Ubisoft has officially relaunched its flagship tactical shooter as Rainbow Six Siege X—a refreshed version of the game with visual upgrades, audio redesigns, and a bold new direction: free-to-play access for all players. But there’s a twist—some of the most competitive content is locked behind a Premium upgrade.
Whether you're brand-new to Siege or returning after years away, you’re probably wondering:
Should you stick with the free version, or go Premium?
Let’s break down exactly what you get with each option—modes, operators, ranked access, and more—so you can make the best choice for your playstyle.
๐ What’s Included in the Free Version of Siege X?
The free-to-play tier of Rainbow Six Siege X gives you access to the core gameplay loop that made Siege a tactical classic, plus some of the newest content introduced in the X update.
๐ฎ Game Modes
Free players can enjoy:-
Quick Match – casual, objective-based play
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Unranked – standard Siege rules without ranked pressure
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Dual Front – a brand-new, 6v6 respawn mode with mixed attacker/defender squads
Note: You cannot play Ranked or Siege Cup (competitive tournament mode) without Premium.
๐ฅ Operators
You’ll start with:
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10 unlocked operators right away
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Up to 26 operators unlockable through in-game progression
While that’s more than enough to experiment with tactics, you’ll be locked out of some fan favorites unless you grind or upgrade.
๐ ️ Core Improvements (Free for All)
All players benefit from the new Siege X improvements:
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Graphical overhaul (maps are cleaner, better-lit)
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Audio redesign (hear enemy movement with more clarity)
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Rappel and gadget updates
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ShieldGuard anti-cheat system
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New ping and communication wheel
๐ What You Get with the Premium Tier
The Premium upgrade unlocks Siege X’s full potential, especially for competitive or long-time players.
๐ Full Mode Access
You’ll unlock:
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Ranked (after reaching level 50)
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Siege Cup, the game’s official competition circuit
These are the core destinations for players who want to climb ladders and participate in esports-style play.
⚔️ All Operators Unlocked
Premium players get instant access to the entire operator roster, including:
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Classic defenders like Smoke and Bandit
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Aggressive attackers like Ace and Iana
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Specialist operators added in recent seasons
No grinding required—just jump in and build your ideal team.
๐ Returning Players Get Legacy Rewards
If you owned Siege before the X update, you’ll:
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Keep all previously unlocked operators
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Retain your ranked eligibility
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Receive veteran cosmetic rewards and progression carryover
This means longtime fans aren’t starting from scratch—just benefiting from the upgrade.
๐ Free vs Premium: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Free Version | Premium Version |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Paid upgrade |
| Game Modes | Quick Match, Unranked, Dual Front | All modes incl. Ranked & Siege Cup |
| Operators | 10 free + 26 earnable | All unlocked instantly |
| Ranked/Siege Cup Access | ❌ | ✅ (after Level 50) |
| Veteran Rewards | N/A | ✅ |
| Anti-Cheat, Audio, Visuals | ✅ | ✅ |
๐ค Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Free If:
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You’re new to Rainbow Six and want to test the waters
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You’re a casual player who doesn’t care about Ranked
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You’re mostly interested in experimenting with the Dual Front mode
Choose Premium If:
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You’re serious about Ranked or Siege Cup play
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You want full operator access immediately
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You’re a returning player who wants to restore legacy content and competitive access
๐ฌ What the Community Is Saying
On Reddit, many returning players appreciate Ubisoft’s approach to honoring legacy progress:
“Glad I don’t have to re-buy operators or grind for Ranked again. Smart move by Ubisoft.”
– u/WolfTactix
The official Siege community hub has also outlined the key differences and player benefits in this transition:
๐ Rainbow Six Siege X – What’s New
๐ Useful Resources
✅ Final Verdict
Free gets you in the door and gives you a taste of tactical combat.
Premium lets you unlock the full Siege X experience and compete at the highest level.
If you’re curious, start with free. If you’re competitive—or a veteran—Premium is well worth the investment.

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