Which character do I pick?
Pick whoever you want.
Sticking with someone you like is more sustainable than taking an early tier list as gospel. Modern Fighting Games are as such that it's nigh impossible to lose on character select, and more importantly: Character strength is most relevant at the highest level of play.
Hop in and experiment. Press buttons in single player or casual matches and see what feels good to do. Even if Street Fighter 6 is your first fighting game, you might already have ideas of what archetype you're looking for.
- Do you prefer quick, nimble characters?
- ...Or huge, hard hitting beasts?
- Would you like to manage a separate resource while you fight?
- ...Or keep it simple with frametraps and throws?
- Do you love projectiles?
- ...Or think zoning is cheating?
If you love the character you play, fighting games stop feeling like homework. Remember this is a video game. Play should feel fun, fulfilling, and bring you back again and again. That ideal starts with your character.
Do I need an Arcade Stick or a Hitbox?
No.
Now more than ever, controller choice is a preference. Street Fighter 6 is balanced with every major input device in mind.
For quite a long time, your region dictated what controller you used. Competitive Street Fighter got its start in seedy arcades, bodegas, and bars. Since the game's controls were integrated into the cabinet, there wasn't much of a choice. In the years since and with the switch to consoles, players have won with all manner of controllers. It doesn't matter.
How do I stop losing?
2D Fighters and the FGC have existed for over thirty years. Of most competitive games, legacy skill is especially apparent in fighters. You will lose. A lot. But thirty years of history doesn't equal thirty years of practice. Games come and go, and new blood regularly place in tournaments. Time isn't the decider, effort is.
Winning is a byproduct of Learning
Losses in fighting games are wholly our own, because everything is within our control-- Otherwise known as a meritocracy. Keeping a healthy competitive relationship with fighting games is putting your ego aside, and treating every match as an opportunity to understand more about the game. Play with the desire to improve, and winning will come naturally.
Learn to Lose like a Winner
Despite our hours of practice, nobody is entitled to a win. Learning to "Hold your Ls" and rise above an unfortunate fumble is the most important skill a fighting game competitor can master. In games and in life-- Mental toughness pays dividends.
- Know your limits, but work to increase them.
The brain is like a muscle: Progressive overload is the key to its fitness.
Visualize a "mental durability" gauge. How many losses can you comfortably take before your ego calls it quits? For some fighting game players, this number might be very low. As you grow as a player and encounter tougher opponents, strive to play longer sets against them. Prolonged pressure like this will let you play at your absolute best more often.
- Take effective breaks. Remember the human.
Time away from the game is important. Ego Depletion and Decision Fatigue are real killers in fighting games. If playing the game feels like clocking in for a job you hate... You might need a break.
Despite being ubiquitous in modern fighting games, ranked ladders are relatively new- as is netplay. Instant rematch has its perks, but an endless stream of matchmade games against faceless opponents can fester frustration. Without the social lubricant afforded by offline play, rough sets get rougher. More on this phenomenon here.
Opt to get off the ladder from time to time and find long sets against opponents you can actually talk to. Be that on Discord, in the Battle Hub, or otherwise.
- Beware of Expectations.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Even if you're jumping into Street Fighter 6 with thousands of hours of fighting game experience, do not expect to so easily adapt to fresh rules. With any new game, competitive or otherwise, put your pride aside. It can be a long fall if you don't keep your ego in check during the learning process.
How do I win consistently?
(Rewritten from the legendary "Tomo Tape")
- You should know each character's strengths and weaknesses, and work to discover your opponent's strengths and weaknesses. Discover counter moves for each character's attacks, and don't hesitate to put them to use.
- Understand your character's prime attack distances. Each character has a distance they fight most effectively from. Be ready for this optimal range to change through resources like the Drive Gauge.
- Be aware of meters during play: Always know who is winning and by how much. If you know you have a lead, you can expect your opponent to play more aggressively, and perhaps attack more carelessly. Be ready to seize openings and further increase your lead.
- Be mindful of the clock: The time limit will affect your opponent's playing style, and yours.
- Get creative. Don't fall into recognizable patterns of moves. Mix things up to confuse your opponent and make it harder for them to predict your next attack. Remember that throws are an important part of the mixup game. Keep grabs as part of your offensive arsenal by sneaking them into your attack sequences.
Don't be satisfied with mediocrity. Learn from your mistakes and strive to keep from repeating them.
