18. Intel, Drones and Cameras

Why Intel Matters

• Intel is what separates a random play from an informed one.
• It stops you being surprised, lets you react to enemy positioning, and lets you coordinate with your team.
• Building a mental map of where enemies are — or probably are — is what enables good decisions mid-round.

The Drone Phase

Do not waste this time. No mindless droning, no alt-tabbing.

• Objectives During Prep
• Identify the site and the setup.
• Plan your entry point based on your role and operator.
• Position drones to cover your entry or key flanks — hidden, but with usable sightlines.
• Listen for audio cues, and check teammates’ drones if you need to.

Progressing With Drones

• Use your drones as you move through the map, not all at the start.
• Drone only one or two rooms ahead, so you can actually act on what you find.
• Do not drone to see enemies — drone to clear areas and decide your next move.
• Use one drone for scouting and the other for flank watch.
• Droning well keeps you alive longer and creates plays: safe entries and easy picks.

Droning Someone In

• With Comms
• Call what the drone can and cannot see.
• Stay close enough to support or capitalise on the kill.
• Set up flank watch, or bait — let the enemy chase a sound while your teammate holds.

• Without Comms
• Use yellow pings only when necessary.
• Keep the drone close and visible; teammates will follow its lead.

• Act on the intel yourself if the teammate dies.

Being Droned In

• Do not tailgate the drone. Leave a few seconds of gap.
• Watch what the drone is not seeing — the off-angles and flanks.
• Expect enemies to react to drone noise. Support does not mean safety.

Drones After Death

• Use your drones to actively support the team.
• Cover flanks, check site, or track roamers.
• Make sure at least one useful drone is hidden for later. If it is not, fix that next round.

Cameras

Default Cameras Reveal spawns and entry routes, and can trick attackers into revealing themselves or misplaying.

Bulletproof Cameras Two advantages: they see through smoke, and they emit EMP pulses that disable gadgets. Place them somewhere they cannot be casually punched or shot, such as above a hatch.

Unique Cameras Zero Argus launchers that stick to surfaces, inside or outside.

Valkyrie Black Eye cameras that can be hidden almost anywhere.

Maestro Evil Eyes, offering bulletproof vision plus shock utility.

Sound

Siege is a game where everything makes noise.

• Footsteps vary by surface — wood, carpet, metal.
• Crouching, vaulting, rappelling and gadget deployment all sound different.
• Aiming down sights and leaning are audible.
• Learn operator-specific sounds, such as a Skopos swap or an Oryx charge. Do not blindly copy someone else’s audio settings. Test different configurations and understand what works for your headset and your playstyle.