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Spawn-peeks & Runouts

Become an aggressive player on defense!

Introduction

Subjected topics are quite controversial aspects of defending in Rainbow Six Siege.
Playerbase is generally split into two camps:
  • dirty and should not be the thing in Siege
  • high risk/high reward plays, part of the game
My personal approach to this topic:
I am okay with both tactics. However, I don’t particularly enjoy matches where the opposing team constantly runs out and spawn-peeks everything.
 
But hey, unless they are better than me, in which case they would and should probably win anyway, it is relatively easy to counter.
In this guide, we will discuss both actions from a defensive play perspective.

In this guide, we will discuss both actions from a defensive play perspective.
Both plays will be described in details, with information on:

  • Definition
  • Main objectives
  • How to guide

Spawn-Peeking

Definition
First, let’s define what spawn-peeking is and what it is not.
Spawn-peeking is not the same as spawn-killing!
definition
Spawn-killing is killing enemies immediately after they have spawned, without giving them a chance to move away or react to your attempt. 
Maps should not be designed in a way to allow such actions. Therefore spawn-killing can be considered as glitch/bug abusing, even in tournaments.
 
Spawn-peeking is attempting to kill attackers when they already spawned and moved out of cover or was rushed at spawn location (having chance to react to defender’s action).
The goal of Spawn-peeks
The main objective of spawn-peeking is to give an early advantage to your team by:
  • killing attacker(s)
    Such a result provides man count benefit to the defensive team, which can drastically change how the round will play. An additional bonus when an early picked off attacker has essential utility for attackers tactic – for example, Thermite or Thatcher.
  • wasting time
    Slowing down attackers during the approach phase can play a significant role at later stages of the round.
    On top of that, opponents are likely to proceed more carefully and feel uncomfortable with every action following the spawn-peek attempt.
How to Spawn-peek
To spawn-peek defender peeks outside of the building to an area where attackers are anticipated to come from when approaching the objective building.
Therefore, spawn-peeking is achieved by breaking barricades in windows or doors, either fully or partially. 
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On top of that, in some scenarios defenders can open a hole in penetrable walls to get an angle on approaching attackers – such opening can be achieved with:
  • explosives
    Impact grenades or Nitro Cell create opening sufficient for not only spawn-peeks but also runouts. 
  • shotguns
  • punching a hole
    Extremely useful for sneaky pixel peeks. The quietest technique for creating new angles in Rainbow Six Siege. 
Thought process when Spawn-peeking
  1. Spawn-peek when you know the map
    It is an advanced tactic that requires good aim and maps knowledge to be consistently successful.
    The defender needs to know spawn locations and the usual route leading from spawn to the objective building that an attacker is likely to use.
  2. Pick the right operator for the job
    Operators with magnifying scopes are best for spawn-peeks as they are usually long-distance engagements.

    Conversely, do not spawn-peek with a defender who should stay alive to benefit the team during a late stages of the round, such as Lesion or Smoke.

  3. Don’t try to spawn-peek for too long
    If none of the attackers crossed your crosshair in the first 5-10 seconds of the round, then you should abandon the peek attempt.

    In such a scenario, either none of the attackers spawned in that location or droned you out and avoided peek by choosing a different route.

  4. Don’t peek if you were droned out
    One of the main advantages of spawn-peeks is having an element of surprise on attackers. Once this element is neutralized, your odds of winning a gunfight decrease.

    Attackers can pre-aim your location easily as they have only a handful of windows and doors to look a. At the same time, you usually have a big area where they can pop out from. As a result, without an element of surprise or superior aim, you are at a severe disadvantage when spawn-peeking attacking squad.

  5. Pre-open barricades at the end of the preparation phase
    Break the barricade at the end of the preparation phase or start of the action phase.
    Unless you are faking a spawn-peek attempt, it is better to open the barricade when the preparation phase finishes. During that time, attackers are forced out of drones, hence might not have visual information about incoming spawn-peek even if the drone was overlooking your location from outside.

    Additionally, the action phase begins with the audio notification that may prevent attackers from hearing the sound of breaking barricade.

  6. Don’t get greedy
    You won’t always get kills while spawn-peeking.
    Try to stay level headed and avoid getting greedy, going for the kills regardless of risk and cost.
    If you damaged your enemies and forced them to slow down approach, you’ve done your job!

    Greed is an enemy of success in Rainbow Six Siege.

  7. Be creative and unpredictable
    Creativity, which gives you an element of surprise, is one of the most essential aspects of winning rounds in Rainbow Six Siege.

    Try to find new angles, mix up your attempts, and do not use the same spots against the same enemies.

  8. Practice, practice & practice
    Just like in case of any skill: if you do not practice it, you will suck at it.
    Watch the spawn peek videos listed below to learn good spawn peek spots, learn new angles from your enemies, and try for yourself.
Fake Spawn Peek
Even if you do not intend to spawn-peek, I strongly recommend opening holes in some barricades overlooking to spawn points. By doing so, you are potentially wasting attackers’ time and make them feel uncomfortable.
 
However, watch out which windows/doors you are breaking. Do not break vital windows or doors on the objective that you can get shot from during the round.

Runouts

Definition
Runouts mean defender running outside by leaving the objective building for either brief time or more extended period to get a jump on an attacker.
definition
Defenders have 1 second before being spotted (changed during Year 5 – it was 2 seconds before), after which the defender’s live position is revealed to all attackers until the defender returns to the building, or gets killed.
 
Runouts can be performed during the entire action phase. It can be done at the beginning of the round or in the middle of it.
However, defenders are not able to runout of the building during the preparation phase.
Runouts are very high risk, and high reward plays.
The goal of Runouts
Primary goals of runouts are incredibly similar to spawn peeks as they aim to provide an advantage to defending team by:
  • killing attacker(s)
    Such a result provides man count benefit to the defensive team, which can drastically change how the round will play.
    An additional bonus occurs when an early picked off attacker has an essential utility for attackers’ tactics.
  • wasting time
    After a runout, you can bet that attackers will feel antsy about future runouts from defenders and will either relocate or dedicate a person to watch for it.
    As a result, you will waste time and make attackers feel less comfortable with proceeding.
How to Runout
To runout of the objective building defender will have to either:
  • open a barricade in window or doorway, by:
    • fully opening it with 3 melee attacks or opening animation
    • hitting it twice with a melee attack, which will allow to vault through
    • using explosives
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  • create a hole in a destructible wall with:
    • explosives – the fastest and most common technique
    • shotgun – only useful when made beforehand as it takes too much time and noise
Remember that you cannot vault through every window in Siege. You need to be able to survive the fall, so runout is often impossible from top floor windows (quite some exceptions here, though).
How to time runouts
When running out on attackers, you should have an idea where they are and minimize the time needed for you to be outside to get an angle on your prey.
 
To get intel about the enemy’s presence, use:
  • default external cameras
    Even pro teams forget at times to shoot those down. Always check which external cameras remain available, not only for runouts but to also figure where the attack is coming from!
  • intel-gathering utility
    Such utility involves:
    • Valkyrie Black eye cameras
    • Echo Yokai drones
    • Pulse Cardiac scanner
    • Maestro Evil eyes
    • Mozzie drones and so on
      Use the utility to gather intel about attackers’ presence outside to decide when and where runout on opponents.
  • sound
    You can use intel even without visual confirmation of enemies’ presence.
    Use sounds such as gunfire, rappel, breaking barricades, and any other sound that indicates action or location.
  • callouts
    Runouts and flanks can benefit significantly from callouts about attackers’ location.
    Use information about enemy rappelling on windows to your advantage!
     
Now that we know how to gather intel that will help us with runouts let’s focus on DOs and DON’Ts for runouts.
Thought process for Runouts
  1. Choose the right spot for runout
    It is crucial to choose a runout location, which:
    • Gives an angle on attackers as soon as possible. You have only a second before being spotted!
    • Is unexpected by attacking squad
    • Is unpredictable – due to creativity and changing tendencies
  1. Don’t get greedy
    If you couldn’t get a jump on the attacker in your first few seconds and didn’t get a kill on the first try, don’t try again immediately.
    Although, running out later from a different spot can be a good tactic, using the same runout is likely to get you killed.
  1. Pre-double-hit future runouts
    Such planning in advance will speed up the process as you can vault instantaneously without giving a sound cue of upcoming runout.
    For many windows, you can hit bottom twice, which is invisible on the exterior side
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  1. Runout when attackers are busy & feel comfortable
    Let them feel like they do not have to worry about flanks and runouts, which will lower focus and shift attention to other areas.
    It is essential to conceal your intention of running out on attacking squad from certain direction. Try to hide from drones and do not get spotted nearby runout location. Being spotted will drastically increase opponents’ attention to such part of the map.

  2. Go for rappelling attackers
    While rappelling attackers are exposed heavily to runouts as their mobility and an angle they can aim at are impaired.
    It may feel counter-intuitive, but when running out on rappelled attacker, go farther almost behind them.
    There’s a limit of angle attacker can aim behind them (90 degrees to either side), so you get an easy kill by doing so!

  3. Attackers are defenseless while droning
    Heard the sound of a drone being deployed or saw drone coming into the building without seeing you?
    It might be the right moment to jump on the unsuspecting attacker.

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