Tekken 8: Top Characters Ranked

Since its release in 2024, *Tekken 8* has been hailed as a pivotal shift for the franchise, refining gameplay and balance to meet the expectations of both new and veteran players. Over a year later, here's an updated tier list that reflects the current state of the game's fighters, taking into account their adaptability, balance, and the impact of recent updates.

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Tekken 8 Tier List

S Tier

Image via Bandai Namco

The S-tier characters in *Tekken 8* are known for their minimal balance issues, making them formidable choices due to their powerful movesets and versatility.

**Dragunov** has maintained his S-tier status since the game's early days. Despite nerfs, his frame data and mix-ups keep him a meta choice. **Feng** excels with his fast, low attacks and strong counter-hit abilities, making him unpredictable and punishing. **Jin**, the protagonist, offers versatility and deadly combos, easily fitting into any playstyle with his devil gene mechanics. **King** dominates with his grab attacks and chain throws, making him a terror at close range. **Law** combines easy learning with a strong poking game and counter-hits that keep opponents on their toes. **Nina** challenges players with her complex moveset but rewards mastery with powerful heat mode and grab attacks.

A Tier

A-tier fighters are less challenging to learn than their S-tier counterparts but remain potent in skilled hands, offering solid counters to many opponents.

**Alisa** brings a mix of gimmicks and effective low attacks, ideal for players who enjoy pressuring opponents. **Asuka** is perfect for newcomers, offering good defensive options and straightforward combos. **Claudio** can be read easily but becomes a force with his Starburst state. **Hwoarang** balances complexity with accessibility, suitable for both beginners and veterans. **Jun** utilizes heat smash for healing and strong mix-ups. **Kazuya** rewards players with a strong grasp of fundamentals through his versatile style and powerful combos. **Kuma** proved his worth at the 2024 World Tournament with strong defense and tricky movements. **Lars** excels in speed and mobility, ideal for mastering evasion and applying wall pressure. **Lee** offers an impressive poking game and stance transitions that exploit defensive gaps. **Leo** has strong, safe mix-ups that keep opponents guessing. **Lili** uses acrobatics to create unpredictable attacks with few defensive weaknesses. **Raven** leverages speed and stealth for punishing gaps in defenses. **Shaheen** presents a steep learning curve but rewards with unbreakable combos. **Victor** adapts to various fighting styles with his technological moves. **Xiaoyu** is nearly impossible to pin down due to her mobility and stance versatility. **Yoshimitsu** is built for endurance and tactical play with health siphoning and teleportation. **Zafina** requires learning her stances for effective spacing and unpredictable mix-ups.

B Tier

B-tier characters offer balanced gameplay but can be exploited by skilled opponents. They are suitable for players looking to improve their skills.

**Bryan** delivers high damage and pressure but suffers from slow movement and fewer gimmicks. **Eddy** was initially considered overpowered but has since been countered effectively, lacking the ability to pressure and corner opponents. **Jack-8** is ideal for newcomers with solid long-range attacks and wall pressure. **Leroy** has been nerfed, reducing his damage and making him more susceptible to pressure. **Paul** deals significant damage but lacks agility and versatility. **Reina** is fun but lacks defensive capabilities, making her vulnerable at higher levels. **Steve** requires extensive practice and can be predictable due to limited mix-ups.

C Tier

**Panda** stands alone at the bottom of the tier list, essentially a less effective version of Kuma. With limited range and predictable movements, Panda struggles to keep up with the rest of the roster.

And that concludes our *Tekken 8* tier list. Whether you're looking to master an S-tier powerhouse or enjoy the balanced challenge of a B-tier fighter, *Tekken 8* offers a diverse cast to suit any playstyle.

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