Solid Snake is now available as a new, permanent Operator in Rainbow Six Siege, bringing with him an enemy-pinpointing powerhouse of a gadget that delivers intel to a degree that Siege has never seen. The master of infiltration from the Metal Gear Solid series also packs a new suppressed pistol, and has the ability to replenish his secondary gadgets throughout the round using his On-Site Procurement prowess. He joins the roster today with the launch of Operation Silent Hunt, a new season packed with Metal Gear Solid series collaborations, including the brand new [REDACTED] event debuting in a few weeks (yes, that’s the actual name), which pairs Solid Snake with another iconic stealth Operator: Sam Fisher from the Splinter Cell series (known as Zero in Rainbow Six Siege). Read on to learn all about Solid Snake’s gadget and how to maximize its potential (or cleverly avoid its detection).

The Soliton Radar MK III – Solid Snake’s Incisive Intel Gadget

Rainbow Six Siege is a game about intel, and many of the Operators on both attack and defense specialize in acquiring or denying the vital information that could tip the scales of the round. Solid Snake is one such Operator, though his Soliton Radar MK III is capable of finding foes in a whole new way. When he equips the device, it displays the floorplan of the nearby area, offering helpful clues as to which walls and floors are soft – and prime for tactical destruction. It also lights up in one of three colors: green for All Clear, yellow for Caution, and red for Alert.

• Green / All Clear – This means the radar detects no threats in the immediate vicinity. This is good news, but not the whole story, as there are several ways that Defenders can conceal themselves from the Soliton MK III.
• Yellow / Caution – Be on your guard as this means a nearby CCTV (or default) camera is currently being watched by an enemy. The radar displays all CCTV cams as small yellow rectangles, and any nearby objective appears as a yellow diamond.
• Red / Alert – Watch out, your radar has detected one or more enemies nearby!

When you see the red alert, that’s when it’s time to unleash the real superpower of the Soliton Radar MK III: Precision Mode. This mode overclocks the radar for a short period of time, showing Solid Snake the exact location of any enemy in the area. What’s more, it shows him which direction his enemies are facing, in a direct nod to the enemy vision cones visible in his Metal Gear Solid series missions. Never before have intel Operators been able to get this kind of detail about their enemies without having a camera in the room, and the fact that Solid Snake can obtain this intel without risking his gadget (a camera drone can be shot, after all) makes it all the more powerful. Here are some quick tips to get started with the Soliton MK III

• Post-Plant Perception – The radar is perfect for monitoring a planted defuser, as even the standard mode alerts you when enemies are trying to retake the objective.
• Rapid Rappel Readings – Though the radar only scans the floor you are on, rappelling on the exterior of a building is a great way to change floors rapidly and increase your radar coverage area.
• The Buddy System – Working with your allies is paramount to getting the most out of Snake’s gadget; try tucking in behind a Blackbeard as he advances behind his shield and you give him exact callouts with Precision Mode.
• Watch Out For Traps! – There’s nothing worse than vaulting in a window thinking you’re getting the drop on an enemy facing away from you, only to land in a Frost trap.

The Snake Has Fangs – Solid Snake’s Loadout

The two primary weapon options for Solid Snake are inspired by his iconic loadouts in the Metal Gear Solid series. The F2 assault rifle offers a blisteringly fast fire rate with a fairly substantial recoil; fortunately, this can be mitigated now that grip attachments are available on the powerful yet formidable weapon. If you prefer to hit harder with every shot, the PMR90A2 designated marksman rifle packs a punch and can be equipped with a suppressor to suit Solid Snake’s stealthy style.

But for silenced infiltration (and quietly taking out those CCTV cameras), nothing beats the new TACIT .45 pistol with an integrated suppressor and reflex sight. Inspired by several different stealth weapons used in the Metal Gear Solid franchise, the TACIT .45 is among the more lethal Siege sidearms and absolutely not to be taken lightly.

Make the Impossible Possible with On-Site Procurement

Among Solid Snake’s many skills is scavenging supplies mid-mission and adapting his approach accordingly; to capture this improvisational mastery in Rainbow Six Siege, the dev team tweaked some systems to allow Snake to have up to five different secondary gadgets at once. As part of his On-Site Procurement ability, Snake can loot eliminated enemies or allies for secondary gadgets (with the exception of team-killed allies); you can toggle which one he picks up by using your switch ability button. Frag, stun, and smoke grenades, as well as impact EMPs or breach charges are all on the menu for Snake, and though he only starts with one solitary item and maxes out at one item per category, On-Site Procurement opens up a world of tactical possibilities whether you’re meeting a specific need for your team or just scooping up more explosive ordnance to throw at all the enemies you find on your radar. Choosing Operators based on their utility is a key strategy in Rainbow Six Siege, and with Solid Snake, your strategic options expand significantly.