Imagine Akuma, the iconic demon of Street Fighter, suddenly becoming a tank with a massive health bar. Would he instantly dominate the competitive scene? Fighting game legend Daigo Umehara says, surprisingly, NO. Even with a whopping 10,000 stamina points – the standard for most Street Fighter 6 characters – Akuma wouldn't necessarily be the king.
Daigo, known for his deep understanding of fighting game mechanics, has been vocal about Akuma's current state in Street Fighter 6. He initially hoped for a stamina buff to bring Akuma closer to the pack, feeling the original health disparity was too significant. When that didn't happen, he even flirted with the idea of switching to someone like C. Viper.
But here's where it gets controversial... Daigo recently expressed disappointment with the overall perception of C. Viper. While acknowledging her notoriously weak defense, he also feels her offensive capabilities are somewhat lacking. This has led him to, yet again, consider jumping ship to another character, pending the next major balance update.
So, what sparked this whole debate? During a recent stream, a viewer posed the million-dollar question: "How strong would Akuma really be if he had 10,000 hit points?" While many might assume that extra survivability would automatically catapult him to the top, Daigo firmly disagrees.
"Oh, no, not in his current form," Daigo responded without hesitation. "I definitely think Mai is stronger. Even if he had 10K. When you look at it that way, she's quite terrifying, huh?"
And this is the part most people miss... Daigo doesn't just think Akuma wouldn't be the best; he wouldn't even rank him second! He believes Ed would still hold the number two spot, even with a buffed-up Akuma breathing down his neck. That's a bold statement!
When it comes to the classic "Shoto" characters, Daigo currently favors Ryu and Terry, seeing them as the strongest contenders. This has led him to contemplate a potential return to Ryu, a possibility he's been teasing for quite some time. However, one character is definitely off the table: Ken. Despite previously playing Ken in Street Fighter 6 before maining Akuma, Daigo seems to have lost interest in the character's current iteration.
Looking ahead, Daigo also expressed his excitement regarding the upcoming arrival of Ingrid to the Street Fighter 6 roster. He's particularly interested in how she will be redesigned and balanced, hinting that he might even consider playing her if she proves to be a top-tier character. It's clear that Daigo is always on the lookout for the next best fighter, and he's not afraid to experiment.
What do you think? Is Daigo underestimating Akuma's potential with a stamina boost? Could a health buff truly unleash the demon's full power, or are there deeper flaws holding him back? And who do you think is the most terrifying character in Street Fighter 6 right now? Let us know in the comments below! We're eager to hear your thoughts and opinions on this fiery debate.
