Capcom has successfully created a fairly balanced roster forStreet Fighter 6, as evidenced by the confusing post-release meta. This is a positive sign for the game’s future, promising fewer broken characters in the upcoming updates—and even in other installments of the franchise. However,Street Fighter 6fans can’t help but think about the most optimal characters in each archetype and look for the best fighters to main. Thisdata-oriented tier list, therefore, uses recent statistics to rank all characters from best to worst.
The criteria for thisSF6tier list are as follows:
RELATED:Street Fighter 6: Best Mid-Range Characters, Ranked
Updated June 13, 2025, by Mohsen Baqery:Now that the game has been out for a little while, players are starting to get a feel for which are the best characters in Street Fighter 6. As a result, this SF6 tier list has been updated to include a little more information about each fighter, including some additional insight into their strengths and weaknesses and a few ideas on how best to counter them.
Street Fighter 6 Tier List
The post-releaseSF6tier list 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.
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Jamie, Kimberly
TheSF6tier list may undergo changes withthe addition of DLC charactersand as the metagame adjusts to potential nerfs and buffs.
S-Tier: The Best SF6 Characters
The S-Tier belongs to characters with reliable frame data, consistent combo cycles, and an effective hit-to-damage ratio. And in the early stages of theStreet Fighter 6meta, only three characters have proven to excel in all those categories:Dhalsim,E. Honda, andMarisa.
Dhalsim
Thanks to his reach, extensive move list, and seamless combo transitions,Dhalsim is one of the bestStreet Fighter 6characters. He can easily keep the opponent at bay, poke them with projectiles, and punish their mistakes with high-damage normal and specials. Dhalsim’s only downside is his recovery frame disadvantage which leaves him open to counterattacks on the block.
Best Counter for Dhalsim
Dhalsim’s disadvantages are his long recoveries and parryable mix-ups. To make the most of these weaknesses, players should count on speedy punishers likeJuriandCammy.
E. Honda
Despite his slow movement, E. Honda’shigh Life Points and frame advantage on hitplace him right at the top of theSF6tier list. E. Honda is specifically a deadly close-range warrior inStreet Fighter 6because his Special to Super combinations can yield over 30 hits in a row.
Best Counter for E. Honda
Honda lacks proper overhead attacks, and he’s fairly slow, which is why standard-type characters likeLukeandRyuare his optimal counters. These fighters can break E. Honda’s guard with aerial cross-ups while pushing him to make mistakes on the ground.
Marisa
Marisa’s spot in the S-Tier of theStreet Fighter 6tier list is all thanks to herarmored moves, unique block stances, and unpredictable range. After breaking the opponent’s guard, Marisa is an unstoppable beast who can knock out the toughest characters with one Overdrive combo. However, her recovery frame disadvantage, high predictability, andDrive Gauge dependencymight put off beginner players.
Best Counter for Marisa
A power-type mid-range fighter, Marisa’s biggest disadvantage is her slow recovery. To counter her, players must go with speed archetype fighters likeKimberly,Chun-Li, andBlanka.
RELATED:How to Play Marisa in Street Fighter 6
A-Tier: The Solid Fighters
Currently,Street Fighter 6’s A-Tier includes a new face,Manon, as well as three familiar characters:Juri,Ken, andDee Jay. A-Tier fighters have a promising delivery despite their minor disadvantages. They may not hold the highest stats and best frame data, but they are among the deadliest when played by the book.
Manon
Manon is the best new character inStreet Fighter 6due to herwide range of check moves and rewarding punishments. However, her Medal System, the permanent buff on her throws, gives her invincibility. After increasing her damage, Manon’s normal and Special combos become deadlier, and her mix-ups are much more difficult to read, which is a vital win condition.
Best Counter for Manon
Since Manon has no projectiles, tricky long-range fighters likeJPandDhalsimare her optimal counters. However, players can also bully her by using power-type grapplers that can drain her Drive Gauge while she’s blocking.
Juri
In theSF6roster,Juri is the greatest poke. She can frustrate the enemy with cost-effective normal kicks, forcing them into choosing aerial combat, in which she excels. The only catch is that she’s too reliant on the Fuha stocks. Without this dependence, she would definitely deserve to be among the top fighters in theStreet Fighter 6tier list.
Best Counter for Juri
While Juri is often hailed as one of the best characters inSF6, she is not without her flaws. In fact, since she’s a close-range attacker, any fighter who can keep her at bay can defeat Juri with no hassle, includingGuile,Ryu, andManon.
Ken
Despite not being the ultimate mid-range Power Archetype, Ken is still a top-notch warrior who suits the A Tier due to hiscornering techniques, pushback-heavy cancelable strikes, and quick punish counters. The only disadvantages of Ken are his checks’ long recovery and his combo’s inconsistency.
Best Counter for Ken
Although Ken is in the power archetype, his combo reach is quite limited, leaving him vulnerable to quick punishments and interruptions. As a result, it’s worth considering counter options such asGuile,JP, andJamiewhen facing him.
Dee Jay
As the rising star ofStreet Fighter 6, Dee Jay belongs to the A Tier because of hisunreadable movement, practical Drive Rush, and projectile-invincibility. What Dee Jay does best is poking the opponent with unusual checks and luring them intomaking punishable mistakes. As for the weaknesses, Dee Jay lacks consistent cancels and has an inconvenient input arrangement.
Best Counter for Dee Jay
Dee Jay is a tricky mid-range who can deal with most projectiles. However, due to his range-dependent combos, he’s particularly challenged against faster mid-range characters likeBlankaandChun-Li.
B-Tier: The High-Potential Fighters
The B-Tier is made up of fighters who have average skills but are excellent at bouncing back from tough situations and winning matches.Ryu,JP,Luke,Guile,Chun-Li, andZangiefare some of the characters who belong to the B-tier of theStreet Fighter 6tier list in the early meta.
JP
JP was initially considered a formidable character, but he is now classified as a mid-tier fighter. His early popularity can be attributed to his unfamiliar moveset, which some players found challenging to counter. However, now that his strategy is exposed, JP’s abilities are mostly limited tolong-range dominance and zoning capabilities.
Best Counter for JP
When going up against JP, players have multiple options for zone control, likeCammy,Juri,Ryu,andGuile. However, to beat him effectively, players should utilize the heavy low attacks of these characters, as JP is particularly vulnerable to this type of move.
RELATED:How to Play JP in Street Fighter 6
Ryu
The primary reason why Ryu is in the B Tier of theSF6tier list instead of S or A is his unsurprising move list. Most players anticipate his strikes and use his range issue and punishable combos against him. However, one could argue that he’s still awell-rounded fighter with unfailing mid-range supremacy.
Best Counter for Ryu
When Ryu is able to control the zone and range, he is highly effective. However, when facing opponents such asDhalsim,Blanka, andLuke, executing his biggest combos becomes a challenge, leading to a higher likelihood of making punishable mistakes.
Luke
Sharing the same fate as Ryu, Luke is anoverall decent fighter. However, his weak projectile and range disadvantage stop him from being in the higher tiers.The new Lukeis overly needful of the Drive Gauge, giving him a huge disadvantage in intense melees.
Best Counter for Luke
The best counter-picks for Luke areRyu,Ken,Guile, andZangief. These characters can withstand his punishments and great damage while benefiting from Luke’s whiffing combos.
