Tekken 8 Tier List: Top Characters Revealed

When *Tekken 8* hit the scene in 2024, it was hailed as a pivotal moment for the franchise, offering a much-needed refresh in terms of gameplay and balance. Fast forward a year, and the game's meta has evolved, leading to the creation of this comprehensive tier list to help you understand which fighters stand out in the current landscape. Remember, this list is subjective and heavily influenced by player skill, but it provides a solid baseline for understanding the game's balance.

Tekken 8 Tier List

S Tier

Image via Bandai Namco

The S Tier in *Tekken 8* is reserved for characters that either dominate due to their lack of balance or boast a plethora of options that make them formidable in both offense and defense.

Dragunov quickly rose to S-tier status in the early days of *Tekken 8*. Despite nerfs through balance updates, his frame data and mix-ups still make him a meta-defining character, challenging to counter effectively. Feng excels with his fast, low attacks and strong counter-hit abilities, making him a punishing force against unprepared opponents. Jin, the protagonist of this installment, offers a versatile playstyle with deadly combos, making him a top pick for his adaptability and high skill ceiling. King dominates close-range combat with his chain throw commands, leaving opponents guessing. Law is known for his hard-to-find openings and strong poking game, making him both accessible and effective. Lastly, Nina offers a challenging yet rewarding playstyle with her effective heat mode and health-draining grabs, ideal for competitive players willing to master her moveset.

A Tier

A Tier characters in *Tekken 8* are less unpredictable than S Tier but still pack a punch and can be used effectively by skilled players to counter a variety of opponents.

Alisa is easy to learn with her android gimmicks and effective low attacks, perfect for beginners looking to apply pressure. Asuka caters to newcomers with her solid defensive options and accessible combos. Claudio can be easy to read but becomes formidable when his Starburst state boosts his attack damage. Hwoarang offers complexity with four stances, appealing to both new and veteran players. Jun can heal with her heat smash and has strong mix-ups, requiring careful management of her stance changes. Kazuya rewards players who understand *Tekken 8* fundamentals with his versatile fighting style and powerful combos. Kuma is a surprising choice, proving his worth in tournaments with strong defense and awkward movements. Lars excels in speed and mobility, perfect for mastering evasion and applying wall pressure. Lee offers an impressive poking game and stance transitions, ideal for offensive players. Leo provides safe mix-ups and strong pressure, making him hard to counter. Lili is unpredictable with her acrobatic style, exposing defensive gaps while maintaining few weaknesses. Raven uses speed and versatility to capitalize on missed counters. Shaheen may have a steep learning curve, but his unbreakable combos and range make him a strong choice. Victor adapts to various fighting styles with his technological moves, fun for offensive play. Xiaoyu is just shy of S Tier with her mobility and stance versatility. Yoshimitsu is tactical, using health siphoning and high mobility for long matches. Zafina requires mastering her three stances for effective stage control and unpredictable mix-ups.

B Tier

B Tier characters in *Tekken 8* are balanced and fun but can be exploited by skilled opponents. They require practice to compete with higher-tier characters.

Bryan offers high damage and pressure but is slow and lacks gimmicks. Eddy was initially seen as broken but has since been countered effectively due to his lack of cornering ability. Jack-8 is ideal for newcomers with his long-range attacks and strong throws. Leroy has seen his damage and balance affected by updates, making him easier to punish. Paul can deal serious damage with moves like Deathfist but lacks agility and versatility. Reina is fun to play but weak defensively, making her vulnerable in higher-level play. Steve requires practice and can be predictable but suits aggressive players.

C Tier

Panda sits alone in the C Tier, overshadowed by Kuma. While they share similar moves, Panda's limited range, predictable movement, and harder-to-execute combos make her the least competitive character in the roster.

This *Tekken 8* tier list reflects the current meta over a year after its release. As always, player skill can change the game, and updates may shift the balance further. *Tekken 8* is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.