Best Street Fighter 6 Characters Tier List
by Rubaditsha
Updated Aug 07, 2023
Street Fighter 6 Wiki
Street Fighter 6, a highly anticipated fighting game, emerged as a remarkable addition to the iconic Street Fighter franchise in 2023. Crafted and published by Capcom, the game's announcement in February 2022 ignited excitement among fans.
As the seventh main installment in the series, Street Fighter 6 introduced a fresh wave of exhilarating combat experiences. It made its official debut on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, on June 2, 2023. Notably, an arcade version is set to be released by Taito later in the same year, promising an even broader reach.
Powered by the cutting-edge RE Engine, Street Fighter 6 boasts technological advancements that enhance gameplay. One of its standout features is the support for cross-platform play and the implementation of rollback netcode. These additions facilitate seamless connectivity among players, breaking down barriers and fostering a vibrant, competitive community.
The game's creators ensured a comprehensive experience by offering three distinct game modes, catering to a variety of playing preferences. Moreover, the inclusion of three control options allows players to tailor their experience to their preferred style, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity.
Innovation continues to thrive within Street Fighter 6, evident in its real-time commentary system. This unique feature not only immerses players in a tournament-like ambiance but also introduces a dynamic twist by enabling spectators to actively cheer on their favorite fighters. This interactive element amplifies the sense of camaraderie and excitement that defines the fighting game community.
Upon its release, Street Fighter 6 garnered widespread critical acclaim, leaving an indelible mark on the gaming landscape. Its captivating gameplay, enriched by cutting-edge technology and thoughtful design, resonated with players and critics alike.
The game's achievements extended beyond the realm of praise, as it swiftly achieved commercial success. By July 2023, Street Fighter 6 had already achieved a remarkable milestone, with over 2 million units sold. This impressive achievement not only underscores the game's quality and appeal but also reaffirms its status as a beloved and enduring addition to the legacy of the Street Fighter series.
Best Street Fighter 6 Characters Tier List
In this tier list, we are analyzing the top Street Fighter 6 characters in the initial post-release meta. It's crucial to emphasize that the player's skills, playstyle, and dedication to mastering a character take precedence over the character itself.
Furthermore, Street Fighter 6 has exhibited a high level of balance upon launch, with virtually every character garnering support, criticism, and ongoing improvements.
We have thoroughly engaged in playing and observing early tournaments and gameplay from prominent members of the Fighting Game Community to formulate this inaugural version of our list. However, it's important to note that this list is not set in stone and is subject to rapid changes.
Here are our current rankings for the strongest characters in Street Fighter 6:
S
Luke, Juri, Ken
S-
JP, Cammy, Guile, Blanka, Dee Jay
A
Rashid, Marisa, Manon, Chun-li, E. Honda, Dhalsim
B
Kimberly, Ryu, Jamie
C
Lily, Zangief
Tier
Fighters
Best Street Fighter 6 Characters List
S-tier Characters (Top Tier) – Reliably Among the Best
Luke
Luke, heralded as the face of SF6, embodies the Ryu for a new generation. With versatility across ranges and continuous improvement, he maintains a strong presence in the upper echelons of the SF6 meta. MenaRD, the CEO champion, counts Luke among his top choices.
Juri
A prominent offensive threat and top slow fireball user, Juri consistently appears in Top 8 tournaments. She distinguishes herself from counterparts Cammy and Kimberly in terms of playstyle.
Ken
Ken, highly regarded since beta, remains a dominant force post-SF6's official release. His aggressive gameplay and popularity, including Daigo's continued use, showcase his strength.
S-Minus Tier (Lower Top Tier)
JP
JP, Street Fighter 6's new antagonist, serves as an oppressive zoner capable of frustrating opponents. Already embraced by players like Sonicfox, JP's powerful reversals defy traditional counter strategies.
Cammy
While not as broken as in previous iterations, Cammy's formidable strength persists. Pros such as Punk/Pink have demonstrated her competitiveness, debunking concerns about her damage output.
Guile
Once the premier zoner, Guile now contends with JP for that title. His straightforward execution and solid defense make him a compelling choice for those seeking a zoner role.
Blanka
MenaRD's success in CEO 2023 Grand Finals with Blanka exemplifies his potential. Blanka's toolkit, though often considered a knowledge check, holds enough legitimate tools to warrant his placement.
Dee Jay
Dee Jay's mobility, feints, and versatile kit secure his S-tier status. His high execution demands may limit usage at the highest levels, yet investment in mastering him appears promising.
A-tier Characters (High Tier) – Really Good, but Slightly Worse
Rashid
Boasting unparalleled movement and projectile variety, Rashid offers versatility and adaptability. His offensive prowess, though slightly hampered by lower damage output, remains potent.
Marisa
Marisa's initial strength surprised many, with her straightforward mechanics and armor proving formidable. However, her efficacy may diminish as players become more skilled, requiring further observation.
Manon
Grappler Manon, equipped with strong footsies and a robust resource system, emerges as a viable choice. Prominent players like Sticky Fingers have embraced her, signaling her rise.
Chun Li
Chun Li's high mechanical ceiling maintains her competitive edge. Recent adjustments, like the Battle Change List's impact on her Kikoken, suggest continued strength potential.
E. Honda
E. Honda initially thrived but now faces predictability and counterplay challenges. While potent at lower ranks, his effectiveness diminishes at the highest levels.
Dhalsim
Dhalsim's historical resilience in aging SF titles suggests continued relevance in SF6. Despite Guile and JP's spotlight, Dhalsim's stretchy-yoga playstyle may ascend as the game evolves.
B-tier Characters (Mid Tier) – Have Some Strengths, but Not Overpowered
Kimberly
Once a formidable rushdown character, Kimberly's mobility and mix-ups have waned post-beta. Although boasting strong punish capabilities, her neutral game remains somewhat gimmicky.
Ryu
Ryu, a balanced choice with excellent projectile tools, excels in the hands of skilled players. His versatility, though solid, lacks the oppressive qualities of higher-tier fighters.
Jamie
Jamie's stylish flair contrasts with the difficulty of effectively executing his kit. While potentially promising, time will reveal his true potential as players gain familiarity.
C-tier Characters (Low Tier) – Honest and Hardworking
Lily
Lily, part of the Thunderfoot tribe, garners some support but generally ranks lower due to perceived underpowered kit and damage output. Her ease of use balances these limitations.
Zangief
In a meta dominated by zoners and the introduction of Manon, Zangief's prominence has diminished. Although satisfying to play, challenging matchups persist despite recent recovery adjustments.
Street Fighter 6 Gameplay
Street Fighter 6 introduces a trio of engaging game modes: Fighting Ground, World Tour, and Battle Hub.[1] Within Fighting Ground, players delve into local and online versus battles, training sessions, and arcade modes, all steeped in the familiar 2D fighting dynamics synonymous with the series.
Here, two fighters employ diverse attacks and special abilities to secure victory. World Tour unfolds as a single-player narrative venture, with a customizable avatar navigating 3D realms like Metro City from Final Fight and the fictitious Nayshall, combining action-adventure elements with exploration.
Battle Hub serves as an online lobby, leveraging avatars from World Tour. Participants engage in ranked or casual matches, utilizing their avatars' honed skills, partake in special events, or enjoy emulated Capcom arcade classics. Notably, Street Fighter 6's core gameplay revolves around the innovative Drive Gauge, offering players five distinct techniques to strategically employ.
Characters wield three super combos tethered to specific gauge levels, with a Critical Art transforming the Level 3 super move into a more potent version during low health situations. This title further elevates the experience with a real-time commentary system, featuring eight commentators, and enhances immersion and tournament-like vibes.
Best Street Fighter 6 Characters Tier List: FAQs
Street Fighter 6 is a fighting game developed and published by Capcom, announced in February 2022. It was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on June 2, 2023, with an arcade version by Taito planned for later in the year.
Street Fighter 6 features three main game modes: Fighting Ground, which includes local and online versus battles, training, and arcade modes; World Tour, a single-player story mode with a customizable avatar exploring various environments; and Battle Hub, an online lobby mode with ranked/casual matches, avatars from World Tour, special events, and even emulated Capcom arcade titles.
Street Fighter 6 introduces the Drive Gauge system, encouraging creative gameplay with five different techniques. It also offers three control types, including classic, modern, and a dynamic scheme for AI-controlled attacks. Multiple super combos make a return, with each character having three based on their level gauge.
The current tier list places Luke, Juri, and Ken in the top-tier S category. Following closely are JP, Cammy, Guile, Blanka, and Dee Jay in the S-minus tier. Rashid, Marisa, Manon, Chun-Li, E. Honda, and Dhalsim are in the A tier. Kimberly, Ryu, and Jamie make up the mid-tier B, while Lily and Zangief occupy the lower-tier C.
Street Fighter 6 introduces a real-time commentary system where English and/or Japanese commentators watch matches and provide live commentary, enhancing the tournament-style atmosphere. Eight different commentators, with play-by-play and color commentary options, offer an engaging and immersive experience.