Tekken 8 Tier List (Best Characters)

Tekken 8, released in 2024, delivered a much-needed gameplay and balance overhaul for the series. Over a year later, here's a comprehensive tier list of the best fighters.

Recommended Videos Tekken 8 Tier List

The following *Tekken 8* tier list showcases the current roster, categorized by strength. Factors like ease of use and recent balance patches influence character placement. Remember, this is subjective, and player skill significantly impacts outcomes.

S Tier

These *Tekken 8* characters boast exceptional balance, often considered "broken" due to their numerous offensive and defensive options. Dragunov, initially a top-tier pick, remains a meta choice despite nerfs, thanks to his strong frame data and mix-ups. Feng's fast, low attacks and counter-hit capabilities punish opponents effectively. Jin, the protagonist, offers versatility and devastating combos, easily adaptable to various playstyles. His well-rounded moveset and Devil Gene mechanics make him dangerous at any range. King's superior grab attacks and unpredictable chain throws dominate close-range combat. Law's strong poking game, agility, and versatile counter-hits make him difficult to overcome. Nina, though challenging to master, offers potent heat mode and grab attacks, making her a formidable opponent.

A Tier

A-tier characters are less challenging than S-tier but remain powerful and effective. Alisa, with her android gimmicks and low attacks, is beginner-friendly and excels at applying pressure. Asuka offers solid defensive options and simple combos for newcomers. Claudio's Starburst state dramatically increases his damage output. Hwoarang's four stances and diverse combos cater to both beginners and veterans. Jun's heat smash offers significant health regeneration and strong mix-ups. Kazuya's versatile style and powerful combos reward skilled play, excelling in both long and close-range combat. Kuma's size and unpredictable movements make him difficult to counter. Lars's high speed and mobility, combined with wall pressure, are highly effective. Lee's strong poking game and agility exploit defensive gaps. Leo's strong mix-ups keep opponents guessing. Lili's acrobatic style and defensive capabilities make her hard to pin down. Raven's speed, teleportation, and shadow clones are incredibly difficult to predict. Shaheen's powerful, albeit complex, combos reward dedicated practice. Victor's technological moves adapt to various fighting styles. Xiaoyu's mobility and adaptable stances make her nearly impossible to corner. Yoshimitsu's health-siphoning combos and teleportation make him a tactical powerhouse. Zafina's three stances provide excellent spacing and control, offering unpredictable mix-ups.

B Tier

B-tier characters are enjoyable but more easily exploited. They represent a good balance, requiring practice to compete effectively. Bryan's high damage output is offset by his slow speed and lack of gimmicks. Eddy's speed is countered by his inability to pressure and corner opponents. Jack-8's straightforward style is beginner-friendly, offering solid long-range attacks and wall pressure. Leroy's formerly vast array of abilities has been somewhat diminished by updates. Paul's high damage potential requires precise positioning. Reina's strong offense is weakened by her poor defense. Steve's predictable moveset makes him easily countered.

C Tier

Panda lags behind Kuma in both offensive and defensive capabilities, making her the lowest-ranked character.

Tekken 8 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.