Street Fighter 6’s December 2024 balance patch was dropped last night. Leading up to this big event, Capcom stated that this update wouldn’t be a major one like the Akuma patch, but it turns out that it actually is pretty massive in terms of how the meta will be affected.
It’s only been a brief period of time since the update has dropped. However, the community has already begun combing through all the changes. As such, many notable members and figureheads within the FGC have begun outlining their impressions as well as unveiling new tech.
Ryu is a character that has been substantially buffed with this new patch. At long last, he’s now able to safely cancel his crouching medium kick into a fireball without the fear of being interrupted and punished by the opponent using a Drive Impact.
Due to M. Bison’s perceived strength, M. Bison has received a number of nerfs that, while his gameplay will mostly stay intact, will require more thoughtful approaches from players. For example, M. Bison’s Devil Reverse is now way easier to perform an anti-air against, which means he won’t be able to just bully opponents to get in anymore.
Even Cammy received some notable changes that will have players second guessing some of their previous habits. She’s a lot easier to whiff punish now, so some degree of caution will have to be utilized when pressing buttons in neutral.
Of course, it should be noted that a lot of players now feel as though Rashid will be even more dominant in the new meta. While other top tiers did at least receive a slap on the wrist, Rashid is now apparently looking like a contender for the top spot on tier lists.
Check it all out below:
Season 2.5 Patch Impressions pic.twitter.com/qZ4SDA2Jem
— Chris_F (@Chris_F_22) December 2, 2024
honda can now break 7k easily with the new BnBs pic.twitter.com/xWIeOuHOkc
— jick_d (@j1ck_d) December 2, 2024
マリーザのアッパー強化かっけえ。 pic.twitter.com/5NNGP1omES
— GZL|浅葉 (@asabataiga) December 2, 2024
most of the clips ive seen have focused on lash but hk flip groundbouncing you a teeny bit higher is actually kinda underrated, juggling into ex fireball here used to be frame perfect if the flip hit as high as physically possible and now you can just do it whenever pic.twitter.com/9Vg6GRFaV6
— Broski (@broskiFGC) December 2, 2024
デビリバは流石に結構弱くなってて、立ちコパンが基本対策とかになりそう pic.twitter.com/bd3Wf2NjPQ
— KEI.B / NTPOJA (@_BNBBN_) December 2, 2024
Seems pretty good all things considered i would say#sf6_Juri pic.twitter.com/rqH1toFJQm
— MAGICMAN (hereticmagicman.bsky.social) (@hereticmagicman) December 2, 2024
without denjin stock im pretty sure this is just the new optimal punish counter starter #sf6_Ryu pic.twitter.com/CC0iaJFFDs
— yots (@yotsubadas) December 2, 2024
It’s important to note:
The Akuma empty demon flip nerf (added recovery) only applies to side-switch. pic.twitter.com/1AaSOpwJPc
— Mr Mostafles (@MrMostafles) December 2, 2024
Easier to punish than Luke lol, thank you capcom pic.twitter.com/yDKuaQV3Cc
— Nd (@heanday) December 2, 2024
Akuma nerfs #SF6_Ryu pic.twitter.com/9axtdfdfB9
— Totalsagat (@totalsagat) December 2, 2024
Here’s something that -should- be new tech for Lily after the balance changes. We know she gets level 1 after standalone 2nd hit of windclad LP DP, but she can also reset after it with cr. HP. #SF6_Lily pic.twitter.com/edJZwC90A0
— Steven “Dream King” Chavez (@TheKingOfDremes) December 2, 2024
Oh…#SF6_Luke pic.twitter.com/grcvdFW3DI
— ScrawtV @CEOtaku (@ScrawtV) December 2, 2024
Ryu Buffs – Crouch Medium Kick –
The “Window to cancel into a special move is now 2 frames faster.”
VERY. SIGNIFICANT. CHANGE!
A quick vid to show the Comparisons!
Dec 2, 2024 Balance Update SF6#SF6 #SF6_Ryu pic.twitter.com/ej4RhB3q9l— NurseLee (@NurseLee_) December 2, 2024
Ryu Heavy Donkey kick takes a full bar of drive gauge away on block now. Is 2f faster, safe on block, +1 in burnout.
This is the funniest ryu patch. pic.twitter.com/uCOgavGWOR— CrossedMoon (@CrossedMoon_) December 2, 2024