Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege Year 5 is fast approaching and bringing a wave of new free content to the hit multiplayer shooter. While the new year features the usual Operators, maps, and balancing changes, Ubisoft also teases an array of quality-of-life improvements – and anticipated "extensive reworks." It suggests multiple Operator shakeups in the pipeline, refining the fundamentals of existing gadgetry in need of extra love.
No Operator is more deserving of that treatment than Tachanka, with the turret-wielding lord consistently among weakest picks since launch. Characterized by the mounted RP-46 light machinegun and his burly physique, a highly immobile playstyle misaligns with the state of the game today. Rainbow Six Siege now debuts his major rework in 2020.
Ubisoft has toyed with Tachanka reworks in the past after falling short of initial expectations from launch in 2015. The introduction of a frontal shield followed one year later to protect from headshots, providing players with more confidence despite the one-shot headshot mechanic. However, underlying issues surrounding his stationary play style still impact Tachanka today, currently reporting a minus five percent win delta, and presence close to zero percent.
Speculation of the Tachanka rework has circulated for years, but the release of Operation Ember Rise brought the Operator back into the spotlight. While just as broken as before, Ubisoft updated his in-game biography with references to an imminent rework from Rainbow Six's fictional R&D director, Mira.
"Tachanka doesn't want anyone to "touch his toys" but he understands these evaluations are crucial for team operations," states Tachanka's latest bio. "The LMG has had so many modifications to it already - mostly by Senaviev - that it's in a category of its own. We are in the process of testing a number of prototype options. In the meantime, I've attached a list of possible adjustments we can make to this LMG, if I can get Tachanka to let us make changes."
What to expect from Tachanka's rework
Ubisoft unveiled Tachanka's rework at the Six Invitational, providing a tease of changes in the works. Tachanka will ditch his LMG mount post-rework, carrying the RP-46 by hand instead. The approach will retain his signature pan-fed weapon from past iterations, coupled with improved mobility. It would fix one of the Operator's current biggest struggles today, paired with strong destructive capabilities.
Ubisoft also brings an incendiary grenade launcher gadget, which should prove to be Tachanka's most substantial shift from his former identity. Expanding his loadout with much-needed utility, he will join the growing lineup of blaze-bending Operators, Capitão and Goyo. It follows changes to fire propagation and visual effects in Operation Ember Rise, providing the foundations to explore more fire-based roles. The gadget will fire glowing yellow projectiles, capable of bouncing, and exploding upon impact.
Tachanka rework release date
With Rainbow Six Siege's lineup of Year 5 content on the horizon, Tachanka's return is almost ready. Ubisoft is scheduled to release the rework under Year 5 plans, although yet to commit to a formal release date. Here's hoping the lord's time has come.
Addictive, challenging shooter action
Ubisoft's hit shooter is hotter than ever, touting tense tactical gameplay, and regular free updates. Entering 2020 with millions of players, Rainbow Six isn't slowing down.
