The Crystal Guard update is on the way and Rainbow Six Siege's Flash Detection is going to be changing - hopefully for the better! Here's everything we know about when Y6S3 is due to start and the current status of the rework.
TWEAKS - Test Server changes nerfing Stuns
The Rainbow Six Siege Crystal Guard Test Server has been updated and it looks like the Flash Detection changes - detailed below - are already being tweaked ahead of the Y6S3 update next month.
The following changes have been made and it looks like Stuns are being nerfed...
- FLASH EFFECT UPDATE
- Decreased the duration of the flash effect based on the player's orientation.
- Affects Stun grenades, Ying's Candela and Blitz's G52-Tactical Shield.
- BUG FIXES
- LEVEL DESIGN
- FIXED – Flores' RCE-Ratero Charge and Twitch's Shock Drone get destroyed near fences on various maps.
- FIXED – Multiple asset, collision, and destruction issues on various maps.
- FIXED – A gap is visible when Osa's Talon-8 shield is attached to the door in Service Entrance/Kitchen on the Coastline map.
- OPERATORS
- FIXED – Shooting the back of Maestro's Evil Eye while his shield is open, destroys the device.
- LEVEL DESIGN
The Siege Test Server is the best chance you'll have of preparing yourself for the next title update - the changes being discussed aren't guaranteed to be implemented, but that doesn't mean they won't help. If anything, you'll be able to get a sense of the new map changes.
Flash Detection Changes - Patch Notes
The latest set of Pre-Season Designer's Notes have shared everything we need to know about the changes coming to Flash Detection in Siege's Y6S3 update - which also introduces Operation Crystal Guard.
As you can see below, it looks like Stun Grenades will be more useful going forwards.
- Ying's Candela, Blitz's G52-Tactical Shield, and the Stun Grenade use a new flash detection system that calculates flash duration. It takes the environment and angle of the explosion into account as well as players' distance and orientation.
- If an Operator is affected, they will always be flashed at 100%, but the duration will change each time, increasing the reliability of the flash effect.
Essentially, Flash Detection has been changed from the duration of flash as opposed to intensity. This means that the further away you are will determine how long you'll be blinded. Seems fair, right?
When does the Y6S3 update drop?
The next season of content - which will introduce the new Flash Detection changes to Siege - is due to start as soon as the current season ends. This means Operation Crystal Guard should start on August 30th.
UPDATE: The Test Server now reflects Crystal Guard content which would suggest the full release of Y6S3 is scheduled for September 7th, or later. We do not have confirmation of this yet.
Looking more specifically at the time of day the new update is due to drop, we can look at the time of day Operation North Star arrived. As you can see below, we should see Operation Crystal Guard and Y6S3 arrive after an hour of Server Maintenance at the following times:
- Steam
- Maintenance Time: 09:00 EST / 12:00 PST / 17:00 BST
- Release Time: 10:00 EST / 13:00 PST / 18:00 BST
- Uplay
- Maintenance Time: 09:00 EST / 12:00 PST / 17:00 BST
- Release Time: 10:00 EST / 13:00 PST / 18:00 BST
- Xbox Consoles
- Maintenance Time: 10:00 EST / 13:00 PST / 18:00 BST
- Release Time: 11:00 EST / 14:00 PST / 19:00 BST
- PlayStation Consoles
- Maintenance Time: 11:00 EST / 14:00 PST / 19:00 BST
- Release Time: 12:00 EST / 15:00 PST / 20:00 BST
Osa, the newest Operator, is being added to Siege alongside Operator changes to Fuse, IQ, and Twitch. Bank, Coastline, and Clubhouse are all going to be changing slightly with Bank getting something more along the lines of the full rework other locations have seen recently.