Rainbow Six Siege is preparing for another major competitive update. Ubisoft has unveiled Year 11 Season 3, Operation Split Fire, which launches on September 1, 2026 with a new Defender, a Champion-focused ranked playlist, operator balancing and several new ways to play.
The season was revealed during the Esports World Cup in Paris. Its headline addition is Noor, an Egyptian Defender designed to disrupt shield-based pushes with his Horus Lance Launcher. Ubisoft is also targeting high-level competitive play through the new Legend Division and significant changes to Villa, Kali and Dokkaebi.
Noor gives defenders a new answer to shields
Noor becomes the newest addition to Rainbow Six Siege’s defensive roster.
His primary gadget is the Horus Lance Launcher, which fires five projectiles capable of penetrating shields and destructible surfaces before producing flames. The projectiles can travel through walls, floors and ceilings, allowing Noor to create pressure without maintaining direct line of sight.
The gadget is particularly dangerous against shield Operators. When a Horus Lance connects with a ballistic shield, the target must react to remove it, creating a temporary opening that Noor or a teammate can exploit.
Noor can also use the gadget against Castle barricades, Azami’s Kiba Barriers and other surfaces to create area denial.
His loadout includes:
- Commando 9 or Alda 5.56 as primary weapons
- TACOPS 1911 or Bailiff 410 as secondary options
- Barbed Wire or Deployable Shield as secondary gadgets
Noor’s biggest potential impact is not simply dealing damage, but forcing attacking teams to reconsider shield-led executes and late-round plant attempts.
That could make him particularly relevant against coordinated teams that use shields to create space during site entries.
Legend Division targets Siege’s best ranked players
Operation Split Fire is also introducing a new competitive environment called Legend Division.
The SoloQ-only playlist is designed specifically for high-level players. Access requires current Champion rank, at least Platinum rank during the previous season, a positive Reputation standing and completed security requirements.
Ubisoft says the mode will feature a fully visible leaderboard and exclusive rewards. Players who reach the top 100 can earn a charm displaying their final position.
| Feature | Operation Split Fire change |
|---|---|
| New Operator | Noor |
| Ranked addition | Legend Division |
| Map update | Villa |
| Arcade | Limited-time 3v3 |
| Event | Wasteland Circuit |
Legend Division is scheduled to arrive during the season rather than directly at launch.
The concept fits Ubisoft’s broader Year 11 strategy of placing more emphasis on competitive integrity and high-level play.
Kali and Dokkaebi receive major adjustments
Several established Operators are also changing.
Kali’s CSRX 300 receives new 3.5x and 8x magnification options, replacing the previous longer-range scopes. Ubisoft is also reducing the delay between shots and increasing available ammunition.
Using Kali’s LV Explosive Lance will no longer interrupt aiming down sights, helping her remain active during engagements.
Dokkaebi receives a different type of adjustment. Her Jegeo Payload will now require a continuous connection while uploading, meaning defenders can interrupt the process. Mute, IQ and Solis gain new opportunities to interfere with the mechanic.
Her EMP Grenades are also being replaced with Breach Charges.
Additional balance changes include:
- Lion receiving a shorter EE-ONE-D scan warning
- Echo’s Yokai sonic burst recharging faster
- Kapkan’s Entry Denial Device dealing increased damage
Weapon balancing will also affect the AR-15.50, MK 14 EBR and SMG-12.
Villa receives the first targeted map update
Ubisoft is changing its approach to map reworks with Operation Split Fire.
Instead of rebuilding an entire map, the season introduces a targeted update for Villa. The Living Room and Library bomb site is moving into the basement, creating another defensive option and changing how teams approach that section of the map.
The garage is also being moved indoors, while additional layout changes are intended to improve rotations, drone movement and general flow.
Stadium Alpha, Stadium Bravo and House will receive visual modernization, while the Shooting Range and tutorials are also being updated.
3v3 Arcade and drone racing expand the season
Operation Split Fire is not focused exclusively on Ranked.
Ubisoft is adding a limited-time 3v3 Arcade mode built around shorter matches and faster preparation. Teams cannot reuse an Operator after winning a round with that character, adding an attrition element to the smaller format.
Later in the season, Wasteland Circuit introduces something much less traditional: drone racing.
Players will race drones around specially designed tracks featuring obstacles, shortcuts and items. The three-week event also introduces a dieselpunk cosmetic collection.
Doktor’s Curse will then return for Halloween with an expanded Operator selection that includes Mute, Grim and Hibana.
Assessment
Operation Split Fire combines competitive changes with some unusually experimental side content.
Noor is likely to generate the most immediate interest because shield counters can directly influence team composition and attacking strategies. His ability to create pressure through surfaces also gives defenders another form of area denial without simply adding a conventional trap.
Legend Division could be equally important over the longer term. Creating a dedicated SoloQ environment for the highest-ranked players gives Ubisoft another tool for separating elite competition from the broader Ranked population.
The Villa update and Operator balancing reinforce the same competitive direction, while 3v3 Arcade and Wasteland Circuit provide alternatives for players looking for less traditional Siege experiences.
Operation Split Fire launches on September 1, giving players only a few weeks before Noor and the new seasonal systems begin changing the Rainbow Six Siege meta.
