*Tekken 8*, released in 2024, was celebrated for its significant improvements in gameplay and balance. Over a year later, here's an updated tier list to help you navigate the roster of fighters, showcasing the strengths and weaknesses of each character. Remember, this list is subjective and influenced by player skill, so use it as a guide to find the fighter that suits your style.
Tekken 8 Tier List
| 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
The S-tier characters in *Tekken 8* are known for their lack of balance, making them formidable opponents with powerful offensive and defensive options.
Dragunov was an early standout in the S-tier, despite nerfs, he remains a meta choice due to his frame data and mix-ups, which are difficult to counter. Feng excels in offense with fast, low attacks and strong counter-hit abilities, keeping opponents on their toes. Jin, the protagonist, is versatile and easy to pick up, with deadly combos and the devil gene mechanics that make him a threat at any range. His high skill ceiling offers room for growth. King dominates close-range combat with his grab attacks and chain throws, making him unpredictable and powerful. Law is tough to counter with his agility and strong poking game, while his counter-hits can deter aggressive opponents. Nina offers a steep learning curve but rewards players with an effective heat mode and health-draining grabs, making her a top-tier choice for those willing to master her moveset.
A Tier
A-tier characters may not be as challenging or unpredictable as S-tier ones, but they remain potent with the right skills.
Alisa is beginner-friendly with her android gimmicks and effective low attacks, ideal for players who enjoy applying pressure. Asuka is perfect for newcomers, offering solid defensive options and easy combos. Claudio becomes formidable once his Starburst state is activated, increasing his damage output. Hwoarang offers a variety of stances and combos, appealing to both new and veteran players. Jun can heal with her heat smash and has strong mix-ups, requiring careful stance management. Kazuya rewards players who master *Tekken 8* fundamentals with versatile fighting and powerful combos. Kuma proved his worth at the 2024 World Tournament, with strong defense and unpredictable moves due to his size. Lars excels in speed and mobility, perfect for mastering evasion and applying wall pressure. Lee boasts an impressive poking game and stance transitions, ideal for offensive players. Leo has strong mix-ups and safe moves, making opponents struggle to predict attacks. Lili uses her acrobatic style to create unpredictable combos, with few defensive weaknesses. Raven leverages speed and versatility for stealthy attacks and capitalizing on defensive gaps. Shaheen has a steep learning curve but offers unbreakable combos and strong range. Victor adapts to various fighting styles with his tech-based moves, making him fun and effective offensively. Xiaoyu is nearly impossible to pin down with her mobility and stance versatility. Yoshimitsu excels in long matches with health siphoning and high mobility. Zafina requires mastering her three stances for effective stage control and unpredictable mix-ups.
B Tier
B-tier characters are fun to play but can be exploited by opponents. They are balanced and require practice to compete against higher-tier characters.
Bryan deals high damage and applies pressure but is slow and lacks gimmicks. Eddy was initially considered broken due to his speed, but his lack of pressure and cornering makes him exploitable. Jack-8 is ideal for beginners with his long-range attacks and strong throws. Leroy has been affected by updates, reducing his damage output and making him easier to punish. Paul can deal significant damage quickly but lacks agility and versatility. Reina is fun but lacks defensive options, making her vulnerable at higher levels of play. Steve requires practice and can be easily countered, but his aggressive play style can be enjoyable for some players.
C Tier
Panda sits at the bottom of the tier list, primarily because she performs similar actions to Kuma but less effectively. With limited range and predictable movement, Panda struggles to execute combos and maintain pressure, making her the lowest-tier character in *Tekken 8*.
*Tekken 8* is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
