There are few universal truths in this world. One of them isyou can’t have Street Fighter without Ryu(Or Ken. We love you, boo). This dedicated martial artist sets the tone for the series, often inspiring the fellow Street Fighters he crosses paths with.Street Fighter 6wouldn’t be the same without him.

Related:Street Fighter 6: Complete Battle Hub Guide

So, if you’re new to Street Fighter or entering “the heart of battle” once again, Ryu makes an excellent entry character into SF6’s mechanics. Ryu’s diverse, intuitive move set puts the game’s fundamentals front and center. So, enter the TG dojo, and we’ll show you how to play as Ryu in SF6!

Updated June 05, 2025, by Chris Sanfilippo:Our latest update adds a new demonstration video to Ryu’s Bread And Butter Combo section.

Ryu uses the Power of Nothingness to conduct a Shin Hashogeki in Street Fighter 6.

This attack is not available in the Modern Control scheme

Auto

The Auto button. Pressed simultaneously with Special Move inputs to perform Overdrive Attacks

Punch x2 (simultaneously)

Ryu slams Ken with an OD Shoryuken during a battle at Genbu Temple in Street Fighter 6.

Kick x2 (simultaneously)

Ryu unleashes his Shinku Hadoken against Ken during a battle at Genbu Temple in Street Fighter 6.

Used between buttons to denote a target combo

Neutral movement (not pressing any directional buttons)

Ryu gobsmacks Ken with a Short Uppercut during a battle at Genbu Temple in Street Fighter 6.

This move has an Overdrive version

[c]

Ryu flings Ken with a Shoulder Throw during a battle at Genbu Temple in Street Fighter 6.

This attack can cancel into special moves

↳

Ryu shocks Ken with a Denjin charged Hashogeki during a battle at Genbu Temple in Street Fighter 6.

(Effect changes when in Denjin Charge state)

(During a forward jump)

Ryu pushes Ken back with a Hadoken during a battle at Genbu Temple in Street Fighter 6.

⬇️↙️⬅️ + P

⬇️↙️⬅️ + At

(OD Hashogeki does not use the Auto button. Instead the command is ⬇️↙️⬅️ + 2At)

N or ➡️ + S + H

Ryu soars into the air after hitting Ken with a Shoryuken during a battle at Genbu Temple in Street Fighter 6.

1 Super Art Gauge

Shin Hashogeki

(Hold the button to change effect) (Effect changes when in Denjin Charge state)

(more powerful when vitality is at 25% or below)

Ryu kicks back Ken with a Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku during a battle at Genbu Temple in Street Fighter 6.

➡️ + MP

➡️ + HP

Ryu jumps into Ken with an Aerial Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku during a battle at Genbu Temple in Street Fighter 6.

⬅️ + HP

⬅️ + HK

➡️ + HK

Shoulder Throw(when near opponent)

N or ➡️ + LP + LK

N or ➡️ + L + M

Somersault Throw(when near opponent)

⬅️ + LP + LK

Classic:⬇️↘️➡️ + P

Modern:N + S

Hadoken is one of Ryu’s signature attacks, present since the original Street Fighter arcade game in 1987. Thisprojectile attack sends a ki blastfrom Ryu’s palms toward the opponent.

Therange and speed of Ryu’s projectile changebased on attack strength. So, switching between Ryu’s Light, Medium, and Heavy Hadokens is an effective way to confuse opponents.

Ryu’s OD Hadoken is fast, powerful, and hits multiple times, making it a helpful tool to reclaim control in a match.

Classic:➡️⬇️↘️ + P

Modern:➡️ + S

Ryu’s second most famous attack is Shoryuken. This rising uppercut isinvincible to jumping attacks, making it Ryu’s go-to anti-air move.

Shoryuken is effective when timed well but leaves Ryu vulnerable when whiffed. You shouldpractice with Ryu’s Medium Shoryukenfirst to understand its reach. Then, you can play around with the Light and Heavy versions.

Ryu’s OD Shoryuken can also withstand grounded attacks, so it’s perfect for deflecting opponent pressure.

Classic: ⬇️↙️⬅️+ K

Modern:⬅️ + S

Ryu’s Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku is a sight to behold. Thistornado of spinning roundhouse kicksis excellent for knocking opponents away.

Light and Medium Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku help deflect Ryu’s opponents. Heavy Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku lets Ryu switch places with his opponent, perfect for staging a cross-up or escaping the corner!

The most potent version of Ryu’s Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku is its Overdrive version, which hits the opponent multiple times and sends them flying! So when you’re ready to corner your opponent and rain down some pressure, you should try this out.

Modern:S

Jump-ins are a necessary yet risky tool in fighting games. You can cover distance fast, avoid projectiles, and land an effective overhead attack via a jump-in. But if you’re opponent reads your jump trajectory, they’ll punish you swiftly.

Luckily, Ryu’sAerial Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku can make your jump-ins less predictableby altering your jump’s trajectory and surprising opponents.

A well-timed Aerial Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku can strike your opponent’s rear, initiatinga confusing cross-up attack!

Ryu’s OD Aerial Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku will whack your foe silly with multiple powerful hits. You can have a lot of fun mixing this spicy move into your combo recipes!

Classic:⬇️↘️➡️ + K

Modern:⬇️ + S

Ryu was always a well-rounded fighter. But one could argue he lacked practical ground approaches in the past. One of Ryu’s newest attacks, High Blade Kick, remedies this issue.

High Blade Kick is afast thrust kick that barrels into the opponent, making it a solid offensive option for Ryu. As High Blade Kick’s attack strength increases, so does its distance and recovery speed.

There isone drawback to High Blade Kick: its start-up. Ryu’s Light and Medium High Blade Kick activate quickly. But his Heavy High Blade Kick has a long and readable start-up. So, save the Heavy version for when your opponent is too far away to punish you.

Ryu’s OD High Blade Kick adds a powerful knockback effectthat facilitates wall bounces and juggles. Try landing a Shoryuken after an OD High Blade Kick to see this effect in action.

Classic:⬇️↙️⬅️ + P

Modern:⬇️↙️⬅️ + At

Hashogeki is less flashy than Ryu’s other high-flying, fireball-shooting moves. But that’s also why it’s so practical. Hashogeki’s quick start-up makes it Ryu’sgo-to attack out of blocks and combos. Plus, when it counters Ryu’s opponent, Hashogeki sends them flying!

Ryu’s OD Hashogeki is even more practical since it is safe on block. It’s a valuable option when you need an opportunity to turn the tide of battle.

Classic:⬇️⬇️ + P

Modern:⬇️⬇️ + At

Denjin Charge jolts Ryu’s fists with the Power of Nothingness, adding a shock effect to his Hadoken and Hashogeki. This effect makes Ryu’s Hadoken more powerful and gives his Hashogeki more range and safety.

Be careful when you use Ryu’s Denjin Charge. While this move has several benefits, it also leaves Ryu wide open. Save Denjin Charges for opportunities that present you more time, like after a knockdown or Guard Crush.

Related:Street Fighter 6: Extreme Battle Guide

Combo 1

Ryu’s Crouching Medium Kick is a solid foundationfor any combo. So, our first combo displays this technique at its most basic level.

Classic Input:⬇️ + MK > ⬇️↘️➡️ + P

Modern Input:⬇️ + M > N + S

you may start the ⬇️↘️➡️ motion from your Crouching Medium Kick’s position, making the cancel into Hadoken more fluid.

This combo is easy to read but works for understanding Ryu’s fundamentals. You canmake this combo less predictable by replacing Ryu’s Hadoken with his OD Hadoken or a Drive Impact.

Combo 2

One of Ryu’s best Unique attacks isSolar Plexus Strike, a forward Heavy Punchthat can initiate killer combos! Our following combo opens the opponent up with Ryu’s Solar Plexus Strike, then leads into a straightforward cancel sequence.

Classic Input:➡️ + HP > ⬇️ + M > ⬇️↙️⬅️ + PP > ⬇️↙️⬅️ + P

Modern Input:➡️ + H + Auto > ⬇️ + M + Auto > ⬇️↙️⬅️ + 2At > ⬅️ + S + H

Hey, Modern Players!Try pressing Auto simultaneously with other Attack buttons.You may find new attacks like we did with this combo string.

Combo 3

Ryu’s Whirlwind Kick isa fantastic tool for avoiding opponent sweeps. Furthermore, it can combo into heftier attacks. Here’s an easy-to-learn sequence that delivers significant damage.

Classic Input:➡️ + HK > ⬇️↙️⬅️ + KK > ⬇️↘️➡️⬇️↘️➡️ + K

Modern Input:➡️ + H > ⬅️ + S + Auto >⬇️ + S + H

Quickly cancel out of Ryu’s Whirlwind Kick into his OD Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku. Then, activate Ryu’s Shin Shoryuken in time to hit the opponent before they reach the ground.

Ryu’s General Strategy

Ryu’s balanced move set gives him plenty of offensive and defensive options. But, ultimately,understanding Street Fighter’s fundamentals will get you the most out of this move setand hand you a victory.

Let’s focus on Ryu’s defensive skills first. If you can read your opponent’s intentions and react accordingly, there are several ways to keep players off Ryu’s back. Ryu’sHadoken keeps opponents in checkhorizontally. HisShoryuken punishesjump-ins.

So, you couldpull a bait and switch by keeping your foe at a distance with Hadokens and countering them with a Shoryukenonce they try to jump in.

In addition, Ryu’s defensive skills include corner escaping maneuvers like the Heavy Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku.

Regarding offense, there are several ways to corner Ryu’s opponents and nail them with combos. Overdrive attacks like Ryu’sOD Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku and OD High Blade Kickare effective knockback attacks.

Ryu’s combo potential is very accessible. You cancancel into most Special Moves and Super Arts out of Ryu’s Crouching Medium Kick or Punch. So, once you have your foe cornered, you’ll have options that take little effort to recall in the heat of the moment.

Ryu’s significantsetback becomes apparent against characters like Zangief or Marisa. His moves don’t have the same damage factor as Power-oriented characters. And while you may increase damage potential with Ryu’s Denjin Charge, it’s a significant risk.

This weakness doesn’t make Ryu less capable. It just means that your fundamentals must become more astute when facing off against heavy hitters. Fortunately, SF6’s Power characters often have slower start-ups, making them easier to read.