Zangief is a tough nut to crack for beginners. On the one hand, he has impressive brute strength and lands heavy hits. Yet, on the other hand, he’s a large target that moves slowly. And his signature special moves are hard to execute. Fortunately,Street Fighter 6’sZangief is the most accessible version of the character to date.

Related:Street Fighter 6: Beginner’s Guide To Guile

So, do you have what it takes to command the Red Cyclone? We think so! Once you learn how to create openings for Zangief’s infamous SPD, controlling him because much more straightforward. Don’t believe us? Step into the ring, and we’ll teach you some pointers for playing as Russia’s most notorious wrestler.

This attack is not available in the Modern Control scheme

Zangief poses for the crowd in his traditional red and yellow wrestling briefs and red boots in Street Fighter 6.

Auto

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

Punch x2 (simultaneously)

Zangief flies up to the Barmaley Steelworks ceiling with Juri in tow during his Screw Piledriver attack in Street Fighter 6.

Kick x2 (simultaneously)

[charge]

Zangief slams Juri into the steel-slabbed floor of Barmaley Steelworks in Street Fighter 6.

Hold the bracketed button for a short period

Zangief upheaves Ryu with a Flying Headbutt during a match at Barmaley Steelworks in Street Fighter 6.

Used between buttons to denote a target combo

Neutral movement (not pressing any directional buttons)

Zangief lifts Juri above him and begins to send her into the Barmaley Steelworks floor in Street Fighter 6.

This move has an Overdrive version

[c]

Zangief fends off two Russian wrestlers with a Double Lariat at Barmaley Steelworks during a scene from Street Fighter 6 World Tour.

This attack can cancel into special moves

↳

Zangief smacks Juri in the face with his OD Double Lariat during a match at Barmaley Steelworks in Street Fighter 6.

(When near opponent)

N or ➡️ + S

Zangief slams Juri face first to the ground with his Screw Piledriver during a match at Barmaley Steelworks in Street Fighter 6.

(During a jump) (When near opponent)

(When far from opponent)

Zangief catches Ryu in the air with his Borscht Dynamite throw during a match at Barmaley Steelworks in Street Fighter 6.

⬇️⬇️ + HK

N or ➡️ + S + H

Zangief leaps away from Juri after smashing her into the Barmaley Steelworks floor with his Russian Suplex in Street Fighter 6.

(Hold the attack button to change effect)

2 Super Art Gauges

Bolshoi Storm Buster

(When near opponent) (More powerful when vitality is at 25% or below)

↘️ + MP

➡️ + MK

➡️ + HP

➡️ + HK

↘️ + HK

(During a jump)

⬇️ + HP

(During a neutral jump)

⬆️ + HP

⬇️⬇️ + MK> MK > MK

⬇️ + HK

Modern Input

Bodyslam

(When near opponent) (Hold the attack buttons to perform a follow-up attack)

⬅️ + LP + LK

➡️ + LP + LK

↘️ + LP + LK

↙️ + LP + LK

⬇️ + LP + LK

Classic:PP

Modern:⬇️ + S

During the Double Lariat, Zangief propels himself into a spin and strikes foes with his fists. It’s aquick and versatile move with plenty of uses.

When faced with a projectile, Zangief can dodge them while moving forward with his Double Lariat. Combined with Drive Parries and Drive Impacts,this technique makes a functional approach against projectile-heavy opponents.

Double Lariat also works well as ananti-air counterattackagainst jumping opponents. Its fast start-up will catch your airborne foe off guard.

Lastly, OD Double Lariat is a stellar combo tool that can cancel out light attacks.

Classic:↻ + P

Modern:N or ➡️ + S

TheScrew Piledriver, known by fans as the SPD, is Zangief’s signature command grab. Its damaging impact is so severe thatlanding three or four of these attacks could quickly hand you a KO.

As SPD’s attack strength increases, so does its damage. However, SPD’s range gets disproportionately affected by its attack strength. In other words, a Light SPD has the most grabbing range, while a Heavy SPD has the least.

AnOD SPD has the same range as a Medium SPD but imparts the most damage. If you have the Drive Gauge available, OD Screw Piledriver is a skill you should take advantage of.

How do you perform the 360-degree directional movement? This is a common question among new Zangief players. Fortunately, you don’t have to complete a full-circle motion. Pressing the attack button after225 degrees will suffice.

So if you begin the SPD command from ➡️, the full command would look like this:

Classic:(during a jump)↻ + K

Modern:(during a jump)S

Borscht Dynamite isone of Zangief’s aerial command grabs. It’s a great surprise attack when your opponent jumps away from you in anticipation of an SPD.

OD Borscht Dynamite is a brilliant aerial attack due to its faster start-up animation. Plus, you’re able to even transition into it from Flying Headbutt (C:⬆️ + HP /M:⬆️ + H), thus making a combo.

Classic:(when near opponent)➡️↘️⬇️↙️⬅️ + K

Modern:(when near opponent) ⬅️ + S

Russian Suplex is a throw that you shouldn’t take for granted. Not only does it have a simpler command input than the SPD, but it also works well at reversing opponent pressure.

If you’re in the corner,Russian Suplex will switch sides with your opponent, making it the perfect escape maneuver.

Furthermore, OD Russian Suplex works well to break through blocks at close range and counter close-range attacks.

Russian Suplex shares its command input with Siberian Express. However, each throw activates under different circumstances. Russian Suplex activates up close, while Siberian Express activates from far away.

Classic:(when far from the opponent)➡️↘️⬇️↙️⬅️ + K

Modern:(when far from the opponent) ⬅️ + S

Siberian Express is a surprise attack that sends Zangief forward before seizing his opponentand slamming them into the ground. The key to mastering this throw is to create just enough distance from your opponent that they can’t prepare for the Express ahead of time.

Siberian Express’s approach has armorthat can withstand two hits. So as long as your opponent doesn’t strike back with super-fast attacks, Siberian Express will give you a relatively safe means of closing in the distance with your opponent.

OD Siberian Express adds two benefits. First, landing one will charge half your Super Arts Gauge. And second, the OD version will place your foe into the corner.

Classic:⬇️⬇️ + HK

Modern:⬇️⬇️ + H

Tundra Storm is a tricky attack to land. It’s a counterattack thatonly activates when Zangief gets hit by certain moves. Generally, the opponent’s attack must bea grounded kick that hits near Zangief’s midsection.

If Tundra Storm lands, Zangief will grab the opponent’s leg and flip them into the ground. This assault imparts heavy damage.

Want to practice your Tundra Storm? Try it againstRyu’s High Blade Kick. It’s an easy attack to recognize. Yet, it’s fast enough to test your Tundra Storm timing in high-pressure situations.

Related:Street Fighter 6: Beginner’s Guide To Manon

Combo 1

A Double Lariat is a practical integration into any combo. When you need to make a quick opponent opening,use light attacks to cancel into Double Lariat,like in the combo below.

Classic Input:⬇️ + LK > ⬇️ + LP > PP

Modern Input:⬇️ + L > ⬇️ + L > ⬇️ + S

Combo 2

This combo is essential against airborne foes. The Flying Headbutt will also allow you to hit-confirm before OD Borscht Dynamite. If the Flying Headbutt whiffs, you can abandon the combo.

Classic Input:J ⬆️ + HP > ↻ + KK

Modern Input:J⬆️ + H > S + Auto

Combo 3

Bolshoi Storm Buster uses the dreaded 720-degree directional movement (↻↻). Classic players require precise timing and positioning to land this Level 3 Super Art. Fortunately,Headbutt will give you plenty of time to perform a clean 720 turn.

While Modern players can land a Bolshoi Buster with the push of three buttons, it’s wise to use the Headbutt to create an opening before the attack.

Another note forModern players: give yourself a moment after landing the Headbutt before your Bolshoi Storm Buster. Otherwise, the Super Art will whiff.

Classic Input:➡️ + HP > ↻↻ + P

Modern Input:➡️ + H > ⬇️ + S + H

Zangief General Strategy

The ultimate goal of any Zangief player is toland as many command grabs as possible. However, there is one major obstacle: many of Zangief’s moves are slow and predictable.

Furthermore, any opponent familiar with Zangief’s throws will do their due diligence to avoid them. The key is to trick them into creating an opening.

Fast normal attacks are a great tool—Zangief’s Standing Light Kick and Cr. Medium Kick are fast, making him less vulnerable to counters while he recovers. When an opponent tries to strike back, you cancounter them with a Cr. Medium Punch.

When you cannot rely on speed, focus on the range—Zangief’s Standing Heavy Punch and Cr. Heavy Kick have a far reachand impart significant damage to your foe.

Fun fact:Hold down the attack button during a Standing Heavy Punch to imbue yourself with one hit’s worth of armor. But practice caution. If you whiff a held-out Standing Heavy Punch, you’llopen yourself up to punishment.

Once in striking distance,use forward-moving unique attacks to help land SPDs.Knee Hammer has faster recovery, making it a safe choice before an SPD that avoids sweeps.Headbutt is safe on blockand has a longer animation, perfect for landing a Bolshoi Storm Buster.

In addition, bothMachine Gun Chops and Power Stomps can get interrupted partway through. This is not an outright cancel but aframe trap, so keep your throw timing precise after stopping either of these target combos.

As a rule,remember to mix things up. Zangief’s strikes do a great job of weakening your opponent’s health. Relying too much on SPDs will make you too predictable and easy to defeat. Pressure your opponent with strikes first so you’re able to surprise them with command grabs when the opportunity is right.