The North Star update for Rainbow Six Siege has arrived, along with several important changes, ranging from the new operator to map redesigns and balancing fixes. With the volume and impact of these changes, you must know all there is to know about this update if you want to stand a chance against the competition.
Thunderbird Is The New Operator
Mina "Thunderbird" Sky from the Nakoda Territories of Saskatchewan is the new defense operator added in the North Star update. Thunderbird is available to those with the premium North Star Battle Pass or available for purchase with Renown.
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Thunderbird's loadout options are the Spear .308 assault rifle or SPAS-15 shotgun for primary, the Bearing 9 machine pistol or Q-929 handgun for secondary and a choice between an impact grenade or nitro cell for the gadget.
Thunderbird's unique gadget is the Kóna Station, which operates similarly to the operator Doc's stim shots. The Kóna Station can be placed on the ground and will administer a shot to anyone that comes into its range — friendly or otherwise — before going on a cooldown. This shot will replenish a portion of health or even overheal players. Additionally, downed players can crawl into the vicinity of the device and will be able to revive themselves. If two operators are within range at once, the one with the lowest health will receive the shot.
New Death Sequence
The North Star update has also brought changes to what happens after you die in the game. Bodies of dead operators will now disappear and be replaced with an operator icon. This change was made to prevent bodies from appearing differently for each player and to prevent visibility issues that they may cause.
Also, you can now skip the kill replay. You are no longer forced to rewatch your last moments from your killer's perspective if you do not wish to, which is great if you know you went down in an embarrassing way and you don't want to be reminded of it.
Barrel Attachment Changes
Barrel attachments are critical to the game's balance as they radically affect how the weapons of Rainbow Six Siege operate. The North Star update brings a few changes to the compensator and flash hider.
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The compensator attachment will now only limit left and right recoil movement, and flash hiders will reduce vertical recoil. Muzzle brakes continue to recenter your shots more quickly to improve your accuracy.
Smoke's Toxic Gas Changes
The operator Smoke has had a few changes to his toxic gas — it's been given a new look and its behavior has been changed. The gas will now move more naturally and predictably and will no longer spread through walls.
This change should improve the game for both those playing as Smoke and those playing against him, as it will allow them to plan more effectively and not have to take a roll of the dice with the gas' behavior.
Melusi's Banshee Device Changes
Melusi's Banshee Sonic Defense is a device deployed on surfaces, and it will create a low pulsating sound and slow enemies when they come into range. Before North Star, the device would be bulletproof when active, with the only options of destroying it to be using equipment or going in for a melee.
This meant that attackers would have to waste valuable time moving slowly to get close enough to melee or would have to use up their precious equipment to dispose of it. Now, attackers can thankfully dispose of it with good old-fashioned bullets.
Bullet Hole Changes
Previously in Siege, a single bullet in a breakable surface would create a hole large enough for you to see through, giving you a huge advantage over enemies as it was challenging to notice these holes before being killed by their creator. The North Star update rectifies this.
A single bullet hole will no longer make a hole large enough to see through, and instead, you must now use more bullets to make large enough holes or use other tactics to do so.
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This change means you have to think a lot more before trying to create holes in destructible surfaces as they will — most of the time — be easier to spot.
Black Mirror, Evil Eye, And Bulletproof Camera Changes
The Black Mirror, Evil Eye, and Bulletproof Camera all behave similarly in Siege. They are immune to gunfire (the Evil Eye can be destroyed by gunfire if in turret mode) and previously were extremely difficult to destroy or counter. Now, all three of these devices can be rendered useless by having their glass shattered by melee attacks. The glass, once shattered, is impossible to look through, but the devices stay in place, and other functions they may have, such as audio feeds, remain operational.
Bulletproof Cameras also have a work-in-progress change that should be coming soon. The change will allow you to rotate the camera instead of having it at a fixed position and angle, and they will also come equipped with a recharging EMP blast.
Favela Map Changes
The Favela map has had changes in the past, most recently with parts being removed to censor the map for China.
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However, the most recent changes are more impactful and meaningful to the game.
- The Favela will now have nighttime fireworks for you to enjoy whilst you take a well-deserved break from laying siege to the building.
- The map now lacks a ground floor staircase outside the building that leads into the compound whilst the two roof entry points remain.
- The majority of exterior walls are no longer destructible, making it easier for defenders to anticipate where attackers will come from.
- The interior layout of the map has also been completely overhauled, offering more interconnectivity between corridors as well as creating more tight close-quarter combat areas.
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