Tekken 8: Top Character Rankings Revealed

Since its release in 2024, *Tekken 8* has been hailed as a vital revitalization for the series, offering significant improvements in gameplay and balance. Now, over a year later, we present a detailed tier list of the top fighters in *Tekken 8*. Each character's placement reflects their adaptability and potential impact on the game, though remember that this list is subjective and influenced by individual player skills.

S Tier

Image via Bandai Namco

This tier of Tekken 8 characters comprises those with minimal balance issues, making them highly effective or "broken," and those with numerous gimmicks that enhance their offensive and defensive options.

Dragunov quickly rose to S-tier status early in Tekken 8 due to his formidable frame data and mix-ups. Despite nerfs, he remains a meta choice. Feng excels in offense with his fast, low attacks and strong counter-hit abilities, keeping opponents on their toes. Jin, the protagonist, is easy to pick up and versatile, with deadly combos and devil gene mechanics that make him a threat at any range. King dominates close-range combat with his chain throws and unpredictable moves, making him a top grappler. Law is hard to counter with his strong poking game and agility, making him a versatile S-tier pick. Nina, though challenging to master, offers powerful heat mode and grab attacks that can quickly reduce opponents' health.

A Tier

A-Tier characters are slightly less challenging to learn and less unpredictable than S-Tier fighters but remain formidable in skilled hands.

Alisa is user-friendly with her android gimmicks and effective low attacks, ideal for applying pressure. Asuka is perfect for beginners with her solid defensive options and easy combos. Claudio becomes a force to be reckoned with in Starburst state, enhancing his damage output. Hwoarang offers a variety of stances and combos suitable for both newcomers and veterans. Jun can heal using her heat smash and has strong mix-ups, requiring careful management of her stances. Kazuya rewards players who understand Tekken 8 fundamentals with his versatile fighting style and powerful combos. Kuma proved his worth in the 2024 World Tournament, with strong defense and unpredictable movements due to his size. Lars excels in speed and mobility, perfect for mastering evasion and applying wall pressure. Lee leverages his agility and speed in an impressive poking game, with stance transitions for offensive players. Leo has strong mix-ups and safe moves, making him hard to predict and counter. Lili uses her acrobatic style to create unpredictable combos and exploit defensive gaps. Raven combines speed with stealthy moves like teleportation, capitalizing on opponents' mistakes. Shaheen offers a steep learning curve but rewards players with unbreakable combos and excellent range. Victor adapts to various fighting styles with his technological moves, making him a fun and versatile choice. Xiaoyu boasts high mobility and adaptability, making her a challenging target. Yoshimitsu is built for longevity with health-siphoning and high mobility, perfect for tactical players. Zafina requires mastering her three stances to control the stage and deliver unpredictable mix-ups.

B Tier

B-Tier characters are enjoyable but can be easily exploited by skilled opponents, often considered balanced but requiring practice to compete with higher tiers.

Bryan delivers high damage and pressure, but his slow speed and lack of gimmicks can be a disadvantage. Eddy was initially seen as broken due to his fast attacks, but his lack of pressure and cornering ability makes him vulnerable. Jack-8 is ideal for newcomers with his long-range attacks and strong wall pressure, complemented by effective throws. Leroy has lost some of his potency due to balance changes, making him easier to pressure and punish. Paul can deal massive damage with moves like the Deathfist, but his lack of agility can be a hindrance. Reina is fun to play but lacks defensive capabilities, making her easy to counter at higher levels. Steve requires extensive practice and can be predictable without strong mix-ups, though he suits aggressive playstyles.

C Tier

Panda sits at the bottom of the tier list because she performs similar actions to Kuma but less effectively. Her limited range, predictable movement, and difficulty in executing combos make her the lowest-tier character.

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