Tekken 8: Unveiling the Pinnacle of Fighting Masters

Tekken 8 Tier List: A Comprehensive Ranking of Fighters (2024-2025)

Tekken 8, released in 2024, marked a significant gameplay and balance overhaul for the series. Over a year later, this tier list provides a current assessment of the best Tekken 8 fighters. Remember, this is subjective, and player skill is a crucial factor.

S Tier

• Dragunov: Despite nerfs, Dragunov remains a meta choice due to his strong frame data and mix-ups.
• Feng: His rapid, low attacks and powerful counter-hit capabilities make him a formidable opponent.
• Jin: Easy to learn but with high skill ceiling, Jin's versatility and devastating combos make him a top contender.
• King: King's powerful grab attacks and unpredictable chain throws dominate close-range combat.
• Law: Law's strong poking game, agility, and counter-hit potential make him difficult to overcome.
• Nina: Mastering Nina's complex moveset unlocks powerful heat mode and devastating grabs.

A Tier

A-tier fighters are strong but less challenging to master than S-tier characters. They offer effective counters to various playstyles.

• Alisa: Alisa's gimmicks, low attacks, and ease of use make her ideal for beginners and pressure-based play.
• Asuka: A solid choice for newcomers, Asuka offers strong defense and simple combos.
• Claudio: Predictable outside his Starburst state, but incredibly powerful once activated.
• Hwoarang: Versatile for both beginners and veterans, offering a wide range of combos and stances.
• Jun: Jun's health regeneration and strong mix-ups make her a dangerous opponent.
• Kazuya: Kazuya's powerful combos and versatility reward mastery of Tekken 8 fundamentals.
• Kuma: Kuma's size and unpredictable movements create openings for punishing attacks.
• Lars: Lars' high mobility and wall pressure allow for effective evasion and aggressive play.
• Lee: Lee's strong poking game and agility exploit defensive weaknesses.
• Leo: Leo's strong mix-ups and safe moves create consistent pressure.
• Lili: Lili's acrobatic style and strong offense make her difficult to counter.
• Raven: Raven's speed, teleportation, and shadow clones are hard to predict and counter.
• Shaheen: A high skill-ceiling character with powerful, difficult-to-break combos.
• Victor: Victor's technological moveset offers adaptability and strong offensive capabilities.
• Xiaoyu: Xiaoyu's mobility and varied stances make her difficult to pin down.
• Yoshimitsu: Yoshimitsu's health regeneration and tactical mobility make him a strong contender in long matches.
• Zafina: Zafina's three stances offer strong spacing and unpredictable mix-ups.

B Tier

B-tier characters are fun but susceptible to exploitation. They require practice to compete effectively against higher-tier characters.

• Bryan: High damage output but slow and lacks gimmicks compared to other characters.
• Eddy: Fast but easily countered due to predictable attack strings and lack of pressure.
• Jack-8: Solid fundamentals, good for beginners, with strong wall pressure and throws.
• Leroy: Nerfed since release, Leroy's damage and frame data make him vulnerable.
• Paul: High damage potential but lacks agility and versatility.
• Reina: Strong offense but weak defense, easily punished for whiffs.
• Steve: Requires significant practice and is easily countered due to predictable moves.

C Tier

Panda's similar but inferior moveset to Kuma places her at the bottom of the tier list.

• Panda: Limited range, predictable movements, and difficult combos make her less effective than Kuma.

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