"Tekken 8 Tier List: Top Characters Revealed"

Since its release in 2024, *Tekken 8* has been hailed as a pivotal moment for the series, bringing much-needed enhancements in gameplay and balance. Now, over a year later, we present a detailed tier list of the best fighters in *Tekken 8*. This list reflects the current state of the game, considering factors such as adaptability and potential imbalances that can make characters "broken." Keep in mind that this tier list is subjective and player skill plays a significant role in how effective these characters can be.

Tekken 8 Tier List

S Tier

The S Tier in *Tekken 8* features characters with exceptional balance or powerful gimmicks that provide a wide range of offensive and defensive options.

Dragunov quickly rose to S-tier status due to his frame data and mix-ups, which remain challenging to counter despite nerfs. Feng excels with fast, low attacks and strong counter-hit abilities, keeping opponents on their toes. Jin, the protagonist, is versatile and easy to pick up, with deadly combos and the devil gene mechanics that make him effective at any range. King dominates close-range combat with his chain throw commands, making him unpredictable and powerful. Law is hard to counter with his strong poking game and agility, while Nina offers great options with her effective heat mode and grab attacks, though she requires practice to master.

A Tier

A-Tier characters are less challenging to learn than S-Tier but still formidable, offering strong counters and versatility.

Alisa is easy to learn with her android gimmicks and effective low attacks, ideal for applying pressure. Asuka is perfect for beginners with her defensive options and easy combos. Claudio becomes hard to stop once his Starburst state is activated, increasing his damage output. Hwoarang offers complexity with four stances and varied combos, suitable for both newcomers and veterans. Jun can heal with her heat smash and has strong mix-ups, while Kazuya rewards players with a strong grasp of fundamentals with his versatile fighting style and powerful combos. Kuma proved his worth at the 2024 *Tekken 8* World Tournament with strong defense and awkward movements. Lars excels in speed and mobility, perfect for mastering evasion and applying wall pressure. Lee has an impressive poking game and stance transitions, ideal for offensive players. Leo offers strong mix-ups and safe moves, making it hard for opponents to anticipate attacks. Lili uses acrobatic fighting to create unpredictable combos and mix-ups, with few defensive weaknesses. Raven leverages speed and versatility for stealthy attacks and capitalizing on missed counters. Shaheen has a steep learning curve but offers unbreakable combos and strong range. Victor adapts to various fighting styles with his technological moves, making him fun and effective offensively. Xiaoyu is nearly impossible to pin down with her mobility and adaptability. Yoshimitsu is tactical with health siphoning and teleportation, ideal for long matches. Zafina requires mastering her three stances for great spacing and control, offering flexibility and unpredictability.

B Tier

B-Tier characters are balanced but can be exploited by opponents, requiring practice to compete against higher-tier characters.

Bryan offers high damage and pressure but is slow and lacks gimmicks. Eddy was initially considered broken but has since been countered, lacking pressure and cornering abilities. Jack-8 is ideal for newcomers with decent long-range attacks and impressive wall pressure. Leroy has been affected by updates, reducing his damage and making him easier to pressure. Paul deals serious damage with moves like Deathfist but lacks agility and versatility. Reina is fun but lacks defensive abilities, making her vulnerable to higher-level play. Steve requires practice and has many counters, making him predictable but suitable for aggressive players.

C Tier

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 execute combos, making her the lowest-tier character in the roster.

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