Rainbow Six Siege Game Modes Explained (and When They Unlock)

Rainbow Six Siege's main game modes are Quick Match, Unranked, Ranked and Siege Cup, all built around 5v5 attack and defense. Around them sit Deathmatch, limited-time Arcade modes, AI playlists for practice and a set of training tools. Most of them unlock as your Clearance Level goes up, and Ranked and Siege Cup also need a paid edition.

Last checked: November 9, 2026.

When each mode unlocks

This is the unlock list Ubisoft published with Siege X in June 2025:

Players below Clearance Level 10 also deal reduced damage to teammates, a change from Operation Split Fire meant to give new players time to learn who's who.

Core 5v5 modes

Quick Match

Quick Match is the casual playlist and where most players learn the game against real people. Since Siege X, a round has a 45-second Preparation Phase and a 3-minute Action Phase. Bomb sites come with some setups already in place to keep rounds moving. Since Operation Split Fire, Quick Match also has a mini-map, which you can hide in the guidance settings.

Quick Match currently plays Bomb. Ubisoft has said Hostage and Secure Area will return to the Quick Match rotation in Year 11 Season 4.

Unranked

Unranked opens at Clearance Level 20 and is a copy of Ranked in rounds, timers, settings and operator bans, without affecting your rank. It also keeps map filters, so you can practice the competitive format on a wider range of maps. Unranked replaced the Standard playlist when Siege X launched.

Ranked

Ranked is the competitive mode, played on Bomb. You earn a rank from Copper to Champion, and Rank Points go up or down after every match based on the result. Under the Pick and Ban system, each team bans one enemy operator per round, building up to six bans before sides swap.

Our guide to Rainbow Six Siege ranks covers placements, squad limits and rewards.

Siege Cup

Siege Cup is Ubisoft's in-game tournament. You need a full five-player squad because the playlist doesn't fill teams through matchmaking, and every player needs Clearance Level 50. Squads play through brackets to earn Competitive Coins, which unlock exclusive skins.

Legend Division

The Legend Division is a solo-queue playlist for the very top of Ranked, added in the middle of Year 11 Season 3. Only Champion players who meet extra requirements can join, including Clearance Level 200, Platinum or higher last season, 2-step verification and, on PC, Ubisoft's Secure Platform checks.

Game objectives: Bomb, Hostage and Secure Area

Siege has three classic objectives:

• Bomb: Attackers find one of two bomb sites and plant a defuser, and defenders have to stop the plant or destroy the defuser. Ranked, Unranked and Siege Cup are all played on Bomb.
• Hostage: Attackers have to extract a hostage while defenders try to keep them from getting out. Ubisoft is testing a Hostage rework and has said it may return to competitive play later.
• Secure Area: Attackers have to take and hold a room containing a biohazard container while defenders hold it.

Deathmatch

The Deathmatch playlist has two modes:

• Team Deathmatch, where two teams fight with respawns. It runs on 18 maps.
• Free For All, where every player is an opponent.

There are no objectives or gadget setups, so Deathmatch works well for warming up your aim.

Arcade and limited-time modes

Arcade modes are temporary. Since Siege X, each new Arcade mode is available only for a limited time instead of sitting in a permanent playlist.

• 1v1: A public 1v1 mode on Bomb rules, first added in Operation Silent Hunt. It came back in the middle of Year 11 Season 2 with five maps, shorter prep time and an attrition system instead of operator bans.
• 3v3: Added in Operation Split Fire. Matches go up to 7 rounds, the Preparation Phase lasts 30 seconds and every operator is available. There are no bans, but you can't play an operator again after winning a round with them. Ubisoft said it was one of the most successful limited-time modes it has run and that it returns in Year 11 Season 4.
• Events: Seasonal events add their own rules or modes, such as the Wasteland Circuit drone racing event in Split Fire and the return of Doktor's Curse, which ran until November 2, 2026.

Practice and AI modes

• Enlisted: An AI playlist for new players, solo or with a squad. It's only open until you reach Clearance Level 18.
• Field Training: Opens at Clearance Level 18 and lets you choose the map, AI difficulty and setups, with the full roster of AI-supported operators.
• Clear House: Formerly Target Drill. AI enemies from the Keres Legion flank and push you while you clear the map.
• Landmark Drill: Teaches you a map's key rooms and the routes between them.
• Shooting Range: Lets you test weapons and attachments, including recoil.
• Custom Game: Private matches with your own settings.

Our guide to Rainbow Six Siege maps shows which maps are in each playlist.

Testing Grounds

A new Testing Grounds is on the way. It's a limited-time playlist for trying new ideas without affecting regular matches. The first one, planned for Year 11 Season 4, tests half reinforcements for defenders. A reworked Hostage mode is next in line after that.

Modes that were removed

• Dual Front: The 6v6 mode that launched with Siege X ended after Year 11 Season 1 and was removed when Year 11 Season 2 started in June 2026.
• Standard: Replaced by Unranked in June 2025.
• Versus AI: Replaced by Enlisted and Field Training in June 2025.

Which modes are free?

Free access covers Quick Match, Unranked, Deathmatch, events, the AI playlists, the training tools and Custom Game. Ranked and Siege Cup need a paid edition. Our guide to whether Rainbow Six Siege is free explains the differences.

Frequently asked questions

What level do you need for Ranked in Rainbow Six Siege?

You need Clearance Level 50 and a paid edition of the game. Siege Cup has the same requirement.

What is the difference between Ranked and Unranked in R6?

They use the same rounds, timers and operator bans, but Unranked doesn't change your rank. Unranked opens at Clearance Level 20, while Ranked needs Clearance Level 50 and a paid edition.

Is Hostage still in Rainbow Six Siege?

Hostage is being reworked and isn't part of competitive play. Ubisoft said Hostage and Secure Area will return to the Quick Match rotation in Year 11 Season 4, and a reworked Hostage will be tested in Testing Grounds.

Is the 3v3 mode coming back?

Yes. Ubisoft said the 3v3 Arcade mode from Operation Split Fire will return in Year 11 Season 4.

What happened to Dual Front?

Ubisoft removed Dual Front at the start of Year 11 Season 2 in June 2026 to focus on the core 5v5 game and Ranked.

How long is a round in Quick Match?

A Quick Match round has a 45-second Preparation Phase and a 3-minute Action Phase. Ubisoft lengthened both when Siege X launched.

Rainbow Six Siege is a trademark of Ubisoft Entertainment. mgame.gg isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Ubisoft.