Manon is a Power-Type mid-range fighter with a Judo-inspired moveset. She’s one of the seven new characters added to Street Fighter 6’s roaster, bringing the total number of mid-rangers to 12. But what makes Manon stand out is her Medal Level system, which gives her a permanent buff after each special throw.

While this system enhances her gameplay and adds surprise to her combos, it may confuse novice Street Fighter 6 players trying to master Manon. This guide, therefore, provides players with a comprehensive move list, effective combos, and insights into her fighting style to help them understand the nuances of Manon's archetype.

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Manon’s Medal Levels, Explained

The Medal Level is an ongoing grapple buff. Whenever Manon successfully executes a Command Grab that brings down her opponent, she earns one Medal point. With a maximum of five points, her Medal ability increases her grapple damage to an impressive 2960 per throw, surpassing even powerful grapplers like Zangief.

Medal Levels don’t reset between the rounds and last until the end of the match. However, it's worth noting that only specific throws, which require distinct inputs, contribute to the buff. Only Renversé and Manège Doré will earn players Medal points.

Manon Strategies

As a judoka, Manon must break through the enemy’s guard to grapple. She employs a range of checking moves with her lights and mediums to poke, lure, and position herself for a throw. However, her reliance on close-range combat puts her at risk of taking punishment.

Another key strategy for Manon is buffing her throws. She will need to level up her Medal, the icon shown under her Vitality Bar, to amplify her grapples.

Prioritize Command Grabs in the First Round

Manon needs Command Grabs to max out her Medal. One way to achieve this is by using her Special Move, Manège Doré, to secure at least five knockdowns in the first round. Doing so ensures that the Medal effect carries over to the second round, increasing her grapple damage by up to 30%.

Mix Highs and Lows When Checking

Two primary principles of Judo, Kata and Randori, must be employed in Manon’s playstyle and strategy. Kata refers to her non-Special, light, medium, and heavy combos; meanwhile, Randori corresponds to her spontaneous and unpredictable combos. To balance Kata and Randori while playing Manon, mix up high kicks and punches with low counterparts. Keep the opponent guessing and do feints whenever possible.

Keep the Fight Mid-Range

Thanks to her long legs, Manon has a fair reach in the mid-range. She can create the illusion of safe distance for the opponent, and lunge when they don’t expect it. That is why she must frequently check the opponent to keep them in the desired space.

Manon’s Move List

With only 16 Uncommon Moves, Manon has one of the least extensive movesets in Street Fighter 6. She has six Unique Attacks, five Special Moves, three Special Arts, and two Throws. Her permanent Medal Level buff compensates for her narrow move list.

Best Combos for Manon

The ideal order for Manon’s combos is check, break, throw. Checking involves using her lights and mediums to identify an opening, breaking entails starting a combo with a knockback kick. Throwing is when she utilizes a grappling technique to finish off the opponent.

Beginner Combo: Drive Impact + Révérence + Renversé

While Manon is better off holding onto her Drive Gauge, she needs it to get Throws, especially against defensive opponents. With this beginner combo, she performs a Drive Impact that breaks blocks, then sends the enemy flying with a heavy punch and knocks them down for a Medal point.

Intermediate Combo: Medium Punch + Cancel Drive Rush + Révérence + Renversé + Pas de Deux

This intermediate combo has the perfect order: it starts with a check move, then breaks armors, and concludes with a sequence of grapple techniques. The only downside is that its first half is punishable, requiring careful leg and punch checks in advance.

Advanced Combo: Medium Punch + OD Dégagé + Medium Punch + Rond-Point

The Dégagé into Rond-Point is a long-range combination mostly for gaining back ring generalship. It has a powerful pushback effect that can easily corner the opponent, leaving them vulnerable to follow-up combos or finisher Special Arts. The only catch is that it requires precise timing and is challenging to master.

Tips for Winning with Manon

Because Manon’s move list is inspired by Judo, she must fight with the Seiryoku Zenyo principle in mind. This principle seeks to maximize efficiency by balancing energy consumption. For Manon, this corresponds to being mindful of her Drive Gauge and Medal Level while fighting.

Here are some other advanced tips:

• Exploit anti-air moves. Manon’s crouching punches, for example, cancel the enemy’s aerial attacks and smash them to the ground for a follow-up combo.
• Overdrive for a longer reach. When taking hold for a throw, press the Drive Gauge button to cover a longer distance and execute a stronger grapple.
• Spin through projectiles. Manon’s Down Special is a spinning feint. Use this move to evade enemy projectiles and cover ground at the same time.
• Arabesque to escape corners. When cornered, utilize Manon’s Level 1 Special Art, Arabesque, to turn the tables. This technique not only allows Manon to escape the corner, but also puts the opponent in that same disadvantageous position.

How to Counter Manon

Considering Manon’s mid-range reach and Power-Type archetype, tricky long-range fighters like JP and Dhalsim are the best counters. They can keep Manon at bay, interrupt her combos with projectiles, and finish her off with little to no physical combat.

Experienced players will also be able to counter Manon with close-range speed archetypes like Juri’s. But that counterstrategy requires a quick reaction time and excellent reading or anticipation.

Street Fighter 6 is available now on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.