This is my opinion of characters before Season 3, or Arcade Edition, launched. I will try to have another post like this one once characters get more situated in Season 3. Season 2 is out for Street Fighter V and the new tier lists have been the main focus of the entire community. The update brought in long-awaited veteran fighter Akuma and the first major balancing patch of the fighting game. Before we get into the specifics, if you want to know the general changes to gameplay and the game overall, click I will be highlighting characters that will be moving significantly around in tier lists. This also means that any character that is not on the list has not, in my opinion, moved very far from their position on tier lists from season 1. For all the characters I am about the mention, if you want to see their full Season 2 changes, simply click on their name. Laura is much more of a offensive machine in season 2. She has gained more advantage on hits on multiple of her moves, including her V-Skill, that allow her to continue putting pressure on her opponent. Her normal and EX command grab also got buffed, increasing the amount of stun damage. These buffs combined with the general gameplay changes put Laura in a very nice position in the game. Combined with having a chargeable fireball and having one of the best anti-airs in the game, Laura will no doubt be a much stronger character this season. Laura has definitely shot up from low tier to at least high mid tier. Urien was already a decent character in season 1. He has high health and stun bar, a chargeable fireball, good damage, great range on pokes, and a good mix-up game. His V-Trigger, Aegis Reflector, is great for extending combos, zoning, and resetting the situation. On top of all of that, he has a 1 meter invincible reversal. Capcom then decides to give Urien everything he was lacking. A more reliable anti-air, and a cross-up with LP. A little increase in his health also is nice. Urien essentially has everything a character needs to succeed in season 2. He will most likely be very high on tier lists, at the very least top 5, more likely top 3. Much like Urien, Guile was already fairly strong in Season 1. With a 1-bar invincible reversal, plenty of anti-air options and good damage, Guile was easily mid to top mid tier in season 1. In season 2, a fair amount of his moves got increased advantage on hit, although this is somewhat balanced since most of those moves are now more disadvantageous on block. They do increased damage and give him more CA bar on hit and block. Capcom also buffed how positive Sonic Boom is on block now, although they decreased how positive it is on hit. Capcom also tried to unsuccessfully stop sonic boom loops, but they are as good as ever. Guile will most likely end up, at the very worst, top 3 in tier lists. Balrog was in a similar position to Laura in season 1. He could do great damage, but had poor defense. The changes to the general gameplay really helped Balrog with his offensive powerhouse gameplay style. He even got a new low attack in Crouching MK that helps immensely in his high-low mix-up game. With the buffs to his normals and his already immense damage that is coupled with the general gameplay changes, Balrog is in a much better place. A little buff to his health also never hurts. I would say that Balrog went from low mid tier to at least high mid tier, possibly even top 5. Zangief was in terrible shape during season 1. He was at the bottom of virtually every tier list and for good reason. Capcom gave has given Zangief a much better fighting chance in season 2. Wit
