Since its release in 2024, *Tekken 8* has been celebrated for its significant improvements in gameplay and balance. As we look back over a year later, here's a detailed tier list of the top fighters in *Tekken 8*, reflecting their current standing based on their adaptability, balance, and unique strengths. Keep in mind that this list is subjective, and individual player skills can greatly influence the effectiveness of each character.
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Below is a list of the fighters currently available in Tekken 8 and their corresponding position on the tier list. Whether it be because of their easy adaptability or their recent inclusion, which makes them unbalanced and thus a “broken” character, each character has their own strengths. It’s important to remember that this list is subjective, and player skillset also plays its own unique factor.
| Tier | Characters |
| S | Dragunov, Feng, Nina, Jin, King, Law |
| A | Alisa, Asuka, Claudio, Hwoarang, Jun, Kazuya, Kuma, Lars, Lee, Leo, Lili, Raven, Shaheen, Victor, Xiaoyu, Yoshimitsu, Zafina |
| B | Bryan, Eddy, Jack-8, Leroy, Paul, Reina, Steve |
| C | Panda |
S Tier
Dragunov was one of the first characters to reach the S-tier ranking in the early days of Tekken 8. Despite various balance changes and patches that nerfed him, Dragunov remains a "meta" choice due to his excellent frame data and mix-ups, which can be challenging to counter. Feng boasts incredible offensive capabilities, including fast, low attacks and strong counter-hit abilities. His diverse moveset can easily punish underprepared players and keep veterans guessing. Jin, the protagonist of this installment, is versatile and adaptable to various play styles. His potential for deadly combos, well-rounded moveset, and devil gene mechanics make him a formidable choice at any range. The high skill ceiling means players can continually improve with practice. King is arguably the strongest grab-attack character in the game. His wrestling moves and combos can leave even seasoned Tekken players guessing, with his chain throw commands dominating close-range combat. Law is an S-tier character who is difficult to find an opening against, yet easy to learn. His strong poking game and agility can trap opponents, while his counter-hits can make aggressive fighters more cautious. Nina, though challenging to master, offers great options with an effective heat mode and grab attacks that can drain health. Her movement set requires practice but is rewarding for competitive players.
A Tier
A-Tier characters, while not as challenging or unpredictable as S-Tier ones, remain dangerous and can be used effectively by skilled players to counter almost anyone.
Alisa, an android with numerous gimmicks, is easy to learn and perfect for beginners. Her low attacks and pressure tactics suit aggressive play styles. Asuka is ideal for newcomers with a cautious approach. She offers good defensive options and easy combos, making her suitable for those learning Tekken fundamentals. Claudio may be easy to read, but his Starburst state increases damage output, making him a formidable opponent once activated. Hwoarang has four stances and varied combos, appealing to both newcomers and veterans. Beginners can enjoy his combos with simple button mashing, while veterans can delve into his comprehensive moveset for offensive and defensive strategies. Jun can heal large amounts of health with her heat smash and has strong mix-ups that deal significant damage. Her automatic stance changes require careful play. Kazuya rewards players with a strong understanding of Tekken 8 fundamentals. His versatile style, long-range pokes, and close-range combos can deal high damage and counter many characters. Kuma, one of the game's bear characters, showcased exceptional performance at the 2024 Tekken 8 World Tournament. His strong defense and awkward movements due to his size make him hard to read and punish. Lars is perfect for mastering evasion and closing distances with his high speed and mobility. His ability to apply intense wall pressure capitalizes on missed combos. Lee boasts an impressive poking game that leverages his agility and speed. His stance transitions and mix-ups are ideal for offensive players, exploiting defensive gaps. Leo offers strong mix-ups that make it difficult for opponents to anticipate attacks. Many of Leo's moves are safe, allowing continued pressure even after missed combos. Lili uses an acrobatic fighting style for unpredictable combos and mix-ups, exposing defensive gaps. Her toolkit helps create distance when under pressure. Raven combines impressive speed and versatility with stealthy teleportation and shadow clones, capitalizing on missed counters and defensive gaps. Shaheen has a steep learning curve, but his combos and range make him a strong choice, especially since his combos are nearly unbreakable. Victor adapts to various fighting styles with his technological moves, making him a fun and dangerous choice for offensive play. Xiaoyu is just outside S-Tier due to her mobility and adaptability to mid-range and low attacks through different stances. Yoshimitsu excels in long matches with health-siphoning combos and high mobility, making him a tactical choice. Zafina requires learning her three stances for effective spacing and stage control. Mastering her unpredictable mix-ups makes her a flexible and unique fighter.
Related: All Major Voice Actors & Cast List for Tekken 8
B Tier
B-Tier characters are enjoyable to play but can be easily exploited by opponents. They are often considered the most balanced, yet require practice to not be overwhelmed by A or S-tier characters.
Bryan lives up to his name with high damage output and quick pressure. However, his slow speed and lack of gimmicks compared to other characters are notable drawbacks. Eddy was initially considered broken due to his fast string of attacks, but players have since learned to counter him. His inability to pressure and corner fighters makes him vulnerable. Jack-8 is ideal for newcomers with decent long-range attacks and impressive wall pressure and damage. His throws are effective from any position. Leroy has been affected by updates that have thrown off his balance. His reduced damage output and issues with frame data make him susceptible to pressure and whiff punishment. Paul can deal serious damage with special moves like the Deathfist, but lacks agility and versatility. This can help newcomers learn positioning and stage traversal. Reina is fun to play but lacks defensive abilities. A whiffed move can lead to easy takedowns, and her offensive capabilities have limits in higher levels of play. Steve requires extensive practice and has many counters in Tekken 8 that can shut him down. His lack of mix-ups makes him predictable, though aggressive players might enjoy him.
C Tier
Panda sits at the bottom of the tier list because she does the same things as Kuma, but not as effectively. While Kuma's defensive capabilities and offensive pressure can trap players, Panda has a limited range and more predictable movement. Her combos are harder to execute, making her the lowest-tier character in the roster.
And that is our Tekken 8 tier list.
Tekken 8 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
