Image via Ubisoft
We've all been there in a game of Rainbow Six Siege. We clear the hallway with our drones, only to be shot in the back by someone with the dreaded Ember Rise seasonal skin, the one that allows you to effectively blend into the background.
When they were released, the Wind Bastion and — more notably — the Ember Rise skins were loathed by the Rainbow Six Siege community. Their sheer power in-game led to them being banned in competitive play, the first domino that led to all cosmetics other than R6 Share operator cosmetics and weapon skins being banned in competitive play.
The skins were so good that G2 gave their players money to buy them, sensing a competitive advantage, according to then-G2 star player Niclas "Pengu" Mouritzen.
Unfortunately, it looks like the days of Ember Rise terror are back with High Calibre, and Rainbow Six Siege players aren't exactly enthused with the revelation.
High Calibre skins concern Rainbow Six Siege players
In-game screenshot from the store
The Ember Rise skins were and are controversial — and for good reason. They're seen as effectively "pay to win" camouflage. On some maps, they blend right into the walls and floors. In a game like Siege, where visibility and making informed decisions are key, an opponent's wallet determining an engagement doesn't feel great.
That being said, hopefully the High Calibre skins will be visible enough with the changes to skin visibility that dropped with the last season, Crystal Guard.
There are still fans that feel the skins are a little too much, or perhaps they remind them too much of the day where Ember Rise skins ran rampant in Ranked. In order to win at Gold II or higher at that time, you had to have one of those skins equipped.
What do you think? Are the High Calibre skins too much?