Mastering Ken in Street Fighter 6: Pro Tips, Combos and More
Get ready to master the art of combat with Ken Masters in Street Fighter 6 Learn his move list, execute his best combos, and dominate your opponents with our expert tips Don't let anyone counter your skills - become the ultimate Ken player!
Ken Masters, the martial arts champion and business savant, is among the fan-favorite characters making a comeback in Street Fighter 6. Despite his small physical stature in the power type class, Ken is a formidable mid-range power fighter who can hold his own against any opponent on the roster. Whether you're a newcomer or a veteran to the Street Fighter series, mastering Ken's moves and strategies is key to dominating in gameplay. This guide will provide you with the best combos and tricks to unleash Ken's full potential and knock the teeth out of any fighter.
Strategies for Ken
Ken's strength lies in his ability to deliver powerful kicks and dashes, allowing him to excel just outside of punch range. To win with Ken, it's important to control the distance from your opponent and time your overdrive special attacks to counter-attacks.
Ken's unique abilities, such as Quick Dash and Dragonlash Kick, enable him to close distance on his enemies rapidly and catch them off guard, setting up a follow-up combo attack. Combining Dragonlash Kick with Quick Dash results in an extra-long and extra-powerful combo.
However, as a power type fighter, most of Ken's moves have slower start-up times, making him vulnerable to speed type fighters and their faster attacks. It's crucial to avoid close quarters and stay out of harm's way. If cornered, Ken can use his high jab speed (Neutral Light Punch) to change the pace and create some space.
Ken's overdrive special attacks can be used to counter and break through enemy attacks or blocks, making him temporarily invulnerable. His Jinrai Kick can be followed up with a low kick that hits below standing blocks or a high kick that smashes down on crouch blocking enemies.
Ken's Move List
Ken boasts an impressive repertoire of 21 distinct moves, not counting the common ones. Notably, several of his special moves have enhanced versions that can be executed from his Quick Dash unique move. This feature makes Ken's move list one of the most extensive in the game.
Description
Type
Dragonlash Flame
Unleashes a series of airborne kicks
Special Art 1
Shippu Jinrai-kyaku
A devastating flurry of kicks followed by a rising Tatsumaki Senpu-kyaku
Special Art 2
Shinryu Reppa
A three-hit Shoryuken combo with incredible damage
Special Art 3
Hadoken
Street Fighter's signature ki-blast
Special Move
Shoryuken
A massive skyward uppercut that can counter aerial attacks
Special Move
Tatsumaki Senpu-kyaku
A forward-moving string of roundhouse kicks
Special Move
Aerial Tatsumaki Senpu-kyaku
An aerial Tatsumaki capable of hitting opponents from behind
Special Move
Dragonlash Kick
A mid-range forward leaping roundhouse kick
Special Move
Jinrai Kick
A close-range forward roundhouse kick that leads into three followup kicks
Special Move
Kazekama Shin Kick
A low kick following the Jinrai Kick that cannot be blocked standing
Special Move
Gorai Axe Kick
A high kick following the Jinrai Kick that cannot be blocked crouching
Special Move
Senka Snap Kick
A roundhouse kick following the Jinrai Kick
Special Move
Kasai Thrust Kick
A third kick that can be performed following any Overdrive Jinrai Kick
Special Move
Quick Dash
An empowered dash that can be followed by a wide variety of basic and special moves
Unique Attack
Emergency Stop
Performed from Quick Dash, stopping Ken instantly
Unique Attack
Thunder Kick
A high attack following Quick Dash that cannot be blocked crouching
Unique Attack
Forward Step Kick
A long reaching kick performed from Quick Dash
Unique Attack
Chin Buster
A fast-hitting punch combo
Unique Attack
Triple Flash Kicks
A long reaching kick combo that knocks enemies back
Unique Attack
Knee Strikes
A forward throw with a quick blow to the knee
Throw
Hell Wheel
Grab the opponent, roll backwards, and kick them back
Throw
Ken's Best Combos
Ken's optimal combos require positioning just outside of his opponent's punching range. These combos consist of a gap closer, a burst of follow-up damage, and a high damage or knockback finisher. One exemplary combo involves a Quick Dash followed by an Overdrive Dragonlash Kick, capped off with a Shinryu Reppa super art.
Basic Combo: Dragonlash Kick + Triple Flash Kicks
Open with a Dragonlash Kick, followed by Triple Flash Kicks
Classic Controls
Modern Controls
Forward, Down-Forward, Down + Kick; Medium Kick, Medium Kick, Heavy Kick
Leap towards your opponent with a powerful Dragonlash Kick, and while they are still staggered, execute a series of roundhouse kicks to send them flying backwards. Finish the combo with a stylish Hadoken to add some flair. This combo deals moderate damage and works best at close to mid-range.
Intermediate Combo: Jinrai Kick + Senka Snap Kick + Quick Dash + Tatsumaki Senpu-kyaku
A successful Tatsumaki mid-Quick Dash will deal increased damaged while pushing opponents to the corner.
Classic Controls
Modern Controls
Down, Down-Forward, Forward + Kick, Forward + Heavy Kick, Kick + Kick, Down, Down-Back, Back + Kick
Down + Special, Special, Medium Attack + Heavy Attack, Down + Special
If your opponent is getting too close for comfort, turn the tables by unleashing a barrage of damage. Start with a powerful kick combo to create some space, and then quickly close the distance with a swift dash while your opponent is still recovering. Finally, knock them back with an impressive Tatsumaki, or go for even more power with a Dragonlash Flame or Shippu Jinrai-kyaku. With this devastating combo, your opponent will quickly regret getting too close.
Advanced Combo: Quick Dash + Thunder Kick + Hadoken + Chin Buster + Shinryu Reppa
Classic Controls
Modern Controls
Kick + Kick, Medium Kick, Down, Down-Back, Back + Punch, Medium Punch, Heavy Punch, Down, Down-Forward, Forward, Down, Down-Forward, Forward + Punch
This combo cannot be done with Modern Controls.
This devastating combination of attacks is particularly lethal when Ken is on the brink of defeat. To execute it, close in on your opponent with a Quick Dash, then stun them with a Thunder Kick. Follow up with a point-blank Hadoken to prolong the stun and finish them off with a Chin Buster canceled into a Shinryu Reppa. Since Shinryu Reppa inflicts greater damage when health is below 25%, pulling off this sequence when in a dire situation can completely alter the course of the battle.
Tips for Winning With Ken
To truly excel with Ken, players must learn to effectively manage the distance between themselves and their opponents. Being too close leaves him open to devastating punch combos, while being too far can result in him landing directly in front of the enemy after a leaping attack. It's all about finding the sweet spot and maintaining control over the battlefield.
Mix up your moves when playing as Ken to keep your opponent guessing. While he is known for his kicks, don't be afraid to use standing and crouching attacks at close range. Follow up with Jinrai Kick to keep your opponent on their toes. Take advantage of Ken's fast jab combos and use them to your advantage when enemies get too close. Use Shoryuken to counter aerial attacks and catch your opponent off guard. For maximum damage, connect with an Overdrive Shoryuken. Ken's Super Arts can be used at close range, so close the gap before unleashing them. To create space when trapped in a corner, use a throw followed by a back dash.
How to Counter Ken
Despite being physically smaller than other fighters in the power type, Ken's agility and speed make him a formidable opponent. However, his basic combos can be interrupted with well-timed fast-starting, forward-directed attacks. To effectively fight Ken, try to stay in close proximity, use long-range pokes, and constantly spam quick combos. Additionally, be prepared to dodge his leaps and dashes with movement abilities. Guile, JP, and Jamie are great counter options to take down Ken.
Street Fighter 6 is available now on PC and Console.
