Home News "Tekken 8: Top Characters Ranked"

"Tekken 8: Top Characters Ranked"

by Caleb May 30,2025

In the world of fighting games, *Tekken 8* has been nothing short of revolutionary since its launch in 2024. Its refined gameplay mechanics and balanced roster have redefined the franchise, making it a favorite among both newcomers and seasoned veterans. Over a year later, the competitive scene continues to evolve, and the tier list remains a crucial tool for understanding the nuances of each fighter. Keep in mind, however, that this tier list is subjective and player skill plays a significant role in determining success.

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Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the current fighters in Tekken 8, categorized by tier.

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

These fighters are considered broken or have exceptional mechanics, making them top-tier choices.

Dragunov remains a meta favorite due to his frame data and mix-ups, despite several balance adjustments. His unpredictability keeps opponents guessing.

Feng excels with fast, low attacks and strong counter-hit abilities, punishing underprepared players effectively.

Jin, the protagonist, is versatile and adaptable, offering deadly combos and devil gene mechanics that make him lethal at any range. His high skill ceiling ensures consistent improvement with practice.

King, known for his powerful grabs, dominates close-range battles with his chain throws. Even experienced players struggle to anticipate his moves.

Law is a formidable opponent with a strong poking game and excellent agility, making it difficult to land hits against him.

Nina offers strong options with her heat mode and damaging grab attacks, though mastering her requires dedication and practice.

A Tier

Xiaoyu in Tekken 8

A-Tier fighters are highly capable but less overwhelming than S-Tier characters. They remain strong choices for skilled players.

Alisa, with her robotic gimmicks and low attacks, is beginner-friendly yet effective under pressure.

Asuka provides defensive tools and easy combos, ideal for new players seeking to understand Tekken fundamentals.

Claudio becomes unpredictable once his Starburst state activates, allowing massive damage boosts.

Hwoarang’s multiple stances cater to both beginners and pros, offering a vast array of combos and strategic depth.

Jun leverages her heat smash for healing and strong mix-ups, making her a formidable opponent.

Kazuya combines versatility with powerful combos, rewarding players who master the basics.

Kuma proves his strength with awkward movements and high defense, making him a unique threat despite his size.

Lars excels in mobility and wall pressure, allowing him to capitalize on mistakes effortlessly.

Lee uses his agility and stance transitions to dominate offensive playstyles, exploiting defensive gaps effectively.

Leo boasts numerous mix-ups and safe moves, ensuring reliability even when combos fail.

Lili employs acrobatics and unpredictable attacks, exposing defensive flaws and maintaining pressure.

Raven relies on speed and stealth, using teleportation and shadow clones to confuse opponents.

Shaheen, while challenging to learn, rewards players with unbreakable combos and impressive range.

Victor adapts to various fighting styles with his tech-heavy moveset, proving fun and effective in offensive scenarios.

Xiaoyu nearly reaches S-Tier with her mobility and stance flexibility, making her a slippery target.

Yoshimitsu thrives in prolonged fights, using gambits like health restoration to extend his endurance.

Zafina demands mastery of her three stances but rewards players with unmatched stage control and spacing.

B Tier

Leroy in Tekken 8

B-Tier fighters are balanced but exploitable, requiring practice to avoid being overwhelmed by stronger opponents.

Bryan deals high damage but suffers from sluggish movement and fewer gimmicks.

Eddy, once considered broken, has been toned down by updates, leaving him vulnerable to counterattacks.

Jack-8 is beginner-friendly with solid long-range attacks and impressive throws, but lacks complexity.

Leroy, once a powerhouse, struggles with outdated frame data and reduced damage output.

Paul compensates for his lack of agility with devastating special moves like the Deathfist, teaching newcomers about positioning.

Reina shines in offense but crumbles defensively, leaving her vulnerable to higher-level play.

Steve, requiring extensive practice, suffers from predictable patterns and numerous counters, limiting his effectiveness.

C Tier

Panda in Tekken 8

Panda sits at the bottom of the tier list due to limited range and predictable movements, making Kuma a superior choice.

And that concludes the Tekken 8 tier list. Enjoy the game across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC!