Tekken 8 Character Tier List: A Year Later
Tekken 8's 2024 release marked a significant gameplay and balance overhaul for the series. Over a year later, this comprehensive tier list ranks the current roster. Note that this is subjective, and player skill significantly impacts performance.
| Tier | Characters |
| S | Dragunov, Feng, Nina, Jin, King, Law |
| A | Alisa, Asuka, Claudio, Hwoarang, Jun, Kazuya, Kuma, Lars, Lee, Leo, Lili, Raven, Shaheen, Victor, Xiaoyu, Yoshimitsu, Zafina |
| B | Bryan, Eddy, Jack-8, Leroy, Paul, Reina, Steve |
| C | Panda |
S Tier
S-tier characters boast exceptional balance, often considered "broken" due to their numerous offensive and defensive options.
- Dragunov: Despite nerfs, Dragunov remains a meta pick thanks to strong frame data and mix-ups.
- Feng: His fast, low attacks and powerful counter-hit capabilities make him a formidable opponent.
- Jin: Easy to learn, adaptable to various playstyles, and capable of devastating combos. His Devil Gene adds another layer of versatility.
- King: Arguably the game's strongest grappler, his unpredictable moves and chain throws dominate close-range combat.
- Law: Difficult to counter, Law possesses a robust poking game and agile counter-hit potential.
- Nina: While challenging to master, Nina's heat mode and devastating grabs make her a high-reward character.
A Tier
A-tier characters are less challenging than S-tier but remain potent and versatile.
- Alisa: Easy-to-learn, with effective low attacks and gimmicks. Ideal for pressure-based gameplay.
- Asuka: Beginner-friendly, with solid defensive options and simple combos, perfect for learning fundamentals.
- Claudio: Predictable outside his Starburst state, but incredibly powerful once activated.
- Hwoarang: Versatile for both beginners (simple combos) and veterans (complex movesets).
- Jun: Strong mix-ups, high damage, and self-healing capabilities. Her stance changes add complexity.
- Kazuya: Rewards mastery of Tekken 8 fundamentals, with potent long and close-range attacks.
- Kuma: Exceptional defense and unpredictable movements due to his size.
- Lars: High mobility and wall pressure make him a master of evasion and close-quarters combat.
- Lee: Strong poking game, agile, and capable of exploiting defensive weaknesses.
- Leo: Strong mix-ups and relatively safe moves, allowing consistent pressure.
- Lili: Unpredictable acrobatic style and few defensive weaknesses.
- Raven: High speed, versatile, and excels at capitalizing on opponent mistakes.
- Shaheen: Steep learning curve, but his powerful, nearly unbreakable combos make him a strong contender.
- Victor: Adaptable to various fighting styles, with a unique technological moveset.
- Xiaoyu: High mobility and adaptable stances make her difficult to pin down.
- Yoshimitsu: Excellent for long matches, with health restoration and tactical mobility.
- Zafina: Three stances provide excellent spacing and control, but requires practice to master.
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.
- Eddy: Fast but easily countered, lacking pressure and corner carry.
- Jack-8: Beginner-friendly, with good range, wall pressure, and throws.
- Leroy: Nerfed since release, his damage and frame data are now weaknesses.
- Paul: High damage potential but lacks agility and versatility.
- Reina: Strong offense but weak defense, easily punished on whiffs.
- Steve: Requires practice and is easily countered due to predictable moves.
C Tier
- Panda: Similar to Kuma but significantly weaker in all aspects.
Tekken 8 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
