R6 Ace Guide 2026: Best Loadout, SELMA Breach Tips and Counters
Ace is the attacker you pick when the wall must open, the plan still needs flexibility, and the hard breacher also needs to win real gunfights. His S.E.L.M.A. Aqua Breachers give him safe ranged breach pressure, but only disciplined teams turn that pressure into a clean execute.
Is Ace worth playing in Rainbow Six Siege in 2026?
Yes. Ace is still one of the safest and most flexible hard breachers in 2026. He can throw his S.E.L.M.A. Aqua Breachers from range, open reinforced walls without standing directly on the breach, and then immediately play the opened angle with the AK-12. That mix makes him incredibly useful in ranked, where teams often need one operator who can open the wall, fight after the breach and still adapt if the first plan gets denied.
Ace is not automatically better than Thermite, Hibana or Maverick. Thermite makes the biggest clean entry hole, Hibana is better for hatch-heavy plans, and Maverick can ignore many traditional denial setups if the player is skilled enough. Ace’s advantage is flexibility. He can open wall lines, pressure hatches in a pinch, destroy some utility, breach from safer distance and bring a premium rifle. For most ranked teams, that makes him the easiest hard breacher to fit into a default attack lineup.
Ace is strongest when the team treats him as the start of the execute, not the whole execute. Open the wall, clear the denial, control the new line, then take space with teammates ready to trade.
Who is Ace in Rainbow Six Siege?
Ace is Havard Haugland, a Norwegian attacker introduced with Operation Steel Wave. Ubisoft describes his S.E.L.M.A. Aqua Breacher as a hydraulic pressure device that bursts through breakable and reinforced surfaces. In plain ranked language, Ace is a hard breacher who can create rectangular breach openings from range, usually without exposing himself as much as Thermite.
His identity is built around reliability and pace. Ace does not need to walk up to the wall for a long placement animation. He can throw a SELMA, reposition, hold the swing or prepare the next piece of utility. That safety is why defenders try to deny the device during the deployment sequence. If they let the SELMA finish, Ace creates a strong new sightline and often a vaultable or navigable opening. If they destroy it early, the attack may lose the clean execute timing.
| Category | Ace detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Side | Attacker | He opens reinforced structure and enables execute routes. |
| Role | Hard breach, rifle support | He combines wall pressure with a strong post-breach gun. |
| Unique ability | S.E.L.M.A. Aqua Breacher | Thrown hydraulic hard breach device for walls, hatches, floors and ceilings. |
| Main strength | Safe ranged breach | He can pressure reinforced walls without planting a charge by hand. |
How S.E.L.M.A. Aqua Breacher works
Ace has three S.E.L.M.A. Aqua Breachers. On reinforced walls, a SELMA attaches, opens, then deploys downward if space allows. Since the earlier balance change from three explosive ticks to two, a wall SELMA can create up to two rectangular openings rather than the older three-stage behavior. Those rectangles combine into a clean breach shape that attackers can use for lines, vaults and pressure. On floors, ceilings and hatches, the device explodes once instead of rolling down in multiple stages.
The later Y8S4.2 balance change increased SELMA fuse time to 4 seconds. That matters because defenders get more time to react. Ace is safe because he can throw from range, but his device is not invincible. If defenders shoot it, impact trick it, C4 it, zap it with Maestro or block it with electrical and jammer denial before it completes, the wall may not open properly. Strong Ace players therefore think about the full breach sequence, not only the throw.
The device’s shape also matters. Ace often opens excellent sightlines even when the hole is not perfect for walking through. Sometimes that is enough. A wall line can cut off a rotate, force an anchor away from cover, make Bandit tricking unsafe or create plant pressure. Other times the team needs a full entry hole, and that may require two SELMAs, another hard breacher or Thermite instead. Ace is flexible, but he is not magic. Decide whether the round needs a sightline, a vault, a walk-in breach or hatch control before you spend charges.
Use them for the main wall, a second wall, a hatch, utility clear or a late backup plan.
A wall SELMA rolls downward and creates rectangular openings if defenders do not stop it.
Ace can open hatches, but hatch-heavy attacks usually favor Hibana or other dedicated plans.
Defenders can destroy or deny the device before it completes, so timing and cover matter.
Do not throw SELMA into active denial and hope. Drone the wall, clear electricity or jammers, burn impact tricking positions, then throw when teammates can punish the defender response.
Best Ace loadout for ranked
The best Ace loadout for most ranked players is AK-12, P9 and Claymore. The AK-12 is the main reason Ace feels so complete. Many hard breachers open the wall and then become careful support players. Ace can open the wall and still take serious fights. That does not mean he should entry like Ash, but it does mean he can hold the breach, punish rotates and trade teammates with confidence.
The M1014 is a niche pick. It can work for very specific close-range attacks, but Ace usually belongs near wall pressure, long angles and post-breach control, where the AK-12 is simply more useful. The P9 is his secondary and is reliable enough for backup fights. For the secondary gadget, Claymore is the default because Ace often works near exterior walls, rappel angles and breach positions that defenders love to flank or jump out on. Breach Charges are useful when the team needs extra vertical pressure, soft destruction or Castle clear, but they are not the default.
| Slot | Recommended pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | AK-12 | Best default. Strong damage, good pressure and excellent post-breach fighting power. |
| Primary alternative | M1014 | Niche shotgun option for unusual close plans, not the standard ranked choice. |
| Secondary | P9 | Reliable pistol when the AK-12 is empty or a close finish is needed. |
| Gadget | Claymore | Protects flank routes, runouts and jumpouts while Ace works the wall. |
| Gadget alternative | Breach Charge | Use when your team lacks soft destruction, vertical pressure or Castle clear. |
Best for exterior wall pressure, safe flank cover and post-breach fights.
Use when the attack needs floors opened after the main wall plan is solved.
Only for specific close-range plans where another teammate handles long angles.
Useful when your lineup has Nomad or Gridlock already covering flank duties.
How to use Ace without wasting SELMAs
Good Ace play starts before the throw. You need to know which wall matters, what denial is present, who clears it, and what your team will do once the wall opens. A ranked team that opens the wall and then stands outside for sixty seconds has not won anything. Ace creates the opening. The team still needs drones, flank watch, anti-denial, smoke or flash support, plant plan and trades.
The first SELMA should usually go toward the highest-value wall. The second depends on what happened. If the first was denied, you may need a second attempt after clearing the defender utility. If the first worked but created only a line, the second can turn pressure into a playable route. If the main wall is solved, save the second or third for a hatch, a second site wall, a shield clear, a rotate line or a late round surprise.
Drone the denial, clear the denial, cover the tricking position, throw the SELMA, hold the breach while it completes, then use the new line immediately.
Best places to use Ace
Ace is valuable on almost every ranked map because reinforced walls are everywhere. He is especially strong when the team wants a safe exterior breach or a wall line that can be created without walking directly into defender utility. He is less ideal when the entire attack depends on several hatches, because Hibana often handles that job with more resource efficiency.
| Map or site | Good Ace plan | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Clubhouse CCTV/Cash | Open CCTV wall and create breach pressure from outside | Ace can work safely while teammates clear Bandit, Kaid or rafters pressure. |
| Clubhouse Basement | Pressure Church wall, Moto or Arsenal routes | He can support a coordinated basement take, though hatch work may need Hibana. |
| Oregon Basement | Open Freezer, Laundry or bunker-related reinforced lines | SELMA pressure forces defenders to split attention between wall and stairs. |
| Chalet Basement | Open Snowmobile wall or support Wine pressure | Ace creates strong exterior pressure while teammates handle denial and flank control. |
| Bank Basement | Open CCTV or server-side walls with safe throw angles | Wall openings pressure anchors and make plant denial less comfortable. |
| Consulate Garage | Open Garage panel from safer positions | He helps pressure common reinforced structures, but denial clear is mandatory. |
| Kafe top floor | Open freezer/cocktail lines and support rooftop pressure | His rifle and ranged breach make him useful after the first wall is opened. |
| Nighthaven/Lair style sites | Open key lab or connector walls based on execute direction | Modern maps reward flexible wall pressure and quick adaptation. |
A strong Ace player also knows when another hard breacher should take the job. If the site needs one huge walk-in hole and the team can safely place close, Thermite may be better. If the site needs several hatches, Hibana may be better. If defenders can hold denial in a way that traditional hard breach cannot solve, Maverick may be better. Ace is the default, not the only answer.
Best operators to pair with Ace
Ace needs teammates who remove wall denial, protect the breach player, stop flanks and turn the opened wall into action. His gadget is flexible, but it becomes much stronger when the attack has a clear support chain.
| Operator | Why they work with Ace | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Thatcher | EMP pressure clears or disables electricity and jammers. | Throw EMP before Ace commits SELMA to the main reinforced wall. |
| Kali | LV Lance can clear denial on walls from long range. | Use when Thatcher is banned or unavailable and the wall still needs denial clear. |
| Maverick | Can make denial removal possible even against stubborn wall setups. | Create holes or lines that let the team clear batteries, claws or jammers. |
| Twitch | Shock Drone can destroy denial and utility before SELMA is thrown. | Drone carefully and clear the wall utility without losing both drones early. |
| Brava | Kludge Drone can convert or disable defender electronics. | Pressure Kaid, Mute, Maestro or other electronics that threaten the breach. |
| Nomad | Airjabs cover flanks and runouts while Ace works exterior walls. | Protect breach positions and post-breach angles from late defender aggression. |
| Gridlock | Trax Stingers make flank paths loud and slow. | Secure the area after Ace opens the wall and the team prepares to plant. |
| Ying or Capitao | Execute utility helps convert the breach into plant pressure. | Use candelas, smoke or fire after Ace creates the line defenders must respect. |
Ace creates the door. The rest of the lineup decides whether anyone can walk through it, plant behind it or punish defenders rotating away from it.
How to counter Ace
Defenders counter Ace by stopping the SELMA before it finishes or making the opened wall useless. The classic answers are Bandit, Kaid and Mute. Electricity stops the device from doing its job, while Mute can deny important sections if the jammer placement is strong enough. The Y10S2.0 bug fix also matters for modern accuracy: Ace should not be bypassing electrified walls as a reliable interaction, so proper wall denial still has real value.
Even after denial is cleared, defenders can fight the breach sequence. Impact tricking and C4 can destroy SELMAs during deployment. Maestro Evil Eyes can zap the device. Any defender who has a safe line can shoot the gadget because it is not bulletproof. The best counter is not one operator alone. It is layered denial, information and a defender ready to punish the moment Ace or his teammates try to convert the breach.
Batteries can stop SELMA on reinforced walls, especially with active tricking support.
Electroclaws can be placed in harder-to-clear spots and force attackers to find them first.
Jammers can disrupt hard breach plans and make wall work slower or less complete.
Destroy SELMA during the breach process to prevent the full opening.
Evil Eyes can destroy the device if attackers fail to clear or block the camera.
If defenders can see the SELMA safely, shooting it can deny Ace’s value.
Do not only deny the wall. Deny the follow-up. If Ace opens a line but attackers cannot cross, plant or take the next room, the breach bought less than they hoped.
How to play Ace in ranked
Ace in ranked is about discipline. Many players pick him because he has a great gun, then forget that the wall is their first job. Others tunnel so hard on the wall that they die holding SELMA in hand while teammates have already cleared the site. Good Ace play sits between those mistakes. You are support until the wall job is done, then you become a powerful rifle behind one of the most important angles on the map.
In solo queue, keep the plan simple: open the highest-value wall, cover your flank, and communicate whether the wall is denied, open or partially open. In a stack, Ace can become much more precise. You can coordinate EMP timing, vertical clear, impact trick denial, smoke execute and post-plant crossfires. The operator is easy to use, but the best Ace rounds feel planned before the first SELMA leaves your hand.
What to check before buying an R6 account for Ace
If you are buying or comparing Rainbow Six Siege accounts, Ace is one of the most practical attacker unlocks to look for. He fits a large number of ranked teams because hard breach is a core job, and he gives the account immediate value on maps like Clubhouse, Chalet, Bank, Consulate, Oregon and many modernized maps. Still, do not evaluate an account by Ace alone. A good Ace-ready account should also include the operators who clear denial and protect the execute.
| Check | What you want | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Ace unlocked | Operator available without more grinding | You can play a core hard breach role immediately in ranked or standard. |
| Anti-denial attackers | Thatcher, Kali, Twitch, Brava, Maverick | Ace needs help clearing batteries, claws, jammers and electronic pressure. |
| Execute support | Nomad, Gridlock, Ying, Capitao, Osa | These picks help turn the opened wall into space, plant pressure or flank safety. |
| Defender depth | Bandit, Kaid, Mute, Maestro | Good accounts should also teach you how Ace gets countered from the other side. |
| Ranked readiness | Clean profile, enough operators and suitable platform/region | The account should fit your actual queue, region and role needs. |
Want a ranked-ready R6 account?
ALVIRAN focuses on clear account listings, useful operator pools and buyer-friendly checks so you can choose an account for the way you actually play Siege, whether that means Ace hard breach, aggressive entry roles or a broad ranked roster.
Sources used for this Ace guide
This guide uses Ubisoft’s current Ace operator profile for loadout and baseline gadget behavior, then checks major SELMA balance notes for the two-deployment wall behavior and 4-second fuse timing. The Y10S2.0 fix is included because it confirms modern electrical denial should remain a real counter path.
Ace FAQ
Is Ace good in R6 in 2026?
Yes. Ace is still one of the best hard breachers because he can open reinforced walls from range, bring a strong AK-12 and adapt to many ranked maps. He is especially good when the team needs safe wall pressure and a hard breacher who can still fight well after the wall opens.
What is the best Ace loadout?
The best Ace loadout for most ranked players is AK-12, P9 and Claymore. Pick Breach Charges when your team already has flank cover and needs more soft destruction, but Claymore is the safer default for exterior wall work.
How does Ace’s S.E.L.M.A. Aqua Breacher work?
Ace has three SELMAs. On walls, a SELMA can deploy downward and create two rectangular openings if defenders do not destroy or deny it. On floors, ceilings and hatches, it explodes once. It can be stopped by electricity, jammers, impact tricking, C4, Maestro and gunfire.
Who counters Ace in Rainbow Six Siege?
Bandit, Kaid, Mute, impact grenades, C4, Maestro Evil Eyes and defenders who can shoot the device counter Ace. Attackers should clear denial with EMPs, Kali, Twitch, Brava, Maverick, vertical pressure or coordinated teammate cover.
Should beginners unlock Ace?
Yes. Ace is a great unlock because he teaches hard breach fundamentals while still giving beginners a strong rifle. New players should focus on opening the correct wall, staying alive until breach value is secured and communicating denial status.