By Oscar Dayus on Apr 06, 2018 10:31 pm
Rainbow Six Siege has been around for more than two years now, and in that time, it's gone from a competent shooter that had problems to one of the biggest multiplayer games around. Following the release of the most recent expansion, Operation Chimera, Siege hit its highest-ever concurrent player count on Steam, and Ubisoft now says it wants to continue supporting the game until it reaches 100 Operators, rather than make a sequel. But how did we get to this stage? How did Ubisoft turn an innovative-but-flawed game into the behemoth it is today? Simply put, the company did so by persevering -- with free downloadable content, an appropriate microtransaction model, and continual improvements. Just recently, for example, all of Rainbow Six Siege's base Operators were made free, while a bunch of characters were buffed or nerfed. For more on the latest expansion, check out all the Rainbow Six Siege Outbreak pack weapon skins, uniforms, and cosmetics, or read how the newest Operators, Lion and Finka, affect Siege's metagame. For now though, let's look back at what Siege was, how it's evolved, and where it stands today.
Base Game
Rainbow Six Siege's launch did not go according to plan. It was, of course, originally intended to be the ill-fated Rainbow Six: Patriots, but even after that was canceled Siege suffered problems in its beta phase and an eventual delay. It finally came out in December 2015 to a positive critical reception but also a bunch of server issues, bugs, and balancing problems. Critics praised the game's strategic depth, cast of characters--who each come equipped with a unique ability that aids in the game's hook of 5v5, attack v defense--and its destructibility. However, players complained of slow matchmaking and inconsistent hit detection. While these problems eased in the months following Siege's launch, they did not get fully resolved for around 18 months. Some also didn't like the slow progression, as the full list of Operators is not available to standard edition players when they begin; instead, you must unlock each character using Renown (essentially experience points), which can take a while.
Year 1, Season 1: Black Ice
By the time Siege's first DLC dropped in February 2016, the game had improved enough that it had a solid playerbase that was satisfied (if not totally happy) with the game's state. Black Ice then introduced two new Canadian characters--Buck and Frost--as well as a new map named Yacht. Thankfully, all Rainbow Six Siege DLC is free: maps are available to everyone and new Operators are able to be unlocked with Renown. The latter are, however, expensive when bought using in-game currency, so it's easier for most to buy the season passes if you want swift access to all the characters.
Year 1, Season 2: Operation Dust Line
Operation Dust Line was the next batch of DLC to drop in May 2016, bringing another new map, Border, and two more American Operators, raising the then-total to 24. Blackbeard's weapon shield and Valkyrie's black eye cameras each changed the meta up and are still used in the pro leagues today. Dust Line also marked the first time Siege players could equip special headgears and charms to their Operators and weapons, lending the game a little more color and personality.
Year 1, Season 3: Operation Skull Rain
In July 2016, Ubisoft released Siege's Brazilian expansion, Operation Skull Rain. Like previous DLCs, the update was free, consisting of two Operators--Capitao and Caveira--and one map, Favela. While Capitao and his crossbow have still not been perfected and have been the subject of many tweaks since launch, Caveira is a well-balanced, distinctive character that made Siege simultaneously more stylish and more dynamic: as a dedicated roamer, Caveira meant you could no longer expect to get all the way to the objective room without seeing an enemy defender, effectively expanding the scope of each map. Operation Skull Rain also brought a new loadout screen to better emphasize each Operator's unique style and color.
Year 1, Season 4: Operation Red Crow
Year 1's final Season of DLC, titled Operation Red Crow and released in November 2016, was Japan-themed. The new map, Skyscraper, was set atop a Japanese tower, complete with a tea room and thin (and very destructible) shoji screens. The additional Operators, meanwhile, have experienced very different life cycles since their release. Echo and his concussion drone are rarely used and commonly considered underpowered in all but the most experienced hands, while Hibana quickly became a favorite among the community for her ranged X-Kairos pellets, which can penetrate reinforced walls in a similar way to Thermite. By the end of Year 1, Rainbow Six Siege was in a much healthier place than 12 months earlier. It still wasn't perfect, but Ubisoft had now ironed out the majority of issues the launch game carried, while also expanding it in terms of maps and its roster of characters. Additionally, that cast grew significantly more diverse in that year, with more female characters added and ethnic minorities now represented much more prominently than before. Finally, as an example of a number of small improvements Ubisoft has made since launch, Operation Red Crow heralded the introduction of caliber-based destruction for all weapons, meaning a hefty sniper rifle would now make a bigger hole in a wall than a single SMG bullet.
Year 2, Season 1: Operation Velvet Shell
Year 2 kicked off in February 2017 with a new season pass, another map, and another pair of Operators in Operation Velvet Shell. Originating from Spain, both new characters were excellent additions to Siege's roster: Jackal is a dedicated roamer tracker, while Mira allows the defending team to see through a reinforced wall and shoot through if needed. Both fighters, along with the new map, Coastline, are still community favorites today.
Year 2, Season 2: Operation Health
Year 2's Season 2, however, was a little different to past DLC drops. Most notably, no DLC actually dropped--or at least, no new Operators or maps. Instead, Ubisoft delayed its planned content drop in favor of a period of quality of life updates and more small improvements called Operation Health. Aside from loot boxes called Alpha Packs, the Season meant improved textures, more realistic skies, and vastly improved lighting--you could finally see in and out of buildings! Matchmaking was also among the list of improvements, and this has remained far quicker and more reliable since Operation Health. The delay of tangible content annoyed many at the time, but in hindsight, Siege would not be as successful as it is today if it weren't for the foundation work done throughout the middle of 2016. Unfortunately, Operation Health meant we never got a fourth map during Year 2, but with so many maps that Ubisoft routinely removes some from rotation in public playlists, perhaps it's not as huge a loss as it first seems.
Year 2, Season 3: Operation Blood Orchid
The delay of two Operators in the season before meant Operation Blood Orchid came in September 2017 with not two, but three Operators, in addition to a new map. Two of those Operators, Ying and Lesion, are Chinese; the third, Ela, is Polish. Ying and Lesion are fantastic (if not revolutionary), but Ela has gone on to become a staple pick among the Siege player base. She's received multiple nerfs, but she remains a very popular defender -- primarily because of her rapid-firing SMG. Blood Orchid's map, Theme Park, is divisive among the community, but its gaudy rides and overgrown vegetation undoubtedly add yet more flavor to the ever-expanding buffet that is Rainbow Six Siege.
Year 2, Season 4: Operation White Noise
Year 2 wrapped up in December 2017 with Operation White Noise. This season included another three Operators--the remaining Polish character, Zofia, as well as Dokkaebi and Vigil--and yet another map, Tower. Dokkaebi was the first Operator to come from Ubisoft's recent push for 'global Operators,' by which it means characters whose abilities affect the whole map. Her hacking ability allows her to ring the phones of every defender still alive, meaning it's much easier to track them down. This mantra has continued into Year 3 with Lion and Finka, but we'll get to those momentarily. This season also saw Rainbow Six Siege receive 60 Hz servers, as well as another of the game's big mid-season reinforcement patches that routinely address balance issues so well.
Year 3, Season 1: Operation Chimera
Siege's third year of DLC has now begun, but rather than add another map, Ubisoft has developed an entirely new mode for the now-huge shooter. Outbreak is completely different to traditional Siege, adding zombie aliens, more expansive levels, and a fully fledged PvE mode for the first time (no, Terrorist Hunt doesn't count). There's also the usual pair of additional Operators, this time consisting of Finka and Lion. The former comes equipped with a stim pen that applies a 20 HP boost to both herself and every teammate for 20 seconds, even reviving any downed allies, wherever they are on the map. Lion, meanwhile, carries a drone that reveals moving enemies' identities and locations around the map for four seconds, including their exact outlines. With a seemingly higher profile now than ever, Siege has also now made every weapon attachment and all 20 of its base Operators free, helping those only just jumping on board.
Looking ahead, Ubisoft has big plans for its multiplayer shooter. The publisher says it's not going to make a sequel anytime soon, instead aiming for 100 total Operators. This would mean continuing support for the current game for many more years to come, which makes a lot of sense. Siege is in its healthiest ever state, with a huge and well-balanced roster, a supportive and attentive development team, a dedicated community, and more satisfying mechanics than ever before. In Year 3 alone, six more Operators are coming, along with a new mode, a complete map rework, and two brand-new maps. And beyond that, who knows? Rainbow Six Siege is a game that springs constant surprises and is always changing, both within matches and across seasons. Let's hope that continues throughout Year 3, and for many years after.
By Oscar Dayus on Apr 06, 2018 10:27 pm
Rainbow Six Siege has evolved a lot over its two-and-a-bit-year life, and as it heads into its third year of DLC it's changed once more. For starters, lots of the game's Operators are now free for those who purchase the Standard Edition or above, so many players now have more fighters to choose from. Things are continuing to evolve, too, with Operation Chimera available now and plenty of tweaks on the way. With that in mind, you might be wondering who to play as. For those still new to Siege or planning to pick it up soon, check out our guide on the best Rainbow Six Siege Operators for beginners. For the best Operators for advanced players, meanwhile, you're already in the right place. Of course, you'll likely have your own opinions and we'd love to hear them in the comments below.
Lion (Attack)
Lion has become one of Siege's most-picked Operators since launching with Operation Chimera in March, and it's easy to see why. His EE-One-D drone allows you to see the outlines of any moving enemies, and as such it lets you pull off some great kills through walls and gather intel about enemies' locations. In addition, activating your drone distracts enemies and forces them to stay still or expose their exact location to you. He's therefore useful in a push to force the opposition into a corner. He also throws up interesting combinations, for example with Fuze: trigger a Lion scan at the same time as Fuzing into an objective room and the other team will have a tough job staying alive. Lion isn't as important to a push as Thermite or Thatcher or Hibana, but provided you have those bases ticked, he can be an excellent support Operator.
Thermite (Attack)
Thermite's ability--a special breaching charge that can penetrate reinforced walls--make him an excellent attacking Operator. His two explosives make holes big enough to walk through, so you can make your own entry points into objective rooms. And even if you don't intend to enter an objective this way, it's a great way of distracting a defensive team. On top of that, he comes with a capable loadout. His M1014 shotgun is excellent at close-range, and is fast and great from the hip. His 556xi rifle on the other hand carries little recoil and excels at range.
Hibana (Attack)
Your other option for breaking through reinforced walls is Hibana. Her X-Kairos pellets can burn through metal walls and create openings for you to peek through. She has the advantage over Thermite of ranged breaching, and she gets three clusters of pellets to Thermite's two, so you can punch more holes in the enemy defense. Hibana's ability is also less vulnerable to being Bandit tricked (more on that later). However, each cluster doesn't create a big enough window to walk through, so you'll have to use more than one if you want to make another entry point. Despite Hibana and Thermite having similar abilities, many pro league teams roll with both in their squad as they each have such a crucial role in any team, and one being killed could be the difference between a win and a loss if the other isn't there to take up the breaching mantle.
Mute (Defense)
For most situations, one of Mute or Bandit is essential. Each can prevent Thermite or Hibana charges from activating, destroying their devices in the process. In terms of pure ability, Mute is often the best pick as his jammers can cover two reinforced walls (rather than Bandit's one per shock wire) and can jam vertically, too, meaning you can prevent enemies from breaching hatches above you. Finally, standing near a Mute jammer has the added bonus of protecting you from Lion's new drone ability and from Dokkaebi's ringing phones. He has a respectable loadout with the MP5K sub-machine gun, along with a powerful but slow firing M590A1 shotgun. His nitro cell charge can also open up walls and kill attackers behind them, making Mute as versatile an anchor as any.
Bandit (Defense)
Bandit's shock wires can electrify Thermite and Hibana charges, and while you don't get as much coverage as with Mute's electric devices, you can perform the amazing (but annoying!) Bandit trick. This involves placing a shock wire device after hearing Thermite place one of his charges--doing so will destroy the charge while not leaving your device open to being deactivated by one of Thatcher's EMP grenades. Bandit also arguably has a better loadout than Mute: his MP7 SMG is more powerful than Mute's MP5K with a rapid rate of fire--just don't let its recoil get the better of you.
Mira (Defense)
Mira is one Operator who is great in conjunction with Bandit. Since her one-way mirrors allow you to see through a reinforced wall, Bandit can see when a Thermite charge is about to be placed, making Bandit tricking easier. Even without Bandit, she can be a hugely effective Operator: putting two black mirrors next to each other and popping the window of one allows you to see an enemy approaching, strafe to the side, and take them out quickly. Alternatively, you can place a mirror low on an unreinforced wall, spot an approaching enemy, and stand up to frag them through the penetrable board. Mira has the potential to hugely weaken an attacking force, but she can do more harm than good in the hands of an inexperienced player--popping the mirror at the wrong time or allowing an enemy Twitch drone to do so for you can pierce a huge hole in your own defense.
Thatcher (Attack)
Thatcher is just an old man who hates technology, so what better character to have wield EMPs? His grenades can deactivate any enemy electronic device in their vicinity, including Mute jammers and Bandit's shock wires. This means Thatcher is the perfect sidekick to any Thermite or Hibana and makes him a near-essential pick on Secure Area and Hostage. The Bandit trick is a problem, but good communication between Thatcher and Hibana or Thermite can mean you can outsmart the dastardly opponent. He's also one of the few Operators that still carries standard breaching charges, so he can directly help punch holes in an enemy defense.
Twitch (Attack)
The alternative to Thatcher is Twitch. Her shock drones are similarly capable of taking out enemy devices, including Mute jammers, Bandit's shock wires, and defender cameras. A recent nerf means she now only has five shocks per drone so you'll have to pick your targets carefully, but she remains a potent weapon in any attacking force. In addition, her F2 assault rifle is one of the most powerful in the game--if you have steady aim, you're in with a good shot of winning any 1v1 engagement.
Valkyrie (Defense)
What do you do if a Twitch drone takes out all your cameras? Just put more cameras down, of course! Valkyrie's black eyes can give you crucial bonus vantage points over an enemy approach. Placed inside an objective room, above a common chokepoint, or outside a building to catch attackers off-guard at the start of a round, the extra cams provide Siege's most important currency: information. Valkyrie has the potential to turn the tide in the defending team's favor, even after she dies, but she requires intricate map knowledge to be used effectively. You don't want a black eye put up right next to an existing camera or in a place no enemy will go.
Ash (Attack)
One box that should probably be ticked is Ash. Her ability isn't the most powerful in the game--ranged breaching charges are nice, but don't really allow you to do much that, say, Zofia or Hibana couldn't also do--but her R4-C assault rifle is one of the best in the game. In addition, she's tough to inflict damage upon as her hitbox is tiny and her being one armor/three speed means she can move quickly. Nevermind her mediocre ability: in the hands of an advanced player, Ash can win a round by herself.
Ela (Defence)
Similar to Ash, Ela's ability isn't actually that great. Her concussion mines can make the difference if the attackers are making a last-minute push, but often rounds don't even get to that stage, so it's rare you'll even be able to utilize their dizzying effects. Nevertheless, she remains one of the most popular Operators because--again, similar to Ash--her hitbox is small, her speed is lightning, and her gun is remarkable. The Scorpion Evo has a rapid rate of fire and a large magazine size to compensate. Ela is getting nerfed, but she'll no doubt still be an excellent roamer.
Smoke (Defence)
Smoke is another Operator who excels when time is running out for an attacking squad. On Secure Area or Hostage in particular, his gas canisters can block an attacking route for the other team--they either charge through into the unknown and get hurt in the process, or they must find another way in. Save his smoke grenades for the final few seconds of a round and it can almost guarantee a win. In addition, Smoke is one of the best Operators to counter Finka's powerful new ability. The adrenal surge the new Operation Chimera character comes equipped with speeds up allies' breathing, meaning they'll take more damage from Smoke's deadly fog of war.
Montagne (Attack)
With lots of highly mobile characters popular at present, shield Operators are a little out of favor in Siege's meta. While Montagne isn't always the best pick, situationally he can be near unstoppable. On Bomb in particular, he can simply sit on top of a planted defuser and protect it, whittling away time. When the other team finally manage to find a gap in his armor, they'll likely have run out of time. Just don't ever let your shield down. Seriously, he's useless otherwise.
By Kevin Wong on Apr 06, 2018 09:30 pm
Your preference of one Wrestlemania pay-per-view over another is largely a matter of how old you are. To a child's perspective, WWE wrestlers are larger-than-life superheroes who take massive beatdowns, show up the next week ready to brawl, and fight abstract battles of good vs. evil. A kid will like whatever he or she is given; all objectivity goes out the window. It's only when we go back years later and we discover that, perhaps, the Piper vs. Goldust Hollywood Backlot Brawl hasn't aged so well. Or we realize the Jonathan Taylor Thomas celebrity cameo wasn't so great in retrospect. Or perhaps, we gain a new appreciation for a technical match like Owen Hart vs. Bret Hart, which lacked WWE's theatrical pageantry but was an absolute clinic in ring psychology and technical skill. Here are the top five best and five worst Wrestlemanias in WWE history. Take a look at the match card and our predictions for Wrestlemania 34, which live streams on the WWE Network on April 8 at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT. And come back to GameSpot that evening for updated coverage on the Showcase of the Immortals.
Worst: Wrestlemania IX
Venue: Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas Date: April 4, 1993 The outdoor arena at Caesar's Palace was decked with a garish, Roman emperor meets Egyptian pharaoh set, and the commentators wore togas. It was campy and a far cry from the glory days of filling the Pontiac Silverdome with 93,000 fans. It featured the worst Undertaker match ever (Giant Gonzalez tried to chloroform the Dead Man), and Hulk Hogan swooped in at the end of the broadcast to win the title from Yokozuna. Just like that, months of building the massive sumo wrestler as a monster were thrown directly into the garbage.
Best: Wrestlemania X-7
Venue: Astrodome, Houston Date: April 1, 2001 This is the greatest of the Attitude Era PPVs. The main event pitted the two most popular guys in the company--The Rock and Steve Austin--against one another for the WWE Championship. There was an epic TLC match. Chris Benoit took on Kurt Angle. Chris Jericho took on William Regal. It was a stacked card, and it concluded with one of the biggest surprise heel turns in WWE history.
Worst: Wrestlemania I
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York Date: March 31, 1985 There is not much positive to report about this event other than that it was the first of its kind. It is a credit to WWE that this has aged as poorly as it has. The television production today is so slick and smooth (some might argue too smooth) that this looks downright amateurish by comparison. There was a great sense of spectacle, with Mr. T in the main event and Liberace in a kickline with the Rockettes. But WWE would go on to produce much better programs than this one.
Best: Wrestlemania XX
Venue: Madison Square Garden Date: March 14, 2004 The only negative of this event is that many fans will have retroactively sad memories of it. Eddie Guerrero is dead, under tragic circumstances. Chris Benoit is also dead, under even worse circumstances. And the final image of them celebrating in the ring, holding the top two titles in their hands, is no longer heartwarming. But Benoit fought with Triple H and Shawn Michaels in a classic Triple Threat. This was the same night that the Undertaker returned to his Dead Man persona, and it was also the same night that both Goldberg and Lesnar were booed viciously by WWE fans, who knew the two men were leaving the company. It was one surprise and thrill after another, which is what Wrestlemania is all about.
Worst: Wrestlemania 2000
Venue: Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim Date: April 2, 2000 With both Steve Austin and the Undertaker on the shelf with injuries, the rest of the roster had to bring in the new millennium without them. Nearly every match, including the main event, was an overbooked mess. And one of the only singles matches was a catfight between Terri Runnels and The Kat, with Val Venis as the special guest referee. There was so much squandered talent on the roster in 2000, but thankfully, in 2001, the company got its act together.
Best: Wrestlemania X8
Venue: Skydome, Toronto Date: March 17, 2002 The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan overshadows everything else. It was so much better than anyone guessed it would be, and it showed that after all these years, people were still emotionally attached to Hogan; it didn't matter how long he had been gone. Elsewhere in the card, a heel Undertaker took on Ric Flair in a No Disqualifications match, where Big Evil showed a darker, more sadistic side of his personality.
Worst: Wrestlemania II
Venue: Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale; Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont; Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles Date: April 7, 1986 Wrestlemania II went with the "bigger is better principle," which didn't turn out well. The company broadcasted from three different arenas, which meant that three live audiences were disappointed with the event instead of one. And the marquee matches were spread across all three locations, which meant that no one got a brilliant show (although Rosemont got the best). On the upside, Ray Charles sang the national anthem. And the Hogan vs. Bundy steel cage match, watched today, is a solid bit of nostalgia.
Best: Wrestlemania III
Venue: Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac Date: March 29, 1987 Wrestlemania III is where WWE finally got the formula right. This is the classic PPV that all others were modeled around, and it was the figurative peak of WWE's mainstream popularity. It's where 93,000 fans gathered in the Pontiac Silverdome to watch Hulk Hogan body slam Andre the Giant. It's where Ricky Steamboat and Randy Savage put on a physical, technically wondrous match that is still the bar, even today. Pageantry doesn't get any more extravagant than this.
Worst: Wrestlemania XI
Venue: Hartford Civic Center Date: April 2, 1995 There wasn't a single outstanding match on this card, although the main event between New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor and "Beast from the East" Bam Bam Bigelow was fun and silly; Taylor looked out of breath, yet competent, thanks to Bigelow's selfless in-ring performance. But the rest of the matches were fairly boring. And at an event like Wrestlemania, "boring" is a worse sin than being gloriously bad.
Best: Wrestlemania XXX
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans Date: April 6, 2014 This is one of the greatest Manias thanks to the WWE fans, who pushed and pushed for Daniel Bryan to be included in the main event. And when he won, the entire Superdome chanted in unison, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" In a very real way, WWE reaped what it sowed, by engaging fans over social media and letting them see glimpses of the backstage drama. You can't tell fans that they have a say in things and then be angry when they exercise that power. Fans booked Wrestlemania XXX. In this case, they did a better job than WWE's bookers.
By Mat Elfring on Apr 06, 2018 08:46 pm
Wrestlemania is right around the corner, coming to PPV and the WWE Network on Sunday, April 8. One aspect of the yearly show that is more often than not a constant is the Undertaker. His Wrestlemania debut was back in 1991, and since then, his winning record of 23-2 is an achievement no one else will top. This year, while not officially announced yet, the Undertaker will be taking on John Cena at Wrestlemania 34. This very well could be the last Mania he competes in, but people tend to say that every single year. Even after leaving his gear in the ring at the end of Wrestlemania 33, it seems Taker has one more match in him. We're taking a look at the history of Undertaker at Wrestlemania and ranking every single one of his matches from worst to best. If you're interested in more breakdowns of upcoming Wrestlemania matches, check out all our predictions here and stay tuned to GameSpot for more Wrestlemania, including live coverage of the event on April 8.
25. WrestleMania 9: Giant Gonzalaz
In 1993, the Undertaker took on the Giant Gonzalaz in a battle that was quite boring and uninteresting. The only notable aspect about it was the finish, when Gonzalaz knocked out Undertaker with a rag covered in chloroform. He was disqualified for his actions.
24. Wrestlemania 11: King Kong Bundy
King Kong Bundy fought the Undertaker in 1995. This was the first time it was mentioned Undertaker was undefeated at Wrestlemania, with a 4-0 record. It was a silly match, featuring a comically oversized urn, which Kama, the Supreme Fighting Machine, stole during the fight.
23. Wrestlemania 33: Roman Reigns
2017's battle between Roman Reigns and Undertaker was rough. Reigns didn't have the experience to really carry the match the way someone like Shawn Michaels could, and Taker seemed out of shape and was winded early on. The 22-minute match featured plenty of signature moves and false-finishes, but it felt like nothing more than the young guy beating down an old man, which gave Taker his second Wrestlemania loss.
22. Wrestlemania 7: Jimmy Snuka
Undertaker's first match happened back in 1991, when he took on Jimmy Snuka. What was cool about this match was that Undertaker was still mysterious. However, there was a lot of overselling on Snuka's part, and Taker felt a bit green. There was little to no drama in the match.
21. Wrestlemania 22: Mark Henry (Casket Match)
One of the cooler matches the Undertaker had been involved with throughout his career was the Casket Match, where you got the win by putting your opponent in a casket. In 2006, Undertaker took on Mark Henry in said match, but it was pretty lackluster. It was just another "big guy vs. big guy" match and failed to hit its mark.
20. Wrestlemania 13: Sycho Sid (No DQ for the WWF Championship)
The Undertaker had a few matches for a championship belt, and the first came back in 1997, for the WWF Championship in a "No Disqualification" match against Sycho Sid. The "No DQ" aspect of the match wasn't really utilized and so many spots were used in the Diesel match the year prior. It was not very memorable.
19. Wrestlemania 8: Jake Roberts
One thing that was cool about Undertaker's 1992 match against Jake Roberts was that it sets up Undertaker as an unstoppable force. It built on the mythos of the Undertaker. However, this match does get a bit bogged down by a whole lot of work in the corner and lots of chokeholds.
18. Wrestlemania 20: Kane
2004's Wrestlemania 20 marked the return of the dark and evil Undertaker, after years of being an "American Badass." The build-up and hype were phenomenal for the event, but all-in-all, it didn't live up to it.
17. Wrestlemania 15: Big Boss Man (Hell in a Cell)
Out of every single Undertaker match at Wrestlemania, 1999's match against Big Bossman was without a doubt the most bizarre. This Hell in a Cell match had the weirdest finish from the Attitude Era. After Undertaker won, he put a noose around Bossman's neck and had him hang from the cell. Many people thought they witnessed a murder.
16. Wrestlemania 19: Big Show & A-Train (Handicap Match)
Undertaker's 2003 match was the only time he faced two opponents: Big Show and A-Train. Taker was up against impossible odds for the match, which was a nice spin. Right away, it felt like this wasn't a match that he could win. The downside of this match was the sidestory featuring Nathan Jones showing up late as his partner. It felt like too little, too late.
15. Wrestlemania 18: Ric Flair (No DQ)
Ric Flair took on The Undertaker in one brutal and bloody No DQ match back in 2002, which got Taker his 10th Wrestlemania win. There were plenty of great spots here, including Undertaker turning a Figure Four Leglock into a Chokeslam.
14. Wrestlemania 32: Shane McMahon (Hell in a Cell)
While the 2016 Hell in a Cell match between Shane McMahon and the Undertaker was filled with a ton of fantastic high spots, like McMahon attempting an elbow drop onto Taker from the top of the cell, the storytelling--for the fight--wasn't there. The match entertains but felt a little empty overall.
13. Wrestlemania 14: Kane
This match defined what a Wrestlemania match against the Undertaker should be. The story between Kane and Taker really helped build this match, which had some great back and forth moments. It all built to Taker squeaking out a victory.
12. Wrestlemania 27: Triple H (No DQ)
Triple H and Undertaker faced each other at Wrestlemania on three separate occasions. While this was the weakest of the three, it was still a great match. Triple H tried everything within his power to defeat Taker, and he couldn't. The only real downside to this match was that while it was "No DQ," it didn't really scratch the surface of that type of match.
11. Wrestlemania 31: Bray Wyatt
Many wrestling fans felt that the 2015 match against Bray Wyatt would be a passing of the torch, from Undertaker to Wyatt. While the overall match was pretty good, it was more of a showcase for Wyatt. We really got to see how fantastic and haunting Wyatt can be in the ring but nothing new from Taker.
10. Wrestlemania 23: Batista (For the World Heavyweight Championship)
Undertaker took on Batista at the 2007 event, and it was an incredible back and forth battle. There were some great moments during the match, including a slam through the announcer's table. There were a few times here where it felt like Batista had this match, but once again, Taker came out on top.
9. Wrestlemania 12: Diesel
Many of Undertaker's early Wrestlemania matches were busts. However, in 1996, Diesel put up one heck of a fight. We saw some great moments, like both men knocking each other out--at the same time--with big boots. Diesel's cockiness got the best of him, and he underestimated Undertaker's power, which led to Diesel losing.
8. Wrestlemania 30: Brock Lesnar
The only loss in Undertaker's career came in 2014 when he faced Brock Lesnar. This was a slow, brutal match between these two beasts. The match did have a few problems, mainly because Taker got a concussion early on, but what makes this match great is the finish, the crowd reaction, and the aftermath.
7. Wrestlemania 29: CM Punk
The year prior to Undertaker's first loss, he faced CM Punk. The storyline building up to this match was pretty crazy, as Punk used former Undertaker manager Paul Bearer's death--which happened a month prior--to get under Taker's skin. The highlight of the match came from Punk jumping off the top rope onto Taker, who was laying on the announcer's table.
6. Wrestlemania 17: Triple H
2001's match against Triple H is pure Attitude Era. The match had a slow start that builds into a war. There were some really innovative reversals like Triple H trying to give Taker a Tombstone Piledriver and reversing it to one of his own.
5. Wrestlemania 24: Edge (For the World Heavyweight Championship)
In 2008, Undertaker took on Edge, and this match redefined what Wrestlemania matches should be. Everything about it felt so big and over-the-top. There were a lot of moments where it seemed like Edge had the win, but Taker ended up submitting his opponent for the first time in his Wrestlemania career.
4. Wrestlemania 26: Shawn Michaels (Streak vs. Career)
When Undertaker and Shawn Michaels were in the ring together, it was magical. Their second meeting in 2010 felt like a shadow of their match at Wrestlemania 25, but it was beautiful nonetheless. These two performers put on a wonderful show, with highlights like Michaels doing a moonsault onto Taker outside of the ring.
3. Wrestlemania 21: Randy Orton
Randy "The Legend Killer" Orton set his sights on taking down one of the WWE's biggest names at the company's biggest PPV. This match had one of the most entertaining storylines behind it, and the battle was great for all it's back and forth moments.
2. Wrestlemania 28: Triple H with Shawn Michaels as Referee (Hell in a Cell)
While the 2012 match featuring Triple H and Undertaker locked in the Hell in a Cell had a slow start, it slowly built into something amazing. The addition of Shawn Michaels as the guest referee really pushed it over the top, as he stepped in a few times to stop Triple H from beating down Taker with a chair. It was an extremely brutal match to watch for all the right reasons.
1. Wrestlemania 25: Shawn Michaels
Finally, the best Undertaker Wrestlemania match of all time is a no-brainer. In 2009--at Wrestlemania 25--Shawn Michaels and Undertaker had an all-out-war for 30 minutes that is one of the best Wrestlemania matches of all time. There were some great moments here, like when Undertaker dived outside of the ring and almost broke his neck after colliding with a cameraman.
By Mat Elfring on Apr 06, 2018 08:39 pm
Wrestlemania, WWE's biggest event of the year, is right around the corner. It's coming to the WWE Network and PPV on Sunday, April 8. Fans should get prepared for an all-day affair as 2017's Wrestlemania 33 was six and a half hours long. This year's show will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in the city of New Orleans. Aside from the main card, Wrestlemania weekend will also consist of the Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday--with both Kid Rock and Mark Henry, among others, being inducted--NXT Takeover on Saturday, and Wrestlemania itself on Sunday. At the time of this writing, a Kickoff Show has not been announced, but you can expect one to start two hours prior to Wrestlemania 34 at 5 PM ET/2 PM PT, much like last year's Mania event. While the match card has not been finalized, the PPV is looking pretty full already, and there are still championships that need to be defended and main event stars that need a place on the card. The newest addition to this year's PPV is the Women's Battle Royal match, which will most likely appear on the Kickoff Show with the Men's Battle Royal. Originally, the women's match was named the Fabulous Moolah Memorial Battle Royal, but WWE changed the name due to some controversy. There have been a lot of rumors as to which stars will be on the final card, but as the weeks go on, we will only be discussing matches confirmed by the WWE, including where recently cleared Daniel Bryan fits into all of this. Keep checking back up until Wrestlemania 34 as we'll also have pieces fully discussing each of the matches at the PPV. For now, here are our predictions for the event.
Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
As of this writing, only the tag team The Revival have been announced for the Andre The Giant Battle Royal. However, the winners for the past two years have been newer talent in the company. I have a feeling we will see that tradition continue. While this prediction may change as stars gets announced for this match, I'm giving the win to Tye Dillinger, as he's a guy who needs and deserves a push. He's too talented to be on the backburner. Our prediction: Tye Dillinger wins
Women's Battle Royal
Much like the Men's Battle Royal, the newly-named Women's Battle Royal has yet to announce any participants. More than likely, it will also appear on the Kickoff Show as well. There are a lot of women in WWE that are more than deserving of a big push. However, since losing the Smackdown Women's Championship, Becky Lynch has been on the short end of the stick. She's been in the background for most stories she's involved with and endures countless losses in the ring. I'm giving the win to her simply because she deserves to be in the main event picture again. Our prediction: Becky Lynch wins
Cedric Alexander vs. Mustafa Ali
(For the Cruiserweight Championship) Finally, the match for the Cruiserweight title has been set, as Cedric Alexander takes on his friend and ally Mustafa Ali at Wrestlemania. No matter who wins, this is going to be an incredible match, as these two men are going to put on a clinic. This is the time for Ali to be in the spotlight. I'm giving the win to Ali but not just because he's a Chicago guy, like myself. He's been consistent in the ring, and his matches are incredibly exciting. Our prediction: Mustafa Ali
Randy Orton (c) vs. Bobby Roode vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Rusev
(For the United States Championship) On the March 27 episode of Smackdown, Rusev entered the battle for the U.S. Championship, which was previously a triple threat. Before Rusev's inclusion, this match was uninteresting, as it was merely a continuation of two mediocre storylines, both of which involved Randy Orton. With Rusev a part of this Wrestlemania match, I see him picking up the win. He's truly over with the crowd, and if WWE wants to elevate this title, it needs to be around Rusev's waist and also needs some new contenders in the picture for the Bulgarian Brute to face. Our prediction: Rusev wins
The Bar (c) vs. Braun Strowman & An Unnamed Partner
(For the Raw Tag Team Championship) While the idea of Braun Strowman being a lone tag team champion is hilarious, there was no way that was going to happen. So now, Strowman will have a yet-to-be-named partner to take on The Bar. Raw's tag team division is a mess, and this match does not help. In order for the Monday night show to save face and get back on track, The Bar needs to win; otherwise, it will be a complete joke. As much as I love everything about Braun Strowman--the walking Looney Tunes character--he should not win this one. Our prediction: The Bar wins
Daniel Bryan & Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Finally, Daniel Bryan's Wrestlemania match has been announced, and it's exactly what fans expected. The build between the four men has been going on for months, and now that Bryan is medically cleared to wrestle, this match can finally happen. The idea of him losing because he's rusty and failing the WWE Universe is just as intriguing, but at the end of the day, I'm giving the win to Bryan. It just makes more sense. Our prediction: Daniel Bryan & Shane McMahon win
The Miz (c) vs. Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins
(For the Intercontinental Championship) As previously mentioned, Daniel Bryan is cleared to wrestle, and I would love for this match to be replaced by one between The Miz and Bryan. However, until there's an official confirmation to what Bryan's plans are, we have Miz taking on Finn Balor and Seth Rollins, which should be a fantastic battle. However, considering that the Miz is exceptionally close to breaking another Intercontinental Championship reign record, I'm thinking he'll retain the title, only to lose it a couple months later. Our prediction: The Miz wins
The Usos (c) vs. The New Day vs. The Bludgeon Brothers
(For the Smackdown Tag Team Championships) Apparently, kayfabe isn't dead as Xavier Woods doesn't have a broken back, even after his beatdown from The Bludgeon Brothers at the Fastlane PPV. Now, the Brothers will take on the Usos and New Day at Wrestlemania for the tag titles. Every part of me wants to go with The Bludgeon Brothers winning this one. However, this match feels like a push towards a longer rivalry between the three teams, so I'm giving the win to The New Day, but it won't be a clean one. Our prediction: The New Day wins
Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Nia Jax
(For the Raw Women's Championship) Things took a turn recently in the relationship between Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss, as the Raw Women's Champion was caught talking smack about her best friend. A title match between the two has been building since Bliss first won the belt, and there will be nothing more satisfying than Jax finally winning the championship. For that reason alone--the sweet taste of revenge--I'm giving the win to Jax. Our prediction: Nia Jax wins
Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns
(For the Universal Championship) Reigns has called out Universal Champion Brock Lesnar for being a part-time wrestler, and that got "The Big Dog" suspended, which later led to Lesnar attacking him. Since Lesnar has been champion, I've unsuccessfully predicted him to lose on numerous occasions. And I'm going to do it again. It's time for the champion to be a full-timer once again, and while Roman Reigns may not be the top dog we want, we strangely need him. Our prediction: Reigns wins If you want to know more about Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns, check out our breakdown feature about their match.
Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon
Well, I was hoping for Rousey to reteam with The Rock, but I guess Kurt Angle is a good teammate. The newly signed, former MMA fighter takes on Stephanie McMahon and Triple H in her first bout. This is a no-brainer. WWE will not have Rousey lose her first match. Our prediction: Angle & Rousey win
AJ Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
(For the WWE Championship) Sure, Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles had an epic match in New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 10, but the average WWE fan didn't see it and more than likely won't go looking to watch it. Just like WWE did with Ultimate Deletion, fans will get WWE's version of the classic Nakamura/Styles match. However, this will be just the start of the war between these two. I suspect this will be a long-running rivalry with the championship getting passed between the wrestlers. For the first battle, I'm giving the win to Nakamura. Our prediction: Nakamura wins
Charlotte vs. Asuka
(For the Smackdown Women's Championship) Charlotte has been a dominant champion and Asuka hasn't lost a singles match since coming to WWE and NXT. These are two of the most dominant superstars on the entire WWE roster, and this is a dream match for wrestling fans. There are very few people that could break Asuka's streak, but Charlotte may be one of them. While I see this match going either way, I don't think it's time for the streak to end, so Asuka will get the win after an intense battle. Our prediction: Asuka wins Secondary prediction: Carmella cashes in her Money in the Bank contract and loses If you want to know more about Charlotte vs. Asuka, check out our breakdown feature about their match.
By Array on Apr 06, 2018 01:04 am
Top Guns in Far Cry 5
Previous Far Cry games have always sported a diverse roster of weapons, and Far Cry 5 is no different. With so many options available, you're probably asking which weapons are worth purchasing. To help you out, we've gathered nine weapons that we believe to be some of the best in the game. It's important to note that some of our choices are Prestige weapons, which are specialty weapons that can be unlocked for purchase by playing through the game's campaign or with real-world money. Some of the game's best weapons include the AR-CL semi-automatic rifle, the SA50 sniper rifle, the M-79 grenade launcher, and many more. Each weapon has their own special uses and functionality. Though, what you choose from our recommendations is also going to depend on your playstyle. After all, someone who specializes in stealth may not find it useful to use the RAT4 rocket launcher. It's also worth noting that many of the weapons you see in this feature are Prestige Weapons, which are higher-priced special skinned versions of normal weapons you can purchase with in-game money or real money. If you'd prefer, you can purchase a standard non-skinned equivalent of the same weapon in the shop for cheaper and without the fancier attachments. Regardless of which version of each weapon you choose to get, we stand by their quality and functionality. But what are some of your favorite weapons in Far Cry 5? Let us know in the comments below. If you're interested in our other Far Cry 5 guides, be sure to check out our feature highlighting nine tips we wish we knew before starting. In other news, Ubisoft announced Far Cry 5's Season Pass, which takes you to settings like Mars and the Vietnam War. We also recently learned more about how to access the game's live events and the special rewards you earn by completing them.
The SPAS-12 "Flameout" Shotgun
You can never go wrong with a shotgun in your loadout, but the "Flameout" Shotgun is particularly amazing for its rate of fire, being able to make short work of any approaching enemy groups. In addition, it can also be equipped with incendiary rounds, which makes it all the more destructive against multiple foes and deserving of its title.
The Slingshot
Despite what you might assume it does, Far Cry 5's slingshot actually lets you fire arrows. It sounds absurd, but its quick firing speed puts it a slight step above the standard bow at close range; it can even fire specialty arrows, like the incendiary or explosive arrows. If you're a fan of stealthily picking off cultists with arrows, the slingshot comes highly recommended. It also comes with an unlimited supply of rocks as an alternate ammunition, which while nowhere near as powerful as arrows, makes for a good laugh when you're able to use them to land a headshot.
SA50 "Free State"
If you're looking for an all-around great sniper rifle that balances heavy stopping power, range, and a semi-auto rate of fire, then the SA50 "Free State" comes highly recommended. It sports a solid rate of fire with little recoil when aiming down sights. And when equipped with a suppressor, you can make short work of enemy camps with little consequence.
M-79 "Shark Shooter"
When a firefight goes south and cultists start showing up in trucks, the M-79 "Shark Shooter" grenade launcher offers a quick way to recover. With its destructive splash-damaging grenades, you can make short work of enemy groups and easily take out incoming vehicles. It sports a short firing range, so be mindful of your aiming arc and general spacing between you and potential dangers ahead. In addition, the "Shark Shooter" replaces your sidearm slot, freeing up your other slots to equip powerful weapons.
.44 Magnum "Sixer"
There's not a whole lot to say about the .44 Magnum "Sixer." It's simply an incredibly powerful sidearm that can down enemies in a single shot. If wielding a powerful handgun sounds like your idea of a good time, then "Steel and Ivory" is well worth using. As long as you're quick and precise, it's guaranteed to get you out of a pinch.
RAT4
If you're interested in adding a rocket launcher to your loadout, then the RAT4 is a solid choice. It can lock onto vehicles and planes, which makes it incredibly useful if you're not accustomed to handling rocket launchers. In addition, you can even manually guide its missiles--similar to the LK-1018 from Far Cry 4. The RAT4 becomes essential later on when enemy helicopters and attack planes show up in greater numbers.
AR-CL "Sharkbite"
The AR-CL "Sharkbite" strikes a fine balance between an assault and sniper rifle, being capable of semi-automatic fire while retaining minimal recoil for precision firing. It can be a great way to free up an equipment slot if you're tired of lugging around both a sniper and an assault rifle.
Magnopulser
The Magnopulser is one of the few weapons in Far Cry 5 to have unlimited ammo, which can be useful when you're in a bind. Earned by completing a series of sidequests with Larry, the mad scientist of Holland Valley, this alien weapon fires a blast of energy that either vaporizes enemies or sends them flying (depending on the range you fire it from). It's best to use the Magnopulser against a crowd, but if you must use against a single enemy, try shooting it at their feet to stagger them and follow up with a melee attack. Otherwise, fire it at point-blank range to instantly dissolve enemies into pink mush; be wary, however, as you can't loot a vaporized body. And avoid using the Magnopulser against heavy enemies, as it cannot instantly vaporize them.
All Melee Weapons (Seriously)
Unlike past games, melee weapons in Far Cry 5 are incredibly useful. While they make for great short-range damage dealers, it's also possible to throw them long distances at enemies for massive damage or to stagger them. The Close Combat Mastery perk further enhances the damage dealt, and with the aid of performance-enhancing drugs, like The Fast and The Furious, melee weapons are made even deadlier. When standard firearms wear out their welcome, you can't go wrong with hurling shovels, bats, or pipes at unsuspecting cultists. If you're looking for a melee weapon with a finer aesthetic touch, purchase the Optimism Shovel at one of the local weapons shops. It's literally a shovel with a smiley face painted onto it. Brilliant.
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