Fighting game characters are like animals – they can be sorted into different categories by type, and some are much more dangerous than others depending on certain environments or in this case, matchups.

Let’s learn how to play rushdown characters.

Unga Bunga/Rushdown Character Archetype Basics

What is a rushdown character? Rushdown characters are quick and aggressive. Unga Bunga is basically slang for the same thing. These characters close the gap between you and your opponent, then deplete your life meter with rapid combos if you don’t know how to block or counter them.

Rushdown characters are generally close-range fighters and don’t have a ton of projectile options, as opposed to other archetypes. A good rushdown fighter will try to force you into a corner and use mix-ups to deal a good chunk of damage.

Technical players can be devastating with rushdown characters. It’s not necessarily about combos. It’s about the pace. Once they get going, they want to keep the pace fast and keep their opponent guessing so that the rushdown character can get in again and again.

Rushdown characters are good at pressuring, but they’ll suffer with less defensive options and weaker zoning. Failing to get in is a death sentence. Fortunately some have movement options like teleports to get something started more easily with a good read.

Play this archetype if you always want to be on the offensive, live or die via momentum swings, and prefer to exploit defensive weaknesses from a short distance.

Examples of Rushdown Characters

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Fox and Sheik are good examples because of their speed and offense. Ken, Akuma, and Vega are rushdown characters in Street Fighter V Champion’s Edition. In Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate, Erron Black, Jacqui Briggs, and Johnny Cage carry the rushdown mantle.

Rushdown Character Tips

• Play patient even if your opponent slows down the pace. You might excel up close, but that doesn’t mean you have to rush to get there. Failing to deal damage doesn’t mean you’re losing if you don’t take any.
• Don’t be afraid to back off to reset the neutral. Stepping back on the stage and from your aggressive approach can get the opponent guessing. If your playstyle is just go, go, go, then you might become more predictable. Throw in some shimmys and baits to get into your opponent’s head in the hopes of carrying the momentum to victory.
• Consider a counter pick or pocket character for match-ups where you have trouble getting in. For instance, struggling against grapplers? Maybe you want to switch to a zoner.
• Practice fighting as and against different character archetypes in tournaments, online, and in the lab to help patch any major weaknesses in your game. Anyone that finds a hole in your game plan will continue to exploit it until your character is down and out.

Rushdown Explainer and Gameplay

Eddventure’s excellent character archetype breakdown is both comical and well-spoken. Explore more character archetypes beyond rushdown with this in-depth video essay explaining character design and the various ingredients that make every FGC character category unique.