Dead or Alive 6
3D fighting game (Team Ninja + Koei Tecmo, Mar 1, 2019 PS4/Xbox One/PC) — sixth mainline Dead or Alive with triangle system + break gauge + reactive combat. Featured at EVO 2019 + 2020. Post-launch DLC characters + costumes.
What is Dead or Alive 6?
Dead or Alive 6 is the sixth mainline entry in Koei Tecmo's Dead or Alive fighting game series — developed by Team Ninja + released March 1, 2019 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC (Steam). Continues DOA's signature rock-paper-scissors triangle system (strikes beat throws, throws beat holds, holds beat strikes) with new Break Gauge mechanic enabling Break Blow (super attack) + Break Hold (defensive counter). Dynamic reactive stages (breakables, fall-through floors, environmental hazards). 27 base characters + 7 DLC characters. Featured at EVO Championship Series 2019 + 2020 + 2021. Roster mixes returning cast (Kasumi, Ayane, Ryu Hayabusa, Bass, Bayman, Zack) with new (NiCO, Diego). Free-to-play 'Core Fighters' version released day one with limited character roster + separately-purchased characters. Also runs Dead or Alive World Championship annual tournament.
Quick facts
Category
Video Games
Type
Individual
Players
2–2
Duration
~5 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇯🇵 Japan
Estimated origin
Released Mar 1, 2019 for PS4/Xbox One/PC; free-to-play Core Fighters version same day
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Win by KO or higher HP at time-out; deplete opponent HP to zero.
Match structure
Best-of-3 rounds (60 sec each); tournament typically Bo5 games.
Rules
Basic rules
Triangle system (strike/throw/hold)
Rock-paper-scissors: strikes beat throws, throws beat holds, holds beat strikes.
Break Gauge (super meter)
Charge Break Gauge via damage/damage-taken; spend for Break Blow (super attack) or Break Hold (defensive counter).
Reactive stages
Breakable environments, fall-through floors, environmental hazards deal bonus damage.
Advanced rules
Stagger + juggle system
Hits stagger opponent; follow with juggle combo for extended damage.
Fatal Rush 4-hit auto combo
New DOA6 auto-combo string reduces execution barrier for beginners.
Scoring
Best-of-3 rounds; KO or higher HP at time-out. Tournament brackets Bo3/Bo5 games.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Round KO | 1 round win |
Win condition · KO opponent or higher HP at 60-sec time-out; 2 round wins = game.
Equipment
PS4/Xbox One/PC
Cross-platform TCG-style match support.
Fight stick or controller
Standard fighting-game input; Hori/Qanba/Razer fight sticks preferred at pro level.
Positions & roles
Fighter
×11v1 fighting-game player controlling character.
Officiating
Koei Tecmo + EVO tournament staff; algorithmic online matchmaking.
- Tournament Organizer (Koei Tecmo events, EVO)
- Head Judge
- Floor Judges
Penalties & fouls
Penalties
Ring-out damage
Falling off stage causes damage; some stages have ring-out fatality.
Tournament rule violation
Illegal controller macros or unsportsmanlike conduct = DQ.
Timeout
60-sec timer; higher HP wins the round.
Strategies
Triangle system prediction
Read opponent tendency + counter with correct triangle option (strike/throw/hold).
Break Gauge conservation
Save Break Blow for finishing round or critical Break Hold defense.
Stage hazard positioning
Push opponent toward breakable walls + environmental damage bonuses.
Terminology
- Break Gauge
- Super meter chargeable via combat
- Break Blow
- Cinematic super attack
- Break Hold
- Defensive counter via Break Gauge
- Fatal Rush
- 4-hit auto-combo string
Major competitions
Dead or Alive World Championship
annual · global · since 2019
EVO Championship Series (DOA6)
annual (2019-2021) · global · since 1996
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Koei Tecmo Games
Founded 2009 · Yokohama, Japan
Team Ninja
Founded 1995 · Tokyo, Japan
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Emanuel 'MASTER' Rodriguez (USA) — DOA World Champion
- Various Japanese + American DOA circuit champions
Records
DOA6 at EVO 2019, 2020, 2021
EVO Championship Series — Featured game at EVO 2019, 2020, 2021 (2019)
Dead or Alive World Championship inaugural
Koei Tecmo — First DOA6 World Championship held 2019 (2019)
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Core Fighters free trial
Learn triangle system + basic character (Kasumi/Hayate) via Core Fighters free version.
intermediate
- 1
Combo execution + Ranked
Master 1-2 characters + Ranked ladder climb.
advanced
- 1
Tournament circuit + WC qualifying
Regional qualifiers + Dead or Alive World Championship.
Frequently asked
Is DOA6 free to play?+
Partially — 'Core Fighters' free version has limited roster + no story mode. Full game paid ($60 base). Additional characters + costumes as DLC.
Is DOA6 still supported?+
Support scaled back after 2021 EVO cycle; Koei Tecmo focus shifted to Dead or Alive Xtreme Venus Vacation + future DOA7 rumors.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Dead or Alive 6— Wikipedia