The Ultimate Guide to Street Fighter 6 Taunts: Unleash Your Inner Champion!

Taunts or emotes in Street Fighter 6 may not be well-known among new players. Although they may not hold the same significance as they did in older versions of the game, taunts can still serve as eye-catching methods to taunt opponents and possibly secure a victory.

Nevertheless, it takes skill and experience for players to effectively integrate taunts into their gameplay, using them either as psychological mind games or physical intimidations. This guide aims to help players understand the concept of taunts, their execution, and identify the most impactful ones.

What Are Taunts?

In the Street Fighter franchise, taunts serve as character-specific animations that are utilized to mock opponents. SF6 has designated three taunts for each character, which correspond to back, forward, and neutral inputs. However, it is worth noting that only a limited number of these moves actually impact gameplay.

The concept of taunts was initially introduced in the Street Fighter Alpha series and has since become a hidden aspect of each character's moveset. In Street Fighter 3: Third Strike, taunts even had the ability to enhance certain players' moves and inflict damage. Nevertheless, in more recent games, taunts have transformed into more of an emote, serving as a form of expression rather than a practical means of provocation.

How to Taunt in Street Fighter 6

To execute a taunt in the game, players are required to simultaneously press all six kick and punch buttons on both the Classic and Modern control types. However, for other variations, they will need to do the same while holding either the back or forward keys on the D-Pad.

To customize the input for taunts, go to the Options section in the Multi Menu and modify the control mapping. Under the Controls tab, select "Edit Control Mapping." Then, hover over the Taunt option and assign a different button for its activation.

R3 or RS is the optimal choice for a taunt button, as it serves no other purpose during gameplay.

The Best Taunts in Street Fighter 6

Street Fighter 6 boasts a selection of eight taunts that have a profound impact on both the physical and psychological well-being of the opponent. These particular taunts are widely recognized as the most potent and influential tactics in the entire game.

Blanka’s Juggling (Back Taunt)

Blanka's back taunt is a unique juggling technique that serves a dual purpose - refilling his Blanka-Chan Doll bar and acquiring an extra bomb with each execution. At the beginning of a match, Blanka possesses three explosive dolls, but he can amplify this number to a maximum of five by skillfully juggling and taunting his adversary.

However, employing this move does come with a potential drawback - its extended recovery time. To complete the juggling sequence and obtain a projectile, Blanka requires more than 200 frames. Furthermore, it is crucial to note that the taunt cannot be interrupted or canceled, leaving Blanka vulnerable to attacks from his opponent throughout the entire duration.

Marisa’s Baiting (Forward Taunt)

Marisa entices her opponent with a provocative gesture, daring them to strike her. What makes this move unique is its defensive capabilities, as it is equipped with armor that enables Marisa to withstand the initial attack without sustaining any damage.

Despite its defensive advantages, the taunt leaves Marisa at a disadvantage for at least two strikes, leaving her vulnerable to subsequent attacks and potential damage.

E. Honda’s Kakegoe (Neutral Taunt)

E. Honda draws inspiration from his Sumo background and employs a kakegoe taunt that entices opponents to engage in an attack. Similar to Marisa's teasing, Honda's neutral taunt provides him with armor, enabling him to withstand a few jabs.

It is important to note that although these armored taunts offer protection, they are not impervious to armor-breaking attacks. Charged, Special, or Super moves have the potential to bypass these defensive stances and inflict damage upon the player.

Jamie’s Drop & Pop (Neutral Taunt)

Jamie's drop & pop move is a clever technique for evading incoming projectiles. In this maneuver, Jamie swiftly falls to the ground and promptly rises back up, granting the player a valuable window to evade fireballs and high attacks.

However, it is essential to note that Jamie's taunt can be quite lengthy, lasting up to 700 frames. This makes it the riskiest taunt option in the game. Therefore, players should exercise caution and only utilize it when they are certain their opponent will not launch an attack for a few moments.

Dee Jay’s Resting (Forward Taunt)

Dee Jay's taunting tactic involves him sitting on the ground, strategically waiting for the opponent's attack. This maneuver can effectively help players evade incoming projectiles. However, it is crucial to note that similar to other taunts, Dee Jay's resting move requires careful consideration due to its extended active and recovery frames. Moreover, it is susceptible to low attacks, making it advisable for players to employ this move only when the opponent is positioned at a significant distance on the opposite end of the battlefield.

Chun-Li’s Zhe Sha (Neutral Taunt)

One of Chun-Li's taunts, known as Zhe Sha, has the ability to inflict 300 damage, which is comparable to a neutral jab. What makes it particularly intriguing is that it is the sole taunt that can be seamlessly incorporated into combos. This is made possible by its compatibility with the Drive Impact move, a powerful technique that can incapacitate the opponent.

Lily’s Polaroid Camera (Neutral Taunt)

Although Lily's repertoire of moves is limited, she possesses a distinctive taunt that proves highly effective in countering projectiles. By executing her neutral taunt, which involves a sudden burst of light from her Polaroid camera, Lily inflicts one point of damage on her opponent while simultaneously halting regular fireballs. Nevertheless, it is important to bear in mind that this taunt's immunity to projectiles only applies to low-damage fireballs, rendering it insufficient for deflecting Special ones.

Dhalsim’s Levitation (Back and Forward Taunt)

Dhalsim's back and forward taunts offer him the ability to hover and evade low strikes, despite the potential for punishment. Nevertheless, these maneuvers are vulnerable to standing and high attacks, making them risky in the majority of situations.

Street Fighter 6 is currently accessible on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.