Playstyle: Balanced Shoto
Ryu is the quintessential 'Shoto' character, offering a balanced toolkit that excels in all aspects of fighting. He's an excellent choice for beginners to learn fundamentals and for veterans who appreciate a solid, honest fighter.
Key Moves:
- Hadoken (Quarter-Circle Forward + Punch): A classic projectile for zoning and pressure.
- Shoryuken (Forward, Down, Down-Forward + Punch): An invincible anti-air and reversal.
- Tatsumaki Senpukyaku (Quarter-Circle Back + Kick): A multi-hit spinning kick, good for combos and closing distance.
- Hashogeki (Quarter-Circle Forward + Kick): A short-range energy burst, useful for pressure and Drive Rush cancels.
Strategy:
Ryu's game plan revolves around controlling space with Hadoken, punishing jumps with Shoryuken, and confirming into combos. Use his strong normal attacks (e.g., crouching Medium Kick) to poke and set up pressure. His Drive Impact is a powerful tool for breaking through aggressive opponents. Master his fundamentals, and Ryu can adapt to any situation.