Street Fighter 6 features a diverse cast of old and new characters for players to choose from. In addition to the fan favorites, this latest edition of the classic fighter includes a handful of brand-new characters. While each character is unique and fun to play, some are far more straightforward than others. This guide will explain the best Street Fighter 6 characters for beginners.
The Top Characters for Beginners in Street Fighter 6
Street Fighter 6 features 18 characters out the gate, not counting your custom avatar, who you play as in World Tour mode. Some of these characters are complicated and take serious time and investment to master. This list below features five of the best characters for new players in terms of least to most effective. They are straightforward but strong, and with practice, they can help you become a better player.
5. Marisa

Marisa is one of the newcomers, and she is a powerhouse. Spartans inspire her, and she fights with a straight-to-the-point approach. She doesn’t feature advanced mechanics or complex techniques, as she lets her fists do the talking. Her move list is small but efficient. Here are some of her best moves.
- Gladius – A straight punch that can be charged to do more damage.
- Enfold – A grab that can be performed from the Scotum defensive stance.
- Goddess of the Hunt – Marisa’s level three super art, a power grab that can move through projectiles.
4. Lily

Lily is a newcomer like Marisa, and she shares family ties to a classic Street Fighter legend, T. Hawk. She features some of his moves, but her execution is far simpler. She wields a pair of weapons that grant her fantastic range, and her wind buffs are easy to manage. Here are some go-to moves for Lily.
- Condor Spire – She leaps in the air and charges forward. A tremendous mid-range ability.
- Tomahawk Buster – A diagonal leap into the air with her weapons. A great anti-air technique.
- Raging Typhoon – Her level three ability is a powerful grab that can’t be blocked.
3. Ken

Ken Masters, one of the original fighters, is back and better than ever. He shares a similar fighting style as his brother in arms Ryu, but this game changes him up in significant ways. He is slightly more complicated than his Shoto brethren but equally effective. Where Ryu opts for simple and powerful strikes, Ken is agile and prefers a plethora of flashy kicks to get the job done. Here are his best moves.
- Hadoken – The most iconic special move in gaming history is back.
- Jinrai Kick – A new kick attack that can branch into various other moves.
- Shinryu Reppa – Ken’s iconic flaming dragon uppercut.
2. Guile

Sonic Boom! The iconic special move is matched only by Guile’s iconic flat top. He is back and as fundamentally sound as he has always been. Despite some new moves, his concept is simple. Sonic Boom enemies from far, then Flash Kick them when they jump in. simple, efficient, and deadly.
- Flash Kick – A powerful upward-hitting kick that stops jumping enemies outright.
- Sonic Boom – A projectile that allows Guile to close the gap.
- Crossfire Somersault – A super flash kick invincible on startup.
1. Ryu

Ryu is often nicknamed Dryu for his pretty simple play style. He is back, bigger, and harder-hitting than ever. His attacks lack the flash of Ken, but they hit hard and will often knock an opponent flat on their back. You can’t go wrong with Ryu; he is the perfect character for beginners.
- Hadoken – The best projectile in the fighting game genre.
- Shoryuken – His iconic dragon punch is devastating.
- Shin Shoryuken – His level three uppercut is one of the most potent attacks in the entire game.
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If you’re a first-time fighter or a lapsed veteran of the series, these are the best Street Fighter 6 characters for beginners to use. They are all simple, efficient, and capable of carrying you through the early-game struggles and deep into end-game success.