Top Characters in Tekken 8: Tier List

Since its release in 2024, *Tekken 8* has been celebrated as a pivotal reboot for the series, bringing significant improvements in gameplay and balance. Over a year later, here's an updated tier list of the game's fighters, reflecting their current standing in the competitive scene. Each character's placement is influenced by their ease of use, recent balance changes, and overall effectiveness in matches. Remember, this list is subjective, and a fighter's success also depends heavily on the player's skill level.

Tekken 8 Tier List

S Tier

Image via Bandai Namco

The S Tier in *Tekken 8* consists of characters that are either overpowered or equipped with versatile move sets that make them formidable in both offense and defense.

Dragunov emerged as an S-tier character early on, and despite nerfs, his strong frame data and mix-ups keep him a meta choice. Feng excels in offense with fast, low attacks and powerful counter-hits, making him unpredictable. Jin, the protagonist, is versatile and easy to pick up, with his devil gene mechanics allowing deadly combos from any range. King dominates close-range combat with his chain throws, making him a top-tier grappler. Law is hard to counter with his strong poking game and agility, while Nina offers effective heat mode and grab attacks, though she requires practice to master.

A Tier

A Tier characters are strong and versatile but may not be as dominant as S Tier fighters. They are still highly competitive and can challenge any opponent when played skillfully.

Alisa is beginner-friendly with her wide range of attacks and gimmicks. Asuka is great for newcomers, focusing on defensive play and easy combos. Claudio becomes a force to reckon with in his Starburst state. Hwoarang offers complexity with four stances, appealing to both beginners and experts. Jun can heal with her heat smash and has strong mix-ups. Kazuya rewards players who understand *Tekken* fundamentals with versatile combos. Kuma proved his worth at the 2024 World Tournament with strong defense and unpredictable movements. Lars excels in speed and mobility, perfect for evasion and wall pressure. Lee has an impressive poking game and stance transitions for offense. Leo has safe mix-ups, making opponents guess between high and low attacks. Lili uses acrobatics for unpredictable combos, with few defensive weaknesses. Raven combines speed and versatility with stealthy moves. Shaheen has a steep learning curve but offers unbreakable combos. Victor adapts to various fighting styles with his technological moves. Xiaoyu is highly mobile and adaptable with different stances. Yoshimitsu is tactical, using health siphoning and high mobility. Zafina requires mastering her stances for effective spacing and stage control.

B Tier

B Tier characters are balanced and fun to play, but they can be exploited by higher-tier fighters. They require practice to compete effectively against A and S Tier characters.

Bryan deals high damage but is slow and lacks gimmicks. Eddy was considered broken initially but has since been countered by players. Jack-8 is ideal for newcomers with decent range and wall pressure. Leroy was nerfed, reducing his damage output and making him easier to pressure. Paul can deal significant damage with moves like Deathfist but lacks agility. Reina is offensively strong but defensively weak, making her vulnerable to whiffs. Steve requires practice and has many counters, making him predictable without mix-ups.

C Tier

Panda sits alone at the bottom of the tier list, primarily because she performs similar actions to Kuma but less effectively. Her limited range, predictable movement, and difficulty in executing combos make her the lowest-ranked character.

And that concludes our *Tekken 8* tier list. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, this guide should help you understand the current meta and choose the best fighter for your playstyle.

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