The Ultimate Street Fighter 6 Character Ranking: Who Dominates and Who Falls Short?

Capcom has managed to craft a well-balanced roster for Street Fighter 6, evident from the post-release meta that has left many players perplexed. This bodes well for the game's future, ensuring fewer overpowered characters in upcoming updates and future iterations of the franchise. Nevertheless, fans of Street Fighter 6 are inevitably drawn to finding the most optimal characters in each archetype and identifying the best fighters to specialize in. To that end, this tier list, based on recent statistics, ranks all characters from top to bottom. The rankings are determined by the following criteria:

Frame Data Combo Capabilities Hit-to-Damage Ratio Ease of Use

Street Fighter 6 Tier List

The post-release tier list for

Street Fighter 6

has seen some changes, with Dhalsim, E. Honda, and Marisa at the top,

followed by Manon

, Juri, Ken, and Dee Jay. However, classic characters like Ryu, Luke, Chun-Li, and Zangief have fallen into the B-Tier, while newcomers Jamie and Kimberly are at the bottom.

Here's the complete tier list for all 18 main roster characters:

The SF6 tier list may undergo changes with the addition of DLC characters and as the metagame adjusts to potential nerfs and buffs.

S-Tier: The Best Fighters

The top tier of characters in Street Fighter 6 is reserved for those with exceptional frame data, consistent combos, and high damage output. Currently, only three fighters have proven to excel in all these categories: Dhalsim, E. Honda, and Marisa.

Dhalsim

Dhalsim stands out among the main roster fighters with his exceptional reach, extensive move list, and seamless combo transitions. These abilities enable him to effortlessly keep his opponents at bay, poke them with projectiles, and punish their mistakes with high-damage normal and special moves. However, his recovery frame disadvantage is a notable weakness as it leaves him vulnerable to counterattacks when blocking.

E. Honda

E. Honda may not be the quickest fighter in Street Fighter 6, but his high Life Points and frame advantage on hit make him a formidable opponent. His deadly close-range attacks, combined with Special to Super combinations, can result in devastating combos of over 30 hits. It's no wonder E. Honda is classified as an S-Tier character.

Marisa

Marisa's armored moves, unique block stances, and unpredictable range make her a top-tier character. Once she breaks her opponent's guard, she becomes an unstoppable force, capable of taking down even the toughest opponents with a single Overdrive combo. However, her reliance on the Drive Gauge, high predictability, and recovery frame disadvantage may discourage novice players from using her.

A-Tier: The Solid Fighters

A new addition to Street Fighter 6's A-Tier, Manon, brings a fresh and exciting gameplay experience. Along with the familiar faces of Juri, Ken, and Dee Jay, these fighters may have their weaknesses, but they still pack a punch when played strategically. Despite not having the highest stats or frame data, their potential is promising and should not be underestimated.

Manon

Manon's repertoire of check moves and punishing techniques make her a standout character in Street Fighter 6. However, her Medal System, which provides a permanent buff to her throws, grants her invincibility. As a result, Manon's normal and Special combos pack a stronger punch, and her mix-ups are more challenging to anticipate, providing a critical advantage in securing a victory.

Juri

Ken

Juri is a formidable fighter in the SF6 roster, known for her ability to frustrate opponents with her cost-effective normal kicks. Her mastery of aerial combat, combined with her poke skills, make her a formidable opponent. However, some argue that her reliance on the Fuha stocks holds her back from being among the top fighters in the S-Tier. If she could break free from this dependence, she would undoubtedly rise to the top.

Ken may not be the most powerful mid-range fighter, but his skills still place him in the A Tier. His ability to effectively corner opponents, cancel strikes with strong pushback, and quickly counter attacks make him a top-notch warrior. However, it's worth noting that Ken's checks have a longer recovery time and his combos can be inconsistent at times.

Dee Jay

Dee Jay has earned his place in the A Tier of Street Fighter 6 due to his unpredictable movement, effective Drive Rush, and ability to avoid projectiles. He excels at catching opponents off guard with unexpected attacks and punishing their mistakes. However, Dee Jay's inconsistent cancels and awkward input layout are areas where he could improve.

B-Tier: The High-Potential Fighters

The B-Tier fighters are known for their remarkable ability to recover from challenging situations and emerge victorious despite their average skill sets. Among the characters who fall under this tier in the early meta are Ryu, JP, Luke, Guile, Chun-Li, and Zangief.

JP

Once feared as a top-notch competitor, JP's ranking has now dropped to a mid-tier fighter. His early success was largely attributed to his unique moveset, which posed a challenge for opponents. However, as his tactics became more familiar, JP's skills are now primarily limited to long-range combat and zoning abilities.

Ryu

Ryu is placed in the B Tier primarily because of his predictable move list. Many players are able to anticipate his strikes and take advantage of his range issue and punishable combos. Despite this, Ryu still remains a well-rounded fighter with consistent mid-range dominance.

Luke

Although Luke is a skilled fighter, he falls short in comparison to higher Tier characters due to his limited projectile and range capabilities. Additionally, his reliance on the Drive Gauge can put him at a disadvantage in intense close combat situations.

Guile

Despite the introduction of the new Drive Gauge system, Guile's move list remains unchanged, which has both advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, experienced players can stick to their tried and tested strategies, but on the other hand, opponents can easily counter Guile's moves that have been effective for years. However, Guile can still dominate matches by relying on his exceptional zoning and anti-air skills.

Chun-Li

Chun-Li's impeccable movement and Punish Counters make her a strong contender for a higher spot on the Street Fighter 6 tier list. However, her primary attacks are complex and leave her vulnerable, which currently keeps her in a lower tier.

Zangief

Zangief is a potent foe when it comes to grappling. But his large hitbox and slow reaction time affect his ranking negatively.

C-Tier: The Inconsistent Fighters

Cammy, Blanka, and Lily are considered C-Tier choices due to their tendency to produce unreliable and inconsistent results. Although these characters possess significant power, their checks, counters, and combos are not always dependable. As a result, players must invest time in mastering their techniques or avoid using them altogether.

Cammy

Cammy's downfall in Street Fighter 6 can be attributed to her vulnerability to close-range counters. Fighters like Marisa can easily punish her for the slightest mistake and keep her within the danger zone for an extended period. However, despite this weakness, Cammy remains one of the best speedy fighters in the game and can still win matches with a risky game plan.

Blanka

Blanka's unique moveset makes him a formidable opponent in SF6, but his inconsistency makes it difficult to place him in a specific tier. Even skilled players may struggle to achieve consistent results with Blanka, which can lead to his placement in lower tiers.

Lily

Lily's placement in the C-Tier is due to the fact that her drawbacks surpass her benefits. While she may be able to exert pressure on her opponent in the mid-range, her ability to cause significant damage beyond her Super Arts is inadequate.

D-Tier: The Worst Fighters

Characters in the D-Tier of Street Fighter 6 are defined by having the poorest frame advantages, recovery, and control configurations. Currently, only two fighters, Jamie and Kimberly, possess these qualities. Unfortunately, they have not been well-received in the meta and are likely candidates for future buffs or gameplay adjustments.

Jamie

Jamie's reliance on the Drink mechanic has hindered his fighting ability, leaving him vulnerable to long-range fighters without effective counter moves for projectiles, particularly when his Drink Level is low. Furthermore, his moveset varies with his Drink Level, making it challenging for novice players to grasp his combos.

Kimberly

Kimberly's fighting style in Street Fighter 6 may not be the most efficient due to her limited range and predictable moves. Her attacks do not inflict significant damage and her combos are easy to anticipate, making her an easy target for experienced players. Additionally, she lacks invincibility during her Specials and her frame rate does not allow for smooth cancels, making it difficult to execute advanced techniques. Overall, Kimberly may not be the best choice for players looking to dominate in competitive matches.

Street Fighter 6 Ranking Tier List

The Ranking List for Street Fighter 6 shows a noticeable diversification of the meta. Guile, Ken, Marisa, and JP are currently the most popular characters in Ranked Matches as of June 2023. However, even C-Tier characters such as Kimberly and Jamie have managed to secure a spot in the top 20. Street Fighter 6 is now available for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X & S.