Tekken 8: Google-Friendly Character Rankings

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

Tekken 8's release 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

S-tier characters boast exceptional balance, often considered "broken" due to their versatile offensive and defensive options.

• Dragunov: Despite nerfs, Dragunov remains a meta choice thanks to strong frame data and mix-ups.
• Feng: His fast, low attacks and potent counter-hit capabilities make him a formidable opponent.
• Jin: Highly adaptable and versatile, Jin's deadly combos and Devil Gene mechanics make him a top contender.
• King: Arguably the game's strongest grab-attack character, King's unpredictable combos dominate close-range combat.
• Law: Difficult to counter, Law's strong poking game and agility make him a challenging opponent.
• Nina: Though demanding to master, Nina's effective heat mode and grab attacks are highly rewarding.

A Tier

A-tier fighters are less complex than S-tier but still highly effective and capable of countering most characters.

• Alisa: Easy to learn, Alisa's gimmicks and low attacks are ideal for pressure-based playstyles.
• Asuka: Beginner-friendly with solid defensive options and easy combos, excellent for learning fundamentals.
• Claudio: Predictable outside his Starburst state, but incredibly powerful once activated.
• Hwoarang: Versatile with multiple stances and combos, suitable for both beginners and veterans.
• Jun: Strong mix-ups and health regeneration via heat smash make her a dangerous opponent.
• Kazuya: High damage output and versatile fighting style reward mastery of Tekken 8 fundamentals.
• Kuma: Strong defense and unpredictable movements due to his size make him a challenging opponent.
• Lars: High mobility and wall pressure allow for effective evasion and capitalization on missed combos.
• Lee: Impressive poking game and agility exploit defensive gaps and punish whiffs.
• Leo: Strong mix-ups and relatively safe moveset maintain offensive pressure.
• Lili: Acrobatic fighting style and few defensive weaknesses make her unpredictable.
• Raven: Impressive speed and versatile moves, including teleportation and shadow clones.
• Shaheen: Steep learning curve, but his powerful combos and range make him a strong choice.
• Victor: Adaptable fighting style with technological moves, effective against traditional fighters.
• Xiaoyu: High mobility and adaptable stances make her difficult to counter.
• Yoshimitsu: Tactical fighter with health regeneration and teleportation.
• Zafina: Three stances offer great spacing and control, but requires practice to master.

B Tier

B-tier characters are fun but more easily exploited, requiring practice to compete against higher-tier fighters.

• Bryan: High damage output but slow and lacks gimmicks compared to others.
• Eddy: Fast attacks but easily countered due to lack of pressure and corner control.
• Jack-8: Fundamental character, good for beginners, with strong long-range attacks and throws.
• Leroy: Nerfed since release, his frame data and damage output are less effective.
• Paul: High damage potential but less agile and versatile than other characters.
• Reina: Strong offense but weak defense, easily punished for whiffs.
• Steve: Requires practice and lacks mix-ups, making him predictable.

C Tier

• Panda: Similar to Kuma but less effective in all aspects.

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