What's it like to jump into Siege late? Would I have to level all the operators?
It’s fine, if you buy a ultimate edition or premium which are often 75% off it won’t cost too much. Unlike other games there are no levels associated with the operators. If you have the operator; you have the operator and all their possible gear, and attachments.
I highly recommend getting one of the larger packs that includes a few seasons because unlocking operators with renown( the in game earned currency) is tedious and slow.
As for the bigger question of whether you should invest the time that’s really hard to answer. There is a matchmaking system so you won’t be getting completely decimated after a few games but you will still feel angry at times. It’s an intense game with a lot sitting around waiting for that 30 seconds of action and when it goes your way it’s amazing when it doesn’t you yell at the screen and then sit around and wait.
frankly I’ve been playing since launch, I am terrible and have a love hate relationship with the game. I have gone 6 to 10 months with not playing then to go to 2 to 3 hours daily for months at time. There is nothing like it at all in the FPS space, it’s like counter strike, Overwatch, and with Redfaction/Battlefield destructibility.
Currently I am in an off time playing mostly COD Cold War, Rogue Company, Hood Outlaws and Legends and a little bit of Chivalry 2.