Rainbow Six Siege Operation High Calibre details: Operator leaks, map rework

The final update of Rainbow Six Siege Year 6, named Operation High Calibre, is on its way. Details on new Operator Thorn, the Outback map rework, and balance changes to Finka have dropped — here’s what we know.

Operation Crystal Guard is coming to a close, and Operation High Calibre is on its way to Rainbow Six Siege to wrap up Year 6.

The next major update is set to bring a new defender named Thorn, a map rework to Outback, and some big features first teased at the start of 2021.

Here’s everything we know following the official reveal, including when you can start playing on live servers.

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Operation High Calibre release date

Operation High Calibre arrives in Rainbow Six Siege on November 30.

Find out everything included in the patch notes.

Operation High Calibre new operator: Thorn

The fourth and final Siege operator coming in Rainbow Six Year 6 is Thorn, a new Irish defender with a deadly new gadget – the Razorbloom Shell. This trap can stick to surfaces and fires a sharp trap following a timed explosion. Anyone that triggers it will need to push through or retreat – and risk losing a lot of health.

She’ll also come packing a low hard-hitting SMG that’s brand new to the game, and she can use a shotgun, too. We’ve got a full guide on how to use the Operator, following our time hands-on with a preview build.

Operation High Calibre map rework: Outback

After getting three smaller map reworks in Operation Crystal Guard, Ubisoft is returning to their regularly scheduled programming with one map rework a season. This time around, it’ll be Outback.

The Australian map was launched with Burnt Horizon but fell flat pretty quickly. It’s a casual staple, but the rework will hopefully freshen it up and make it a bit more dynamic following complaints that it’s too crowded.

There’s too much to cover here, but we’ve got a full map rework guide, including what’s happened at the bomb sites.

Finka buffs incoming, Valkyrie nerfs delayed

While Ubisoft originally had plans to crack down on defender runouts with big Valkyrie nerfs in Operation High Calibre, those have been benched until after Six Invitational 2022.

“On the test server, we discovered an issue that will take longer to fix than expected, so we’ve decided to delay this change,” developers said just days out from season launch.

“Our maps are generally tailored to larger, less sneaky gadgets. Unfortunately, they don’t allow for accurate detection of cam positions (inside vs outside) so we need to refine spaces to match this new mechanic.”

Originally, defender cameras were going to be automatically disabled after 10 seconds outside. For Valkyrie, this is a big nerf on maps like Consulate, where runouts are common. However, for Maestro — or defenders who take Bulletproof Cameras — there’s almost no change.

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However, there’s still some balance changes coming. Finka is getting a big set of buffs that allow her to revive herself with her gadget if she is downed. There are some compensation nerfs too, but it’s overall a big positive for the French attacker.

Mozzie and Echo are getting slight buffs too, and there’s changes incoming to Bulletproof Cameras, the UI, and more. You can find out more in the Operation High Calibre patch notes.

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