If you want to win more fights in Gakuran, your fighting style matters a lot. Some styles are built for fast pressure, some are better for burst damage, and a few shine because their perks make your movement or combo game much stronger.
This updated Gakuran fighting style tier list breaks down the most commonly discussed styles from the current game meta and community opinions. Since balance can change after updates, use this as a practical guide and still check how each style feels in-game before you commit.
Gakuran Fighting Style Tier List
| Tier | Fighting Style | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|
| S | Muay Thai | Very fast M1s, quick crit, strong combo pressure |
| S | Cure | Strong perks, mix-up potential, great overall value |
| S | Capoeira | Fast movement and M1 pressure, but held back by crit recovery |
| S | Wrestling | Huge pressure, strong crit threat, top-end PvP value |
| S | Boxing | Strong crit utility and reliable pressure |
| A | Karate | Fast, consistent, and easy to use well |
| B | Basic | Solid starter style with no major weaknesses |
| C | Hakari | Strong payoff, but harder to land consistently |
| D | Slugger | Slow and generally the weakest option |
Quick take: what should you pick?
If you want the strongest overall styles, start with the S-tier group:
- Muay Thai for speed and aggression
- Cure for strong perks and mix-up potential
- Capoeira if you like fast movement
- Wrestling for heavy pressure and punishes
- Boxing for dependable fight control
If you want something easier to use or more forgiving, Karate and Basic are safer choices.
S-Tier Fighting Styles
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is one of the most praised styles in the game because it feels extremely fast. Its M1 chain is quick, the crit comes out fast, and the crit also supports combo flow by ragdolling. If you like staying on top of opponents and forcing them to react, Muay Thai is an excellent pick.
Why players like it:
- Very fast M1 pressure
- Fast crit startup
- Strong combo momentum
- Great for aggressive players
Best for:
- PvP
- Pressure play
- Players who want speed over gimmicks
Cure
Cure is a strong all-around style because of how many useful perks it brings together. One of its biggest strengths is the ability to move while attacking, which can create awkward angles and make you harder to read. It also has very strong perk value overall.
Why players like it:
- Great mix-up potential
- Strong perk package
- Fast M1s
- Good for aggressive movement
Best for:
- Players who like baiting reactions
- Movement-heavy fights
- Flexible builds
Capoeira
Capoeira has excellent mobility and very fast M1s, which makes it scary in the hands of someone who knows how to keep pressure up. The main downside is the crit. It has a lot of end lag and can leave you vulnerable, so the style is not as smooth as its movement would suggest.
Why players like it:
- Fast M1s
- Strong dash utility
- Good chase potential
- High-pressure movement style
What holds it back:
- Crit recovery can feel clunky
- Risky if you miss or get interrupted
Best for:
- Players who love fast movement
- Hit-and-run pressure
- Aggressive dash-based play
Wrestling
Wrestling is a top-tier fighting style for players who like punishing mistakes. It hits hard, its crit is dangerous, and it can completely snowball once you start landing your pressure. It is especially strong if you know how to keep opponents trapped in bad positions.
Why players like it:
- Huge pressure
- Strong crit threat
- Excellent punishing potential
- Great in close-range fights
Best for:
- Skilled PvP players
- Close-range brawling
- Punish-heavy playstyles
Boxing
Boxing earns its S-tier spot because of how useful its crit can be in real fights. It offers strong reliability and can be very annoying to deal with if your opponent doesn’t know how to answer it. In simple terms, it is one of those styles that feels safe and effective in lots of situations.
Why players like it:
- Reliable pressure
- Strong defensive/offensive value
- Great if you enjoy straightforward fighting
- Easy to build game plans around
Best for:
- Consistent PvP
- Players who want a dependable style
- Simple, effective combat
A-Tier Fighting Styles
Karate
Karate is one of the best balanced styles in Gakuran. It is quick, its M1s feel fast, and the crit comes out smoothly enough to support combos. It also has solid utility because the crit can help extend pressure instead of just being a single burst button.
Why players like it:
- Fast M1s
- Good crit speed
- Easy to combo with
- Feels clean and consistent
Best for:
- Newer players
- Players who want a safe strong option
- General PvP use
Karate is one of those styles that rarely feels bad to have. It may not be as explosive as the top S-tier picks, but it is still very strong.
B-Tier Fighting Styles
Basic
Basic is a solid starter-style option. It is not flashy, but it gets the job done and does not have major downsides. The M1s are reasonably fast, and the crit is useful enough to keep it playable.
Why players like it:
- Simple and easy to understand
- No major weaknesses
- Fine for early progress
- Works as a general-purpose fallback
Why it lands in B tier:
- It does everything okay
- It is outclassed by better styles
- Stronger styles offer more damage or utility
Best for:
- Beginners
- Early-game players
- Anyone who wants a simple style
C-Tier Fighting Styles
Hakari
Hakari has a strong damage ceiling, but it is harder to use effectively against experienced players. The style relies heavily on landing multiple consecutive M1s to build its payoff, which makes it less consistent in real PvP. Its crit also does not feel as easy to convert compared to higher-rated styles.
Why players like it:
- High damage potential
- Big reward if you land the setup
- Interesting burst payoff
Why it lands in C tier:
- Setup is harder than it looks
- Less consistent in practice
- Easier to interrupt than stronger styles
Best for:
- Players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward kits
- Situations where you can force openings
- Experienced users who can read movement well
D-Tier Fighting Styles
Slugger
Slugger is widely seen as the weakest option in this tier list. It feels slow in both its M1s and crit, and it does not offer enough upside to make up for the sluggish pace. If you care about win rate and consistency, this is the style most players will want to avoid.
Why it struggles:
- Slow attacks
- Weak tempo
- Poor pressure compared to other styles
- Outclassed by nearly everything else
Best for:
- Very specific challenge runs
- Players intentionally trying something different
Best fighting styles by playstyle
| Playstyle | Best pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fast aggression | Muay Thai | Quick M1s and strong pressure |
| Movement and mix-ups | Cure | Strong mobility-based pressure |
| Close-range punishing | Wrestling | Big threat on mistakes |
| Reliable all-round PvP | Boxing | Consistent and practical |
| Easy-to-learn strong option | Karate | Fast and straightforward |
| Beginner-friendly | Basic | Simple and serviceable |
What makes a fighting style good in Gakuran?
A strong fighting style usually has at least one of these qualities:
- Fast M1s
- A useful crit
- Good combo potential
- Strong movement synergy
- Low risk when used correctly
- Reliable pressure in PvP
The best styles often combine speed with utility. A style can have a strong crit, but if it is too slow or easy to punish, it may feel weaker in real fights than its description suggests.
Tips for choosing the right style
Pick based on your combat habits
If you like rushing people down, choose a style with fast M1s and good pressure. If you prefer patient fights, look for a style with a stronger punish tool or better utility.
Don’t judge only by the crit
A good crit is important, but the whole style matters. Fast M1s, dash synergy, and recovery frames can matter just as much.
Test styles after updates
Gakuran can change over time, so a style that feels weak now may become stronger after a balance update. Always check how it feels in live combat.
Use what you can land consistently
A “best” style on paper is not always the best style for you. If you land Karate more often than Hakari, Karate may give you better results overall.
Final ranking summary
If you want the shortest version of this updated Gakuran fighting style tier list:
- S tier: Muay Thai, Cure, Capoeira, Wrestling, Boxing
- A tier: Karate
- B tier: Basic
- C tier: Hakari
- D tier: Slugger
For most players, Muay Thai, Wrestling, and Boxing are some of the safest high-value picks. Cure is also excellent if you like strong mix-ups and mobility. Karate is the best “simple but strong” option, while Basic is fine if you are just starting out.
FAQ
What is the best fighting style in Gakuran right now?
Muay Thai, Wrestling, and Boxing are among the strongest overall picks based on speed, pressure, and consistency.
Is Karate good in Gakuran?
Yes. Karate is a strong A-tier style because it is fast, reliable, and easy to use well.
What is the easiest fighting style for beginners?
Basic is usually the easiest to pick up because it is straightforward and has no major gimmicks.
Is Slugger worth using?
Most players will probably want to avoid Slugger unless they are using it for a challenge or just want to try something different.