{"id":674,"date":"2025-07-04T12:37:02","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T12:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/?p=674"},"modified":"2025-07-07T13:06:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T13:06:21","slug":"rainbow-six-siege-x-vs-valorant-which-5v5-is-easier-to-play","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/04\/rainbow-six-siege-x-vs-valorant-which-5v5-is-easier-to-play\/","title":{"rendered":"Rainbow Six Siege X vs VALORANT \u2013 which 5v5 is easier to play?"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"686\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Split image with VALORANT character on the left and Rainbow Six Siege operators on the right, separated by a bold &quot;VS&quot; in the center\" class=\"wp-image-193408 lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/A-breakdown-of-gameplay-difficulty-in-5v5-mode-between-Rainbow-Six-Siege-X-and-VALORANT.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image credit: Riot Games\/Ubisoft<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"esi-heading-686bc626c2ed9\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"tldr-2\">TL;DR<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Both R6 Siege X and VALORANT are tactical shooters, with R6 being tactically focused and VALORANT being precision and skillshot focused.<\/li>\n<li>VALORANT is by far the more popular title, with millions of daily players vs up to 100,000 for R6 Siege X.<\/li>\n<li>In a test of R6 Siege pros vs VALORANT pros, there was a clean sweep for R6 Pros in Siege, but 13-8 for VALORANT pros in VALORANT.<\/li>\n<li>Siege X\u2019s operators add a lot of consideration and counter-pick knowledge for successful Siege rounds.<\/li>\n<li>VALORANT will be familiar to many FPS players and is more easily accessible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-background\" style=\"background-color:#9f367b;color:#9f367b\" \/>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626c380d\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>Both titles are 5v5 tactical shooters at their core, and both have loyal fan bases and esports scenes, but which is easier to play? As we look at Rainbow Six Siege X vs VALORANT and run through the elements to consider, we\u2019ll think about where and how they differ from the other title, whether that be in mechanical abilities or tactical awareness, and what this means for ease and accessibility.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626c4009\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>We also dive into some fun and potentially revealing evidence from the pros, look at player counts, and draw on this writer\u2019s decades-long gaming experience to land a balanced conclusion. So, should you currently be deciding which title to check out, or you\u2019re just looking for views on the debate, read on.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-heading-686bc626c484c\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"rainbow_six_siege_x_vs_valorant-2\">Rainbow Six Siege X vs VALORANT<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626c4f40\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>Looking at a comparison of R6 vs VALORANT, we should start with the obvious: regardless of differences, both are 5v5 tactical shooters. This exemplifies the variety available within the genre but honestly doesn\u2019t give either title enough credit for what each has achieved.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-heading-686bc626c5729\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"rainbow_six_siege_x-2\">Rainbow Six Siege X<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1907\" height=\"1198\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Collage of characters from Rainbow Six Siege X, each in combat gear, with diverse appearances and emblems\" class=\"wp-image-193397 lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Rianbow-Six-Siege-X-has-75-operators.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rainbow Six Siege X has 75 operators \/ Image credit: Ubisoft<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626c5f38\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>R6 Siege X is now in its tenth (hence the \u2018X\u2019) year of active support and popularity, with the recent Siege X update <a href=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/rainbow-six-siege-player-count-spike\">spiking the player count<\/a> for R6\u2019s unique brand of tactics-first gameplay. One criticism often leveled at <a href=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/esports-titles\/shooters\/rainbow-six-siege\">R6<\/a> is its gunfight mechanics, but conversely, its tactical gameplay is essentially unmatched when it comes to in-game tracking of vital information and player positioning. Even audio cues are essential for winning rounds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626c66cc\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>Siege X\u2019s 5v5 \u2018Attack vs Defense\u2019 dynamic is a hugely strategic gaming experience, pitting specialist attack and defence operators against each other in close-quarter urban locations where verticality, destructible environments, and unique abilities need to be accounted for and countered.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626c6dbe\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>This makes the game less dependent on precision gunplay and skillshots, but raises the skill ceiling for tactical nous, preparation, and planning with your team. Not to mention knowing the best way to deflect attackers or penetrate defences for each map with 75 operators to choose from.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626c74c0\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>While the 2025 Siege X update and Dual Front mode arguably now move R6 closer to other tac-shooters (CS certainly, in that specific mode), at its core, it\u2019s a situational and operator-centred game for players who thrive in nuance.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-heading-686bc626c7bdb\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"valorant-2\">VALORANT<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626c8319\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>None of this is to say that VALORANT vs Rainbow Six Siege X is a one-sided debate. <a href=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/esports-titles\/shooters\/valorant\">VALORANT<\/a>, especially with the arrival of the <a href=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/valorant-season-2025-act-4-corrode-map-explained\">new Corrode map<\/a>, is now taking a step towards a more classic FPS and less agent-focused approach. This fast-paced title requires precision, accuracy, and familiarity with weapons available via in-game purchase each round.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626c89f3\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>The skills required to eliminate or frustrate the opposing team can stem mainly from players who know their agents like the back of their hands. However, players\u2019 mechanical and reflexive abilities are also required to proactively peek, shoot, rotate, optimise angles, and have a great base in core first-person shooters.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626c9102\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>Naturally, map and agent knowledge are important in VALORANT, but it\u2019s hard to compare any VALORANT map\u2019s site A\/B acquisition requirements to a locked Siege X team with abilities specifically designed for the task of attacking or defending any map\u2019s objective.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-heading-686bc626c9889\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"which_is_easier_to_play-2\">Which is easier to play?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626c9f7e\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>We\u2019re going to avoid the \u2018ranked\u2019 conversation here because matchmaking based on skill levels ultimately obfuscates the objective difficulty of games. Instead, we\u2019re going to deal with our own (this writer\u2019s) experience before looking at the pros. But more on that shortly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626ca682\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>As a gamer for over 30 years, the idea of first-person shooters isn\u2019t hard for me to grasp. Yes, metas, abilities, weapons, maps, and gunplay do change, but the idea of VALORANT as a hero tac-shooter is familiar, and it will likely have some familiarity for you if you\u2019ve played any kind of FPS title.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626cad5c\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>That doesn\u2019t make the skill ceiling low; it just means that I can know what\u2019s going on even if I can\u2019t help turn things around and help my team win. It\u2019s the same feeling I\u2019ve had when jumping into <a href=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/esports-titles\/marvel-rivals\">Marvel Rivals<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/esports-titles\/shooters\/overwatch\">Overwatch<\/a>, because I may not immediately be even average at these games (and well past my fast-twitch muscles\u2019 prime), but I know I can improve fairly quickly with a little time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"488\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"A victorious team of four in tactical gear stands in front of an airplane, with &quot;Blue Team Flawless Victory&quot; text overlayed\" class=\"wp-image-193398 lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/R6-Siege-Pros-beat-Valorant-Pros-4-0-in-Siege-large.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">R6 Siege Pros beat VALORANT Pros 4-0 in Siege \/ Image credit: Shawk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626cb58d\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>That\u2019s not the same for Siege, and I think this may be the core of any VALORANT vs R6 Siege comparison. In my experience, being good at FPS games doesn\u2019t make you solid at Siege, because R6 Siege\u2019s difficulty comes from the niche map+operator+abilities+counters equations needed to understand for reliable tactical planning.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626cbc7b\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>In short, even learning R6 Siege, in-game cues, and possibilities takes longer, while relying on sharpened mechanical aim and shoot skills (not that I have those) isn\u2019t any kind of guarantee of readiness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626cc384\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>Yes, you can come down on the side of \u201cthey\u2019re different and not comparable\u201d, and that\u2019s fair. But it\u2019s also interesting to consider a thought experiment: Rainbow Six Siege X vs VALORANT: who would win? That\u2019s hypothetical, but we have at least one piece of evidence for an answer. Professional Siege and The Finals player, Shawk, tested whether five VALORANT pros could beat five Siege pros in Rainbow Six Siege and whether R6 Siege pros could win in VALORANT.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Can 5 Valorant Pros Beat 5 Siege Pros In Rainbow Six Siege?\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gNRgxlyOisk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626ccae1\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>The answer from this entertaining and pretty revealing 2023 video, posted to Shaw\u2019s YouTube channel, was that neither set of pros could get the W in the other title. However, while the R6 Siege pros won 4-0 in a clean sweep in their own game, the VALORANT Pros won 13-8, closer than you may expect.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1561\" height=\"802\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Scoreboard screen from VALORANT shows a 13-8 defeat. Team stats include average combat score, KDA, and economy rating\" class=\"wp-image-193400 lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Valorant-Pros-Beat-R6-Siege-Pros-13-8-in-Valorant.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">VALORANT Pros Beat R6 Siege Pros 13-8 in VALORANT \/ Image credit: Shawk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"esi-heading-686bc626cd346\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"player_counts-2\">Player counts<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626cda55\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>Can you take player numbers as a quality of accessibility and therefore, ease? Potentially, so here\u2019s what you need to know about VALORANT vs Rainbow Six Siege player counts.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626ce177\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>At the time of writing, VALORANT has around 4-5 million daily players, which is unsurprising given its huge global fanbase and, as we\u2019ve pointed out, easy familiarity for FPS fans. Conversely, Siege X has a daily player count of around 100,000.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626ce870\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>Yes, R6 Siege is 10 years old, but its relatively modest record high of 200,000 consecutive players speaks to its slightly more niche appeal. There are plenty of factors to consider here, but it\u2019s probably fair to say in general that more accessible competitive games that are easier to play (or to understand quickly) get more eyes and more people in lobbies.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"381\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"VALORANT player count statistics show 18,445,616 tracked in July 2025. Graph depicts player trends, peaking at 6,861,264\" class=\"wp-image-193402 lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Valorant-Player-Count-large.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">VALORANT Player count \/ Image credit: TrackerGG<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"esi-heading-686bc626cf0e7\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"conclusion-2\">Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626cf7e6\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>Neither Rainbow Six Siege X nor VALORANT can be considered easy games. However, if we\u2019re picking one that\u2019s easier than the other, then it\u2019s VALORANT. It\u2019s not that the skill ceiling is low in VALORANT, but coming at both titles with no prior experience makes it far more accessible, and R6 Siege X is trickier to get up to speed on.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-686bc626cffb5\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n<p>Siege X\u2019s uniqueness is a huge positive, but it also makes the more niche title harder to jump into and harder to get to grips with. Plus, if R6 Siege pros can win a solid amount of rounds in VALORANT while shutting the door in Siege\u2026it\u2019s a slight glimmer of a reflection of our experiences across the two titles.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"esi-heading-686bc626d0712\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"faqs-2\">FAQs<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\">\n<div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1751630311325\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Is R6 harder than VALORANT?<\/strong><\/strong> <\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">It\u2019s not a clear-cut answer, but it\u2019s fair to say that R6 Siege is trickier in terms of its requirements of tactical, in-game, operator, and ability knowledge.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1751630315834\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is different about Siege X?<\/strong><\/strong> <\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Siege X was a June 2025 update to Rainbow Six Siege, bringing a graphics and audio overhaul, a new Dual Front 6v6 mode with a larger map, and several key gameplay changes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1751630317093\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Is Rainbow Six Siege X better than VALORANT?<\/strong><\/strong> <\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Whether you prefer Rainbow Six Siege X or VALORANT is a personal choice. In terms of global popularity, at the time of writing, VALORANT is the bigger game, with 4-5 million daily players, according to Tracker.gg, compared to around 100,000 players in R6 Siege X (according to SteamCharts).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1751630318734\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Are Rainbow Six Siege X and VALORANT similar?<\/strong><\/strong> <\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Despite both being 5v5 tactical shooters at their core, Rainbow Six Siege X and VALORANT aren\u2019t very similar. R6 Siege X is far more tactically focused, with individual operator and situational awareness being key. VALORANT is a more traditional FPS-style title where gunplay and skill shots are important.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/rainbow-six-siege-x-vs-valorant\">Rainbow Six Siege X vs VALORANT &#8211; which 5v5 is easier to play?<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\">Esports Insider<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Image credit: Riot Games\/Ubisoft TL;DR Both R6 Siege X and VALORANT are tactical shooters, with R6 being tactically focused and VALORANT being precision and skillshot focused. VALORANT is by far the more popular title, with millions of daily players vs up to 100,000 for R6 Siege X. In a test of R6 Siege pros vs&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":676,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-674","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/674","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=674"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/674\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":682,"href":"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/674\/revisions\/682"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/676"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=674"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=674"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jstarwear.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=674"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}