Rainbow Six Siege Y9S1 Early Patch Notes: New Mechanics, Inventory Management & More

Rainbow Six Siege Y9S1, titled Operation Deadly Omen, is set to launch in March. The upcoming season will introduce major changes to shields, aiming down sights (ADS), attachments, and more. This article provides the upcoming Rainbow Six Siege Y9S1 early patch notes.

Operation Deadly Omen Early Patch Notes

While the official patch notes haven't been released yet, we've gathered the confirmed changes in the Rainbow Six Siege Y9S1 Operation Deadly Omen update in these early patch notes: 

Revamped Shield Mechanics 

Shield operators like Blitz, Fuze, and Montagne are receiving updated mechanics that will allow them to play more aggressively.

• Shield users will now be able to break through full-health barricades, melee to push back enemies, and activate gadgets while their shield is raised.
• However, the tradeoff is that shield users will need to lower their shield to reload, leaving them vulnerable during the animation.

This reinforces the role of shield operators as frontline tanks that can spearhead an attack, but at the risk of exposing themselves.

ACOG Returns to Ash's R4C

Ash will be regaining her ACOG sight, but this time for her R4C rifle. While she previously had an ACOG for her G36C, it just didn't feel the same. However, with Operation Deadly Omen, Ash will have an ACOG option for her R4C, a change that fans have been eagerly awaiting.

However, it's important to note that the R4C has undergone some recoil nerfs in recent seasons, notably during Operation Deep Freeze. Despite this, with the addition of the ACOG, many anticipate that the R4C will become the preferred weapon among fans.

Free Look Replaces Hip Fire 

Hip fire is being replaced by a new free-look mechanic that allows players to hold angles while gathering intel for their team.

• Instead of firing from the hip, operators can now enter a free-look state while aiming down sights.
• This allows them to look freely from side to side, communicating enemy locations to teammates.

Changes to ADS & Attachments 

Operation Deadly Omen is also delivering massive changes to aiming down sights (ADS) speeds and attachment bonuses. ADS will now be slower overall, forcing players to control angles more deliberately instead of quickly peeking.

• Weapon attachments are being sorted into four main categories. The 1.5x scope is being removed entirely.
• The laser provides a 15% ADS speed bonus
• The new Horizontal Grip boosts movement speed
• The Angled Grip now confers a 20% reload speed increase.

Ranked Restrictions & Anti-Cheat Improvements

To protect the competitive integrity of the Ranked playlist, inactive players will need to complete five quick matches before jumping back into ranked. Additionally, new players will require 10 attacking and 10 defending operators unlocked before playing Ranked for the first time.

Ubisoft is also cracking down on cheaters via improvements to their anti-cheat software. The goal is to better detect cheating while avoiding false positives for legitimate players.

Azami Nerfs & LMG Buffs

Azami, the new defender introduced in Year 8, is receiving some key nerfs. Her Kiba Barriers will now be vulnerable to bullets, making it easier for attackers to counter her gadget.

LMGs are being reworked to make their recoil easier to control, in exchange for reduced movement speed while wielding them.

New Training Options 

Operation Deadly Omen brings new training options like five additional maps for Versus AI and four new maps for the Training Grounds playlist.

• AI bots can now mimic operators like Melusi and Alibi.
• The AI logic has also been improved to pose more of a challenge to players.

New Inventory Management: Locker

Managing your expanding collection of cosmetics and weapon skins will be much easier thanks to the new Locker system.

• Players can browse their inventory sorted in various ways, like by operator or weapon type.
• Items can also be marked as favorites for quick access.

This new system is a game-changer, as this system is long overdue.

Quality of Life Improvements 

A variety of quality-of-life enhancements are arriving as well, such as improved repelling responsiveness and aim visualization for throwable gadgets. Players will also appreciate the new Inventory Locker for easier menu navigation. 

Rainbow Six Siege continues to expand with massive gameplay changes on the horizon with the Y9S1 update. Between the shield rework, ADS changes, new operator, Ranked restrictions, and training additions, Operation Deadly Omen is shaping up to be one of the most impactful seasonal updates in recent years. Veterans and newcomers alike will need to adapt to the evolving meta when the operation goes live later in March.