Street Fighter 6: Should I Pick Modern, Classic, or Dynamic Controls

For newcomers to Street Fighter 6 and almost any fighting game, the barrier to entry can be a high one, with different control schemes and complex inputs being a key issue at times. However, Capcom has offered an answer to that common concern in the form of two new control schemes now available in Street Fighter 6: Modern controls and Dynamic controls. Clearly, the developers at Capcom are eager to see as many people take to the World Warrior stage as possible, with new and simplified controls easing that difficult first dip into the fighter genre, making Street Fighter the most accessible it’s ever been.

In this guide, we’ll offer a breakdown of each control type to help you choose the right one for you, whether you’re a new face to fighting games or a long-time fan. Once you’ve got a control scheme you’re happy with, you can worry about more important things, like which character to play with.

Modern vs Dynamic vs Classic - What Control Type Should You Pick In Street Fighter 6

Modern Controls Explained

Modern is one of the two available control types in online matches and is available everywhere else in SF6 too. The control scheme simplifies light, medium, heavy, and special attacks by placing them on the face buttons and including an Assist button that when held, will string together appropriate combos and overdrive attacks depending on the buttons pressed. There’s certainly still a combo list to be learned, but nothing too deep. Modern is a great start for those familiar with how fighting games work but who aren’t too versed in fast or complex move inputs.

Dynamic Controls Explained

Dynamic controls are the only controls not available in online matches. The purpose of Dynamic’s very simplified control scheme is to aid the newest of the new players or those who want a very casual time playing. All attacks are bound to the four face buttons on a gamepad, and when pushed, the fighter you’re playing as will throw out a conditional attack or assisted combo, depending on the situation. 

For example, if you’re playing Ryu with Dynamic controls and are standing far from your opponent, Ryu will likely throw out a projectile when you press a button, but if you were to press that same button while in close range, he could throw out a full combo. Dynamic controls are perfect for those just looking to have some fun and happily mash some buttons.

Classic Controls Explained

The original input method of the series, Classic, will ask the most of any new fighting game player, with those using gamepad or fight stick having to come to terms with the mastery of longer chains of inputs and finer quarter-circle stick movements and held buttons at times to adjust the effects of certain combos or moves. While certainly a bit intimidating, using Classic controls opens up the full range of possibilities on each character, which pretty much all pro players use in the FGC. Like anything, practice makes perfect, we'd recommend Classic controls to anyone looking to take their fighting skills to the next level while learning some transferable knowledge to other fighting titles too.

Which is the Best Control Type in Street Fighter 6?

All things considered, the best control type to play with in Street Fighter 6 is Classic, due to its access to every maneuver possible in the game. While it certainly requires the most skill to play with at first, spending the time to learn how to play with Classic controls will pay dividends once you get the hang of learning how to build your own combos and how to respond to difficult pressures from opponents. Modern is a little restrictive with its reactive combos often automatically triggering a certain super move in certain situations, effectively taking some control away from you, which many long-time players will be uncomfortable with.

That said, it’s in no way a bad idea to play with Modern controls when you’re finding your feet in some head-to-head matches, as you’ll easily soak in what a solid combo looks like and can eventually transition to Classic at a later point if you felt like taking the full reins. In reality, there’s no true best way to play, just pick whatever helps you have the most fun throwing out some good old-fashioned fists and kicks, don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.

For more SF6 guides, make sure you know what you're getting into with our explainer of every game mode available, or how to change your in-game avatar's look.