Seeking to dispel the world of evil, the yoga master Dhalsim returns to Street Fighter 6. A fighter who joined the Street Fighter franchise back in the second installment, Dhalsim is a long-range, tricky-type fighter who can extend his limbs to attack and keep his opponent at bay. Combined with his mystic and highly-flammable yoga arts, Dhalsim is ready to deal some enlightened justice to his foes in Street Fighter 6.
While one of the more difficult fighters to master, proper execution of Dhalsim's abilities can confuse enemies with strikes from all heights and ranges. This guide will cover the best tactics and combos to find inner peace and master Dhalsim's yoga style.
Strategies for Dhalsim
As a long-range fighter, Dhalsim prefers to keep away from enemies, slowly poking their health down with his fire abilities. If enemies do close in, keep them on their toes alternating between Dhalsim's long-reaching sweep kicks and high attacks.
- Take control early. Dhalsim's Medium Punch, Heavy Punch, and Heavy Kick can all hit enemies at the start of the fight. Use these attacks to set the momentum of the fight early and deal good damage.
- Embrace the trickiness. Dhalsim can quickly alternate between low, mid, and high strikes with just his basic punches and kicks which can easily cut throw an opponent's guard and open the window for a devastating special.
- Zone enemies with range. Dhalsim is one of the few long-range fighters in the game and excels at keeping enemy fighters at a distance while still draining their health. Use his fireballs and long-range punches to prevent enemies from closing in.
Dhalsim's Move List
Dhalsim has one of the longest move lists, with 25 total moves (excluding common moves).
Move | Description | Type |
Yoga Inferno | Unleash flames to the front, changing direction based on input | Special Art 1 |
Yoga Sunburst | Conjure an enormous fireball that travels in an arch. Input can be held for an improved effect | Special Art 2 |
Merciless Yoga | A devastating flurry of palm strikes followed by a headbutt | Special Art 3 |
Yoga Fire | Launch a fireball to the front | Special Move |
Yoga Arch | Lob a fireball in the air that travels in an arch | Special Move |
Yoga Flame | Release a blast of flames directly in front | Special Move |
Yoga Blast | An upward blast of flames that can launch enemies into the air | Special Move |
Yoga Comet | Launch a downward fireball while midair | Special Move |
Yoga Float | Hover in the air for a moment. Can be used to dodge attacks and set up combos | Special Move |
Aerial Yoga Float | Transition to floating from jumping | Special Move |
Yoga Teleport | Warp a short distance towards or away from the enemy. Can be used to dodge attacks and set up combos | Special Move |
Aerial Yoga Teleport | Warp a short distance while midair | Special Move |
Yoga Uppercut | A quick aerial counter that can be canceled into special moves | Unique Attack |
Yoga Lance | A long, upward punch | Unique Attack |
Nirvana Punch | A low punch that can be canceled into special moves | Unique Attack |
Agile Kick | A quick low strike that cannot be blocked standing | Unique Attack |
Divine Kick | A quick body kick. Can be canceled into special moves | Unique Attack |
Thrust Kick | A low kick with a good reach that cannot be blocked standing. Can be canceled into special moves | Unique Attack |
Yoga Mountain | An upward kick that knocks the enemy back | Unique Attack |
Karma Kick | A sweeping kick that knocks the enemy down. Cannot be blocked standing | Unique Attack |
Yoga Mummy | An aerial headbutt that can be canceled into special moves | Unique Attack |
Drill Kick | An aerial spinning kick | Unique Attack |
Yoga Smash | Grab the enemy, striking them three times in the face | Throw |
Yoga Throw | Grab the enemy and throw them, switching sides | Throw |
Yoga Splash | Grab the enemy's legs and slam them to the ground. Then throw them back | Throw |
Dhalsim's Best Combos
Dhalsim's strongest combo attacks will take advantage of his long reach to poke down enemies, making them vulnerable to a quick aerial dash or teleport followed by a finishing move.
Basic Combo: Medium Punch + Heavy Punch + Heavy Kick + Overdrive Yoga Fire
Classic Controls | Modern Controls |
Medium Punch, Heavy Punch, Heavy Kick, Down, Down-Forward, Forward + Punch + Punch | Medium Attack, Heavy Attack, Assist + Heavy Attack, Assist + Special Attack |
A great combo that can be used at the start of a fight. Use Dhalsim's extendable limbs to unleash a mid-range punch-kick combo, finishing with a powerful fireball.
Intermediate Combo: Yoga Mummy + Yoga Comet + Low Heavy Kick + Yoga Blast
Classic Controls | Modern Controls |
Jump, Down + Light Punch, Forward, Down-Forward, Down, Down-Back, Back + Punch, Down + Heavy Kick, Forward, Down-Forward, Down, Down-Back, Back + Kick | Cannot be performed with Modern Controls |
A combo that charges in to punish enemies can be used to dodge projectiles. Start by jumping (or dodging) in the air, and spiral forward with a headbutt. As the strike connects, cancel into a Yoga Comet. Quickly follow up with a sliding kick, getting in rage to blow a fireball directly in the face of the opponent. If the enemy is in the corner, players can follow this combo with a charged Yoga Sunburst to significantly increase the damage dealt.
Advanced Combo: Yoga Float + Overdrive Yoga Comet + Aerial Yoga Teleport + Aerial Heavy Kick + Merciless Yoga
Classic Controls | Modern Controls |
Jump, Down + Kick + Kick, Forward, Down-Forward, Down, Down-Back, Back + Punch + Punch, Forward + Punch + Punch + Punch, Heavy Kick, Down, Down-Forward, Forward, Down, Down-Forward, Forward + Kick | Cannot be performed on Modern Controls |
An incredibly tricky and powerful combo utilizing some of Dhalsim's most difficult moves that require expert input precision. This combo can also be used to dodge enemy attacks and projectiles and respond with extreme force. Take to the air with Yoga Float, and send an improved fireball raining down. While Dhalsim is falling, teleport behind the enemy, lock them with an aerial kick, and unleash the palm strike fury of Merciless Yoga.
Tips for Winning With Dhalsim
Players looking to increase their effectiveness with Dhalsim will want to master controlling space between the enemy. When at mid to long-range, zone enemies with Yoga Fire or Yoga Arch timed in sync with extended punches or kick strikes. When enemies get close, take advantage of Dhalsim's many sweep strikes that can slip through an enemy guard and push them back.
Here are some more advanced tips for playing Dhalsim:
- Be a time lord. Learning to master the timing between Dhalsim's projectiles and his long-range melee strikes can create combo opportunities that prevent enemies from responding at all.
- Sweep the leg. Dhalsim has a significant amount of strong low strikes, slipping one or two of these strikes into a combo can be the deciding damage in winning a fight.
- Direction diversity means domination. Dhalsim's special moves and special arts can be directionally controlled depending on which input is used, giving players total control of all lanes of the fight.
How to Counter Dhalsim
With all of Dhalsim's tricks and mobility, he can be a hard fighter to lock down. Players who are looking to beat Dhalsim will have the best success with speed-type fighters that can quickly close the distance to Dhalsim while dodging his various fire attacks. Cammy is one fighter who excels at dealing with Dhalsim's tricks, along with Luke and Marisa who can access armor effects to rush how down.
Street Fighter 6 is available now on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.