Street Fighter 6brings back many fan-favorite characters, including martial arts champion and business savant, Ken Masters. As a mid-range power fighter with the smallest physical stature in the power type class, Ken is well-equipped to go toe-to-toe with everyone on theStreet Fighter 6roster.
For newcomers and veterans to theStreet Fighterseries alike, knowing every charater’s moves and strategies will make them all the more effective in gameplay. This guide will cover the best combos and tricks to use as Ken to kick the teeth off any fighter.
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Strategies for Ken
Ken’s power comes predominantly from his kicking and dashing attacks, making him excel when just outside the punch range of his opponent. The key to victory with Ken is controlling distance from his opponent, and timing overdrive special attacks to counter-attacks.
Ken’s Move List
Ken has 21 total moves (disregarding common moves). Many of his special moves have improved versions that can be launched from his Quick Dash unique move, giving him one of the largest move lists in the game.
Unleashes a series of airborne kicks
Special Art 1
Shippu Jinrai-kyaku
A devastating flurry of kicks followed by a rising Tatsumaki Senpu-kyaku
A three-hit Shoryuken combo with incredible damage
Street Fighter’s signature ki-blast
A massive skyward uppercut that can counter aerial attacks
A forward-moving string of roundhouse kicks
An aerial Tatsumaki capable of hitting opponents from behind
A mid-range forward leaping roundhouse kick
Special Move
Jinrai Kick
A close-range forward roundhouse kick that leads into three followup kicks
Kazekama Shin Kick
A low kick following the Jinrai Kick that cannot be blocked standing
Gorai Axe Kick
A high kick following the Jinrai Kick that cannot be blocked crouching
A roundhouse kick following the Jinrai Kick
Kasai Thrust Kick
A third kick that can be performed following any Overdrive Jinrai Kick
Quick Dash
An empowered dash that can be followed by a wide variety of basic and special moves
Unique Attack
Thunder Kick
A high attack following Quick Dash that cannot be blocked crouching
A long reaching kick performed from Quick Dash
A fast-hitting punch combo
A long reaching kick combo that knocks enemies back
A forward throw with a quick blow to the knee
Grab the opponent, roll backwards, and kick them back
Throw
Ken’s Best Combos
The strongest combos for Ken will start just outside his opponent’s punch range. Each combo will focus on a gap closer, a follow-up burst of damage, and a high damage or knock back finisher. A great example of this is a Quick Dash into an Overdrive Dragonlash Kick, finished with a Shinryu Reppa super art.
Classic Controls
Modern Controls
Forward, Down-Forward, Down + Kick; Medium Kick, Medium Kick, Heavy Kick
Back + Special, Medium Attack; Medium Attack, Medium Attack
This medium-damage combo can be used at close to mid-range. Leap forward with a Dragonlash Kick, and before the enemy can recover, send them flying back with a series of roundhouse kicks. Followup with a Hadoken for flair.
Down, Down-Forward, Forward + Kick, Forward + Heavy Kick, Kick + Kick, Down, Down-Back, Back + Kick
Down + Special, Special, Medium Attack + Heavy Attack, Down + Special
If players find that their opponent is getting too close for comfort, make them regret it with this barrage of damage. Start with a kick combo to create some space, and while the opponent is recovering, use quick dash to close the distance. Finish by knocking them back with an improved Tatsumaki before Quick Dash ends. Replace the Tatsumaki with a Dragonlash Flame or Shippu Jinrai-kyaku for an extra blast of power.
Kick + Kick, Medium Kick, Down, Down-Back, Back + Punch, Medium Punch, Heavy Punch, Down, Down-Forward, Forward, Down, Down-Forward, Forward + Punch
This combo cannot be done with Modern Controls.
This crippling, fist-focused flurry deals more damage when Ken’s health is low. Start by closing the distance to the opponent with Quick Dash, and stun them with a Thunder Kick. Quickly unleash a point-blank Hadoken to prolong the stun, andfinish with a Chin Bustercanceled into a Shinryu Reppa. As Shinryu Reppa deals more damage when health is below 25%, successfully unleashing this combo in a danger state can turn the tides of the battle.
Tips for Winning With Ken
With Ken’s combined speed and strength, players who are looking to perfect his play style should master controlling their distance from their enemy. Too close, and Ken becomes vulnerable to a string of punching combos; too far, and his leaping attacks will leave him recovering directly in front of the enemy.
Here are some advanced tips for playing as Ken:
How to Counter Ken
While in the power type, Ken is physically smaller than all other fighters of this type, making him a harder target to hit. Fighters with fast-starting, forward-directed attacks will be able to interrupt most of Ken’s basic combos with good timing. When fighting Ken, focus on staying close or poking from long-range, spamming fast start-up combos, and responding to his leaps and dashes with movement abilities. Great counter options against Keninclude Guile, JP, and Jamie.
Street Fighter 6is available now on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
