Honestly, you can play whatever. It’s more important to learn fundamentals of neutral game (spacing, when to block, when to go in) than it is to have a proper control scheme. Do what makes you feel most comfortable.

SF6 is my first fighting game ever, and I have complex feelings on this topic.

When I started I intended to use modern controls as an easier way to get into the game. But after an hour or so of playing, I wasn’t having fun. Mainly because of auto combo. I got too much for free and didn’t feel like I was earning my wins. If it wasn’t for auto combo I probably would have stuck with it.

So I switched to classic and am grinding my way up the hard way. Currently in Bronze 4 and still lose a lot of matches to execution errors, dropping a super, messing up the one combo I know haha, etc. So I do find it tilting to lose to modern when I know they don’t have to go through the same struggles.

I’m sure it’s the case that at higher ranks the difference is minimal, but for new players modern is a huge advantage, and IMO way less fun if you’re actually trying to improve at the game.

That said, even in bronze I face very few modern players, so it’s not a big deal.

Overall I think it’s a fantastic addition for people just having fun. I play with my wife and she has much more fun with modern controls than she would with classic.

I use Modern.

I haven’t played a street fighter game since 3 alpha, and have spent more time playing smash bros than anything else, making Classic a difficult change. I very much enjoy the neutral game more than memorizing combos, so the auto-combos are nice too.

I really wish I could choose the layout of the abilities, though. Some use the same button but with a different delay or hold, and I wish I could just do both.

Classic.

Modern could be interesting, but I can’t be bothered to deal with learning it just yet. I started learning Chun Li. I can’t imagine how her stances would fit into combos on a modern control scheme. EG - it just isn’t possible / goes away? Ew.

I prefer classic since I grew up with it, but modern controls are completely valid and it’s a shame to see the way so many people treat Modern players. I don’t think it reflects well on the community to push away new players when most people will never be at a level where modern vs classic is the deciding factor in a match. Getting salty when losing to modern players or using it as an excuse just encourages toxicity towards beginners and those dipping their toes into the genre.