Rainbow Six Siege Operator Tier List | Best Attackers and Defenders Ranked for 2025

If you’re wondering which Operators are dominating Rainbow Six Siege in 2025, you’ve come to the right place. 

After countless hours of gameplay and analyzing the current meta, I’ve put together a definitive tier list of the best Attackers and Defenders. 

Whether you’re grinding ranked or just looking to sharpen your skills, knowing which Operators give you the edge can make all the difference. 

So, let’s break down the top picks and see who’s standing out this season.

Rainbow Six Siege Tier List Overview

If you’re trying to figure out which Operators are worth mastering in Rainbow Six Siege, understanding the tier list is key. 

Operators are ranked from S-Tier to D-Tier based on their overall impact, versatility, and how well they fit into team strategies. 

The S-Tier Operators are game-changers, consistently turning the tide of a match, while D-Tier ones require creative play to make a difference. 

Let’s break down what each tier means so you know exactly who to pick and who to avoid.

S-Tier: Best of the Best

If you want to dominate in Rainbow Six Siege, mastering the S-Tier Operators is a must. 

These are the best of the best, their gadgets and loadouts are perfect for attacking or defending and these Operators outperform in almost any situation, making them top picks in ranked play. 

S-Tier Attackers

Blackbeard – A 1-speed, 3-health Operator with a strong face shield that absorbs bullets, making him difficult to counter in gunfights. His ability to shoot while shielded makes him a powerful pick for aggressive play.

Maverick – His blowtorch can breach reinforced walls and hatches silently, bypassing Kaid’s electrification and Mute jammers. His versatility in creating entry points makes him invaluable in most situations.

Thatcher – His EMP grenades disable electronic gadgets, making him essential for clearing defenses. He’s often banned due to his game-changing utility.

Thermite – His Exothermic Charges can breach entire reinforced walls, providing a critical advantage when attacking strategic points. His reliable weapon loadout makes him a solid pick.

Ash – Known for her speed and high DPS, Ash’s Breaching Rounds quickly open soft walls and clear defender gadgets, allowing her to aggressively push into defensive setups.

S-Tier Defenders

Castle – His reinforced barricades slow down attackers and force them to waste resources. Combined with accurate weapons and close-quarters strength, he’s a top-tier pick for defense.

Doc – His Stim Pistol allows him to heal or revive teammates from a distance, adding extra survivability for his team. His loadout is versatile, making him effective in multiple situations.

Goyo – His Volcan Canisters create area denial by setting fire to key points, forcing attackers into tough positions. His fast-firing weapon and ACOG add to his lethality.

Lesion – His Gu Mines provide intel and damage attackers over time, revealing their location and slowing their movements. His T-5 SMG is highly reliable in close-quarters combat.

Mira – Her Black Mirrors provide crucial intel and allow defenders to see attackers without being exposed. Mastering her setup makes her one of the toughest defenders to counter.

Valkyrie – Her Black Eye Cameras provide critical intel, helping defenders track attacker movements and coordinate counterattacks. Her MPX SMG is easy to control and effective.

Azami – Her Kiba Barriers can temporarily block breaches and create cover, making her essential for reinforcing defensive positions and controlling sightlines.

A-Tier: Strong and Reliable Picks

If you’re looking for a reliable and well-rounded Operator in Rainbow Six Siege, A-Tier is the way to go. 

These Operators might not have the overwhelming dominance of S-Tier, but their balanced gadgets and weapons make them dependable in most situations. 

A-Tier Attackers

Brava – A 3-speed, 1-health operator who can hack enemy gadgets with her Kludge Drone, turning defender cams and devices against them. Ideal for countering defenders like Maestro and Kapkan.

Buck – A 2-speed, 2-health operator armed with the C8-SFW Assault Rifle and Skeleton Key, which allows him to create vertical lines of attack. He’s versatile with Hard Breach Charges for reinforced walls and hatches.

Dokkaebi – Her Logic Bomb gadget calls defender phones, revealing their positions and giving her team access to defender cameras. Great for disrupting defenders and gathering intel.

Grim – A 3-speed, 1-health operator with the Kawan Hive Launcher, which releases tracking bots. His Hard Breach Charges and vertical play capability make him strong on larger maps.

Hibana – A 3-speed, 1-health operator and Hard Breacher with X-KAIROS Pellets that can breach reinforced walls in flexible patterns, ideal for dealing with Bandit and Kaid defenses.

Jackal – A 2-speed, 2-health operator with the Eyenox Model III, which tracks enemy footsteps and reveals their position. Effective on large maps like Kafe and Clubhouse.

Montagne – A 1-speed, 3-health operator with an Extendable Shield that provides full-body protection, allowing him to block damage and gather intel for teammates.

Ram – A 1-speed, 3-health operator with the BU-GI Auto-Breacher, which destroys walls and floors while masking her approach, creating chaos for defenders.

A-Tier Defenders

Aruni – A 1-speed, 3-health operator with Surya Laser Gates that damage attackers and destroy projectiles. Her prosthetic arm allows her to create rotations without using shotgun ammo.

Echo – A 2-speed, 2-health operator with Yokai drones that disorient attackers and interrupt Defuser plants with ultrasonic bursts. Strong for site denial.

Fenrir – A 2-speed, 2-health operator with F-NATT Dread Mines that impair attacker vision. Excellent for area control and setting up ambushes.

Kaid – A 1-speed, 3-health operator who can electrify hatches and reinforced walls using Electroclaws. Ideal for countering Hard Breachers like Hibana and Thermite.

Kapkan – A 2-speed, 2-health operator with Entry Denial Devices that deal heavy damage when attackers trigger them. Strong for maps with multiple choke points.

Melusi – A 3-speed, 1-health operator with Banshee Sonic Defenses that slow down attackers and provide intel. Her MP5 is reliable in close combat.

Mute – A 1-speed, 3-health operator whose Signal Disruptors jam enemy drones and prevent gadgets like Dokkaebi's calls, making him effective for site control and disruption.

B-Tier: Solid but Situational

B-Tier Operators in Rainbow Six Siege shine in the right scenarios, but they’re not as adaptable as higher-tier options. 

Yes, they have useful gadgets and weapons, but their impact often depends on team composition and map dynamics. 

Operators like Ash and Bandit can give you an edge, but their effectiveness depends on counters and situational play. 

Bandit – His Shock Wires prevent hard breaching but are vulnerable to Thatcher’s EMP grenades.

Lion – His EE-ONE-D scans force defenders to remain still, but experienced players can counter this easily.

C-Tier: Niche but Useful in the Right Hands

C-Tier Operators in Rainbow Six Siege can be surprisingly effective, but only in the right hands and situations. 

They have niche strengths that require specific strategies or map setups to work well. While they’re not bad picks, their impact is often limited by counters or their situational nature. 

Gridlock – Her Trax Stingers can slow down defenders, but they are easy to destroy.

Glaz – His thermal scope gives him an edge through smoke, but his slow rate of fire limits his effectiveness.

Caveira – Her ability to interrogate downed attackers provides valuable intel but requires risky engagements.

Tachanka – His mounted LMG provides area denial, but he’s vulnerable while using it.

How to Choose the Right Operator?

Choosing the right Operator in Rainbow Six Siege can make or break a match. It’s not just about picking your favorite, you need to adapt to the map, balance your team’s strengths, and play to your personal style. 

Choosing a hard breacher like Thermite, an intel gatherer like Valkyrie, or an aggressive entry fragger like Ash, will give you a serious tactical edge compared to the rest. 

What are Operator Synergies and Counters?

Operator synergies and counters play a huge role in shaping the outcome of a match in Rainbow Six Siege. 

Synergies involve combining the strengths of two Operators to create a tactical advantage like pairing Sens’ Light Screen with Ying’s Candelas for a perfectly coordinated push or using Mute’s jammers alongside Mozzie’s pests to deny enemy intel. 

On the other hand, knowing how to counter enemy strategies is just as important. 

For example, Thatcher’s EMP grenades can disable Bandit’s Shock Wires and Mute’s jammers, making it easier to breach, while Jäger’s ADS can intercept projectiles from Ash and Zofia, shutting down their ability to clear your defender utility. 

Combinations and counters like these will give you the upper hand in any match.

Takeaway

Success in Rainbow Six Siege comes down to strategy and operator selection. 

Mastering top-tier operators and understanding synergies and counters will give you a tactical advantage. 

Keep adjusting your strategy as the meta shifts, and you’ll see your performance improve.