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There are currently 16 characters in the SF5 roster, and we’ve helpfully listed the movesets for all of them (in alphabetical order, rather than which one you like the best, or which one was played by Raul Julia in a movie). There’s also a brief refresher on basic Street Fighter controls (a 101, if you will) suitable for beginners, and a breakdown on other elements of the combat in Street Fighter 5. We’ll update this as more characters are added to the game.
Street Fighter 5: Basic Controls For Beginners
Okay, so to move in Street Fighter (and assuming, for ease, that you’ve got a PS4) you use the d-pad. Up will make you vertically jump, and you can diagonally jump by pressing up and either towards or back at the same time as up (towards/up or back/up) There isn’t a block button, but pressing back or back/down together will perform either a high guard or a low guard. You can press down (to crouch) and towards or back at the same time too.
Every fighter can do light, medium, and strong punches (mapped to square, triangle and R1 on the PlayStation controller respectively) and punches (mapped to X, circle and R2). You can press R2 or L2 to perform all three at the same time. Combining a standard melee attack with a jump will make it a jumping attack, and you can also do crouching attacks.
Every character can perform throws by pressing either towards or back, followed by a light punch and light kick together.
What is Street Fighter 5’s V-Gauge?
The V-Gauge is the red gauge at the bottom of your screen. It gradually fills up as you take hits from your enemy, or if you successfully dust off your V-Skill, which is an ability each character performs if you hit medium punch and medium kick at the same time.
Then there’s the V-Reversal, a strong counter that uses one block of your V-Gauge. While you’re guarding an opponent’s attack press forward and then dust off all three standard punches or kicks at once, depending on the character.
If your V-Gauge is at max you can unleash your V-Trigger attack, by performing a heavy kick and a heavy punch at the same time. This will use up the entire V-Gauge.
What are Street Fighter 5’s EX Moves?
You can pump up your character’s special moves by pressing two of either the punch or kick buttons (depending on which the special move itself uses) when performing it to activate it as an EX move. This uses up one stock of your Critical Gauge, the blue gauge at the bottom of the screen.
What is Critical Art in Street Fighter 5?
These are even more extra special moves that you can only do when your Critical Gauge is full. Each character has at least one unique Critical Art moves all of their own.
Birdie’s Full Moveset in Street Fighter 5
Birdie’s Unique Attacks in Street Fighter 5
Bull Drop – towards, heavy kick.
Bull Charge – towards, heavy punch.
Bull Slider – towards/down, heavy punch.
Bad Hammer – down, then a heavy punch chained with a second heavy punch.
Birdie’s Special Moves in Street Fighter 5
Bull Head – down, towards/down, towards, and kick.
Bull Horn – hold and release either a punch or a kick.
Hanging Chain – down, towards down and kick. To chain whirl hold the button, and to cancel the whirl press a punch.
Killing Head – While close to your opponent press towards, towards/down, down. back/down, back, then punch.
Bull Revenger – towards, towards/down, down. back/down, back, and kick.
V-Reversal – Birdie’s V-Reversal is called Pepper Pot and is triggered with the triple punch.
Birdie’s Critical Art in Street Fighter 5
Skip To My Chain – Down, towards/down, towards on the d-pad twice in a row, and punch.
Cammy’s Full Moveset in Street Fighter 5
Cammy’s Unique Attacks in Street Fighter 5
Knee Bullet – towards, heavy kick.
Lift Upper – back, heavy punch.
Lift Combination – back, medium punch into heavy kick.
Cammy’s Special Moves in Street Fighter 5
Spiral Arrow – down, towards/down, towards, kick.
Cannon Spike – towards, down, towards/down, kick.
Cannon Strike – during a forward jump, down, back/down, back, kick.
Hooligan Combination – back, back/down, down, towards/down, towards on the d-pad, then punch. During the Hooligan Combination you can transition into other moves. Without any input Cammy will go into the Lazer Edge Slicer.
Fatal Leg Twister – during the Hooligan Combination, press light punch and light kick together when Cammy is close to the ground.
Cross Scissors Pressure – during the Hooligan Combination, press light punch and light kick together when Cammy is both near to her opponent and in mid air.
Cannon Strike – during the Hooligan Combination go for a kick at any point.
V-Reversal – Cammy’s V-Reversal is called Strike Back and is triggered with the triple kick.
Cammy’s Critical Art in Street Fighter 5
Cross Stinger Assault – down, towards/down, towards on the d-pad twice in a row, followed by a kick.
Chun-Li’s Full Moveset in Street Fighter 5
Chun-Li’s Unique Attacks in Street Fighter 5
Tsuitotsuken – back or towards,medium punch.
Hakkei – back, heavy punch.
Senenshu – down/towards, medium kick.
Tenkukyaku – back, heavy kick.
Yokusenkyaku – towards, heavy kick.
Kakurakukyaku – down/towards, heavy kick.
Yosokyaku -during a jump, hit down, medium kick (up to three times to chain them).
Wall Jump – towards/up while in the air near a wall.
Chun-Li’s Special Moves in Street Fighter 5
Kikoken – press and hold back to charge it, then towards, punch.
Hyakuretsukyaku – down, towards/down, towards, kick.
Spinning Bird Kick – charged down, then hit up, kick.
V-Reversal – Chun-Li’s V-Reversal is called Sohakkei and is triggered with the triple punch.
Chun-LI’s Critical Art in Street Fighter 5
Hoyokusen – down, towards/down, towards on the d-pad twice in a row, kick.
Dhalsim’s Full Moveset in Street Fighter 5
Dhalsim’s Unique Attacks in Street Fighter 5
Drill Kick – down and kick, during a jump.
Yoga Anvil – back, heavy punch.
Yoga Upper – back, medium punch.
Divine Kick – back, medium kick.
Dhalsim’s Special Moves in Street Fighter 5
Yoga Fire – down, towards/down, towards, punch.
Yoga Flame – towards, towards/down, down, back/down, back, punch.
Yoga Gale – the Yoga Flame moveset, performed during a vertical or forward jump.
Yoga Teleport – either towards, down, towards/down or back, down, back/down, followed by either a triple punch or triple kick.
V-Reversal – Dhalsim’s V-Reversal is called Yoga Mala, and is triggered with the triple punch.
Dhalsim’s Critical Art in Street Fighter 5
Yoga Sunburst – down, towards/down, towards on the d-pad twice in a row, then punch. The Yoga Sunburst can also be performed in the air.
F.A.N.G’s Full Moveset in Street Fighter 5
F.A.N.G’s Unique Attacks in Street Fighter 5
Senpukuga – down, triple punch into a kick.
Nirenko – towards/down, heavy punch.
F.A.N.G’s Special Moves in Street Fighter 5
Nishikyu – charged down, up, punch.
Sotoja – charged back, towards, punch.
Ryobenda – charged back, towards, kick.
Nikankyaku – towards, down, towards/down, kick.
V-Reversal – F.A.N.G’s V-Reversal is called Nikaiho, and is triggered with the triple punch.
F.A.N.G’s Critical Art in Street Fighter 5
Shishiruirui – down, towards/down, towards on the d-pad twice in a row, then punch.
Karin’s Full Moveset in Street Fighter 5
Karin’s Unique Attacks in Street Fighter 5
Tsumujigari – towards, medium kick.
Karin’s Special Moves in Street Fighter 5
Kanzuki-Ryu Hokojutsu Seppo – down, towards/down, towards, kick.
Tenko – down, towards/down, towards, kick, into punch (you can press the punch button faster to change the properties of the move).
Orochi – down, towards/down, towards, kick, into down and punch.
Mujinkyaku – down, back/down, back, kick.
Ressenha – down, back/down, back, punch.
Senha Kusabi – down, back/down, back, punch, into down and kick.
Senha Resshu – down, back/down, back, punch, into up and kick.
V-Reversal – Karin’s V-Reversal is called Yashagaeshi, and is triggered with the triple punch.
Karin’s V-Trigger Moves in Street Fighter 5
Karin’s V-Trigger is activated with heavy kick and heavy punch at the same time, but she also has a lot of additional V-Trigger attacks, as follows:
Guren Ken – down, towards/down, punch.
Guren Hosho – down, towards/down, punch, into another punch.
Guren Senhap – down, towards/down, punch, into up, punch.
Guren Chochu – down, towards/down, punch, into down, punch.
Guren Hochu – down, towards/down, punch, into down, punch, then into a second down, punch.
Guren Resshu – down, towards/down, punch, into down, punch, then into up, kick.
Guren Kusabi – down, towards/down, punch, into down, punch, then into down, kick.
Guren Kyoho – down, towards/down, punch, into a kick.
Karin’s Critical Art in Street Fighter 5
Kanzuki-Ryu Hadorokushiki Hasha No Kata – down, towards/down, towards on the d-pad twice in a row, then punch.
Ken’s Full Moveset in Street Fighter 5
Ken’s Unique Attacks in Street Fighter 5
Thunder Kick – towards, heavy kick (holding the kick button)
Thunder Kick (feint) – towards, heavy kick.
Inazuma Kick – back, medium kick.
Chin Buster – back, medium punch.
Chin Buster 2nd – back, medium punch into heavy punch
Lion Breaker – medium kick into heavy kick.
Ken’s Special Moves in Street Fighter 5
Hadoken – down, towards/down, towards, and punch.
Shoryuken – towards, down, towards/down, and punch.
Tatsumaki Senpukyaku – down, back/down, back, and kick.
V-Reversal – Ken’s V-Reversal is called Senpu Natoatoshi and is triggered with the triple kick.
Ken’s Critical Art in Street Fighter 5
Guren Enjinkyaku – Down, towards/down, towards on the d-pad twice in a row, and punch.
Laura’s Full Moveset in Street Fighter 5
Laura’s Unique Attacks in Street Fighter 5
Step Elbow – towards, heavy punch.
Twist Barrage – towards, heavy punch into heavy punch.
Dual Crash – medium punch into medium kick.
Laura’s Special Moves in Street Fighter 5
Bolt Charge – down, towards/down, towards, punch.
Split River – down, back/down, back, kick.
Rodeo Break – The Eagle Spike moveset, but performed during a forward jump.
Thunder Clap – down, towards/down, towards, kick.
Sunset Wheel
V-Reversal – Laura’s V-Reversal is called Double Slap, and is triggered with the triple punch.
Laura’s V-Skill Moves in Street Fighter 5
Laura’s V-Skill is activated by pressing medium punch and medium kick at the same time, but she has several additional V-Skill attacks, as follows:
Linear Movement – Avante – towards, medium punch and medium kick at the same time, and hold the buttons.
Linear Movement – Esquiva – back, medium punch and medium kick at the same time, and hold the buttons.
Linear Movement – Finta – back, medium punch and medium kick at the same time, into another medium punch and medium kick. Hold the buttons.
Laura’s Critical Art in Street Fighter 5
Inazuma Spin Hold – down, towards/down, towards on the d-pad twice in a row, then kick.
M. Bison’s Full Moveset in Street Fighter 5
M. Bison’s Unique Attacks in Street Fighter 5
Hell Attack – whilst in the air, medium punch into a medium punch.
Psycho Axe – towards/down, heavy punch.
Shadow Axe – medium punch into towards/down, heavy punch.
M. Bison’s Special Moves in Street Fighter 5
Psycho Blast – charged back, towards, punch.
Double Knee Press – charged back, forwards, kick.
Head Press – charged down, up, kick.
Somersault Skull Diver – chains on the end of the Head Press. After the Head Press hits, initiate another punch.
Devil Reverse – perform a Head Press, but hit punch before it hits.
Psycho Inferno – down, back/down, back, punch.
V-Reversal – M. Bison’s V-Reversal is called Psycho Burst and is triggered with the triple punch.
M. Bison’s Critical Art in Street Fighter 5
Ultimate Psycho Crusher – Down, towards/down, towards on the d-pad twice in a row, followed by a punch. This can be done in mid air.
Nash’s Full Moveset in Street Fighter 5
Nash’s Unique Attacks in Street Fighter 5
Knee Bazooka – towards, light kick.
Jumping Sobat – towards, medium kick.
Chopping Assault – towards, medium punch.
Step Kick – towards, heavy kick.
Spinning Back Knuckle – towards, heavy punch.
Side Knee Attack – back, medium kick.
Rapid Punch – light punch into medium punch.
Rapid Kick – light kick into medium kick.
Wind Shear – medium punch, light kick, heavy punch.
Down Burst – down and medium punch into towards and medium punch.
Raptor Combination – medium kick into heavy kick into another medium kick.
Nash’s Special Moves in Street Fighter 5
Sonic Boom – down, forward/down and forward plus a punch.
Sonic Scythe – down, back/down, back, kick.
Moonsault Slash – down, towards/down, towards, kick.
Tragedy Assault – towards, down, towards/down, punch.
V-Reversal – Nash’s V-Reversal is called Sonic Move – Avoid and is triggered with the triple punch.
V-Trigger – Nash has three V-Trigger manoeuvres. Sonic Move – Hide uses the regular hard punch/hard kick combo to activate, Sonic Move – Blitz Air is back followed by hard punch and hard kick, and Sonic Move – Steel Air is forwards followed by hard punch and hard kick.
Nash’s Critical Art in Street Fighter 5
Judgement Saber – down, back/down, back on the d-pad twice in a row, followed by a punch.
Necalli’s Full Moveset in Street Fighter 5
Necalli’s Unique Attacks in Street Fighter 5
Opening Dagger – towards/down, heavy punch.
Road of the Sun – down and heavy kick, during a forward jump.
Sacrificial Altar – medium kick into a heavy kick, and then a medium punch and medium kick together, or, alternatively, back and medium punch and kick together.
Necalli’s Special Moves in Street Fighter 5
The Disc’s Guidance – charge back, then push towards, then punch.
Raging Light – towards,down, towards/down, and punch.
Mask of Tialli – when close to your opponent cycle through towards, towards/down, down, back/down, back, and punch.
Valiant Rebellion – down, towards/down, towards, kick.
V-Reversal – Necalli’s V-Reversal is called The Calling and is triggered with the triple punch.
Necalli’s Critical Art in Street Fighter 5
Ceremony of Honor – down, towards/down, towards on the d-pad twice in a row, and punch.
Soul Offering – the same moveset as Ceremony of Honor, but during V-Trigger.
Rashid’s Full Moveset in Street Fighter 5
Rashid’s Unique Attacks in Street Fighter 5
Flap Spin – towards, medium punch.
Beak Assault – towards, heavy punch.
Dash Spinning Mixer – towards, punch (must be during a dash).
Dash Eagle Spike – towards, kick (must be during a dash).
Wall Jump – towards/up or towards/down during a jump near a wall.
Rashid’s Special Moves in Street Fighter 5
Spinning Mixer – down, towards/down, towards, punch.
Eagle Spike – down, back/down, back, kick.
Airborne Eagle Spike – The Eagle Spike moveset, but performed during a forward jump.
Whirlwind Shot – down, towards/down, towards, kick.
V-Reversal – Rashid’s V-Reversal is called Sliding Roll, and is triggered with the triple punch.
Rashid’s Critical Art in Street Fighter 5
Altair – down, towards/down, towards on the d-pad twice in a row, then punch.
R. Mika’s Full Moveset in Street Fighter 5
R. Mika’s Unique Attacks in Street Fighter 5
Stomp Chop – light kick into medium punch.
Dive Bomb – down and medium punch during a forward jump.
Lady Mika – towards, heavy punch.
Passion Press – either towards or back, medium punch.
Passion Rope Throw – towards or back, then medium punch into either towards or back, then medium punch.
R. Mika’s Special Moves in Street Fighter 5
Shooting Peach – down, towards/down, towards, punch.
Wingless Airplane – down, towards/down, towards, kick.
Rainbow Typhoon – while close to your opponent, towards, towards/down, down, back/down, back, punch.
Brimstone – while close to your opponent, towards, towards/down, down, back/down, back, kick..
V-Reversal – R. Mika’s V-Reversal is called Peach Gator, and is triggered with the triple kick.
R. Mika’s Critical Art in Street Fighter 5
Peach Assault – down, back/down, back on the d-pad twice in a row, then punch.
Ryu’s Full Moveset in Street Fighter 5
Ryu’s Unique Attacks in Street Fighter 5
Collarbone Breaker – towards,medium punch.
Solar Plexus Strike – towards, heavy punch.
Axe Kick – back, heavy kick.
Jordan Nirengeki – heavy punch into a heavy kick.
Jodan Sanrengeki – medium punch, heavy punch, heavy kick.
Ryu’s Special Moves in Street Fighter 5
Hadoken – down, towards/down, towards, punch.
Shoryuken – Towards, down, towards/down, followed by a punch.
Tatsumaki Senpukyaku – down, down/back, back, a kick.
V-Reversal – the V-Reversal for Ryu is called Hashogeki and is triggered with the triple punch.
Ryu’s Critical Art in Street Fighter 5
Shinku Hadoken – the Hadoken moveset, but perform the d-pad sequence twice in a row before the punch.
Denjin Hadoken – the same as the Shinku Hadoken moveset, but while your V-Trigger is still active.
Vega’s Full Moveset in Street Fighter 5
Vega’s Unique Attacks in Street Fighter 5
Mercury Shard – towards, medium punch.
Buster Claw – towards, heavy punch, but only if you’re playing Vega with his claws on.
Matador Flash – heavy punch into a second heavy punch, then medium punch and medium kick together whilst Vega is wearing his claws.
Matador Blitz – medium punch into heavy kick, then medium punch and medium kick together (Vega’s claws need to be off).
Wall Jump – towards/up during a jump near a wall
Vega’s Special Moves in Street Fighter 5
Flying Barcelona Attack – either towards, down, towards/down, or back, down, back/down on the d-pad, then a kick into a punch.
Izuna Drop – the same d-pad movements as the Flying Barcelona attack, then a kick into a light punch and light kick together (when close to your opponent).
Grand Izuna Drop – towards, towards/down, down, back/down, back, then punch. Vega must be close to the opponent and have his claws off.
Crimson Terror – down, towards/down, towards, kick.
Aurora Spin Edge – down, back/down, back, kick (only with claws on).
Switch Claw – down, towards/down, towards, punch.
V-Reversal – Vega has two V-Reversals, one for the triple punch and one for the triple kick. They’re called Backslash and Short Backlash respectively.
Vega’s Critical Art in Street Fighter 5
Bloody Rain – either down, back/down, back, or down, towards/down, towards, on the d-pad twice in a row, then punch.
Zangief’s Full Moveset in Street Fighter 5
Zangief’s Unique Attacks in Street Fighter 5
Head Butt – towards, heavy punch.
Knee Hammer – towards, medium kick.
Flying Body Press – down, heavy punch (during a forward jump).
Zangief’s Special Moves in Street Fighter 5
Screw Pile Driver – when close to your opponent, do a full cycle round the d-pad from towards, moving clockwise, then punch.
Double Lariat – triple punch.
Siberian Express – towards, towards/down, down, back/down, back on the d-pad, then kick.
Borscht Dynamite – perform the moveset for Screw Pile Driver during a vertical or forward jump.
V-Reversal – Zangief’s V-Reversal is called Muscle Explosion, and is triggered with the triple kick.
Zangief’s Critical Art in Street Fighter 5
Bolshoi Russian Suplex – as in the Screw Pile Driver, but the d-pad cycle is performed twice in a row.