A.K.I. was released as the second DLC character for Street Fighter 6 back on September 27, 2023. Unfortunately, she’s been generally perceived to be one of the weakest characters overall in the current meta.
After Ed and Akuma are released to finish out Season 1 DLC, it’s expected that the first major balance patch will then release to mark the beginning of Season 2. As such, A.K.I. is likely to receive some buffs to help out her game plan, unless something is discovered about her that reveals her to be stronger than the current perception.
One of the prominent A.K.I. users, Broski, has apparently been frequently asked what kind of changes he’d like to see for A.K.I. with this upcoming balance patch. In response, Broski has released a video that has him discussing some ideas.
Broski notes that the easiest way to improve A.K.I. would be to make her standing medium kick and crouching medium kick have special cancel properties, allowing for Drive Rush cancels. However, Broski is adamant that he actually would not like to see this happen as it could “turn A.K.I. into yet another brain dead, normal plus Drive Rush character.” He emphasizes that he likes A.K.I. for her unorthodox tools and playstyle.
Improving A.K.I.’s anti-air options would go a long way for her since this would also have a ripple effect of also improving her ability to zone opponents with her fireball. As it turns out, there’s room to increase the invincibility to jump ins with her quarter-circle forward and heavy punch special.
Broski also highlights how A.K.I. has one of the stubbiest jabs in the game with her crouching light punch, which happens to be A.K.I.’s 4-frame button. As such, Broski recommends allowing A.K.I. to chain her crouch light punch into her standing light kick as a way to give her a way to confirm from a light.
Check out the video below to hear all the other buffs for A.K.I. that Broski came up with: