This tier list is based on high-level tournament results, patch balance, and pro-level analysis as of July 2025.
🥇 S-Tier (Top Tier) – Dominant, Meta-Defining
These characters have few weaknesses, excellent tools, and consistently top tournament results.
- Ken
🔥 Insane rushdown, great confirms, and powerful Drive Rush pressure. Easily one of the most aggressive and consistent picks. - JP
🧠 Zoning and trap setups that frustrate opponents. Dominates neutral and punishes mistakes brutally. - Cammy
💨 Lightning-fast normals, ambiguous pressure, and low execution barrier. Extremely safe and efficient. - Dee Jay
🎵 Great mix-ups, high mobility, and strong neutral control. Recent buffs pushed him into S-tier territory.
🥈 A-Tier – Strong & Viable in All Levels of Play
A-tier fighters are tournament viable and can win at any level with the right player.
- Luke
🥊 Versatile toolkit and strong Drive management. Not broken, but highly consistent. - Juri
☠️ Deadly with resources. Great corner carry and pressure, with tricky mix-ups. - Chun-Li
👣 Technical but rewarding. Excellent footsies and whiff punishes, but requires strong fundamentals. - Guile
💥 Wall of defense. Sonic Boom control and anti-air game still rule neutral. - Rashid
🌪️ High mobility and mix-up potential. Demanding execution but explosive when mastered.
🥉 B-Tier – Solid with Some Drawbacks
These characters can succeed in competitive play, but they may require more effort or have notable weaknesses.
- Ryu
🧘♂️ Balanced and reliable, but outshined by higher-damage or faster characters. - Manon
💃 Unique medal mechanic makes her scary, but she struggles under pressure. - Marisa
🛡️ Big damage and armor, but slow movement and predictable gameplan. - Kimberly
🥷 Flashy and fast, but vulnerable on defense and meter dependent. - Blanka
⚡ Gimmicky but dangerous. Tough for beginners to deal with, but less consistent at high level.
🪶 C-Tier – Niche or Struggling in the Meta
These fighters have notable weaknesses or are outclassed by others in most matchups.
- Lily
🌪️ Creative and fun, but lacks reliable pressure and strong defensive options. - E. Honda
🧼 One-dimensional and struggles against zoning. Limited options in neutral. - Zangief
🏋️ Powerful grappler, but his lack of mobility and bad matchups make him a rare sight in top play.
🆕 Honorable Mentions (DLC / Newcomers)
- Akuma – Expected to shake the tier list soon. Early impressions: high damage, high risk.
- Ed – Solid tools, mid-to-high potential. Still being explored by the community.
- A.K.I. – Tricky poison setups, but lacks stability in high-pressure situations.
🎮 Final Thoughts
No matter where your favorite fighter lands, remember: player skill trumps tier placement. While tiers matter, your matchup knowledge, spacing, and adaptability will determine your success.
If you’re picking a main for ranked or tournament play, choose someone who fits your style—and learn the matchups. Even the so-called “low-tiers” can dominate in the right hands.
📊 Summary Table – SF6 Tier List (2025)
| Tier | Fighters |
|---|---|
| S | Ken, JP, Cammy, Dee Jay |
| A | Luke, Juri, Chun-Li, Guile, Rashid |
| B | Ryu, Manon, Marisa, Kimberly, Blanka |
| C | Lily, E. Honda, Zangief |
| DLC* | Akuma (S?), Ed (A?), A.K.I. (B?) |
