Best Rainbow Six Siege attackers & defenders: Operator tier list for Y8S3

Knowing what the best Attackers and Defenders in Rainbow Six Siege are is essential if you want to stay on top of the meta, and we've got all of the best Operators in the game right now in Y8S3.

While players can succeed with any Operator in R6 Siege if they are mechanically skilled enough, choosing the Attackers and Defenders with the best gadgets and overall kit in the game will help you a lot when it comes to winning games.

Below, we've done the hard work for you and have broken down who the best Operators in Rainbow Six Siege are right now, so keep reading to see all of the best Attackers and Defenders to pick in Y8S3.

• Check out the latest Rainbow Six Siege Y8S3 patch notes here

Rainbow Six Siege Operator tier list: Attackers

Click to enlarge

As attack and defence have their own dedicated Operators, our tier list is split into two sections, Attackers and Defenders, in order to accurately assess the two team's overall power levels.

So, check out the table below for our Rainbow Six Siege Operator tier list for the Attackers:

As you can see, there is quite a split between the power levels of the Attackers in Rainbow Six Siege.

While any player can succeed with any Operator if they're skilled enough, you're going to have a much better time with those on the top, instead of annoying your teammates by picking those on the bottom.

Some of the best Operators in Rainbow Six Siege fall within the Attackers group, and they are often where you see the flashiest players and most skilled players.

• Can't get your head around competitive? Get the Rainbow Six Siege ranking system explained in this guide

Who are the best Attackers in Rainbow Six Siege?

Click to enlarge

The best Attackers in Rainbow Six Siege are Thatcher, Iana, Buck, Ace, and Ram, which is why they sit exclusively within the S-tier in the table above, making them the ideal choice if you're looking for the meta Operators right now.

Thatcher

Being one of the original Operators released at launch, it is a testament to Thatcher's strength that he remains one of the top picks.

While his EMP grenades aren't quite as strong as they used to be, they are still essential for breaking down enemy defences - especially if you have a hard breacher on your team.

Thatcher is one of the few Ops in the game that no one will complain about if you pick, and you will certainly be the favourite companion of anyone looking to enter a site without complications.

All in all, this makes Thatcher an easy choice when it comes to the best Operators in Rainbow Six Siege, and this likely won't change unless the kit itself does.

Iana

If you ask most players right now, they'd tell you that Iana is the best Attacker in Rainbow Six Siege, and they've definitely got a point. She is never not useful to have on attack, as her clones will always give you information even if you don't manage to fool anyone.

Furthermore, she has two incredibly strong guns that will help you win more gunfights, and she even has frag grenades to make things even more appealing - almost everything that you'd want when it comes to the best Operators.

She is also one of the best Attackers for beginners in Siege, as her kit is simple but incredibly rewarding, so it might be worth picking her up if you're not the most confident.

Buck

While Buck was already a strong Attacker, the recent shotgun buffs in Y8S3 have seen him instantly become one of the best Operators in Rainbow: Six Siege right now.

He has fantastic soft breaching capabilities that can work at multiple ranges and verticalities, making him an excellent pick for unlocking sites and flushing out hiding spots.

Furthermore, he now essentially has two top-tier primary weapons in one that he can quickly switch between, with the C8-SFW being as strong as ever, and now the Skeleton Key under-barrel shotgun capable of dropping people at both close and medium range.

Ace

If you're looking for someone to open up even the most secured bomb sites, then Ace is probably the top Operator in Rainbow Six Siege for you. He is arguably the best hard breacher in Rainbow Six Siege, as his S.E.L.M.A. Aqua Breacher will tear apart any wall it touches, and you can do it twice!

Furthermore, the AK-12 is arguably the strongest assault rifle in the game right now, and it was a joy when it was given to another Operator outside of the relatively weak Fuze.

Much like Thatcher, any team will appreciate a hard breacher pick, so why not pick up Ace and learn the trade as a destruction specialist?

Ram

Despite only just arriving in the game, Ram has immediately become one of the strongest Operators that you can pick in Y8S3. Her BU-GI Auto Breacher gadget provides unmatched vertical breaching, making her an ideal choice no matter the scenario.

While still not as strong as it once was all those years ago, the R4-C remains an excellent weapon that can quickly take down enemies with precision - meaning that you won't be left at a disadvantage when your breachers have been depleted.

Time will tell as to whether Ubisoft will let Ram remain this strong, but for the time being it is undeniable that she is among the best Attackers that you can pick.

• Still catching up from last season? Find out more about the latest Defender in the game with our Rainbow Six Siege Fenrir guide here

Rainbow Six Siege Operator tier list: Defenders

Click to enlarge

Now, moving to the defensive side of things, we've got another tier list showing you the best Defenders in Rainbow Six Siege, which is ideal if you're looking for the most meta Operator in the game right now.

Ensuring that you have the right Defenders is perhaps slightly more important than the Attackers, as their gadgets can really make or break a successful bombsite protection.

Much like the Attackers, things are quite split within this Rainbow Six Siege Operator tier list for Defenders. All of the choices within the top half are well worth picking.

However, you're almost wasting a spot in your team if you pick any of the lowest Operators, as the relative lack of utility they bring compared to the other options will be a pain to yourself and your team when trying to win each round, so you'd be better off picking one of the best Operators even if you aren't the most confident.

• Find out if there is a Rainbow Six Siege campaign in this handy guide

Who are the best Defenders in Rainbow Six Siege?

Click to enlarge

According to our tier list above, the best Defenders in Rainbow Six Siege are Smoke, Azami, Solis, Mira, Kapkan, and Fenrir. In the right hands, these Operators can win you rounds single-handedly and will be a major thorn in the side of any opponent.

Smoke

Smoke - like Thatcher in the Attackers list - is an ever-present Operator that will remain as one of the best Operators in Rainbow Six Siege for the game's entire lifespan.

His kit is simple but so strong, and with an ever-reliable weapon you really just can't go wrong here.

His Remote Gas Grenades can be used both proactively and reactively, allowing you to retreat to safety or to advance onto a vulnerable enemy. Furthermore, he remains one of the strongest Ops in the game for site setup, which is vital to learn if you want to climb the ranks in the game.

Azami

Azami is right up there with Smoke when you're talking about the best Defenders in Rainbow Six Siege, as her unique ability will never not be relevant within a defensive round.

The Kiba Barrier is an ability that fans had been requesting for years prior to Azami's release, as you really can't overstate how useful a hole-plugging ability is when defending.

No more do you have to worry about those pesky Attacker-favoured sightlines, allowing you to cross areas or anchor down without the fear that someone is going to drop you from an unknown angle - making her the perfect pick if you're looking for a meta Operator.

Solis

Gadgets are the name of the game in Siege, so having an Operator who can flush them out is incredibly useful and is why Solis sits at the top of our Defenders tier list.

You really can't understate the importance of intel on both an individual and team level in Siege, whether it be the safety of roaming without traps or being able to flush out an opponent who is sitting defenceless on their own gadget.

As Solis you'll likely be the lifeblood of your team with everything going through your eyes, so make sure that you're confident in communication before picking them up, as you'll want to make the most of their communication.

Mira

Mira is still by far the best site anchor in the game, allowing you to completely shut down enemy engagements from the perspective of fear alone.

Her one-way mirrors not only protect you from incoming gunfire but also give you an opportunity to pop out and pick up kills without the enemy even seeing you, which alone makes her one of the best Operators in Rainbow Six Siege for defending a site.

Once you master the best mirror spots on each map, maximising the sightlines that you can create, you will truly be able to shut down enemy attacks as they come into your path.

Your mirrors are even strong if there's no one behind them, as your opponents will likely expend resources in order to deal with them on the off chance that there's a Defender sitting in wait.

Kapkan

While historically Kapkan has been seen as a bit of a meme pick that only works at the lower levels of the game, the Spetsnaz Operator has dramatically risen in popularity in recent times, making him undeniably one of the best Defenders in the game.

This is mostly due to the aggression-focused meta of Y8S3, where players are less likely to check corners, and thus more susceptible to triggering a Kapkan device. Traps in general are very strong right now, but few offer more passive damage output than those pesky door mines, and you'll always get the added bonus of tilting your opponent too.

 Fenrir

Finally, we reach Fenrir who, despite being in the game for just one season so far, has emerged as probably the best Defender in the entire game. There is a reason why he is being banned so much at the top level, and that is purely due to the sheer effectiveness of his F-NATT Dread Mine gadget.

If you happen to catch yourself in the middle of a F-NATT smoke cloud then you might as well be dead, as there is likely a Fenrir just around the corner waiting to pop out and drop you. Furthermore, these gadgets are also bulletproof until they are activated, so it is likely too late to take them out if you find that you're exposed to a well-hidden device.

In addition, the MP7 is near-enough the perfect weapon for this, letting Fenrir pounce on their enemies like a wolf with a blisteringly fast fire rate to ensure that the poor Attacker has no time to react.

Who are the best Operators in Rainbow: Six Siege? (Y8S3)

Click to enlarge

Staying on top of the meta can be very challenging, so check out the list below for all of the best Operators in Rainbow: Six Siege right now in Y8S3:

• Ace
• Buck
• Iana
• Ram
• Thatcher
• Azami
• Fenrir
• Kapkan
• Mira
• Smoke
• Solis
• Valkyrie

There is a wide range of options listed above, but you can be confident in your pick if you select any of them regardless of the situation or map.

Iana and Fenrir are arguably the two best Operators right now for Attack and Defense, and their strengths are both unilateral and unmatched by the rest of the roster.

• Find out everything you need to know about the new Operator Ram in Rainbow Six Siege here

How good is the new Operator Ram in Rainbow: Six Siege?

Click to enlarge

The new Operator in Rainbow Six Siege, Ram, has made her way into the game with the release of Y8S3, and she immediately arrives as an incredibly strong pick when it comes to the best attackers in the game, surging immediately up to the S-Tier for Attackers.

Of course, it is still very early days, but her gadget is relatively simple to understand and is similar to the equipment we have already seen within the game, so it is fairly easy to estimate Ram's overall power level.

The gadget in question is, of course, the BU-GI Auto Breacher, which is a small robot that can roll across a floor, destroying all in its wake. It is by far the best vertical breaching tool in the game right now, with very few counters available to combat its strength.

It is quick, loud, and most importantly safe to use, making Ram an excellent choice for both team-oriented and solo play. There's nothing worse as a Defender than fearing vertical sightlines, so you can create so much chaos when playing as Ram if played correctly.

Combine this with the effectiveness of the R4-C and you've got a really strong Operator overall. While she is only one speed, that does make her tankier and hopefully will protect you a little when naturally exposing yourself to enemy sightlines.

So, that wraps up this Rainbow Six Siege Operator tier list, showing you all of the best Attackers and Defenders in the game right now. We will make sure to keep this list updated with any new balance changes or Operators, so check back regularly for the latest power rankings in the game.

If you want more R6 Siege content, however, make sure to check out our dedicated game page for the latest news and guides.