Picking the right character is essential for learning the fundamentals and steadily getting better at any fighting game. SoulCalibur VI (SC6) features 28 characters, each with their own unique playstyles. Top players often stick to one based on viability and how they want to play the game. That go-to tournament fighter is called a main.

• How to Pick a Main in SoulCalibur VI: Understanding Range
• Find Your Playstyle
• Execution Difficulty

You can’t decide who to play in SC6 without considering range. Every character uses a unique weapon that’s most effective at a specific distance. This weapons-based franchise emphasizes spacing and movement more than other fighting games so it is crucial to find the most comfortable range for your preferred playstyle.

Close-Range Characters

Fighters that excel at close-range often have quick moves and thrive in their opponent’s face. They rely less on maintaining a set distance and instead create constant pressure to force mistakes. Close-range fighters use multiple techniques to safely get in and open up opponents.

Amy

Amy’s Amaryllis Spin tech crouches under high attacks and sets up seemingly endless chains of mixups. She also has a variety of Auto-Guard Impact options that stifle the opponent’s attempts at creating space.

Cassandra

Cassandra borrows her sister Sophitia’s Angel Step to get in close and has a Lethal Hit condition if it tech crouches under a high attack. She is also a grappler character, able to mix-up high throws with crouch throws that connect on ducking opponents.

Maxi

Maxi excels at pressuring his opponent up-close but has deceptive range on many of his attacks that allow whiff punishes in neutral. He has a wide array of break attacks that keep his opponent from Guard Impacting during his strings.

Sophitia

Sophitia’s Angel Step quickly pushes forward and tech crouch under high attacks. The maneuver sets up a variety of offensive options including Angel’s Strike, which whiff punishes from mid-range.

Taki

Taki’s wide array of lightning-quick attacks to keep opponents frozen and uncertain of their turn. She can also leap some distance to close the distance on her opponent and has a projectile that teleports her to the opponent on hit.

Talim

Talim has some of the fastest strings in the game that she can cancel into sidesteps and backdashes to keep opponents off-balance. She can also cancel her Reversal Edge to catch unweary opponents thinking they have an easy whiff punish.

Tira

Tira utilizes a variety of tracking moves to keep her opponents from sidestepping around and is notorious for verticals that also appear to track. Her range is stubby in Jolly Stance but extends some when she switches into Gloomy Stance.

Voldo

Voldo’s Mantis Crawl charges into the opponent's face from a full-screen away while tech crouching high attacks. The stance also includes both a mid and low Lethal Hit that can force severe mind games and devastating mixups.

Xianghua

Xianghua is a nightmare up-close because she is able to feint and cancel certain strings while still dealing out crazy pressure. With great low pokes and mix-ups, she excels at keeping opponent’s guessing.

Yoshimitsu

Yoshimitsu has great tracking tools and an eclectic moveset that can confuse almost any opponent through mix-ups. He teleports to his opponent’s location during his Critical Edge and can connect it from anywhere on the stage.

Short-range combat is risky because if you can’t close the distance, then you can’t deal damage. Once you get in, it is best to smother your opponent, especially against characters that excel at mid or long ranges. Stay close, apply pressure, and don’t get outspaced to win more games with close-range fighters.

Mid-Range Characters

Mid-Range fighters excel in neutral and typically have well-rounded movesets that balance speed and damage output. These fighters are fairly versatile. They can maintain proper spacing or pressure the opponent when needed. Many of these characters also have several options at both close and mid-range.

Cervantes

Cervantes’ kit is tailor made for mid-range play but he has a flying Break Attack that can keep opponents honest from full-screen. He also has an unblockable gunshot projectile that hits from full-screen, although it can be easily ducked.

Geralt

The Witcher’s Geralt excels at mid-range, but is able to quickly close the distance using his Quen Strike or Rolling Charge. Some of his attacks are also effective at long range. He has the maneuverability to back off and be defensive with the life lead.

Groh

Groh uses mid-range attacks in neutral to set up relentless, in-your-face pressure with his Avenger stance. He is able to mix up with mid-range attacks to catch opponents off-guard.

Hwang

Hwang is best at mid-range when using his standard sword attacks, but can also pressure the opponent up-close with his extensive array of fast kick attacks.

Mitsurugi

Mitsurugi has a Silent Step and Mist Step that advance forward with threatening mixups. While best played at mid-range, he has deceptive close-range pressure that can be overwhelming for unprepared opponents.

Setsuka

Setsuka operates almost exclusively at mid-range, though she can handle herself well up-close. She has shorter range than other mid-range fighters and unexceptional speed, so maintaining appropriate spacing is essential.

Siegfried

Siegfried is perhaps the best example of options at different ranges. He excels at mid-range but can quickly close the gap with his 6B+K or use his sword for far-reaching attacks.

Mid-range characters are great options for beginners who want to learn spacing and how to correctly punish their opponent’s mistakes. They require a balanced approach with a reliance on quick decisions and adaptability. Be ready for any situation when fighting at mid-range and know which moves to counter various situations.

Long-Range Characters

Long-range fighters are like the zoners of SoulCalibur. Long-range fighters want to maintain as much optimal space between them and their opponent to make the most of their attacks.The long-range fighters in SC6 that rarely look to fight in close quarters are:

Haohmaru

Samurai Shodown import Haohmaru’s optimal range borders on a more neutral distance, but he can use his Cyclone Slash projectile to start combos at full-screen. He features mid-range fighter traits, struggles at close-range, and outspaces most of the cast.

Hilde

Hilde has an incredibly long range when using her spear on vertical attacks, but a much shorter range on her horizontals. This makes her formidable at close and mid-range, however these moves are more helpful when on the defensive or in combos set up by her spear.

Ivy

Ivy has long been the “Queen of Keepaway” in SoulCalibur and the premier long-range combatant. She is able to use her whip sword to terrorize opponents from a fullscreen away. Her Calamity Symphony and Summon Suffering throws, which make opponents hesitant to try and smother her up-close, are infamous in the community.

Nightmare

Nightmare is the proud owner of Soul Edge, a massive sword that can connect at a lengthy distance. Nightmare is able to deal out more consistent pressure than other long-range fighters, using his Grim Stride to close the distance in addition to tracking moves like 4KK while up-close.

Raphael

Raphael’s rapier has a deceptively long reach that is effective for interrupting opponents trying to get in. He thrives on punishes from a safe distance and forces mistakes with pokes.

Seong Mi-na

Seong Mi-na uses her long-reaching halberd to deliver a devastating combination of range and power. When up-close, she has several options that can back her into optimal range, including the best 2A in the game.

Long-range characters tend to have slower moves that are not as effective when the opponent is in your face. Note your character’s close-range options so you always have a tactic to return to their optimal distance. Long-range moves also have different frame properties on block depending on their distance. The same move that is safe when blocked at maximum range can be launch-punishable up-close. Always maintain proper distance.

All Range Characters

A select few characters in SC6 have the ability to thrive at any distance from their opponent. These fighters are the most versatile in the game but can be difficult to master.

Astaroth

You would think Astaroth is exclusively a long-range fighter based on that giant axe, but the golem’s throw game is just as powerful as his weapon. He can whiff punish foes at a distance or pressure them up-close with throw mix ups thanks to crouch throws that connect on ducking opponents.

Azwel

Azwel is arguably the game’s most versatile character, able to pressure his opponent up-close or whiff punish them from mid and long-ranges. He even has two full-screen projectiles, one vertical and the other horizontal.

Kilik

Kilik is the most fundamental of these fighters. His versatility makes him a popular choice for both beginners and experienced players. The bo staff has incredible reach, but he is still a threat at close and mid-ranges.

Zasalamel

Zasalamel’s scythe excels at any range and makes it hard for an opponent to figure out their ideal spacing. He thrives at catching opponents in neutral during their approach and bullying them with plus frames when they are up-close.

2B

2B brings the majority of her arsenal from Nier: Automata to SC6 and can control the fight from any distance. This android uses Virtuous Treaty’s reach for long-range attacks, Virtuous Contract at mid-range, and Aggression Shift to pressure opponents with unpredictable mixups.

With the exception of Kilik, these characters aren’t exactly beginner-friendly but their versatility is appealing to many players. It is probably best to learn how to fight at all three ranges before settling on a character with a mix. However, learning the fundamentals with one of these characters will help prepare you for any situation.

Which fighter will you choose for the SoulCalibur VI Open Series?