Guilty Gear Strive fans might wonder how to play and who to play, but more importantly which characters are top tier one week after launch. Expect changes to the game’s meta as balance patches or updates release over the next few months. 

Who is the best character in the game?

Tier lists almost always look a lot different days versus months into competitive play, especially titles like Strive that embrace new styles of gameplay.  At the time of publication, some characters are clearly a tier above the rest. Others that seem strong now might become less viable in the future.

Sol is undeniably top tier

The entire fighting game community is currently on the same page when it comes to Sol’s power placement. Everyone continues to call him a top tier gorilla ever since the betas.

Sol is a basic and easy to play “beginner” character that sometimes doesn’t even have to think about what button to throw out. He has easy high damage combos and tons of tools like c.S, f.S, and 5H that can control the pace of the match.

His pressure is also better than most of the cast thanks to plus on block specials. These in conjunction with great normals give him tons of built-in frame traps. Look no further for a counter-hit monster.

Sol is the perfect example of a top tier. His amazing kit and easy execution allow players to focus on reactions. While most characters need to think hard to adapt, the solution for Sol is often far more simple.

Ramlethal is another unanimous top tier pick

Much like Sol, Ramlethal has tools like ridiculous normals and specials that let players autopilot more effectively. Simply focus on reactions for a better chance of winning.

The Sol similarities continue with Ramlethal’s big normals and easy frame trap tools. The two begin to deviate when you talk about this full screen terror’s long-range normals. They have a quick start-up and no hurtbox. Ramlethal can constantly threaten players through buttons like j.S, S, and f.S without fear of counter-hits.

She can also launch swords and instantly corner carry from midscreen, either converting the hit to a big wall crush combo or to a sword explosion setup.

Another major advantage shared between Sol and Ramlethal are moves that launch opponents. Once she gets the hit her easy combos can lead even someone with the worst execution to great high/low mix-ups and huge damage.

May is strong now but could fall off later

The entire community calls May strong for three reasons: simplicity, relentless pressure, and very high damage output. 

Her dolphins and beach ball projectile stay active even when she gets hit, meaning opponents have to think twice before rushing into what otherwise might be straightforward bread and butter combos.

Despite early hype, many see May falling off later on because of her lack of depth. Unlike other characters in the roster, This top tier’s mix-ups and tricks are more linear than the rest of the roster.

As the game evolves, May might become a lot easier to read. If so, May will have to rely on big reads instead of throwing out dolphins at will. Of course, this isn’t inevitable. Her big damage strike/throw mix-up game could be enough to keep her viable.

Giovanna works perfectly with the new Strive system

There is always one new character that becomes top tier for meshing well with the mechanics. In Guilty Gear Xrd, it was Elphelt and in Strive it looks like Giovanna.

Giovanna has some of the best speed, damage, and pressure in the game. Her tools feel like they were made specifically for the new strike/throw pressure playstyle that Strive focuses on.

She also gets damage buffs as her meter builds. This makes her even better since she is one of the better meter builders in the game.

Special mentions to Millia, Zato, Leo, and Chipp

While not talked about as much as those listed above them, characters like Millia, Zato, Leo, and Chipp are greatly slept on despite their strengths.

Millia has crazy mix-ups already thanks to players constantly labbing new pieces of her gameplan such as setups and combo routes. Her movement makes up for her lack of health and meterless reversals. Though she isn’t the easiest, once she gets things started it's hard to avoid getting smothered by her and her disc.

Zato is hard to use due to his execution barrier but he’s quickly becoming a huge force for those that put in the time. Sandwich pressure between him and Eddie looks a lot like it did in older titles. Expect nightmares whenever he gets in.

Leo is looking like his old self too. Big buttons, tools for everything, and extensive pressure sequences are as amazing as ever. His left/right and high/low mixups are still effective, not to mention his fireball. Great damage and a meterless reversal culminate into one of the most fearsome characters.

While Chipp was seemingly weaker in the beta, now he’s more like a demon once he gets his pressure going. With his fuzzy overhead mix-ups, he’s not going to be fun to deal with, especially once he gets you in the corner. He’s a character that’s always on the move and ready to mix you at a moment’s notice.

Final thoughts: Play who you want

It’s super early in the game and no one knows who for sure will stay top tier or fall off later. Not to mention that buffs and nerfs will probably come along sooner or later. The main thing you should be doing right now is playing and learning. Like many fighting games, anyone can win in Guilty Gear no matter their tier. So find a character and stick with it.

Remember, just because they didn’t show up here doesn’t mean the character isn’t strong. This is just a list of which fighters are talked about the most. Looking at you I-No players. She’s just as bad as these guys.