There are few universal truths in this world. One of them is you 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 6 wouldn'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 August 13, 2023, by Chris Sanfilippo: Our latest update adds a new demonstration video to Ryu's Bread And Butter Combo section.

Ryu's Move List

Key

Abbreviation	Meaning
L	Light Attack [Modern Controls]
M	Medium Attack [Modern Controls]
H	High Attack [Modern Controls]
At	Any Attack Button [Modern Controls]
2At	Two Attack Buttons pressed simultaneously [Modern Controls]
S	Special Move [Modern Controls]
N/A	This attack is not available in the Modern Control scheme
Auto	The Auto button. Pressed simultaneously with Special Move inputs to perform Overdrive Attacks
P	Punch
K	Kick
LP	Light Punch [Classic Controls]
MP	Medium Punch [Classic Controls]
HP	Heavy Punch [Classic Controls]
LK	Light Kick [Classic Controls]
MK	Medium Kick [Classic Controls]
HK	Heavy Kick [Classic Controls]
PP	Punch x2 (simultaneously)
KK	Kick x2 (simultaneously)
>	Used between buttons to denote a target combo
N	Neutral movement (not pressing any directional buttons)
OD	This move has an Overdrive version
[c]	This attack can cancel into special moves
↳	This attack follows the one above it.

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Ryu's Special Moves

Ryu's Super Arts

Ryu's Unique Attacks

Ryu's Throws

Ryu's Special Move Breakdown

Hadoken

Classic: ⬇️↘️➡️ + P

Modern: N + S

Hadoken is one of Ryu's signature attacks, present since the original Street Fighter arcade game in 1987. This projectile attack sends a ki blast from Ryu's palms toward the opponent.

The range and speed of Ryu's projectile change based 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.

Shoryuken

Classic: ➡️⬇️↘️ + P

Modern: ➡️ + S

Ryu's second most famous attack is Shoryuken. This rising uppercut is invincible 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 should practice with Ryu's Medium Shoryuken first 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.

Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku

Classic: ⬇️↙️⬅️ + K

Modern: ⬅️ + S

Ryu's Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku is a sight to behold. This tornado of spinning roundhouse kicks is 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.

Aerial Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku

Classic: ⬇️↙️⬅️ + K

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's Aerial Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku can make your jump-ins less predictable by altering your jump's trajectory and surprising opponents.

A well-timed Aerial Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku can strike your opponent's rear, initiating a 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!

High Blade Kick

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 a fast 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 is one 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 effect that facilitates wall bounces and juggles. Try landing a Shoryuken after an OD High Blade Kick to see this effect in action.

Hashogeki

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's go-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.

Denjin Charge

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

Ryu's Bread And Butter Combos

Combo 1

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

• Crouching Medium Kick
• Hadoken

Classic Input: ⬇️ + MK > ⬇️↘️➡️ + P

Modern Input: ⬇️ + M > N + S

You can 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 can make 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 is Solar Plexus Strike, a forward Heavy Punch that can initiate killer combos! Our following combo opens the opponent up with Ryu's Solar Plexus Strike, then leads into a straightforward cancel sequence.

• Solar Plexus Strike
• Crouching Medium Punch
• OD Hashogeki
• Shin Hashogeki

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 is a fantastic tool for avoiding opponent sweeps. Furthermore, it can combo into heftier attacks. Here's an easy-to-learn sequence that delivers significant damage.

• Whirlwind Kick
• OD Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku
• Shin Shoryuken

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 set and 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's Hadoken keeps opponents in check horizontally. His Shoryuken punishes jump-ins.

So, you could pull a bait and switch by keeping your foe at a distance with Hadokens and countering them with a Shoryuken once 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's OD Tatsumaki Senp-kyaku and OD High Blade Kick are effective knockback attacks.

Ryu's combo potential is very accessible. You can cancel 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 significant setback becomes apparent against characters like Zangief or Marisa. His moves don't have the same damage factor as Power-oriented characters. And while you can 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.

Next: Street Fighter 6: Beginner's Guide To Luke