While Rainbow Six Siege isn’t known for its balance between individual characters, the guns they wield are usually pretty close in power to one another. Despite this, some have risen to the top because of their magazine size, rate of fire, or time to aim down sights.
The G8A1 is among the best light machine guns in the game and boasts an impressive record on two usually underpowered characters: IQ and Amaru. This gun single-handedly makes these two operators worth playing, which begs the question: how does a dedicated Siege player show off the most using this flexible, powerful LMG?
10 First Class Burglary: Currently Unavailable
On such a large and unwieldy yet powerful firearm, a clean look is one potential way to wow allies and enemies alike. First Class Burglary, which was available during the wildly successful Crimson Heist season is an excellent skin for such a purpose.
It looks especially good when being wielded by the player, as the gold accents help to truly make the gun pop during even the most intense firefights.
9 Glacier: Currently Unavailable
Although eerily similar to fan-favorite skin Black Ice, Glacier is impressive in its own right. It was available during season 1 of Pro League — Rainbow Six Siege’s own regular esports tournament. If any returning players find they have this G8A1 skin, it is a sight to behold and definitely worth equipping.
The white barrel and jet black stock are both pleasant to the eye and not too distracting This makes Glacier both a huge achievement to even have and also a decent-looking skin in its own right.
8 Emerald: $2.99 USD
Despite being a fairly common and cheap set of skins, the gemstone skin line that is available in the store for purchase is consistently vibrant and visually appealing. Despite the classic feeling of these skins, they make the G8A1 especially pop out as a quality LMG.
Emerald in particular, while also being old compared to newer fancier skins, works with the texture of the skin line and the contour of the G8A1.
7 Damascus Steel: Currently Unavailable
The gritty sci-fi special forces theme of Rainbow Six Siege may dissuade players from using realistic weapon skins, but the Damascus Steel skin makes an argument in the opposite direction feasible. The clean steel coloration and excellently textured base make this skin a truly exceptional find for any returning players.
Damascus Steel was available in 2019 as part of the year 3 season pass and has since become a prized part of any collector’s G8A1 experience.
6 Aki No Tsuru: Currently Unavailable
Despite its extreme rarity and lack of availability since Operation Red Crow, Aki No Tsuru is a bold statement for any old or returning player of this tactical shooter. The red coloration also makes it stand out in colder environments — an aesthetically pleasing touch on all of the best maps, but especially on Yacht and Chalet.
Even though this may not be returning any time soon, if players have this excellent skin, it would be easily noticeable among even the rarest skins of modern Rainbow Six Siege.
5 Search And Rescue: Level 100 On Premium Operation North Star Battle Pass
The Operation North Star Battle Pass may be a financial investment, as well as a major investment of a player’s time to complete, but for this skin it’s worth it. This universal weapon skin, as well as having the honor of level 100, also is visually striking on its own. The color scheme is unique and the size of the G8A1 makes it especially hard to miss.
The attachment skin is also available at an earlier level in the battle pass, albeit still in the premium track. Alongside the new operator, Thunderbird, this skin makes the current season a particularly exciting and interesting one.
4 Aurous Alabaster: Currently Unavailable
Aurous Alabaster has a subdued appearance, almost as if it is for desert camouflage. Its lack of flashy colors or effects makes this skin almost more desirable for those who wish to not have the distraction on their screen at all times.
Coupled with that is the fact that Aurous Alabaster was available recently as part of the year 5 season pass. So, while it is currently unavailable, it is likely that if a collector was playing during year 5, they were working towards this very visually appealing skin without even realizing it.
3 Wisdom And Hospitality: 50,000 Renown Or 1200 R6 Credits
Available as part of the Medicant Bundle in the store, Wisdom and Hospitality make for an exceptional and colorful addition to the G8A1 light machine gun for either IQ or Amaru. The dark gold and blue color scheme is visually appealing and it lacks the messiness of other similar seasonal skins.
It is also available for easily obtainable renown as part of a bundle with the attachment skins for renown. Any veteran player with too much renown sitting around can easily spend it on this expensive skin.
2 Velveteen: Currently Unavailable
Available during Operation Steel Wave in the store, Velveteen is a simple recolor and retexture with the addition of a patterned stock. If that were it, it wouldn’t be an unusual skin, but the combination of these two aspects becomes a skin greater than the sum of its parts.
Velveteen is great for the G8A1 if for no other reason than the size of this flexible LMG and how it allows the light to shine off the sheen of this skin in a truly exceptional fashion.
1 Black Ice: Epic Drop In Alpha Packs
The fan-favorite Black Ice skin is also available for the G8A1 as well as for many others in alpha packs. It makes the G8A1 a high-quality gun purely by the visibility and public knowledge of this skin. If players have it for this gun, it would be foolish not to use it.
Black Ice is also a great-looking skin in its own right, but its place in the community alone warrants high praise for its design and aesthetic appeal.