Tekken 8: A Comprehensive Character Tier List (2024 Update)
Tekken 8's 2024 release marked a significant gameplay and balance overhaul. Over a year later, this updated tier list ranks the fighters based on current meta and overall effectiveness. Remember, skill significantly impacts performance, and this list reflects a general consensus.
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| 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
S-tier characters boast exceptional balance, potent offensive/defensive options, and often, game-breaking mechanics.
- Dragunov: Despite nerfs, Dragunov remains a top pick due to his strong frame data and unpredictable mix-ups.
- Feng: His fast, low attacks and powerful counter-hit potential make him a formidable opponent.
- Jin: Easy to learn but with high skill ceiling, Jin's versatility and devastating combos make him a consistent threat.
- King: King's powerful grab attacks and unpredictable chain throws dominate close-range combat.
- Law: A strong poking game and agile counter-hit capabilities make Law difficult to approach.
- Nina: While demanding to master, Nina's effective heat mode and devastating grabs make her a high-reward character.
A Tier
A-tier fighters are strong contenders, offering a good balance of offense and defense, though potentially less game-breaking than S-tier.
- Alisa: Her android gimmicks and effective low attacks make her a solid choice for pressure-based playstyles.
- Asuka: A beginner-friendly character with strong fundamentals, good defense, and easy combos.
- Claudio: Predictable outside his Starburst state, but incredibly powerful once activated.
- Hwoarang: His multiple stances and diverse combos cater to both beginners and experienced players.
- Jun: Her health-restoring heat smash and strong mix-ups make her a dangerous opponent.
- Kazuya: Powerful combos and versatile range make him a strong counter to many characters.
- Kuma: His size and unpredictable movements make him surprisingly effective, as demonstrated in the 2024 World Tournament.
- Lars: High mobility and wall pressure make him a formidable character.
- Lee: A strong poking game and agile counter-attacks make him a threat.
- Leo: Strong mix-ups and relatively safe moves allow for consistent pressure.
- Lili: Her acrobatic style and unpredictable combos make her hard to counter.
- Raven: High speed, teleportation, and shadow clones make him difficult to track.
- Shaheen: A high skill-cap character with powerful, hard-to-break combos.
- Victor: His technological moveset allows for adaptability and offensive pressure.
- Xiaoyu: High mobility and diverse stances make her hard to pin down.
- Yoshimitsu: His health-siphoning combos and teleportation make him a tactical fighter.
- Zafina: Her multiple stances provide strong spacing and unpredictable mix-ups.
B Tier
B-tier characters are fun to play but can be exploited by skilled opponents. They often require more practice to be effective against higher-tier characters.
- Bryan: High damage output but slow and lacks the gimmicks of other characters.
- Eddy: Fast but easily countered due to his lack of pressure and corner carry.
- Jack-8: A solid fundamental character, good for beginners, but less versatile.
- Leroy: Nerfed from initial release, his damage and frame data are now less advantageous.
- Paul: High damage potential but less agile and versatile.
- Reina: Strong offense but weak defense, easily punished for whiffs.
- Steve: Requires significant practice and is easily countered due to predictable moves.
C Tier
- Panda: Essentially a weaker version of Kuma, lacking in range and predictability.
Tekken 8 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
