Street Fighter 6 Character Guide and Tier List: Master the Roster
Street Fighter 6 has taken the fighting game world by storm since its highly anticipated release. Developed and published by Capcom, this latest installment in the legendary franchise has introduced exciting new features and gameplay mechanics that have captivated both veterans and newcomers alike. With its triumphant arrival on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, Street Fighter 6 has ushered in a new era of intense battles and strategic combat.
In Street Fighter 6, players are treated to an array of innovative systems and fresh aspects that enhance the fighting experience. The game supports cross-platform play and boasts the implementation of rollback netcode, ensuring smooth online matches. With three distinct game modes – Fighting Ground, World Tour, and Battle Hub – players can dive into thrilling local and online versus battles, embark on an immersive single-player story mode, and engage in competitive matches within the online lobby. The inclusion of a real-time commentary system adds an exciting tournament-style feel, providing dynamic commentary or the option to cheer on your favorite fighters.
Now, let’s delve into the heart of Street Fighter 6 as we explore the diverse roster of characters and construct a comprehensive tier list. Discover the unique playstyles, strengths, and weaknesses of each fighter as we guide you through the fierce competition that awaits in this remarkable fighting game.
Table of Contents
- Street Fighter 6 Character List
- Confirmed Street Fighter 6 DLC Characters
- Street Fighter 6 Character Tier List
Street Fighter 6 Character List
In this highly anticipated installment of the legendary fighting game series, fans and newcomers alike will immerse themselves in a thrilling roster of characters, each with their own unique story, playstyle, and evolution from previous iterations.
As we delve into the character descriptions, get ready to discover the familiar faces you know and love, as well as intriguing newcomers, all poised to make their mark in the competitive landscape. From the iconic Ryu and Chun-Li to the charismatic zoomer Luke and the villainous JP, join us on this journey as we explore the dynamic roster of Street Fighter 6, where brawn, cunning, reflexes, and skill collide into some of the most epic battles on this side of the FGC.
Ryu
In Street Fighter 6, Ryu’s quest to fight the strongest opponents continues as he seeks to become a stronger fighter, donning a kasaya robe inspired by his master, Gouken. Ryu remains a solid and well-rounded character with a great projectile game, making him a fine choice for those looking for versatility.
Chun Li
Chun-Li, having successfully taken down Shadaloo, has left her job as an ICPO agent and now runs kung fu classes while caring for Li-Fen, a victim of the Black Moon Incident in Street Fighter 5. Known for her high mechanical execution, Chun-Li offers a top-level threat, though the work she requires in SF6’s early meta is yet to be fully determined.
Luke
Introduced briefly in Street Fighter 5, Luke joins SF6 after leaving the military to pursue new opportunities as a contractor for a private military company. Luke is pursuing a military career to get revenge for his father, who lost his life in a terrorist incident. Positioned as the face of SF6, Luke is an easy-to-play character effective at any range, earning high praise from notable players in the FGC.
Jamie
Jamie utilizes the Drunken Fist fighting style, inspired by Yun and Yang from Street Fighter 3. He gains new special moves and options when sipping from his jug. Jamie has a stylish and unique fighting style but requires significant effort to reach his full potential. Further evaluation is needed as he is a new character.
Guile
Guile, the family man, returns to SF6 after avenging Charlie’s death and remains a member of the US Air Force. He serves as a mentor to Luke and is expected to interact with him again. Guile is known for his zoning abilities and defensive play. He is highly effective and a popular choice for players who want a strong defensive character, also known as the infamous projectile spammers.
Juri
Juri returns to SF6 wearing her costume from Super Street Fighter IV. Her fighting style has been improved, allowing her to fire low projectiles and perform her jumping axe kick without spending any Fuha stocks. Juri is a strong offensive threat and has the potential to reach S-tier status. However, her popularity has been overshadowed by other characters in the early meta, especially due to her reliance on Fuha stocks.
Kimberly
Kimberly, a student of the Ninja Guy, is committed to becoming a fully-fledged ninja. She brings ’80s pop culture vibes and utilizes a cassette with classic tunes during her special moves. Kimberly excels in rushdown and has impressive mobility. Although she received Nerfs before release, she remains a strong choice in SF6.
Ken
Ken returns to SF6 with a scruffier appearance. While he dresses casually, his fighting style remains formidable, featuring target combos, fire-imbued dragon punches, and new moves.
Ken is highly rated and a top-tier aggressive character. He is known for his mobility, cancels, and feints, making him a popular choice among players, especially those who enjoy forcing enemies into corners and keeping the pressure up with long block strings.
Honda
The iconic sumo wrestler joins the SF6 cast, sporting a new outfit. His famous Hundred Hand Slap now has an animation that can stun opponents. E. Honda has made a strong impression since the game’s release, but his long-term strength is yet to be determined. He is considered a potent character, mostly thanks to his high health and frame advantage on certain moves, but players are still adapting to his play style.
Blanka
Blanka returns in a denim blue jumpsuit. His Street Fighter 2 stage also makes a comeback, featuring the giant tree with a snake wrapped around it. Blanka’s strength in SF6 is still in flux within the community. While he has gained more attention recently, his overall performance is yet to be solidified. The general impression, however, seems to be divided between players considering him to be top tier, or bottom tier, and no in-between. This leads us to speculate that he just might be an execution-intensive character, or that he may require special considerations regarding positioning, move frames and recovery times, or other related elements.
Dhalsim
Dhalsim’s appearance in SF6 remains largely unchanged. He retains his stretchy limbs and fire projectiles. Although he lacks his Street Fighter 2 stage, he has a stage based in India with a golden statue in the background. Dhalsim is known for scaling well as the game progresses. While zoners like JP and Guile have taken the spotlight, Dhalsim is expected to rise in popularity due to his unique and classic stretchy yoga style.
Dee Jay
Last seen in Street Fighter 4, Dee Jay returns with a vibrant outfit and a new set of moves. His fast attacks and stylish mixups become a serious threat when pushing opponents into a corner. Think of him like Ken in essence, but with different executions and timings. Nevertheless, Dee Jay is a dark horse for S-tier and is highly rated by many players. However, his high execution demand due to rhythm mechanics makes him more challenging to master at the highest levels.
Manon
Widely regarded as the world’s strongest model, Manon is a world-champion judoka and supermodel. Her attack animations are smooth, and she utilizes her long limbs to deal damage from a distance. Manon has emerged as a sudden contender, with top players like Justin Wong picking her up. As a grappler with potent footsie capabilities, she offers reliability and versatility, with one of the best resource systems on the roster.
Marisa
Marisa, a rival to Zangief, stands at an incredible 6’8″ and is a formidable grappler. Inspired by ancient Greek warriors, her fighting style focuses on crushing opponents into the ground. For this reason, Marisa has exceeded expectations and proven to be stronger than initially anticipated. Her ease of use and armor makes her a great choice, although her simplicity may lead to a decline in strength against more experienced players.
Zangief
The 7’0″ tall Russian wrestler returns for the third mainline game in a row, sporting full-length trousers instead of his iconic red pants. Zangief faces challenges in a zoner-centric meta and with the addition of Manon. While he remains satisfying to play, some matchups can be difficult, and his viability depends on player loyalty or dominating lower ranks with modern strategies.
Lily
Lily may not be the Native American warrior T. Hawk, but she is the closest resemblance. Equipped with ball-headed war clubs, she packs a punch despite her small frame. She shares some attacks with T. Hawk, such as the Condor Spire and Condor Dive. Lily has garnered some advocates in the scene but is generally ranked as underpowered in terms of her kit’s capabilities and damage output. Nevertheless, she is easy to pilot.
As you can see, there is quite a lot to choose from when it comes to the variety in SF6 characters. This is even better when you consider the depth of each of them, and the time it takes to master their moves and skillsets. It’s likely that you’ll choose one or two of these, and focus on them for a great chunk of your time in this fight game. Nevertheless, while there’s a lot to see already, there are reportedly a few characters confirmed to be coming out as DLC for Street Fighter 6, which we’ll be taking a look at in the next section.
Confirmed Street Fighter 6 DLC Characters
Let’s check out what’s in store for us when it comes to DLC characters in Street Fighter 6.
-
Akuma
Releasing in Spring 2024, Akuma is a legendary character and one of the antagonists of the Street Fighter series. He made his debut in Super Street Fighter II Turbo and has since become a fan favorite. In the storyline, he is the younger brother of Gouken, Ryu’s and Ken’s master. Known for his devastating moves and relentless playstyle, Akuma has left a lasting impact on the series and garnered praise from fans and critics alike as the personification of the “glass cannon” playstyle.
-
Rashid
Coming in Summer 2023, Rashid is a newcomer introduced as the protagonist in Street Fighter V. Hailing from the Middle East, he embarks on a mission to rescue his kidnapped friend and takes on the forces of Shadaloo. Rashid’s affinity for technology is matched only by his ability to manipulate small tornadoes, earning him the nickname “Rashid of the Turbulent Wind.” With his unique fighting style and determination, Rashid is sure to bring an exciting and dynamic element to the roster.
-
Ed
Joining the battle in Winter 2024, Ed made his playable debut in Street Fighter V Season 2 DLC. Originally created as a potential replacement body for Bison, he was later freed by Balrog and grew up with a mix of psycho power and boxing skills. As the leader of Neo Shadaloo, Ed seeks to aid others affected by Shadaloo’s experiments. Struggling with the remnants of Bison’s soul within him, Ed sets off on his own path, displaying a fusion of Balrog’s boxing prowess and Bison’s psychokinetic powers.
-
A.K.I
Arriving as a newcomer in Autumn 2023, A.K.I is a mysterious character whose details are currently scarce. As a fresh addition to the roster, A.K.I brings an air of anticipation and curiosity, leaving fans eager to uncover their unique fighting style and background. Stay tuned for more information as A.K.I makes their debut in Street Fighter 6.
With these upcoming DLC characters, Street Fighter 6 promises to deliver a diverse and exciting roster that will captivate players and ensure countless hours of intense battles. Whether you’re a veteran fighter or a newcomer to the franchise, the addition of these characters will bring fresh dynamics and unexpected strategies to the game. Get ready to unleash your skills and embrace the next chapter of the iconic Street Fighter series.
Street Fighter 6 Character Tier List
With this long—and quite informative—preamble out of the way, we can finally go ahead and jump into our tier list for Street Fighter 6. Keep in mind that the game just came out and the community is still in flux regarding the power and potential of every character. As such, this tier list corresponds to our own personal experiences in this game, and will likely change over time, so take it with a grain of salt.
Without further ado, here’s our Street Fighter 6 tier list:
S Tier
- Ken
- Guile
- JP
- Kimberly
A Tier
- Lily
- Dhalsim
- E. Honda
- Marisa
- Zangief
- Ryu
B Tier
- Dee Jay
- Juri
- Chun Li
- Manon
- Cammy
- Luke
C Tier
- Blanka
- Jamie
Do you agree with our Street Fighter 6 Tier List? Make sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below!