If you’re an Xbox player looking to jump into the tense, tactical 5v5 action of Rainbow Six Siege without dropping full price on the base game, you’ve probably wondered is Rainbow Six Siege on Xbox Game Pass. I’ve been playing Siege on console for over six years, and I’ve helped dozens of friends figure out the cheapest way to get access to the game, plus all the extra content they need to play with their squad. The good news is the answer is pretty straightforward, but there are a few catches you need to know before you sign up for a subscription just to play Siege. We’ll break down everything from what content is included to whether you can play with friends on other platforms, plus common mistakes to avoid.
Is Rainbow Six Siege on Xbox Game Pass? What’s Included in Your Subscription
Yes, Rainbow Six Siege is currently included with all tiers of Xbox Game Pass for console, PC, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions. That means if you have an active subscription, you can download and play the base game immediately, no extra purchase required. But don’t get too excited right away: the base Game Pass version only includes the 20 original launch operators, plus all standard multiplayer maps and the core casual, ranked, and unranked game modes. You won’t get access to any post-launch operators, battle passes, or premium cosmetic bundles with the base subscription alone.
I’ve seen a lot of new players sign up for Game Pass expecting to get access to every operator, only to be disappointed when they can’t play newer characters like Fenrir or Grim right out the gate. That’s not a flaw of the subscription, it’s just how Ubisoft structures access to post-launch content for subscription players. If you want access to the full operator roster, you can purchase the Operator Upgrade pack separately through the Xbox store, or upgrade to the Deluxe or Ultimate edition of Siege if you decide you want to own the game outright later. Any progress you make on the Game Pass version will carry over to a purchased copy, so you don’t have to worry about losing your ranked rank or unlocked cosmetics if you choose to buy the game down the line. The Game Pass version of Siege also supports full crossplay with PC, PlayStation, and Xbox players, so you can squad up with friends no matter what platform they use.
Key Benefits of Playing Rainbow Six Siege Through Xbox Game Pass
For new players who aren’t sure if Siege is the right game for them, playing through Game Pass is one of the best low-risk ways to test the waters. A standard Xbox Game Pass for Console subscription costs far less than the base price of Siege, so you can play for a month or two to see if you enjoy the tactical gameplay before committing to a full purchase. If you only play Siege casually a few times a month with friends, a Game Pass subscription might even be cheaper long-term than buying the game and paying for annual battle passes.
I have a friend who only plays Siege during holiday breaks when his college friends are home, and he saves over $40 a year by subscribing to Game Pass for one month at a time instead of buying the game outright. You also get access to hundreds of other games with your subscription, so if you get burnt out on Siege’s ranked grind, you can jump to another title without paying extra. Some of the biggest perks for Game Pass subscribers playing Siege include:
- Low upfront cost to access the full core Siege experience for as long as your subscription is active
- Full carryover of all in-game progress if you later choose to purchase a full copy of Siege
- Automatic access to all new map updates and core game mode changes as they release
- Eligibility for exclusive Game Pass subscriber discounts on operator packs, battle passes, and game upgrades
Common Limitations of the Game Pass Version of Rainbow Six Siege
Of course, there are a few downsides to playing Siege through Game Pass that you should consider before signing up. First, you lose access to the game as soon as your subscription lapses, unless you purchase a full copy separately. That means if you let your subscription expire for a few months, you won’t be able to play any of the game modes or use your unlocked cosmetics until you resubscribe or buy the game. The base version also only includes the 20 launch operators, which can be a big disadvantage in ranked play, especially against opponents who have access to newer operators with unique abilities that counter the default roster.
New operators release four times a year, so if you don’t purchase extra operator packs, you’ll be missing out on a huge portion of the game’s strategic depth. Another common complaint from Game Pass players is that you can’t access certain limited-time event rewards that require a premium battle pass, unless you purchase the battle pass separately. Some events also require ownership of specific post-launch operators to participate, which means you might get locked out of event game modes if you only have the base Game Pass version. I ran into this issue last year during the Demon Veil event, when I was testing the Game Pass version on a secondary account: I couldn’t join the event playlist because I didn’t own the operator Azami, who was required for the mode. That was a big letdown, since I wanted to play the event with my friends who had the full version of the game.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Siege on Xbox Game Pass
If you decide to play Siege through Game Pass, there are a few simple tips you can follow to get the best experience possible without overspending. First, take advantage of the free 7-day Game Pass trial if you’re a new subscriber, so you can test the game for a full week before paying anything. During that trial period, play a few casual and unranked matches to get a feel for the gameplay, and see if you enjoy it enough to pay for a full month of subscription.
Wait for seasonal sales to purchase operator packs or game upgrades, since Game Pass subscribers get an extra 10-20% discount on all Ubisoft content in the Xbox store during sale periods. If you play Siege regularly, you can also save money by purchasing the annual operator pass, which gives you access to all four new operators released that year, plus exclusive cosmetic rewards, for less than the cost of buying each operator separately. You should also link your Ubisoft Connect account to your Xbox account as soon as you start playing, so you can earn extra rewards for completing in-game challenges, and carry your progress across other platforms if you ever decide to play on PC.
Avoid wasting in-game Renown on individual operators if you plan to upgrade to the full version later, since all operators will be unlocked automatically once you upgrade, and you can save that Renown for premium cosmetics instead. If you only play with friends who have the full operator roster, you can also ask them to pick newer operators that you don’t own during matches, so you can test them out before spending money to unlock them. I do this all the time with my friends who play on Game Pass: I’ll pick an operator they don’t have, swap with them at the start of the round, so they can get a feel for how the ability works before they spend Renown or real money to unlock it.
At the end of the day, whether playing Siege through Game Pass is worth it comes down to how often you play and what content you want access to. If you’re a new player testing the game out, or a casual player who only jumps in a few times a month with friends, it’s one of the most affordable ways to enjoy everything the core game has to offer. If you end up getting hooked on the ranked grind and want access to the full operator roster, you can always upgrade to a full copy later without losing any progress. Now that you know is rainbow six siege on xbox game pass and what to expect from the subscription version, you can make the choice that fits your playstyle and budget best.
