Leaning is one of the most important mechanics in Rainbow Six Siege. It changes two important aspects in game. Leaning left or right is not a new mechanic to Rainbow Six Siege. However, it is an essential one if you want to improve your gameplay.
You can check your controls to see what button you can use to lean. Typically on mouse and keyboard, press Q to lean left and E to lean right. On controller, leaning usually requires pushing in the left stick and inputting left or right. In some cases, leaning may only be used while aiming down sight. Be sure to check and see what controls you have set.
Operation Neon Dawn turns up the heat with a new operator, Aruni, and her Surya gates that will make attackers think twice before rushing into into battle. Watch the full gameplay breakdown now and see the new season in action!
— Rainbow Six Siege (@Rainbow6Game) November 8, 2020
How to Lean in Rainbow Six Siege
The first aspect that leaning changes is you field of view. Leaning left or right allows a player to peer around walls and gain different lines of sight. Leaning while scoped in also doesn't affect your gun's knockback. This means players don't have to adjust their aim for the angle of their weapon.
The second aspect that leaning changes is your hurtbox. By leaning, your upper body hurtbox actually shifts. This seems like a minor point. However, think about when you peer around a wall. When you look around a wall by leaning, the enemy can only see your head peer around the wall. The head is your body's smallest hurtbox. This makes peering around walls while leaning is much safer than without leaning.
