Getting Started

Street Fighter 6 – Getting Started Guide for Beginners

Your First Hour: Walkthrough

After launching Street Fighter 6, you'll land on the Main Menu. Your immediate path should be:

1. Select your platform login – If on PC, you may need to link your Capcom ID (optional, but helpful for cross-save).
2. Choose your language and region – Confirm your preferred settings.
3. Pick a control preset – You can adjust later.
4. Enter the “Training” mode (under Fighting Ground) – This is your lifeline. Capcom forces you to complete a short tutorial. Do not skip it.
5. Complete the “Character Guide” – From the Fighting Ground menu, select the Character Guide for a fighter that interests you. It teaches basic moves and specials.
6. Play through the first stage of “World Tour” (optional but recommended) – World Tour is the single-player RPG mode. Creating your avatar takes about 5 minutes, then you'll fight a few easy NPCs. This earns you early Drive Tickets and Fight Money.
7. Try one online match (Casual or Battle Hub) – After you understand the controls, jump into a casual match to feel real human pressure. Don't worry about winning.
8. Return to Training – After a match, review what you did wrong.

Character Creation (World Tour Avatar)

Street Fighter 6 does not have a traditional character creator for the roster fighters. However, World Tour mode lets you create a custom avatar:

• Face & Body: Choose from preset templates, then adjust sliders for jaw, eyes, nose, mouth, etc. Clothing is unlocked by playing.


• Fighting Style: You pick a starting fighting style based on a classic character (e.g., Ryu, Chun-Li, Luke). This determines your basic attacks and special moves. You can later learn other styles.


• Appearance: Hairstyle, skin tone, voice, and accessories can be changed anytime at shops.


Tip: Your avatar's attributes (like health and damage) improve by leveling up in World Tour. This character is separate from the main roster – you cannot use your avatar in ranked matches, only in Battle Hub casual lobbies.



Controls – All Platforms



Street Fighter 6 supports three control schemes:

• Classic (6-button layout): Light Punch, Medium Punch, Heavy Punch, Light Kick, Medium Kick, Heavy Kick – traditional for veterans.


• Modern (reduced inputs): One button for special moves (e.g., press Special + Attack direction) and an Auto-Combo button. Great for newcomers.


• Dynamic (simple): Used only in offline modes – game chooses the attack. Not recommended for learning.

#### PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5
#### Xbox (One / Series X|S)
#### PC (Keyboard – Defaults)
Classic layout (can be remapped):

• WASD for movement (W=up, S=down, A=back, D=forward). Default arrows also work.


• U, I, O = Light, Medium, Heavy Punch.


• J, K, L = Light, Medium, Heavy Kick.


• Space = Jump (alternate).


• Shift = Drive Parry.


• A + D (or assignable) = Drive Impact.


• Y (or F) = Throw.


• Modern controls use similar but with a Special button (e.g., G).


Tip: For PC, a controller is highly recommended. The keyboard works but requires practice for motion inputs.



UI Overview (During a Match)



• Health Bar (top) – Your green bar on left, opponent on right. When depleted, you lose the round.


• Drive Gauge (below health, blue diamond) – Shows your Drive Meter (6 stocks). Used for Drive Impact, Parry, Rush, and Overdrive Arts. Recharges over time.


• Super Art Gauge (small bars below Drive) – Up to 3 stocks. Each stock lets you perform a level 1 Super. Full gauge = Level 3 Super.


• Timer (center top) – 99 seconds per round.


• Round Count – Best of 3 rounds by default.


• Combo Counter & Damage Indicator – Shows how many hits and damage dealt.


• Vitality (stun) bar – Small white bar under health. When it fills, you become dizzy.




Essential Early Objectives


1. Complete the Basic Tutorial (Dr. Lupo’s Training) – Teaches movement, attacks, blocking, throwing, Drive mechanics. Non-negotiable.
2. Finish one Character Guide – Unlocks a trophy and gives you a working understanding of that character’s normals and specials.
3. Play 3 matches in Fighting Ground (Arcade or Versus) – To get comfortable with the flow.
4. Spend your first 1,000 Fight Money – Buy a new costume or an extra character? Actually, characters are free in SF6! Fight Money is used for World Tour items and Battle Pass. Save it for items you like.
5. Set a Control Type – If you’re completely new, start with Modern. You can switch later. Classic is more powerful but harder.
6. Learn one simple combo – Use Training Mode to practice: e.g., Light Punch → Light Punch → Special Move (for Ryu: jab, jab, Hadoken).



What to Do First and What to Avoid



#### Do First:

• Watch the tutorial video in Fighting Ground (press Triangle/Y or equivalent).


• Use Training Mode to try all your moves on a stationary opponent.


• Learn to block low and high – Hold down-back for low attacks, back for high. Anticipate overheads.


• Use Drive Parry (L1/LB) – Helps absorb projectiles and counter Drive Impact.


• Go to Battle Hub – Even if you lose, you’ll learn more than beating AI.


#### Avoid:

• Button mashing – You will lose to anyone who blocks. Practice deliberate inputs.


• Jumping too much – New players jump constantly; experienced players will anti-air you. Jump sparingly.


• Ignoring defense – Blocking is 50% of fighting. Don’t always press buttons.


• Using full Super Art (Level 3) recklessly – It’s flashy but leaves you vulnerable if whiffed.


• Skipping Drive Impact training – This move breaks armor and leads to huge damage. Know when to use it.




Early Resource Priorities



• Drive Tickets – Earned from Battle Pass, challenges, and World Tour. Spend on cosmetics and avatar items. Save some for limited-time events.


• Fight Money – Used in World Tour to buy items, food (temporary buffs), and gear. Do not waste on meaningless consumables early – save for upgrading your avatar’s stats later.


• Battle Pass – Free track gives some cosmetics; paid track gives premium skins and tickets. If you’re unsure, skip paid tier until you’re committed.


• K.O. Points – Earned online. Used to unlock character colors and titles. No rush.

Common Beginner Mistakes (and Fixes)

Day-One Checklist

• [ ] Complete the Basic Tutorial (Dr. Lupo).


• [ ] Choose your preferred control scheme (Modern or Classic).


• [ ] Remap buttons if needed (settings → controls).


• [ ] Finish one Character Guide for your first fighter.


• [ ] Play 1 Arcade match (set to 1 round, easiest difficulty).


• [ ] Try an online Casual match (no pressure on rank).


• [ ] Spend 30 minutes in Training Mode practicing: blocking, anti-air, and one simple combo.


• [ ] Unlock the first World Tour location (Metro City) to start earning Drive Tickets.


• [ ] Set a daily goal: “I will block at least 3 attacks every match” or “I will anti-air once per round.”


• [ ] Review replays of your matches (hold Square/X to save) – see where you got hit.


Final Pro Tips:

• Always warm up in Training Mode for 5 minutes before online.


• Watch your opponent’s Drive Gauge – if they have no meter, they can’t Drive Impact you.


• Use the Frame Data display in Training Mode (push touchpad? check options) to understand what moves are safe.


• Join the Street Fighter beginner community for sparring. Many players are happy to teach.

Welcome to the fight – take it one round at a time, and soon you’ll be landing those supers!