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Street Fighter 6

🏆 Character Tier List

S–D tier rankings, pick rates, and beginner-friendly character recommendations

Intermediate

About This Tier List

This tier list is based on the 2024 patch environment (late Season 2 – early Season 3). Rankings reflect tournament results and character performance at the top level. Tiers represent relative potential at peak play, not an absolute power ranking.

Tier Criteria

Tier Evaluation
S Top tier. Frequently used at tournaments; essential to counterpick
A Strong and tournament-viable. Can compete at the highest level when mastered
B Balanced; can handle most matchups
C Some notable weaknesses, but specialists can still place
D Struggles in the competitive meta. May have niche strengths in specific matchups

S Tier

Luke

Has dominated SF6's environment since launch. Combines midrange pressure with high damage, and boasts top-tier combo output.

Category Rating
Damage ★★★★★
Neutral ★★★★★
Combo Difficulty Moderate
Beginner-Friendly Very High

Strengths:

  • Dominant midrange pokes (MK, cr.MP, etc.)
  • High damage off Drive Rush
  • Excellent OD invincible reversal
  • SA3 Final Spark has top-tier damage and oki

Weaknesses:

  • Weak projectile game (struggles vs zoners)
  • Somewhat gauge-dependent

Juri

A high-mobility character with strong pokes and Fuhajin setups. Top-tier combo damage and corner mix-up potential.

Strengths:

  • Long-range kicks and fast forward movement
  • Fuhajin (fireball trap) creates strong midrange advantage
  • Rich corner mix-up options
  • SA2 Tensho invincibility

Weaknesses:

  • Fuhajin management is complex; high combo difficulty
  • Difficult for beginners

Chun-Li

The franchise's strongest poke character. Consistent dominance through excellent projectiles and link combos.

Strengths:

  • Hazanshu (heel drop) is one of the best pokes in the game
  • Strong projectile (Kikoken)
  • Diverse combo routes
  • SA2 Hoyoku-sen is excellent in combos

Weaknesses:

  • Corner mix-up potential slightly weaker outside midrange
  • Multiple command moves; slightly higher execution barrier

A Tier

Guile

A dominant keep-away playstyle based on Sonic Boom + Somersault Kick. High tournament presence.

Category Rating
Damage ★★★☆☆
Defense/Neutral ★★★★★
Combo Difficulty Low
Beginner-Friendly High

Strengths:

  • Sonic Boom dominates the screen
  • SA3 Sonic Break has excellent corner carry
  • Simple and easy-to-learn combos
  • Reliable anti-air

Weaknesses:

  • Limited offensive approach options
  • Can struggle on defense against some okizeme

Ken

Dangerous offensive rush-down powered by Drive Rush mix-ups and corner pressure. One of the best corner games in the cast.

Strengths:

  • Shippu Jinraikyaku and Jinrai Legs for fast approach and mix-ups
  • Huge corner option variety
  • High Drive Rush cancel combo damage
  • Powerful overhead/throw 50/50

Weaknesses:

  • Midrange neutral is a bit weaker
  • High gauge dependency; requires careful resource management

Ryu

The series protagonist. Reliable all-around toolset with great OD Shoryuken reversal. Accessible from beginner to expert.

Strengths:

  • Balanced moveset
  • Excellent OD Shoryuken invincibility
  • Shinku Hadoken (SA2) is versatile in combos
  • Stable midrange neutral

Weaknesses:

  • No standout tools; can be counterpicked
  • Slightly lower damage than some characters

JP

A new character in SF6. Long-range pressure with multiple projectile options. Remains highly rated even as counter-strategy has developed.

Strengths:

  • Psyke Strike (projectile/install) creates diverse setups
  • Dominant long-range game
  • Excellent corner carry
  • SA3 has strong mix-up potential

Weaknesses:

  • Limited close-range mix-ups
  • Projectile matchups can be tricky

Marisa

The hardest-hitting character in SF6. Unmatched raw damage and Scaglie (armored rush) for relentless offense.

Strengths:

  • Highest damage output in the cast
  • Scaglie armor powers through opposition
  • Rich corner mix-up options

Weaknesses:

  • Low mobility; susceptible to whiff punishes
  • Slightly higher combo difficulty

B Tier

Lily

A small, fast character who builds massive momentum once she gets going.

Strengths:

  • Fast forward movement and ambush potential
  • Condor Wind (charge move) does huge damage
  • Great Drive Rush synergy

Weaknesses:

  • Short range; struggles when outspaced
  • Options diminish without gauge

A.K.I.

Unconventional poison-based gameplay. Gradually chips away opponents with venom combos.

Strengths:

  • Unique persistent damage from poison
  • Erratic movement creates pressure
  • Strong midrange footsie game

Weaknesses:

  • Requires skill to manage poison
  • Damage is lacking without poison

Rashid

A mobility-focused character who uses tornado mixups to confuse opponents. Expert-level character.

Strengths:

  • High-speed tornado movement to confuse
  • Air attack ambush potential
  • Strong okizeme continuity

Weaknesses:

  • High execution demand
  • Mobility-based tactics can be countered

Ed

A new boxing character. Fast combos and strong close-range mix-ups via advancing specials.

Strengths:

  • Simple combo routes
  • Ambush potential from advances
  • Silver Bullet (SA1) fits many combo uses

Weaknesses:

  • No projectile; limited corner-carry options
  • Few options at long range

Terry

KOF guest character. Strong close-range game via Burning Knuckle and Rising Tackle.

Strengths:

  • Burning Knuckle advancing pressure
  • High damage from charge moves
  • Rising Tackle is a reliable anti-air

Weaknesses:

  • Requires precise execution
  • Weak at long range

Zangief

The archetypal command grab character. SPD's massive damage and the constant throw threat create intense pressure.

Strengths:

  • Highest command grab damage in the cast
  • OD move armor powers through pressure
  • Rich close-range mix-up options

Weaknesses:

  • Terrible at long range
  • Struggles against fireball characters

C Tier

Blanka

Unorthodox character with electric attacks and Blanka-chan doll crossup setups.

Dhalsim

Long-range and teleport specialist. Low representation means most players have limited counter-strategy.

Cammy

High-speed rush-down with Spin Knuckle mix-ups. Currently faces some adversity in the meta.

DeeJay

Midrange poke and frame advantage playstyle. Solid but lacks standout tools in the top meta.

Akuma (Gouki)

Season 3 addition. Rich moveset and high damage, but tuned conservatively during the adjustment phase.

D Tier

E. Honda

Aggressive Hundred Hand Slap pressure, but Drive Impact is a common exploitable weakness.

Dee Jay (Classic)

Simple inputs but relatively low evaluation in the current meta.

Recommended Characters for Beginners

3 Best Starting Characters

  1. Luke — Easy to understand and very strong. The ideal first character in SF6. Multiple combo routes that expand as you improve.
  2. Guile — "Throw Sonic Booms and Somersault anything that jumps" is a functional game plan from day one. Perfect entry point for learning frame knowledge.
  3. Ryu — The series' fundamental commands (Hadoken/Shoryuken) teach you core SF mechanics. A textbook character for experiencing all of SF6's systems.

Meta Summary (2024)

In the current meta, Luke, Juri, and Chun-Li are a step above the rest. Guile, Ken, JP, and Marisa are the next tier of tournament-viable characters. That said, SF6 heavily rewards matchup knowledge and individual skill — many players achieve top results with B-tier or lower characters.

Ultimately, sticking with a character you enjoy and that fits your playstyle is the fastest path to improvement.