Tekken 8 Tier List (Best Characters)

*Tekken 8*, released in 2024, was heralded as a significant improvement in gameplay and balance for the series. Now, over a year later, here's a comprehensive tier list of the best fighters in *Tekken 8*. This list is subjective and influenced by player skill, but it reflects the current meta and character strengths.

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Below is a detailed tier list of the fighters currently available in Tekken 8. Each character's placement is based on their adaptability, balance, and overall effectiveness in the game.

S Tier

The S-tier characters in Tekken 8 are those with exceptional balance or powerful gimmicks that provide versatile options for offense and defense.

Dragunov was an early S-tier standout, though balance patches have since nerfed him. His frame data and mix-ups still make him a "meta" choice. Feng excels with fast, low attacks and strong counter-hit abilities, challenging even seasoned players. Jin, the protagonist, is easy to pick up and versatile, with deadly combos and the devil gene mechanics enhancing his range and potential. King dominates close-range combat with his chain throw commands, making him unpredictable and powerful. Law is tough to counter with his strong poking game and agility, perfect for trapping opponents. Nina offers a steep learning curve but rewards with effective heat mode and grab attacks that can eliminate health quickly.

A Tier

A-tier characters are less challenging to master than S-tier but remain formidable with the right player skill.

Alisa is beginner-friendly with her android gimmicks and strong low attacks, ideal for pressure-based play. Asuka is perfect for those learning the game, offering good defensive options and easy combos. Claudio becomes formidable once his Starburst state is activated, increasing his attack damage. Hwoarang offers complexity with four stances and numerous combos, appealing to both newcomers and veterans. Jun can heal with her heat smash and has strong mix-ups, though her automatic stance changes require careful management. Kazuya rewards players with strong fundamentals, offering powerful combos and long-range pokes. Kuma proved his worth at the 2024 Tekken 8 World Tournament with strong defense and awkward movements that are hard to read. Lars excels in speed and mobility, perfect for mastering evasion and applying wall pressure. Lee leverages agility and speed with impressive poking and mix-ups. Leo has safe moves and strong mix-ups, making it hard for opponents to predict attacks. Lili uses acrobatic fighting to create unpredictable combos, with few defensive weaknesses. Raven combines speed and versatility with stealthy moves, ideal for capitalizing on missed counters. Shaheen has a steep learning curve but offers unbreakable combos and good range. Victor adapts to various fighting styles with his technological moves, making him fun and effective offensively. Xiaoyu is highly mobile and adaptable, making her nearly impossible to pin down. Yoshimitsu excels in long matches with health siphoning and high mobility. Zafina requires mastery of her three stances for effective spacing and stage control, offering unique mix-ups.

B Tier

B-tier characters are balanced but can be exploited by higher-tier opponents, requiring more practice to compete.

Bryan offers high damage and pressure but is slow and lacks gimmicks. Eddy was initially considered broken due to his speed, but players have learned to counter his attacks, limiting his pressure and cornering ability. Jack-8 is ideal for newcomers with decent long-range attacks and strong throws. Leroy has been affected by balance updates, reducing his damage output and making him easier to punish. Paul can deal serious damage but lacks agility and versatility, suitable for learning positioning. Reina is fun to play but lacks defensive options, making her vulnerable at higher levels. Steve requires practice and has many counters, making him predictable without strong mix-ups, though suitable for aggressive players.

C Tier

Panda sits at the bottom of the tier list, performing similarly to Kuma but less effectively. Her limited range, predictable movement, and difficulty in executing combos make her the lowest-ranked character.

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