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"Tekken 8 Tier List: Top Characters Revealed"

Author : Samuel Update : Mar 26,2025

*Tekken 8*, released in 2024, marked a significant shift in gameplay and balance for the beloved fighting series. Over a year later, we present a detailed tier list of the best fighters in *Tekken 8*, reflecting their adaptability, balance, and potential dominance in the game.

Tekken 8 Tier List

TierCharacters
SDragunov, Feng, Nina, Jin, King, Law
AAlisa, Asuka, Claudio, Hwoarang, Jun, Kazuya, Kuma, Lars, Lee, Leo, Lili, Raven, Shaheen, Victor, Xiaoyu, Yoshimitsu, Zafina
BBryan, Eddy, Jack-8, Leroy, Paul, Reina, Steve
CPanda

S Tier

Image of Jin, a male fighter with red boxing gloves and black hair, preparing to battle in Tekken 8.

Image via Bandai Namco

The S Tier in *Tekken 8* includes characters who are exceptionally powerful, often considered "broken" due to their minimal balance issues and numerous offensive and defensive options.

Dragunov quickly rose to S-tier status with his frame data and mix-ups, remaining a meta choice despite nerfs. Feng boasts fast, low attacks and strong counter-hit capabilities, making him a formidable opponent. Jin, the protagonist, offers versatility and deadly combos, adaptable to various playstyles. His devil gene mechanics make him a threat at any range. King dominates close-range combat with his chain throw commands, keeping opponents on their toes. Law is a hard-to-crack S-tier character with a strong poking game and counter-hits that can intimidate aggressive fighters. Nina, though challenging to master, offers powerful heat mode and grab attacks, rewarding dedicated players.

A Tier

Xiaoyu in Tekken 8

A-Tier characters are easier to learn than S-Tier but still pose a significant threat, capable of countering most opponents effectively.

Alisa is user-friendly with her android gimmicks and effective low attacks. Asuka is ideal for beginners, offering solid defensive options and easy combos. Claudio becomes a force to be reckoned with once his Starburst state is activated, increasing his damage output. Hwoarang offers diverse stances and 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 play. Kazuya rewards players with a deep understanding of *Tekken 8* fundamentals, excelling at both long-range pokes and close-range combos. Kuma proved his worth at the 2024 *Tekken 8* World Tournament with strong defense and unpredictable movements. Lars is perfect for mastering evasion and closing distances, capitalizing on missed combos. Lee has an impressive poking game and stance transitions, ideal for offensive players. Leo boasts strong mix-ups and safe moves, making him hard to read. Lili uses acrobatic moves to create unpredictable combos, with few defensive weaknesses. Raven combines speed and versatility with stealthy moves, ideal for exploiting defensive gaps. Shaheen, though challenging to master, offers unbreakable combos and good range. Victor adapts to various fighting styles with his technological moves, excelling in offensive play. Xiaoyu nearly reaches S-Tier with her mobility and adaptability. Yoshimitsu is tactical with health siphoning and teleportation, perfect for long matches. Zafina requires mastering her stances for effective stage control and unpredictable mix-ups.

B Tier

Leroy in Tekken 8

B-Tier characters are fun to play but can be easily exploited, requiring practice to compete against higher-tier characters.

Bryan deals high damage and applies pressure but is slow and lacks gimmicks. Eddy was initially considered broken due to his speed, but players have learned to counter him, exposing his weaknesses in pressure and cornering. Jack-8 is ideal for newcomers with decent long-range attacks and wall pressure. Leroy has lost some of his edge with updates affecting his damage and frame data. Paul can deal massive damage but lacks agility and versatility. Reina is fun but lacks defensive capabilities, making her vulnerable to higher-level play. Steve requires practice and has many counters, making him predictable without strong mix-ups.

C Tier

Panda in Tekken 8

Panda sits at the bottom of the tier list, performing similar moves to Kuma but less effectively. With limited range and predictable movement, Panda struggles to keep up with the rest of the roster.

This *Tekken 8* tier list reflects the current state of the game, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each character. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newcomer, understanding these tiers can help you choose the fighter that best suits your playstyle and strategy.

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