Let me tell you, as someone with hundreds of hours sunk into Rainbow Six Siege, few things feel as satisfying as finally getting your hands on the rarest cosmetic item in the game – the coveted Black Ice weapon skins. These sleek icy weapon finishes have become the holy grail for R6 players. But with abysmal drop rates from Alpha Packs, just how rare are Black Ice skins? As a dedicated Siege veteran, I‘ve done the research to show exactly why these are the most sought-after skins.
What Makes Black Ice So Cool?
For those who might not be familiar, Black Ice refers to a set of blue-and-white icy weapon skins first introduced in February 2016 with Operation Black Ice. The light blue tones over a deep navy blue background give guns a stylish winter-themed look.
In my opinion, the Black Ice skins just look so slick and cool compared to anything else in the game. The monochrome color scheme works nicely with most weapons and operator uniforms too. Equipping a Black Ice on your favorite attacker or defender feels incredibly satisfying.
Beyond just looks, landing a Black Ice skin for your main operator is a huge flex. It shows you‘ve been playing Siege since the early days. And given how rare they are, getting a Black Ice drop feels like a momentous achievement.
The Abysmal Black Ice Drop Rates
So what makes Black Ice skins so astonishingly rare compared to other Siege cosmetics? It all comes down to brutal drop rates. Black Ice finishes are categorized as Epic rarity.
Based on official data mined statistics, here are the drop chances for various rarity levels from Alpha Packs:
| Rarity | Chance |
|---|---|
| Common | 56% |
| Uncommon | 28% |
| Rare | 13% |
| Epic | 2% |
| Legendary | 1% |
As you can see, the odds of getting an Epic item like Black Ice are only around 2% or 1 in 50. For a specific Black Ice skin, your chances plummet to about 1% or 1 in 100.
To put that into perspective, you‘d have to open an average of 100 Alpha Packs just to have a chance at one particular Black Ice! Some people have opened 500+ packs and still never seen Black Ice.
Meanwhile, Common and Uncommon drops you‘ve seen countless times are constantly filling up your inventory. No wonder Black Ice feels so elusive.
Just How Many Black Ice Skins Exist?
Initially, during Operation Black Ice in early 2016, Black Ice weapon finishes could be purchased for all guns in the game for a limited time. After that season ended, they became rare Alpha Pack drops only.
Moreover, Black Ice skins only remained obtainable for Year 1 and Year 2 operators. Based on data mining, here are the 22 Black Ice variants currently in the loot pool:
- Ash – R4-C, G36C
- Bandit – MP7
- Blitz – P12
- Buck – CAMRS
- Frost – 9mm C1, Super 90
- Fuze – AK-12, 6P41, Shield
- GIGN Pistol – P9
- Jäger – 416-C Carbine
- Mute – MP5K
- Pulse – M1014
- Rook – MP5
- Russian SAS – 9x19VSN, SASG-12
- SAS – F2, L85A2
- Sledge – M590A1
- Smoke – FMG-9, SMG-11
- Thatcher – AR33
So while there are many skins, getting the particular Black Ice you want for your favorite op is near impossible with 22 different possible drops.
The Most Coveted and Rarest Black Ice Skins
Let‘s be real – not all Black Ice skins are made equal. Based on the popularity of operators, some specific skins are considerably more sought after.
Here‘s my personal tier list ranking the most coveted and rarest Black Ice variants:
S-Tier
- Ash – R4-C
- Jäger – 416-C Carbine
A-Tier
- Bandit – MP7
- Smoke – SMG-11
- SAS – F2
B-Tier
- Frost – 9mm C1
- Mute – MP5K
- Pulse – M1014
C-Tier
- GIGN Pistol – P9
- Fuze – Shield
- Blitz – P12
No surprise that Ash and Jäger‘s primaries top the list since they are such powerful and popular fragging operators picked almost every round. Conversely, shields and pistols are generally less desirable.
Tips for Landing This Rare Beauty
So you‘re probably wondering – how can I get my hands on the Black Ice skin I‘ve always wanted? Here are some tips:
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Save up Renown for buying Alpha Packs in bulk. You‘ll have to open a lot to beat the odds.
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Keep playing regularly and earn Alpha Packs from repeats. They are awarded every few levels.
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Buy the Battle Pass – it includes some Alpha Packs as rewards.
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Complete challenges and events that give Alpha Packs.
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Check the in-game shop during sales or special events. Black Ice is sometimes available for direct purchase.
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Pray to Lord Tachanka {-}7
Ultimately, scoring a Black Ice skin comes down to persistence and luck. But when you finally see that icy blue beauty appear after hundreds of hours spent with the game, the feeling is euphoric.
As a player since the beta in 2015, I‘ll never forget the sheer joy I felt when I opened an Alpha Pack to see that coveted Jäger 416-C Black Ice. The one I had been chasing for years. It almost brought a tear to my eye.
So keep your chin up and keep grinding for your Black Ice white whale. It may take time, but the payoff is so worth it. Trust me. When you finally get it, go flex on all your friends and be proud of owning one of the rarest Siege status symbols out there!
