Solo Queue Player Guide to 5 Exhaust Stack in Rainbow Six Siege

Introduction to 5 Exhaust Stack in Rainbow 6 Siege

Rainbow 6 Siege first released in 2015 and has since become one of the most popular competitive first-person shooter games. With destructible environments, unique operators, and intense gameplay, it requires skill, strategy, and teamwork to succeed. One of the most crucial elements of strategy in Siege is map knowledge. With over 20 highly detailed maps featuring varied layouts and objectives, understanding the maps is key.

Here we will analyze one of the most notorious maps for solo queue players - 5 Exhaust Stack. We'll break down the pros and cons of this map and discuss strategies for both attack and defense when solo queueing.

Overview of 5 Exhaust Stack

5 Exhaust Stack was introduced in Operation Grim Sky and is set in an industrial warehouse. It features three bomb sites, open areas, long lines of sight, and a vertical design spanning three floors. The sites are Train Museum, Bunker Entrance, and B Pipe. Attackers typically rappel on the roof to enter skylights while defenders roam the floors below.

On this map, callouts are essential. The five exhaust stacks that give the map its name provide directional cues. Other key callouts include Forklift, blue hall, lobby, locker room, and catwalk. Communication with teammates makes taking and defending the sites more manageable.

Solo Queue Challenges on 5 Exhaust Stack

5 Exhaust Stack's complexity and need for coordination can make it very difficult for solo queuing players. Some key issues include:

• Long rotations between sites
• Limited intel on multi-level roamers
• Many angles to watch
• Power positions for lurkers
• Difficult vertical play

With no communication or synergy with teammates, it's easy to get flanked by roamers or pinned down from unknown spots. Solo players must drone methodically, watch flanks, and play more passively.

Attack Strategies for Solo Players

On attack, the following strategies can help solo queuers succeed on 5 Exhaust Stack:

• Take map control slowly using Nomad, Gridlock for flank watch
• Drone ahead to clear rooms and watch flanks
• Breach and plant cautiously, watching crossfires
• Play vertically at a distance with Thatcher, Thermite, Zofia
• Use Ash, Zofia or Sledge to clear utility and destroy evil eyes
• Plant safely behind cover, watching flanks and entrances

With no intel from teammates, solo players should avoid risky plays. Staying alive and getting the defuser down safely is the top priority.

Defense Strategies for Solo Players

For defenders, key strategies include:

• Reinforce site, don't rely on roaming
• Anchor site with intel like Valkyrie cams, proximity alarms
• Use Mira windows or Maestro cams to safely watch flanks
• Save utility like C4s to deny the plant
• Communicate only necessary intel quickly in text chat
• Play time and stay alive at all costs

Solo queueing defenders should stick to site instead of roaming. Gathering intel and stalling the attackers is critical when teammates can't trade kills or refrag.

Tips for Each Bomb Site

Next we'll cover tips and suggestions for effectively attacking and defending each of the three bomb sites on 5 Exhaust Stack.

Train Museum Tips

This exposed site in the middle of the map is difficult to defend solo. Anchor heavily and use Mira to cover the train entrance. Valykrie cams can spot lobby pressure. For attack, take control of blue hall and watch crossfires from catwalk, lobby, and bunker entrance.

Bunker Entrance Tips

The Bunker Entrance bomb site has many angles to watch. Defend close to site with Maestro or Echo, using cams to watch flanks. For attack, establish control of blue hall and meeting room to cut rotations. Vertical pressure from skylight also helps.

B Pipe Tips

B Pipe features a tricky hallway approach for attackers. Defenders should anchor close to deny the plant, using C4s and nitro cells. Attacking this site requires map control - clear out meeting, locker, blue hall then watch flanks carefully when pushing the hallway.

Key Operators for Solo Players

Certain operators are especially useful when solo queuing 5 Exhaust Stack. Here are strong choices for each side:

Attack

• Thatcher - Clear defender utilities safely
• Thermite - Reliable hard breacher
• Ash - Good entry fragger, utility clear
• Zofia - Versatile soft breach and concussions
• Nomad - Solid flank watch
• Gridlock - Additional flank control
• Twitch - Remove intel gadgets from a distance

Defense

• Valkyrie - Extra intel with throwable cameras
• Maestro - Bulletproof cams for intel
• Echo - Intel and plant denial with drones
• Mira - One way intel with Black Mirrors
• Lesion - Gain intel on enemy movement
• Mozzie - Steal attacker drones
• Jager - Protect site from throwables

Concluding Thoughts

5 Exhaust Stack presents many challenges for Rainbow 6 Siege players queuing solo. Long rotations, verticality, and poor lines of sight allow roamers and lurkers to easily kill attackers and defenders out of position.

By droning meticulously, playing anchor, and choosing appropriate operators, solo queuers can find more success on this map. But communication and coordination are ultimately key, so squad up when possible!

FAQs

Why is 5 Exhaust Stack considered difficult for solo queue players?

5 Exhaust Stack is very difficult for solo queue due to its verticality across 3 floors, long rotations between bomb sites, and many angles attackers can hold. Without communication or coordination with teammates, players often get flanked by roamers or pinned down from multiple angles.

What are some good attacker operators for solo queue on 5 Exhaust Stack?

Good attacker choices for solo queue include Thatcher, Thermite, Ash, Zofia, Nomad, and Gridlock. Their utility helps clear defender gadgets, watch flanks, and push sites more safely. Bringing hard breach and flank watch is highly recommended.

Should defenders anchor or roam on 5 Exhaust Stack?

Anchoring on site is generally better for solo queue defenders. There are too many angles to cover when roaming alone. Staying on site, gathering intel, delaying the attack, and denying the plant is more viable without teammate coordination.