Fighting game characters are broken up into various archetypes such as projectile-based zoners and grab-heavy grapplers. While each of these archetypes comes along with their own set of strengths and weaknesses, one of the most popular are "rushdown" characters. These fighters are some of the most aggressive members of their respective rosters and are characterized by their speed and potential to deal massive amounts of damage when up close and personal.
Today, let's examine the 10 strongest and most iconic rushdown characters from across the vast history of fighting games.
10 Maxi – SoulCalibur Series
As a weapon-based 3D fighting game franchise, a great deal of the SoulCalibur roster is made up of characters who often focus on delivering attacks from a moderate range.
On the other hand, Maxi wields a pair of nunchucks and seeks to get close to one's opponent to overwhelm them with a barrage of quick and unpredictable attacks.
9 Seth – Under Night In-Birth
One of Under Night In-Birth's resident rushdown characters, Seth is a textbook example of a character of the rushdown archetype.
As one of the fastest characters in the Under Night roster, Seth is capable of applying absurd amounts of pressure on attacking opponents. He can also play mind games when trying to get in and can land hits due to his access to numerous quick jumps, an air dash, and a fast fall. Between his combination of speed and unpredictable movement options, Seth is a rushdown character capable of starting combos with ease.
8 Bob – Tekken Series
As the character himself would say, Tekken's Bob is defined by two traits: Speed and weight. Since his first appearance, Bob immediately became a fan favorite member of Tekken's roster.
Unlike many other rushdown characters of other games, Bob has a deceptively decent range. This is important, as this range can be utilized to start one of his highly impactful combos and get his momentum rolling.
7 Filia – Skullgirls
In addition to being the main protagonist of Skullgirls, Filia is also an optimized example of a rushdown character.
What Filia lacks in range she makes up for speed, mobility, and combo potential. Possessing an excellent air dash, Filia is capable is able to both extend aerial combos and approach unsuspecting opponents. Additionally, Filia's offensive tools are perfectly catered to aggressive play, as numerous moves in her arsenal can be used to create forward momentum. Meanwhile, other moves at her disposal can be utilized to mix up opponents and reset combos for maximum damage output.
6 Charlotta – Granblue Fantasy Versus
The most recently playable entry on this list, Charlotta is a member of Granblue Fantasy Versus's roster and is one of the most dominant rushdown characters in recent memory. Charlotta exemplifies the traits of a traditional rushdown character to such a major extent that she's nearly a caricature of the archetype itself.
Possessing abysmal range and very stubby hitboxes, Charlotta is a character who suffers against opponents with access to strong ranged options. However, if Charlotta is able to get within close range of an opponent, she is easily the scariest character in her respective game. Possessing fantastic mix ups and terrifying pressure, Charlotta has access to incredibly impactful combos that can often swing a round in her favor if utilized in the corner.
5 Dudley – Super Street Fighter Series
Though he was unfortunately absent from Street Fighter V, Dudley is perhaps one of the most archetypal rushdown characters in the Street Fighter series.
As a boxer, Dudley possesses little to no long-range options, but he has a move-set designed to let him approach opponents and apply pressure. While Street Fighter games are traditionally less focused on combos and more centered on fundamentals, Dudley is capable of delivering combos of significant size as he juggles his opponents.
4 Chipp – Guilty Gear Series
It's hard to imagine the Guilty Gear series without Chipp Zanuff. The fastest character on the Guilty Gear roster, Chipp is able to open up opponents and weave past their attacks with unparalleled speed and air dashes.
When paired with the numerous mix ups at his disposal as well as solid cross-ups, Chipp has a slew of means to subvert an opponent's ability to block, allowing Chipp to inflict serious damage.
3 Magneto – The Marvel Vs. Capcom Series
The Marvel Vs. Capcom series is characterized by excess. The series contains countless overwhelming walls of projectiles and infinite combos alike. When it comes to rushdown characters in the series, few are as notable as Magneto.
In both the second and third games in the Marvel Vs. Capcom series, Magneto is insanely mobile, having access to an air dash and flight. Magneto is capable of coming at an opponent from any potential angle. Once the Marvel character is able to find an opening, it is not uncommon for Magneto to finish off an opponent in as few as one or two combos.
2 Yun – Street Fighter III: Third Strike
One can't have a conversation about rushdown characters in fighting games without bringing up Yun from Street Fighter III: Third Strike.
Possessing some of the highest damage output in the entirety of Third Strike, Yun's combo potential is unparalleled. Yun possesses numerous tools and moves that allow him to get in on unexpecting opponents, many of which – such as his Raigeki Shuu dive-kick – can be used to start combos.
As if this were not enough, Yun's super, the Genei Jin, can be used to extend the length and raise the damage of his already devastating combos.
1 Fox – Super Smash Bros. Melee
While Super Smash Bros. Melee is not a traditional fighting game, no rushdown character is as overpowered and game-warping as this particular iteration of Fox. Possessing oppressive speed and combo potential, Fox has access to one of the fasted moves in the fighting games genre.
His reflector, also known as "shine" comes out on frame one, meaning it is instantaneously activated. This move can be canceled and incorporated into combos of an already absurd character. Blisteringly fast in every aspect, from his combos to his fall speed, Melee's Fox is by far the strongest rushdown character in fighting game history.