After compiling data from over 250 events, including the entirety of Capcom Pro Tour competition dating back to Street Fighter V's 2016 release, the PGstats algorithm has ranked the top 50 players in the game's history.
After compiling data from over 250 events, including the entirety of Capcom Pro Tour competition dating back to Street Fighter V's 2016 release, the PGstats algorithm has ranked the top 50 players in the game's history.
For questions about the process or to see other content pieces from the PGRSF, visit the FAQ. The countdown of the 50 greatest Street Fighter V players of all time begins below.
By Andrés "AndrewEast" Aquino
Darryl "Snake Eyez" Lewis's dedication to Zangief is unparalleled. Whether he's playing Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, Ultra Street Fighter IV or Street Fighter V, the Russian grappler has always been by his side.
Snake Eyez quickly proved he would be a name to follow in SFV just as he was in USFIV, winning several SoCal Wednesday Night Fights locals soon after the release of the game and following those victories up with consecutive 13th place finishes at Final Round 19 and NorCal Regionals 2016. Eventually, he found a level of consistency most struggle to maintain against top-level competition, placing 25th at CEO and Evo 2016, 13th at Red Bull Kumite, and 17th at Canada Cup 2016.
2017 was the American's prime year in SFV. Snake Eyez knew his ceiling was much higher and decided to incorporate Akuma as a secondary pick to cover bad Zangief matchups. At that year's COMBO BREAKER he would beat Justin Wong with a double perfect in a five-game set. He also dispatched NYChrisG and Mago on the road to securing second place. A month later, Snake Eyez would win the coveted CEO belt without losing a single set, including a five-game affair against Punk, a set that became an iconic bout that showcased the personalities and playstyles of both players to the maximum.
Snake Eyez will look to relive those glory moments once the Capcom Pro Tour gets back underway.
By Jake "Kuba" Pich
Wherever Houmaid ”Takamura” Rabie goes, he makes sure it counts. With his Akuma, Takamura has shown the world the power of Belgian Street Fighter
Takamura opened his career by obtaining top 8s at nearly every Street Fighter V tournament he went to. The European Street Fighter scene became well acquainted with him following his performances at tournaments like Cannes Winter Clash 2017, Sonic Boom IV, Hypespotting 6, and EGX 2017. Takamura took down Tokido 2-0 at CEO 2018 to put himself on the map, but it wasn’t until 2019 that Takamura would become a worldwide name.
Season 4 saw Takamura take down top players like Big Bird at Brussels Challenge, Problem X at The MixUp 2019 and Luffy at Ultimate Fighting Arena. Takamura has shown his prowess with Akuma and how to set the Raging Demon loose.
While currently unsponsored, it's just a matter of time before Takamura’s talent is noticed and weaponized.
By Jake "Kuba" Pich
If one word describes Ricki Ortiz, it’s legacy. If it has a Capcom logo on it, Ricki has claimed Top 8 at a major tournament. With her paralyzing Chun-Li play and spacing, Ricki had no trouble making her way into the PGRSF.
Ricki has shown dominance in multiple games over her career, obtaining Evo Top 8 medals in Street Fighter III: Third Strike, Marvel vs Capcom 2, Capcom vs SNK 2 and peaking at the legendary Vegas event with a second place finish in Street Fighter IV at Evo 2010. Qualifying for the first Street Fighter V Capcom Cup with several high placings throughout the 2016 season, Ricki surprised everyone by taking down Kazunoko and one of the Five Gods of Street Fighter in Haitani en route to a second place finish. While her results wouldn’t reach this lofty peak again, her impact on early Street Fighter V is undeniable.
Ricki’s wealth of fighting game knowledge and ability to keep you on your toes has always been her strong suit. With Chun-Li’s future looking brighter in Season 5, don’t forget about Ricki Ortiz.
By Nathan "Blackimar" Cole
Eita is an anomaly in the world of Street Fighter. At first glance, this wild and unpredictable Ken player might be a strange pick for the PGRSF, as his attendance dropped off considerably after 2016. His notable wins and 2016 placements, however, rival those of players much higher than him on the list.
Eita's Season 1 dominance can't be understated. From getting seventh at Evo to third at SEA Major to winning the ranking events Thaiger Uppercut and Abuget Cup, he demonstrated a frightening level of consistency. On top of this, Eita amassed wins over the likes of Tokido, GO1, Itabashi Zangief, Kazunoko, and Gachikun.
With Eita now co-running a popular YouTube channel, it’s unlikely that he will make a grand return to Street Fighter. But regardless, and despite his short time in the spotlight, he has written his name in the books as one of the greats of Street Fighter V.
By Zackary "Zackage" Potter
Ryusei is proof of what Japan’s fighting game scene is capable of in Street Fighter V, regardless of background. Originally a BlazBlue player, Ryusei hung up his Evo 2017 championship medal and picked up Street Fighter V. Maining Urien, he relies on his quick reactions and the careful neutral his character promotes.
His very first CPT event in 2018 was none other than Evo, where he earned an impressive 9th place overall, a clear indication of his potential. In 2019 Ryusei committed to more events. He peaked with a seventh-place finish at CEO 2019 and added ninth at both VSFighting and the North American Regional Finals. Ryusei fell just short of Capcom Cup qualification, finishing 37th in points between a pair of Street Fighter titans, Justin Wong and Haitani.
Though he has yet to qualify for a Capcom Cup, Ryusei has proven his worth against the best, earning wins from Punk, HotDogo29, and Problem X. With these incredible victories already under his belt, Ryusei's future is very bright.
By Brandon "Writewell" Brathwaite
Despite his youth, Chris “CJ Truth” Jayson can be considered a veteran of the fighting game community. At 13 years old, the Florida native burst onto the Street Fighter IV scene with a 17th place finish at Evo 2011, and his Street Fighter V career has been equally as inspiring. As one of the few Cammy players that utilized strong footsies and reactionary play with the character, he has rode a clean, patient playstyle to success.
CJ Truth came into prominence in SFV in 2017, finishing ninth at premier events like DreamHack Austin and CEO 2017 and picking up wins over OilKing, Punk and Capcom Cup 2017 champion MenaRD. CJ continued to be a threat at premier events the next season, starting with a ninth place finish at CEO 2018, defeating Nemo, Big Bird, Kazunoko and Tokido, and continuing with a seventh place finish at DreamHack Montreal.
He kept up the pace with a 7th place at Defend the North 2018 and 4th at Toryuken, but still needed a big finish at the North American Regional Finals at Red Bull Conquest to make the Capcom Cup. He delivered, winning the event with a run that included wins over RobTV, Samurai, Toi, John Takeuchi, eventual 2019 Capcom Cup winner Idom, and finally one more win over Tokido.
CJ Truth has a level of experience and wealth of victories that many can only dream of having at his age. His chance to win one of the FGC’s prestigious events is on the horizon.
By Zackary "Zackage" Potter
Representing the Dominican Republic, Christopher “Caba” Rodriguez is another breakout star from Latin America. Particularly known for his Guile, Caba plays the character to a tee, displaying incredible reactions and reads with the character. And with a win over Daigo in the mirror match, Caba has proven he deserves to be considered in the ranks of the Guile elite.
In his earlier seasons, Caba primarily competed exclusively in Latin America, with a rare appearance at Evo in 2017. It wasn’t until 2018 that we really saw Caba competing fully on the tour. This commitment proved itself with placements like a Top 8 at Evo and third at TWT Major in Taiwan. His seven Top 8 finishes at offline CPT events in 2018 allowed him to qualify for his first Capcom Cup, where he made the run to ninth place.
Even though Caba lost a bit of steam in 2019, his breakout 2018 proved not only his talent, but the depth of the talent of the Dominican Republic's SFV scene.
By Brandon "Writewell" Brathwaite
Already one of the most memorable players of the Street Fighter 4 days, Gustavo "801 Strider" Romero has become a shining example of what can be accomplished when a player follows through on a shift in mindset. Repping the area code from Salt Lake City, Utah, 801 Strider has made his mark with Laura and G, utilizing both characters’ ability to invade opponent's space and create opportunities for greater damage from the fear of being command grabbed.
After a rough 2016 marked by public frustration about the game, 801 Strider recommitted himself to SFV and fully committed to Laura. He started the year off with a fifth place finish at Final Round 20, along with fifth place finishes at ranking events like West Coast Warzone 6, Summer Jam 2017, and East Coast Throwdown 2017. His iconic seventh place run at Canada Cup 2017, which included wins over stormKubo, Sako and Moke, earned himself a spot in Capcom Cup 2017, where he finished 13th.
The following year was another quiet transitional one for 801 Strider, but he emerged with a new character under his belt: G. With his G established, the 2019 season saw 801 Strider beat 2016 Capcom Cup Champion Nuckledu to win Northwest Majors 2019 and grab another tournament win at Thunderstruck 2019 later in the year. He finished 5th at the North American Regional Finals Super Premier, beating Mago, Phenom and 2019 Evo Champion Bonchan in the process. He would finish the year with another appearance at Capcom Cup and then put on a show for the Japanese crowd at Red Bull Kumite, where he finished third.
801 Strider has been candid about his internal struggle with the game since it started and because of that, it makes every pop off and every victory that more relatable to the audience. In short, he is just the kind of player everyone wants to root for.
By Andrés "AndrewEast" Aquino
Hiroki "Kichipa" Asano (sometimes written as Kichipa-mu) is not one to care about tier lists and balance changes. He has set his mind on becoming one of the best Zangiefs in the world in Street Fighter V.
The 26-year-old immediately became fond of the Russian powerhouse upon release, thriving on reads to get close and personal with his opponents. Kichipa's breakthrough performance came at Japan Cup 2017, where he landed a third place finish just four months after laying an egg with a 193rd place finish at Evo 2017.
But even as strong results rolled in for Kichipa, the big stage in Las Vegas seemed cursed for him after a 129th place finish at Evo 2018. A year later, though, with the heavy burden of consistently underperforming, Kichipa finally unleashed his Zangief's true potential even as many Zangief players switched to Abigail or Akuma. Entering as the 265th seed at Evo 2019, Kichipa would beat Trashbox, OilKing, Didimokof, and Nauman on his way to crack into the Top 8 of the event.
That Evo performance helped Kichipa close out the year by earning a spot in his first ever Capcom Cup. Despite maining a character who peaked in Season 2, the future looks brighter than ever for the Zangief loyalist.
By Andrés "AndrewEast" Aquino
If you're looking for inspiration when it comes to handling grapplers, look no further than Kubo "stormKubo" Arashi's mastery of Abigail, a character he adopted soon after his release during Season 2 of DLC content.
With the Final Fight boss on his side, stormKubo quickly rose through the ranks of Street Fighter V's top players. At Evo Japan 2018 he earned a Top 8 placement recording victories over Moke, Xian, and Capcom Cup 2017 winner MenaRD. He would repeat the feat three months later at NorCal Regionals 2018, adding GO1, OilKing, and Fuudo to his list of victims.
It was soon after this aforementioned tournament that a surprise patch dropped for SFV which included substantial nerfs to Abigail. From depleted health and less stun on his V-Trigger 1 juggles to added pushback on buttons that removed certain confirms, it didn't bode well for stormKubo. Yet despite hiccups at Evo 2018 and CEO 2018, he adapted formidably, placing fifth at Socal Regionals 2018 and ninth at both Tokyo Game Show and Capcom Cup.
To end his 2019, stormKubo added a fifth place finish at Red Bull Kumite. Now, having proven that not even big balance changes can stop him, the grappler extraordinaire is making sure Abigail is still feared.
Watch the Top 50 reveal in full with highlights of all 50 players at the PGstats YouTube. The PGRSF continues Friday, March 4th with the reveal of players 40-31.
PGRSF