Ubisoft is set to introduce an exciting new feature to Rainbow Six Siege X, and players are buzzing with anticipation. In January, the game will unveil the Testing Grounds playlist, offering a fresh and experimental way to experience the game. This innovative mode will allow players to test features still in development, with the initial focus on significant changes to armour and speed dynamics.
The New Armour and Speed System
Reports suggest that Testing Grounds will debut a revamped armour and speed system, allowing players to tailor an operator’s durability, mobility, and audibility before matches begin. A video shared on the game’s social media provides a glimpse of this system in action, highlighting Gridlock, traditionally known for being one armour and three speed. The update introduces five levels of armour, a three-tier sound scale, a health range from 70 to 150, and customisable speed settings.
Every 20 health points adjusted will impact speed by 5%, with sound options ranging from normal to loud, and potentially a ‘quiet’ setting based on health allocation. Through Testing Grounds, player feedback will be instrumental in refining these changes before they are fully incorporated into the live game, though an exact timeline remains unconfirmed.
Impact on R6 Esports
The balance of operators is crucial in the competitive world of Rainbow Six Siege X. With the introduction of changes to armour and speed, shifts in the game’s meta are expected to influence both casual play and professional esports communities. Depending on how swiftly feedback is collected and features are implemented, these changes could be felt as early as the 2026 Six Invitationals in February. If not, future tournaments and majors will certainly experience these adjustments in subsequent seasons.
The Testing Grounds concept may remind long-time fans of the technical test servers previously available to PC players, but this new approach promises a broader and more inclusive engagement with the community.