R6 Siege North Star weapon changes: All Y6S2 buffs and nerfs

The North Star update has been officially revealed a few weeks ago, bringing to the game a bunch of new content, balance and design changes slated to be released with the expansion.

The Y6S2 patch for Rainbow Six Siege features a number of fundamental balancing changes that will come with North Star.

Asides from balance changes and operator reworks, the update features several major changes to gameplay mechanics, including the Gameplay After Death system, Armor being replaced with HP, shattered glass, and more.

The Favela map has undergone a huge rework as well, with the aim to make the map more competitive, and not just a casual playground.

• Read more: R6 Siege Y6S2 update: Downtime, patch notes, new Operator, more

As usual, some of the biggest changes are reserved for Operators and Weapons.

With Y6S2 patch notes being officially revealed, let's check out what weapon changes will we see on the Y6S2 patch.

North Star attachments changes 

Several attachment changes are slated for the release in the Y6S2 patch.

• There will be "an important update" to barrel attachments, which will reduce the overall recoil.
• Flash Hider now reduces the speed and intensity of vertical recoil.
• Compensator now reduces the speed and intensity of horizontal recoil.

Additionally, Muzzle breaks will now recenter your shots even quicker and overall, with these changes developers want to make some weapons easier to control, but also to give muzzle attachments a distinct advantage that will players easily recognize and understand what will they do for their loadout.

The Bearing 9

(Picture: Ubisoft)

• Modified recoil, easier to control.
• The horizontal spread will be more constant and closer to the center.

Ubisoft explains that with these changes they are targeting both casual and top-ranked players.

The Bearing 9 buffs are aiming to help Hibana and Echo players, and they think that the best way to do so is by making the Bearing 9 more reliable and consistent.

Thunderbird, the newest operator to be added to the roster, is also having the Bearing 9 at her disposal, and developers want to make sure that she enters the game with a high-quality loadout.

The SMG-12

(Picture: Ubisoft)

• Modified recoil, easier to control
• Reduced first shot kick
• Reduced vertical kick
• The horizontal spread will be more predictable and constant to the left
• Long burst recoil will start on the 12th bullet (previously the 6th)

These changes to the SMG-12 are planned as an indirect buff to Vigil, Dokkaebi and Warden.

Developers explain that the SMG-12 was always a rather problematic weapon to control, and thus, despite having a very high rate of fire, was not really a popular choice, and that's why they are reducing the recoil, which they hope will make it a more desirable option.

• Read more: Everything we know about Rainbow Six Siege Operation North Star

And there you have it, these are all of the current changes slated for weapons in the North Star expansion, coming with the Y6S2 patch.

The expansion releases for owners of the Battle Pass on 14th June 2021 and will be available worldwide on 5th July 2021.