team effort, with Operators like Glaz providing cover while others move in to secure the objective.
Defensive Smoke Screens: Delaying the Attack
Defenders can use smoke to delay an attacker’s advance, disrupt their line of sight, and create opportunities for flanks. This is particularly effective in chokepoints and narrow corridors.
Sound Cues: Listening Through the Smoke
Even without visual confirmation, sound cues are vital. Listening for footsteps, reloads, or other audio clues can provide valuable information about enemy positioning within the smoke.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Smoke Vision in Rainbow Six Siege
1. Can all Operators use smoke grenades?
Yes, most Operators have smoke grenades as a gadget option. However, the choice of gadget is often a trade-off, as you may have to choose between smoke grenades and other useful gadgets like stun grenades or breaching charges.
2. Does smoke affect AI enemies in Terrorist Hunt?
Yes, smoke affects AI enemies in Terrorist Hunt. They will have reduced visibility and will generally become disoriented, making them easier to eliminate.
3. How does smoke interact with deployable shields?
Smoke can be used effectively with deployable shields. Placing a shield in a doorway and then throwing smoke in front of it can create a strong defensive position, obscuring the enemy’s view while providing cover for the defender.
4. Does the thickness of the smoke affect Glaz’s thermal vision?
Yes, the thickness of the smoke does affect Glaz’s thermal vision. Thicker smoke will reduce the effectiveness of his scope, making it more difficult to distinguish enemies.
5. Can you shoot through smoke in Rainbow Six Siege?
Yes, you can shoot through smoke, but it’s largely based on guesswork unless you have other intel like sound cues or enemy highlighting.
6. How do you counter a Glaz who is abusing smoke grenades?
Several counters exist: Jäger or Wamai to prevent or redirect the smoke, smoke grenades of your own to disrupt his vision, or a coordinated push to flank him. Aggression is often the best counter to a passive Glaz.
7. Can Warden see through Capitão’s smoke bolts?
Yes, Warden’s “Glance” Smart Glasses allow him to see through Capitão’s smoke bolts. This makes him a valuable counter to Capitão’s area denial tactics.
8. Does muzzle flash affect vision in smoke?
Yes, muzzle flash can temporarily disrupt vision in smoke, making it harder to see. This is especially true for weapons with high rates of fire.
9. Can smoke be used to counter camera placements?
Yes, smoke can be used to obscure cameras, making it difficult for defenders to gather intel. This is particularly useful when pushing into objective rooms.
10. How effective are smoke grenades on larger maps?
Smoke grenades are generally effective on all maps, but their effectiveness can vary depending on the layout. They are particularly useful in enclosed spaces and chokepoints.
11. Can smoke be used to mask the sound of breaching charges?
Yes, smoke can be used to mask the sound of breaching charges, making it more difficult for defenders to react in time.
12. Does the color of the smoke matter?
No, the color of the smoke does not affect its obscuring properties or how it interacts with thermal vision.
13. Are there any glitches related to smoke grenades in Rainbow Six Siege?
Like any complex game, Rainbow Six Siege can sometimes experience glitches. While rare, there have been instances of smoke grenades not deploying correctly or having inconsistent coverage. However, Ubisoft is generally quick to address these issues with patches.
14. How does smoke interact with Lesion’s Gu mines?
If an attacker steps on a Gu mine within smoke, the visual distortion and damage ticks can give away their position. While not direct smoke vision, it provides a crucial audio-visual cue.
15. Where can I learn more about advanced tactics and strategies in Rainbow Six Siege?
There are numerous resources available, including online guides, YouTube videos, and community forums. For a broader perspective on the educational aspects of gaming, consider exploring the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. They research and promote the benefits of learning through games, providing valuable insights for players and educators alike. You can also improve your skills by watching professional players and analyzing their gameplay.
Conclusion: Smoke and Mirrors in Siege
Mastering the use of smoke in Rainbow Six Siege is a crucial skill for both attackers and defenders. Understanding which Operators can see through smoke, how to counter those abilities, and how to effectively use smoke for tactical advantage can significantly improve your gameplay. Remember that teamwork, communication, and map knowledge are just as important as individual skill when it comes to utilizing smoke effectively. So, go forth, experiment, and become a true master of the smokescreen!