Street Fighter V: Getting Started Guide

Welcome to the ultimate Street Fighter V: Getting Started Guide! Whether you’re a complete newcomer or revisiting the legendary fighting franchise, this guide has got you covered. Dive into the adrenaline-pumping world of Street Fighter V with confidence as we walk you through everything you need to know to kick off your journey. Discover essential tips and strategies for Choosing Your First Character, gain mastery over the Basic Controls, effortlessly find your way through the Main Menu, and get into action with Starting Your First Fight. Plus, gather insider knowledge with our Tips for New Players. Let’s get ready to rumble in the exhilarating world of Street Fighter V!

Choosing Your First Character

Welcome to Street Fighter V, where the world of high-octane battles and legendary fighters awaits you! Choosing your first character can be a daunting task given the plethora of options available. But worry not, we’re here to help you find the perfect match to kickstart your Street Fighter journey.

1. Understand Your Playstyle

First things first, figuring out your playstyle is key. Ask yourself: Do you prefer aggressive gameplay with quick combos or do you enjoy a more defensive, strategic approach?

Aggressive Players: If you like to stay in your opponent’s face and constantly pressure them, you might enjoy characters who excel at close-range combat.
Defensive Players: If you prefer staying back, reading your opponent’s moves, and punishing their mistakes, characters with strong zoning abilities might suit you better.
Balanced Playstyle: If you’re looking for a bit of both, balanced characters who can handle a variety of situations might be your best bet.

2. Beginner-Friendly Characters

Starting off with an easier character can make learning the game more enjoyable. Here are a few beginner-friendly characters known for their straightforward playstyles:

Ryu: The quintessential balanced fighter, Ryu is perfect for newbies. His moveset is versatile and his iconic Hadouken (fireball) and Shoryuken (uppercut) are great tools to learn the basics of attacking and defending.
Ken: If you want a character similar to Ryu but with a bit more flair and aggression, Ken is your guy. His quick moves and flashy combos are both fun and effective.
Chun-Li: Known for her speed and agility, Chun-Li is excellent for players who prefer fast-paced action. Her strong normals and solid special moves make her a top pick for beginners.

3. Explore and Experiment

Don’t be afraid to try out a few characters before settling on one. Street Fighter V offers a variety of fighters, each with unique moves and abilities. Spend some time in the training mode to get a feel for different characters. Here's a quick guide to exploring:

Training Mode: Practice your character’s moves and combos against a non-aggressive opponent.
Character Trials: Complete a series of challenges that teach you the basics and some advanced techniques for a specific character.
Casual Matches: Play unranked matches to test your character in real battles without the pressure of rankings.

4. Watch the Pros

Watching professional players can give you a better understanding of different characters and how they are played at a high level. Platforms like YouTube and Twitch offer tons of videos and live streams where you can see strategies, combos, and playstyles in action.

5. Engage with the Community

Street Fighter V has a vibrant community ready to share tips and advice. Join forums, Discord groups, or Reddit threads dedicated to SFV. Asking for advice and sharing experiences with other players can be incredibly helpful.

6. Have Fun!

The most important thing is to have fun. Street Fighter V is a game, after all. Don’t stress too much about picking the ‘perfect’ character right away. Enjoy exploring the roster and discovering what feels right for you. Remember, every match, win or lose, is a learning experience.

Embark on your journey, give different characters a try, and before you know it, you'll find the one that clicks with your playstyle. Happy fighting!

Understanding Basic Controls

Welcome to the exciting world of Street Fighter V! Before you start throwing fireballs and pulling off epic combos, you need to get a grip on the basic controls. Let's break it down so you can start your journey to becoming a fighting champ!

Movement

First up, let's talk about moving your character around the stage. You'll use the directional pad (D-pad) or the left analog stick on your controller.

Move Forward: Push right on the D-pad/stick.
Move Backward: Push left on the D-pad/stick.
Crouch: Push down on the D-pad/stick.
Jump: Push up on the D-pad/stick.

Pro-Tip: Mix up your movement to keep your opponent guessing. Don’t just charge forward; sometimes, backing off is the smartest move!

Basic Attacks

Street Fighter V uses a six-button layout for attacks: light, medium, and heavy punches and kicks. Here are the standard button mappings:

Punches:
- Light Punch (LP): Square (PlayStation) / X (Xbox)
- Medium Punch (MP): Triangle (PlayStation) / Y (Xbox)
- Heavy Punch (HP): R1 (PlayStation) / RB (Xbox)
Kicks:
- Light Kick (LK): X (PlayStation) / A (Xbox)
- Medium Kick (MK): Circle (PlayStation) / B (Xbox)
- Heavy Kick (HK): R2 (PlayStation) / RT (Xbox)

Each of these attacks has different speeds and damage outputs. Light attacks are fastest but deal less damage, while heavy attacks are slower but pack a punch.

Blocking

Blocking is crucial to surviving in Street Fighter V. When enemies attack, you can block to reduce or nullify damage.

High Block: Hold back (left on the D-pad/stick) to block standing attacks.
Low Block: Hold down-back (down-left on the D-pad/stick) to block crouching attacks.

Remember, you can't block in the air, so be careful with those jumps!

Throws

Throws are great for getting past an opponent’s block.

Regular Throw: Press LP + LK (Square + X or X + A).
Throw Escape: Press LP + LK just as your opponent is about to throw you. Timing is everything!

Special Moves

Each character has unique special moves that require specific inputs. These usually involve a combination of directional inputs followed by a punch or kick. For example, Ryu’s famous Hadouken is performed by:

Hadouken: Down, Down-Forward, Forward + Punch (Quarter-Circle Forward + Punch).

Practice these until they become second nature, as special moves can turn the tide of battle!

V-System

Street Fighter V introduces the V-System, which provides you with some powerful tools:

V-Skill: Press MP + MK (Triangle + Circle or Y + B). This is a unique move that varies by character.
V-Trigger: Press HP + HK (R1 + R2 or RB + RT). This activates a powerful state or ability.
V-Reversal: While blocking, press Forward + All Punches or Kicks (Square + Triangle + Circle or X + Y + B). This counters an opponent’s attack.

Using your V-System effectively can give you a big advantage, so get to know what your character's V-Skills and V-Triggers do!

Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to understand and get comfortable with these controls is by hitting the practice mode. Spend time learning how each input feels, and soon, executing moves will feel like second nature.

So, get out there and start practicing! The road to becoming a Street Fighter master is paved with lots of wins and losses, but with these basic controls in your toolkit, you’re well on your way. Good luck!

Navigating the Main Menu

So, you’ve fired up Street Fighter V and you’re staring at the main menu. Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Let’s break down each part so you can dive right into the action.

Home Menu

The Home Menu is your gateway to all things Street Fighter V. From here, you can easily jump into different modes and manage game settings. It’s like your very own control center!

Here’s what you’ll find

Story: Ready to dive into the plot? Head here to experience character stories and the cinematic story mode. It’s a great way to learn about the fighters and practice their moves.
Battle Settings: This section lets you set up your fighter and prepare for combat. You can change your character’s costume, modify your battle profile, and select which V-Skill and V-Trigger you want to use.
Ranked Match: Think you’ve got what it takes? In Ranked Match, you’ll go head-to-head with other players online. Your wins and losses will affect your rank, so bring your A-game!
Casual Match: No pressure here! Casual Matches let you fight other players without worrying about rankings. It’s perfect for practice or just having fun.
Training: Want to hone your skills? The Training Mode is where you can practice moves, combos, and strategies in a controlled environment.
Challenges: Feeling competitive? Challenges are updated regularly and offer unique goals to complete. Finish them for rewards and bragging rights!
Versus: This classic mode lets you fight against a friend or a CPU. It’s great for quick bouts and testing your skills.
Shop: Need some new gear? Visit the Shop to purchase costumes, stages, colors, and more using Fight Money or real currency.
CFN: The Capcom Fighters Network (CFN) is your hub for connecting with other players. Check out replays, view Fighter Profiles, and see rankings.

Options Menu

The Options Menu is where you can tweak game settings to fit your play style. Customizing these options can make your experience much smoother, so take a moment to set things up just right.

Here’s what you can adjust

Sound: Change the volume levels for music, sound effects, and voices. You can even select the in-game announcer’s voice.
Display: Adjust your screen settings to ensure the game looks perfect on your TV or monitor. You can modify the brightness and screen size here.
Controls: Set up your controller just the way you like it. Customize button assignments and test them out.
Language: Choose your preferred language for text and voices in the game.

Extras Menu

Looking for something a bit different? The Extras Menu is where you’ll find additional content to enhance your Street Fighter V experience.

What’s included

Gallery: Check out unlocked artwork, movies, and sounds here. It’s a cool place to relax and appreciate the game’s design.
Player Data: This section has all your stats. See your win/loss record, favorite characters, and other performance details.
Credits: Want to see who made the game possible? Roll the credits, and give a nod to the creators!

Profile Menu

Finally, the Profile Menu is all about you. Manage your player profile, customize your title and avatar, and view your achievements. It’s also where you can set your online status and preferences.

Exploring the main menu might seem like a lot at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be ready to jump into any mode with confidence. Whether you’re aiming to climb the ranks or just looking for a casual brawl, everything you need is just a few clicks away. Now, get out there and show the world what you’re made of!

Starting Your First Fight

So, you’ve fired up Street Fighter V, and you're ready to take your first steps into the world of street fighting. Awesome! Getting started might seem tricky, but don’t worry, this guide will have you throwing Hadoukens and connecting combos in no time. Here’s how to get in and start your first fight.

1. Choose Your Mode

When you first boot up the game, you’ll notice several gameplay modes on the main menu. For beginners, we recommend starting with Story Mode or Training Mode:

Story Mode: This is great for getting a feel of each character’s move set and backstory. You’ll face CPU opponents with an easier difficulty setting, perfect for learning the basics.
Training Mode: Here, you can practice moves and combos without the pressure of losing. You can even display your inputs on screen to see if you’re executing moves correctly.

2. Select Your Character

Street Fighter V features a diverse roster of fighters, each with unique abilities and playstyles. For your first fight, it’s best to pick a character that’s recommended for newbies:

Ryu: A balanced fighter with easy-to-learn special moves such as the Hadouken (fireball) and Shoryuken (dragon punch).
Ken: Similar to Ryu but faster. His moves are almost identical, so you won’t be lost.
Cammy: A quick and agile fighter with simple moves, ideal for those who prefer speed.

3. Understand Basic Controls

Before jumping into battle, it’s crucial to understand the basic controls. Each character has a set of standard moves (punches and kicks) and special moves that are more powerful but require precise inputs. Here’s a quick rundown:

Light, Medium, and Heavy Attacks: These are your basic punch and kick buttons (usually mapped to different face/buttons on the controller).
Special Moves: These require specific combinations of joystick movements plus an attack button. For example, Ryu’s Hadouken is performed by moving the joystick quarter circle forward and pressing a punch button.

4. Learn to Block and Move

Defense is just as important as offense. To block, hold back on the joystick (away from your opponent). Additionally, mastering movement is key:

Walking: Simple, hold left or right to move.
Dashing: Double-tap forward or backward to quickly close in or retreat.
Jumping: Press up to jump, but be cautious - jumping too much can make you predictable.

5. Start the Fight

Once you’re comfortable with the controls, it's time to start your first fight. If you’re in Story Mode, just follow the prompts to begin a match. In Training Mode, you can set up a dummy opponent to practice on.

6. Fight Tips

Here are a few beginner tips to help you out:

Mix Up Your Moves: Don’t just spam one attack. Mixing up punches, kicks, and special moves will keep your opponent on their toes.
Watch Your Health Gauge: Keep an eye on your health bar and your opponent's. This will help you decide when to be aggressive or defensive.
Use Your Super Meter: As you fight, you build up a super meter that allows you to perform even more powerful attacks. Don’t forget to use it!

Conclusion

Starting your first fight in Street Fighter V can feel overwhelming, but with this guide, you're equipped to dive in right away. Choose an appropriate mode, get to know your character, practice basic controls, and jump into the action. You'll be throwing fireballs and pulling off combos in no time. Now, get out there and fight like a champ!

Tips for New Players

Welcome to the world of Street Fighter V! If you’re new, don't worry--everyone starts somewhere. Here are some tips to help you kick off your journey and start having fun.

1. Learn the Basics First

Before diving into complex combos, make sure you master the fundamentals. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Movement: Get comfortable with walking, dashing, and jumping. Knowing when to move or stay put is key.
Blocking: Hold back on the control stick to block high attacks, and down-back to block low attacks. Blocking reduces damage but knowing how to switch up is crucial.
Throws: Throws are unblockable and can break crouch guards. Learn how to throw (Light Punch + Light Kick) and how to tech throws (throw when you expect a throw).

2. Pick a Starter Character

Some characters are more beginner-friendly. Try these to start:

Ryu: Balanced and straightforward. Great for learning the ropes.
Ken: Similar to Ryu but faster. Ideal if you prefer an aggressive playstyle.
Chun-Li: Speedy and agile, perfect for teaching movement and range.

3. Practice Makes Perfect

Spend time in training mode. Practice your character's moves and combos until they become second nature. Consistency is key.

4. Watch and Learn

Watch tutorials and gameplay from experienced players. YouTube and Twitch are great places to learn new techniques and see how the pros play.

5. Play the Story Mode

Story mode is a fun way to get used to different characters and their moves. It’s beginner-friendly and helps you understand the game's lore.

6. Get Used to Taking Losses

Losing is part of the learning process. Don’t get discouraged if you lose; instead, think about what you can do better next time.

7. Focus on Playing Defense

Good defense can make a huge difference. Don’t just aimlessly throw punches--learn to block and counter effectively.

8. Learn Basic Combos

Start with simple combos before moving on to advanced ones. Here’s a basic Ryu combo to get you started:

Crouching Medium Punch -> Hadoken (QCF + Punch)

9. Use Your V-Trigger and V-Skills

Every character has unique V-Skills and V-Triggers that can turn the tide of a battle. Learn how and when to use these.

10. Join the Community

Joining forums and Discord servers can be super helpful. Talk to other players, share tips, and even find people to spar with.

11. Stay Calm and Have Fun

Lastly, remember to enjoy the game. Fighting games can be intense, but it’s all about having fun and improving over time.

Use these tips to start your journey in Street Fighter V, and remember, everyone was a beginner once. Keep practicing, and you'll see improvement in no time!