Street Fighter 6/Zangief/Combos

Combo Notation Guide

Click "Expand" for information about combo notation in SF6:

SF6 Combo Notation Guide
Notation	Meaning
>	Cancel the previous move to the following move. e.g. Normal into Special (2MK > 236P) or Special into Super (623P > 236236K)
~	Chain/Cancel the previous move into a followup. e.g. Luke's target combo (LP~MP~HP) or Rising Uppercut into Slam Dunk (623PP~PP)
,	Link the previous move to the following move. e.g. 5MP, 2MP (requires manual timing)
An example with Ken that uses all three "connecting" symbols: 2LP, 5MP~HP > 623P > 236236P 2LP links into 5MP; 5MP chains into HP Target Combo; HP cancels into Shoryuken which cancels into Lv.3 Super
j.X	Jumping action; for Neutral Jump, use 8j.X e.g. Kimberly j.2MP (Elbow Drop) or Ryu j.214K (Aerial Tatsumaki Senpukyaku)
P or K	Any Punch or Any Kick (when button strength does not matter) PP or KK represents any two punches/kicks.
X/Y	Do either X move or Y move. e.g. end a combo with 214K/623P
[X]	Hold the button input e.g. Luke 214[LP] = charged LP Flash Knuckle
dl.X	Briefly delay the action e.g. Ken 236HK~dl.6LK (Jinrai Loop starter)
AA	Anti-air; hit the opponent while they're mid-air. May cause a different juggle state compared to a grounded opponent.
Y xN {Y} xN	Repeat 'Y' input 'N' number of times. A sequence of multiple inputs will be bundled into "{}". e.g. 5LP x3 (5LP, 5LP, 5LP) or {2HP > Drive Rush} x3
Y > DR	Button Y cancelled into Drive Rush (3-bar version) e.g. 5HP > DR
DR~Y	Drive Rush into Button Y (cancel the dash frames early into a followup attack) This can be done from the 1-bar or 3-bar versions of Drive Rush e.g. 236HP Launch, DR~5LP
An example for Ryu using both Drive Rush notations: 2MK > DR~5HP (cancel 2MK into Drive Rush, then immediately use 5HP during dash animation)

Links and Starters

Normal Hit

Light Confirm into Lariat

2LK > 2LP > PP
2LK > 2LP > 5LP > PPP

Double Lariat (PP) is Zangief's only strike special move, and therefore most of Zangief's combo routes end with this move to deal solid damage and score an oki-capable knockdown.

Zangief's primary concern when confirming into Lariat is range; From 2LP, Lariat can only combo on it's first active frame, and so combos into Lariat may drop if the opponent is too far away due to pushback. Lariats from longer range can also drop against opponents who are crouching. OD Lariat is faster and can help to mitigate this issue, but 2LP or 5LP even canceled into OD Lariat will drop at their outer range. From point-blank, the general rule is that Zangief can chain 2 light normals into regular Lariat, or 3 light normals into OD Lariat. From farther ranges, fewer chained normals can be done, and confirming into Lariat may be impossible at poking range without utilizing Drive Rush.

When comboing into Lariat, hold forward for the duration. This helps move Zangief closer to the opponent while spinning, making oki easier afterwards.

Combo	Position	Damage	Drive Gauge	Difficulty	Notes	Video
2LK > 2LP/5LP > PP	Anywhere (close)	1480/1570	0	Easy	Subject to whiffing when slightly spaced.	Video
2LK > 2LP > 5LP > PPP	Anywhere (close)	1890 (1540)	2	Easy	Hold 6 during PPP to improve reliability. at farther ranges only the second or even neither hit of PPP will connect	Video
2MP/3MP/6HP > PP	Anywhere	1900/2000/2100	0	Very Easy	6HP > PP is Zangief's most damaging combo without additional frame advantage or resources.	Video
6HP, 2LP > PPP	Anywhere	2400	2	Easy	The easiest hit confirm after 6HP. Hold 6 during PPP to improve reliability. Can fail to combo at longer ranges.	Video
j.2HP, 6HP > PP	Anywhere	2660	0	Easy		Video
j.8HP > j.360KK	Anywhere	3800	0	Medium	Only works if the opponent is also in the air when the headbutt connects.	Video

Punish Counter

Combo	Position	Damage	Drive Gauge	Super Gauge	Difficulty	Notes	Video
6HK, 3MP > PP	Anywhere	3320	0	0	Easy	Can opt for PPP ender for 3560 damage and better oki.	Video
6HK, 3MP > PPP, tk j.360KK	Corner	5360	4	0	Moderate	Most damaging punish counter combo without spending super meter.	Video
5HK, 3MP, tk j.360KK	Anywhere	4100	2	0	Moderate	Maximum range 5HK won't connect into 3MP or tk j.360kk, but can combo into other options via DR.	Video
5HK, DR~5LK > SA1	Anywhere	3325	1	1	Moderate	Maximum range 5HK won't connect into 3MP or tk j.360kk, but can combo into other options via DR like 5LK.	Video
5HK, DR~5LP/2LP > SA2	Anywhere	2280/2195	1	2	Moderate	Maximum range 5HK won't connect into 3MP or tk j.360kk, but can combo into other options via DR like 5LP.	Video
5HK/6HK, 3MP > SA1	Anywhere	4100/4460	0	1	Moderate	Max range 5HK will cause 3MP to whiff but will still connect into SA1 in corner. SA1 must be buffered to connect. 6HK ground bounce is finicky on airborne opponents.	Video
j.[HK], tk j.360KK	Anywhere but too close to corner	4500	2	0	Moderate		Video
j.[HK], 3MP > SA1	Anywhere but too close to corner	4700	0	1	Easy		Video
3HK, SA3 (CA)	corner	5520 (5970)	0	3	Easy	At further ranges, Zangief must dash in to be within SA3 range, making it more difficult to land in time.	Video
DR~6HP, 6HP > DR~5HK, 3MP, PPP > SA3 (CA)	anywhere	5787 (6037)	6*	3	Medium	Zangief's most damaging ground hit combo, technically uses your entire drive gauge but you will build enough drive from the 6HPs to not burnout at max drive	Video

Drive Rush

Combo	Position	Damage	Drive Gauge	Difficulty	Notes	Video
5LP/2LP > DR~2LP, 2MP > PP	Anywhere	1812 / 1712	3		DR~2LP can help Zangief convert longer range light pokes into a Lariat(PP) knockdown.	Video
2MP > DR~5MP > 5MP > 5MP	Anywhere	2234	3		Extra frame advantage from DR allows 5MP to combo into its TC.	Video
6HP > DR~6HP, 3MP > PP	Anywhere	2917	3			Video
6HP > DR~5HK, 3MP > PP	Anywhere	3002	3	Advanced	DR~5HK, 3MP is a tight link and may be easy to drop for only marginally more damage. 5HK whiffs crouchers	Video

SA2 Combos

Juggling after Cyclone Lariat

6HP > SA2[P], jump j.360KK

Holding down any punch button during Zangief's SA2 will cause Zangief to continue to spin in place rather than transition into one of his slam finishers. Once Zangief has started his third spin, the punch button can be released, as Zangief is already committed to the spin version. This version deals less up-front damage than a "normal" SA2, but launches the opponent into a juggle state, from which Zangief can potentially extend the combo to get higher damage than would otherwise be possible. Follow-up combos that deal more damage than the default finisher require additional Drive Gauge or super meter, so there may be cases where using the normal SA2 finisher is preferred.

This is the most basic way to combo after Held SA2. Simply hold up-forward while Zangief is spinning. Once you see Zangief jump, input 360KK (since you already have an "up" input from your jump, this can be done as just 41236KK).

All of the combos below use a 6HP > SA2 starter in order to accurately compare damage, although they are all possible off any ground combo into SA2, including doing raw/reversal SA2. The air juggle version of SA2 provides a worse juggle state, disallowing further juggles with 5HK or 3MP without DR. It's worth noting that j.2HP is a cross-up which always links into 6HP against a grounded opponent.

Combo	Position	Damage	Drive Gauge	Super Gauge	Difficulty	Notes	Video
6HP > SA2	Anywhere	4060	0	2	Easy	SA2 with normal ender, for comparison purposes.	Video
6HP > SA2[P], dash, 3MP, tk j.360KK	Anywhere	4440	2	2	Hard		Video
6HP > SA2[P], dash, 3MP > SA1	Anywhere	4390	0	3	Very Hard		Video
6HP > SA2[P], dl 5HK, tk j.360KK	Corner	4600	2	2	Hard	Slightly higher damage alternative to 3MP tk j.360KK combo in the corner	Video
6HP > SA2[P], dash dl 3MP > PPP, tk j.360KK	Corner	5190	4	2	Very Hard	A short delay is required for 3MP > PPP to juggle properly into tk j.360KK.	Video
J.[HK], 3MP > SA2, 360KK	Anywhere but the corner	5280	2	2	Hard	Requires a Punish Counter, such as a fireball read or a punish on certain OD/Super reversals	Video
J.[HK], 3MP > SA2, SA1	Anywhere but the corner	5230	0	3	Hard	Requires a Punish Counter, such as a fireball read or a punish on certain OD/Super reversals	Video

Drive Impact

Combo	Position	Damage	Drive Gauge	Super Gauge	Difficulty	Notes	Video
DI, 360HP/360PP	Anywhere	3270/3680	1 / 3	0		Gives no meaningful okizeme but does the most damage for the fewest resources.	Video
DI, 63214HK/63214KK	Anywhere	2990 / 3520	1 / 3	0		Leaves Zangief close enough for DR oki. 63124KK builds considerable super meter and is useful for closing out rounds.	Video
DI, SA3	Anywhere	4320 (CA: 4670)	1	3			Video
DI, 6HP > PP/PPP	Anywhere	2520 / 2730	1 / 3	0		If you don't want to spend any resources, do this. Can instead opt for delay 3MP or j.HK > PP for slightly better oki at the cost of slightly reduced damage (2440 vs 2520).	Video
DI, 6HP > SA2, etc.	Anywhere	3892+	1+	2		Damage shown is for normal finisher. Higher damages are possible by using SA2 to juggle (see SA2 combos).	Video
DI, neutral jump j.8HP, land DR~3MP > PP	Anywhere	2684	2	0		Slight addition to normal DI -> PP combo. gives a later hit of lariat allowing far superior oki	Video
DI, neutral jump j.8HP, land DR~5MK	Anywhere	2072	2	0		Autotimed safe jump into a very deep J.MP, J.HP will connect in the corner	Video
DI, neutral jump j.HK, land DR~5MP	Anywhere	2013	2	0		Autotimed safe jump into a very deep J.HP, loses to anti-airs/reversals faster than 5 frames.	Video
DI, neutral jump j.8HP, land tk j.360KK	Anywhere	3400	3	0	Hard	j.360KK will leave the opponent close enough to DR, 360PP	Video
DI, walk dl.3MP > PPP, tk j.360KK	Corner	4150	5	0		The only reason to use 3MP over 6HP is that a delayed 3MP will create an airborne juggle state, which allows Zangief to do his PPP -> tk 360KK combo in the corner.	Video
DI, 6HP > DR~5HK, 3MP > SA2, tk j.360KK	Anywhere	3888	6	2	Advanced	Technically uses your entire Drive gauge, but you'll build back about half a bar before the combo is done. DR~5HK, 3MP is a tight link and may be easy to drop for only marginally more damage than using DR~6HP, 3MP.	Video
DI, 6HP > DR~5HK, 3MP > SA2, 3MP > SA1	Anywhere	4460	4	3	Advanced	DR~5HK, 3MP is a tight link and may be easy to drop for only marginally more damage than using DR~6HP, 3MP. less damage than the SA3 route but gives better oki and screen positioning.	Video
DI, 6HP > DR~5HK, 3MP > PPP > SA3,	Anywhere	5288 (CA: 5538)	6	3	Advanced	DR~5HK, 3MP is a tight link and may be easy to drop for only marginally more damage than using DR~6HP, 3MP.	Video
DI, forward jump, J.2HP, 360KK	Anywhere	3100	3	0	intermediate	side switches	Video
DI, forward jump, J.2HP, SA1	Anywhere	3000	1	1	easy	side switches, buffer SA1 in the direction you started	Video
DI, forward jump, J.2HP, PP/PPP	Anywhere	2330/2500	1/3	0	easy	side switches meterlessly	Video

Drive Impact Wallsplat

Damage in parenthesis is if the Drive impact is not blocked

Combo	Damage	Drive Gauge	Super Gauge	Difficulty	Notes	Video
DI, 3MP > PP	1660 (2280)	1	0	Easy	Best meterless damage on wall splat	Video
DI, 2MP, tk. 360KK	2720 (3160)	3	0	Hard	2MP will whiff on high wall splats. 3MP doesn't pop up high enough to connect into tk.360KK	Video
DI, 3MP > SA1	2880 (3190)	1	1	Hard	Highest damage without using additional drive gauge	Video
DI, 3MP > SA2, SA1	3200 (3610)	1	3	Hard	Highest damage without using additional drive gauge	Video
DI, 3MP > PPP , tk. 360KK	3520 (3990)	5	0	Hard	Will not work on high wallsplats	Video

Stun Combos

Damage in parenthesis is if the Drive impact is not blocked

Combo	Damage	Drive Gauge	Super Gauge	Difficulty	Notes	Video
DI, 360LP/360PP	2510 (3110)/ 2920 (3520)	1/3	0	Easy	Best meterless damage without advanced setups	Video
DI, j.HP, 6HP, PP/PPP	2190 (2790)/ 2370 (2970)	1/3	0	Easy	Highest meterless damage while keeping oki and without advanced setups	Video
DI, jump back, PP, tk.360KK	2960 (3560)	3	0	Hard	You must drift forward during lariat for it to connect	Video
DI, jump back, PP, SA1	2910 (3510)	1	1	Intermediate	You must drift forward during PP for it to connect	Video
DI, j.HP, 6HP > SA2	2960 (3560)	1	2	Easy		Video
DI, j.HP, 6HP > DR~6HP > DR~5HK, 3MP > SA2	3885 (4485)	>4	2	Very Hard	Uses entire drive gauge, highest damage without CA or j.[HK] set ups	Video
DI, SA3/CA	3560 (4160) / 3910 (4510)	1	3	Easy		Video
DI, j.HP, 6HP > DR~5HK, 3MP > DR~2MP, 3MP > PPP > SA3/CA	4486 (5136) / 5486 (5736)	6*	2	Medium	most damaging route, technically uses the entire drive gauge but will build enough drive at the start to avoid burnout	Video
DI, j.[HK], 3MP > PP/PPP	2480 (3280) / 2660 (3460)	1/3	0	Very Hard	Can be auto timed with jump back j.LP into 22MK on block or j.2HP into 22MK on hit. Dropkick charge must be manually timed frames 8-12 of the jump.
DI, j.[HK], 3MP > PPP, tk.360KK	3860 (4660)	5	0	Very Hard	Can be auto timed with jump back j.LP into 22MK on block or j.2HP into 22MK on hit. Dropkick charge must be manually timed frames 8-12 of the jump.