Top Characters in Tekken 8: Tier List

*Tekken 8*, released in 2024, marked a significant shift in gameplay and balance for the series. After over a year since its launch, we present a comprehensive tier list of the best fighters in *Tekken 8*. This list reflects the current state of the game, considering factors such as adaptability, balance, and player skill level. Remember, this tier list is subjective, and your experience may vary based on your skill set.

Tekken 8 Tier List

S Tier

Image via Bandai Namco

Characters in the S Tier of *Tekken 8* are either exceptionally balanced or possess powerful gimmicks, offering versatile options in both offense and defense.

Dragunov quickly ascended to S-tier status early in *Tekken 8*. Despite subsequent nerfs, his meta-relevance persists due to his strong frame data and mix-ups, making him a challenging opponent. Feng excels with his fast, low attacks and strong counter-hit capabilities, keeping even seasoned players on their toes. Jin, the protagonist, is easy to pick up and highly adaptable, with deadly combos and a high skill ceiling, making him a formidable S-tier choice. King dominates close-range combat with his chain throw commands, leaving opponents guessing. Law boasts a strong poking game and agility, making him hard to counter and easy to learn. Nina offers a steep learning curve but rewards players with an effective heat mode and lethal grab attacks, ideal for competitive play.

A Tier

A-Tier fighters may not be as unpredictable as S-Tier characters but remain highly effective when wielded by skilled players.

Alisa combines easy learning with a wide range of attacks, ideal for beginners and pressure-focused playstyles. Asuka caters to newcomers with a defensive approach and straightforward combos. Claudio becomes a force to be reckoned with once his Starburst state activates, increasing his damage output. Hwoarang offers complexity with four stances, yet remains accessible to both novices and veterans. Jun heals significantly with her heat smash and has strong mix-ups, requiring careful attention to stance changes. Kazuya rewards players who understand *Tekken* fundamentals with versatile moves and high damage potential. Kuma proved his worth at the 2024 *Tekken 8* World Tournament, with strong defense and hard-to-read movements. Lars excels in speed and mobility, perfect for mastering evasion and applying wall pressure. Lee uses agility and speed for an effective poking game, complemented by stance transitions and mix-ups. Leo has strong, safe mix-ups, making it challenging for opponents to anticipate attacks. Lili uses acrobatics to create unpredictable combos, with few defensive weaknesses. Raven leverages speed and versatility, capitalizing on missed counters with stealthy moves. Shaheen, despite a steep learning curve, offers unbreakable combos and strong range. Victor adapts to various fighting styles with his technological moves, ideal for offensive play. Xiaoyu nearly reaches S-tier with her mobility and stance adaptability. Yoshimitsu thrives in long matches with health siphoning and teleportation. Zafina requires learning her three stances to master her spacing and unpredictable mix-ups.

B Tier

B-Tier fighters are balanced and fun but can be easily exploited by higher-tier characters, requiring practice to compete effectively.

Bryan delivers high damage and pressure, but his slow speed and lack of gimmicks can be a disadvantage. Eddy was initially considered broken but has since been countered, with weaknesses in pressure and cornering. Jack-8 is beginner-friendly with solid long-range attacks and wall pressure. Leroy has been impacted by updates, reducing his damage and balance. Paul deals significant damage but lacks agility and versatility, aiding newcomers in learning positioning. Reina is offensively strong but lacks defensive capabilities, making her vulnerable at higher levels. Steve requires practice and can be easily countered, with a lack of mix-ups making him predictable.

C Tier

Panda sits alone at the bottom of the tier list, as she performs similar moves to Kuma but less effectively. Her limited range, predictable movement, and challenging combos make her the lowest-tier character in *Tekken 8*.

This concludes our *Tekken 8* tier list. *Tekken 8* is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.