Street Fighter 5: Release Date and Dhalsim Trailer

While Capcom has been releasing character reveals and trailers as we’ve been getting closer and closer to Street Fighter V’s release, we’ve had little real idea on how much closer we were getting. All we had to go on was 2016. Later, they at least let us know it was spring 2016.

Now we know the deal. February 16 is the big day, so go and let your boss know that you won't be able to work from February 16 to the 21st. Tell them it's a family thing. Yeah.

While they’re at it, Capcom decided to give us another big announcement. Dhalsim – the wise yoga master who’s like half of Super-Skrull – will be the 15th entry in the game. Go on, give him a look!

Looking really cool there. Loving the beard. Looks like they’ve finally brought in some new tricks for his fire-spitting ability.

Like all the other Street Fighter V characters, Dhalsim has a V-Skill and V-Trigger. His V-Skill is the Yoga Float, which allows him to briefly fly around with the option of doing any of his air attacks. His V-Trigger is Yoga Burner. He covers part of the ground with fire. If the opponent stands in that spot, it slowly drains their health, though it’s recoverable. Meaning that if they stand there for five seconds and walk away, their health will gradually return, but if Dhalsim hits them at any point, that health is gone for good.

Dhalsim has been a big part of Street Fighter since Street Fighter II. A pacifist by nature, he tends to use his skills for violence only if he has to, usually for the sake of shutting down M. Bison and protecting his people. He’s usually portrayed as a spiritual guide in most takes on the lore, helping out the likes of Ryu and Sagat. Then there’s the live-action movie where he was a scientist who suddenly became bald and...let’s not talk about that.

Capcom has better explained their post-launch plans. While the game will start with 16 characters, they will release a new fighter every two months or so. Six are planned for the time being, stretching into early 2017. You can unlock them through in-game means by earning a special currency or you can just pony up the cash and make it easy.

Street Fighter V will be released on PlayStation 4 and PC.

Gavin Jasper wonders if Dhalsim’s beard has rubber powers. Can he punch someone with his beard? Follow Gavin on Twitter!