Tekken 8 Tier List: A Comprehensive Ranking of Fighters (2024-2025)
Tekken 8's release in 2024 marked a significant gameplay and balance overhaul for the series. Over a year later, this tier list offers a current assessment of the best Tekken 8 fighters. Remember, this is subjective, and player skill significantly impacts performance.
| 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, often considered "broken" due to their numerous offensive and defensive options.
- Dragunov: Despite nerfs, Dragunov remains a meta choice thanks to strong frame data and mix-ups.
- Feng: His fast, low attacks and powerful counter-hit capabilities make him a formidable opponent.
- Jin: Easy to learn yet highly adaptable, Jin's versatility and devastating combos solidify his S-tier status. His Devil Gene mechanics add another layer of strategic depth.
- King: Arguably the game's strongest grappler, King's unpredictable chain throws dominate close-range combat.
- Law: Law's strong poking game and agility make him difficult to counter, while his counter-hits are highly effective.
- Nina: While challenging to master, Nina's heat mode and devastating grab attacks, coupled with her unique movement, make her a top contender.
A Tier
A-tier characters are less challenging than S-tier but remain potent and effective counters.
- Alisa: Her android gimmicks and strong low attacks make her accessible for beginners.
- Asuka: Ideal for newcomers, Asuka offers solid defensive options and straightforward combos.
- Claudio: Predictable outside his Starburst state, but incredibly powerful once activated.
- Hwoarang: His multiple stances and diverse combos cater to both beginners and veterans.
- Jun: Her health-restoring heat smash and damaging mix-ups are highly effective.
- Kazuya: Rewards mastery of Tekken 8 fundamentals with high damage potential and versatility.
- Kuma: His size and unpredictable movements make him a surprisingly strong defensive character.
- Lars: High speed and mobility allow for effective evasion and wall pressure.
- Lee: A strong poking game and agile offense exploit defensive weaknesses.
- Leo: Strong mix-ups and relatively safe moves maintain offensive pressure.
- Lili: Her acrobatic style leads to unpredictable combos and strong defense.
- Raven: Impressive speed, teleportation, and shadow clones make him difficult to track.
- Shaheen: A high skill ceiling character with powerful, hard-to-break combos.
- Victor: His technological moveset allows for adaptation to various fighting styles.
- Xiaoyu: High mobility and adaptable stances make her difficult to pin down.
- Yoshimitsu: Health-siphoning combos and teleportation make him a tactical choice.
- Zafina: Her three stances provide excellent spacing and unpredictable mix-ups.
B Tier
B-tier characters are fun but more exploitable, requiring significant practice to compete effectively.
- Bryan: High damage output but slow speed and lack of gimmicks make him vulnerable.
- Eddy: Fast attacks are easily countered, and his lack of pressure makes him exploitable.
- Jack-8: Solid fundamentals, good for beginners, but lacks advanced techniques.
- Leroy: Nerfed since release, his damage and frame data are less advantageous.
- Paul: High damage potential but lacks agility and versatility.
- Reina: Strong offense but weak defense makes her easily punished.
- Steve: Requires significant practice and has many counters.
C Tier
- Panda: Similar to Kuma but significantly less effective in all aspects.
Tekken 8 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
