Rainbow Six Siege X – Free vs Premium: What Should You Choose?

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.


๐Ÿ†“ 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.

๐ŸŽฎ Game Modes

Rainbow Six Siege X – Free vs Premium
Free players can enjoy:

  • Quick Match – casual, objective-based play

  • Unranked – standard Siege rules without ranked pressure

  • 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.

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Operators

You’ll start with:

  • 10 unlocked operators right away

  • 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.

๐Ÿ› ️ Core Improvements (Free for All)

All players benefit from the new Siege X improvements:

  • Graphical overhaul (maps are cleaner, better-lit)

  • Audio redesign (hear enemy movement with more clarity)

  • Rappel and gadget updates

  • ShieldGuard anti-cheat system

  • New ping and communication wheel


๐Ÿ’Ž What You Get with the Premium Tier

The Premium upgrade unlocks Siege X’s full potential, especially for competitive or long-time players.

๐Ÿ”“ Full Mode Access

You’ll unlock:

  • Ranked (after reaching level 50)

  • 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:

  • Classic defenders like Smoke and Bandit

  • Aggressive attackers like Ace and Iana

  • Specialist operators added in recent seasons

No grinding required—just jump in and build your ideal team.

๐Ÿ… Returning Players Get Legacy Rewards

If you owned Siege before the X update, you’ll:

  • Keep all previously unlocked operators

  • Retain your ranked eligibility

  • Receive veteran cosmetic rewards and progression carryover

This means longtime fans aren’t starting from scratch—just benefiting from the upgrade.


๐Ÿ“Š Free vs Premium: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature                                Free Version                                Premium Version
PriceFreePaid upgrade
Game ModesQuick Match, Unranked, Dual FrontAll modes incl. Ranked & Siege Cup
Operators10 free + 26 earnableAll unlocked instantly
Ranked/Siege Cup Access✅ (after Level 50)
Veteran RewardsN/A
Anti-Cheat, Audio, Visuals

๐Ÿค” Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Free If:

  • You’re new to Rainbow Six and want to test the waters

  • You’re a casual player who doesn’t care about Ranked

  • You’re mostly interested in experimenting with the Dual Front mode

Choose Premium If:

  • You’re serious about Ranked or Siege Cup play

  • You want full operator access immediately

  • You’re a returning player who wants to restore legacy content and competitive access


๐Ÿ’ฌ 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:

๐Ÿ‘‰ Rainbow Six Siege X – What’s New


๐Ÿ”— 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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