What Makes an Attacker “Best” in R6
In Rainbow Six Siege, the best attackers R6 aren’t just the ones with the strongest guns. If it were only about damage, everyone would lock in the same few fraggers and call it a day. Good attackers bring three things:
- Utility – they open walls, clear gadgets, control flanks, or gather intel.
- Consistency – their gadget works on every map and doesn’t rely on perfect timing.
- Flexibility – they fit in solo queue and coordinated stacks.
If an operator gives your team reliable openings, better information, and safer pushes, they’re on the path to being one of the best attackers in R6 – even if their KD isn’t always top of the scoreboard.
Roles on Attack – Quick Overview
Before we rank operators, it helps to remember the main roles on attack. The best attackers R6 list usually includes at least one from each of these categories:
| Role | What They Do | Typical Operators |
|---|---|---|
| Hard Breacher | Open reinforced walls and hatches | Ace, Thermite, Hibana, Maverick |
| Soft Breacher | Destroy floors, soft walls, and utility | Sledge, Buck, Ash, Zofia |
| Entry Fragger | Go in first, take duels, make space | Iana, Ash, Grim, Nøkk |
| Intel / Anti-Roam | Track roamers, gather info, secure flanks | Jackal, Lion, Dokkaebi, Zero |
| Support | Help execute on site, protect team, clear gadgets | Thatcher, Zero, Nomad, Sens |
Strong team comps mix these roles. When you’re thinking about the best attackers R6 for your team, ask: “Do we have breach, soft destruction, info, and flank control?” If the answer is yes, you’re already ahead of most ranked lobbies.
Top 5 Best Attackers R6 in 2025 (Quick List)
These operators show up over and over in ranked and competitive play. They’re powerful, forgiving, and useful on almost every map.
| Operator | Main Gadget | Primary Role | Why They’re Strong |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ace | SELMA Breaching Device | Hard Breacher | Opens walls and hatches safely from range with good guns |
| Thermite | Exothermic Charge | Hard Breacher | Big, fast wall openings that still shape the meta |
| Iana | Gemini Replicator | Entry / Info | Safe scouting and strong fragging weapons |
| Jackal | Eyenox Tracker | Roam Clear / Intel | Hunts roamers and reduces flank risk |
| Sledge | Tactical Breaching Hammer | Soft Breacher | Simple and powerful vertical control with solid rifle |
If you’re overwhelmed by operator choice, starting with these five is a safe bet. They almost always bring value, even when your team’s coordination is a bit… “solo queue.”
Ace – The Modern Standard of Breach
Ace sits at the top of many best attackers R6 discussions because he does almost everything you want from a hard breacher with fewer risks. His SELMA devices stick to surfaces and open them in sections, whether it’s a wall, hatch, or even wooden barricade.
How to Use Ace Effectively
- Play mid-range. You’re not the first in, but you shouldn’t be AFK on a roof either. Follow your entry and prepare to open key walls.
- Use drones early. Before placing SELMAs, make sure there are no Bandit batteries, Kaid claws, or Mute jammers in range.
- Throw from safety. One of Ace’s biggest strengths is placing gadgets from outside the building or behind cover. Don’t waste that by standing in doorways.
Ace Loadout Tips
- Primary: AK-12 or M4 – the AK-12 has better DPS, but pick the one whose recoil you control best.
- Secondary: P9 or PMM – choose whatever feels more stable to you.
- Secondary Gadget: Smoke grenades are perfect for covering plant attempts through your own openings.
Ace shines in coordinated teams but also works perfectly in solo ranked. Even if nobody talks, a couple of well-placed SELMAs instantly create pressure and make you one of the best attackers on the server that round.
Thermite – The Classic, Still S-Tier
Thermite is the original hard breacher and still one of the best attackers R6 options when you want big, clean openings. His Exothermic Charges blow wide holes in reinforced walls, forcing defenders to reposition whether they like it or not.
When to Pick Thermite
- On maps where one big wall decides the round: Clubhouse (CCTV), Oregon (Kids / Master), Consulate (Garage).
- When your team already has soft breach and intel but no reliable wall opener.
- When you play with a support duo – for example, paired with Thatcher, Zero, or IQ.
Thermite Gameplan
- Drone the wall area and check for electricity or jammers.
- Coordinate with EMP or Maverick holes to disable denial.
- Place your Exothermic Charge and protect it – body-block bullet holes or angles defenders might shoot through.
- Once the wall is open, hold the new angle and let entries take space through it.
Thermite doesn’t look flashy, but every serious team respects him. When people talk about “winning with fundamentals,” Thermite is exactly the kind of operator they mean.
Iana – Entry With Built-In Intel
Iana blends fragger and intel into one package, which is why she’s listed in almost every modern best attackers R6 ranking. Her Gemini Replicator creates a hologram of herself that she can move around as if she were pushing in – but if it dies, she’s safe.
Why Iana Is So Strong
- Risk-free scouting: Clear corners without sacrificing your own life or drones.
- Confusion: Defenders often waste bullets, gadgets, or even C4 on your clone.
- Weapons: The ARX200 and G36C are both excellent rifles with strong damage and clear sights.
Practical Iana Tricks
- Use your clone to bait swings. Send it into a doorway and watch which defender peeks – then challenge for real from a different angle.
- Coordinate with another entry. Your Gemini checks a room while your teammate holds the cross for anyone who tries to shoot it.
- Don’t forget real drones. The Gemini is great, but it can’t mark gadgets or stay in place. Use both tools together.
If you enjoy aggressive play but hate dying to surprise angles, Iana is one of the best attackers R6 you can learn. She rewards good game sense and creativity more than raw aim.
Jackal – The Roamer’s Nightmare
Roamers win rounds by wasting time and flanking at the worst possible moments. Jackal denies that playstyle almost entirely. His Eyenox scans footprints and reveals where defenders have moved, turning the hunters into the hunted.
How Jackal Controls the Map
- Footprint scans: Each scan pings the defender several times, making hiding difficult.
- Roam pressure: Defenders often give up map control early to avoid being tracked.
- Solo power: Even without comms, you get free info on where a defender is or was recently.
Jackal Playstyle Tips
- Don’t scan footprints instantly. Follow the trail a bit to guess the defender’s route, then scan when your team is ready to push.
- Pair Jackal with hard roam clear operators like Lion or Dokkaebi to trap defenders.
- Use your shotgun secondary (if available in your loadout) to open quick lines of sight or escape paths.
In ranked especially, Jackal’s simple but effective intel makes him one of the easiest ways to climb. Shutting down roamers means fewer surprise deaths and more time to execute on site – which is exactly what the best attackers R6 should help you do.
Sledge – Simple, Strong, and Always Useful
Sledge is the definition of “easy to learn, always relevant.” His breaching hammer turns entire floors into sightlines and plant denial zones. Vertical play has been core to Siege for years, and Sledge is one of the cleanest ways to access it.
Why Sledge Stays in the Meta
- Unlimited soft destruction (within reason): As long as you have hammer swings, you can keep making openings.
- Perfect for beginners: No tricky gadget placement or high-APM mechanics.
- Great weapon: The L85A2 is one of the most comfortable rifles in the game.
Basic Sledge Routes
On many maps, the best attackers R6 path with Sledge looks like this:
- Spawn on the side that lets you reach above or below the objective quickly.
- Enter a safe floor, clear basic roamers with drones or teammates.
- Start opening the floor above defenders’ usual anchor spots, shield positions, and common plant spots.
- Use grenades dropped through floor holes to clear shields, Maestro cams, and other bulky gadgets.
If you’re new to Siege or just want a reliable secondary operator, Sledge should be high on your personal best attackers R6 list.
Other Strong Attackers You Should Know
The top five aren’t the only ones worth learning. Some operators are slightly more situational but still show up constantly in higher-level play.
| Operator | Role | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Maverick | Hard Breach / Flex | Silent or un-deniable wall openings when Bandit / Kaid are present |
| Thatcher | Support / Anti-Gadget | EMP disables electronic denial; pairs perfectly with Ace or Thermite |
| Nomad | Flank Watch | Airjabs protect your back and lock down runout windows and staircases |
| Zero | Intel / Support | Sam Fisher-style cameras give extra info and flank coverage |
| Ash | Soft Breach / Entry | Fast aggression plus ranged breaching for openings and shield removal |
These attackers may not headline every “top 5” graphic, but they win games. Any best attackers R6 tier list feels incomplete without at least mentioning them.
Building a Strong Attacker Lineup
Good lineups matter more than individual operators. You can have the “best” fraggers in the game, but if nobody brought hard breaching or flank control, your round collapses fast.
Example Balanced Team Comp
- Ace – hard breacher
- Sledge – soft breacher / vertical play
- Iana – entry fragger / info
- Jackal – anti-roam
- Nomad – flank watch
This setup covers:
- Reinforced walls and hatches
- Soft destruction and vertical control
- Roam pressure and flank security
- Reliable entries and intel
When in doubt, think in roles first, operator names second. That mindset naturally pushes you toward the best attackers R6 for your specific match.
Common Mistakes on Attack
Even with strong operators, many players lose rounds for the same reasons. Avoid these and your attackers instantly feel “better,” no balance patch required.
- Not using drones. You have two drones for a reason. Use at least one before entering the building.
- Ignoring utility. Picking Ace, then playing him like Ash, wastes your team’s wall breaching potential.
- Rushing solo. Even the best attackers R6 lose gunfights when they push alone into crossfires.
- Forgetting flanks. No flank watch = you get stabbed at 0:30 while planting.
- Double-stacking roles. Five hard fraggers with no breach is a recipe for frustration.
Fixing these basics often matters more than swapping operators. Once the fundamentals are there, your favorite attackers suddenly feel “top tier.”
Best Attackers R6 – Solo Queue vs. 5-Stack
The same operator can feel completely different depending on whether you’re playing alone or with a full team.
Best Attackers for Solo Queue
- Jackal: You bring your own intel and slow roamers without needing comms.
- Iana: You self-check angles and play aggressively without relying on others.
- Sledge: Utility is obvious and useful even when no one calls anything.
- Nomad: Airjabs protect you and your random teammates from late flanks.
Best Attackers for Stacks
- Ace / Thermite + Thatcher / Maverick: Coordinated wall takes shine with voice comms.
- Zero: Cameras become way more valuable when everyone watches them.
- Glaz / Sens: Niche picks that need coordination to execute smoke pushes.
When building your personal best attackers R6 pool, consider who you usually play with. Some ops are brilliant in theory, but feel awful without a microphone and a coordinated team.
How Patches Shift the Best Attackers R6
Rainbow Six Siege is constantly changing. A small recoil adjustment or gadget tweak can bump a character up or down the tier list overnight. That’s why “best” is always a moving target.
Typical changes that shake up the best attackers R6 rankings include:
- Recoil reworks: Make some guns easier or harder to control.
- Gadget buffs/nerfs: Extra EMP grenades, fewer frag grenades, etc.
- Map reworks: Open new breach spots or remove old ones, changing operator value.
- New operators: Bring overlapping roles and shift who’s truly “best.”
The key isn’t memorizing every small patch note. It’s understanding why an operator is strong. Once you know that, you can tell if a buff or nerf really matters – or if your favorite pick is still secretly one of the best attackers R6 despite the community overreacting.
FAQ – Best Attackers R6
Who is the best all-round attacker right now?
For pure flexibility, Ace is a top contender. He offers hard breach, good weapons, and safe gadget use. If you only want to learn one modern attacker, he’s a great choice.
Who should beginners start with?
Sledge and Thermite are perfect starting points. Their gadgets are easy to understand, and they teach core attack habits like vertical play and wall control.
Is Ash still worth playing?
She’s no longer the automatic best entry in every lobby, but Ash is still strong, especially if you like fast, aggressive play and soft breach from range. She’s not always top of the best attackers R6 lists anymore, but she’s far from weak.
Do I need a hard breacher every round?
Almost always, yes. Some sites can be taken without reinforced wall openings, but in most ranked games, not bringing a hard breacher makes your life much harder.
What if my aim is bad?
Focus on operators with strong utility – Jackal, Nomad, Sledge, Thermite, Zero. Useful gadgets can win rounds even if you’re not top fragger yet.
Final Thoughts – Building Your Own Best Attackers R6 Pool
The official best attackers R6 lists will keep changing as Ubisoft updates the game, but one thing never changes: operators who bring reliable utility, good information, and steady pressure will always be valuable.
Use tier lists as a compass, not a prison. Start with proven picks like Ace, Thermite, Iana, Jackal, and Sledge. Learn why they’re strong. Then slowly mix in other operators that match your personality – maybe Nomad for flank control, Maverick for quiet openings, or Zero for stealthy intel.
In the end, the “best” attacker is the one you understand deeply. Learn your routes, practice your drones, coordinate (or at least pay attention) to your team, and your favorite operators will start feeling top tier – no matter what the patch notes say.