Ready to dominate the Iron Fist tournament? To become the undisputed King or Queen, you need to choose a formidable character capable of effortlessly dismantling the competition. While Tekken games are renowned for their exceptional character balance, allowing almost anyone on the Tekken 8 roster to be a viable pick, even the best fighting games with superb balancing still have their standout contenders. This guide breaks down each character, highlighting their unique strengths and weaknesses to help you crown the true champions of our Tekken 8 tier list.
We’ve meticulously analyzed each fighter based on our extensive experience with the game. Remember, the meta can evolve with balance adjustments, so don’t be surprised if a character currently in a lower tier eventually rises to prominence!
Tekken 8 Character Rankings
Here’s our current assessment of the Tekken 8 tier list:
| Tier | Characters |
| S | Dragunov, Hwoarang, Jin, Claudio, Yoshimitsu, Jun, Law, Clive, Asuka |
| A | Fahkumram, Kazuya, Nina, Heihachi, Shaheen, King, Lili, Paul, Lars, Jack, Bryan, Lee Chaolan, Alisa, Feng Wei, Steve Fox, Azucena, Eddy Gordo |
| B | Anna, Lidia, Xiaoyu, Reina, Leroy, Victor Chevalier, Leo, Raven, Devil Jin, Panda and Kuma |
S-Tier: The Elite Fighters
Dragunov
High-level players will find Dragunov’s expansive moveset incredibly rewarding, allowing them to keep opponents on edge with a multitude of options. His swift jabs and impressive mobility make closing the distance and initiating offense remarkably easy. Once you’ve mastered his toolkit, you’ll effortlessly bait opponents with precise pokes, creating perfect openings for devastating launchers.
Hwoarang
Hwoarang remains a formidable and often frustrating opponent due to his incredibly diverse array of kick attacks. He truly shines when players dedicate time to learning his various stances, transforming him into a relentless threat. We anticipate Hwoarang will continue to excel in Tekken 8, especially with the benefits of Heat mode, which grants him even more tools to dismantle an opponent’s guard and unleash heavy damage.
Jin
In a departure from previous Tekken titles where Jin’s moveset was surprisingly intricate for a cover star, Tekken 8 has made him much more accessible for newcomers. Jin possesses tools for every scenario, and his actions are now streamlined, making it intuitive to know when to deploy specific moves. He’s an excellent character for learning Tekken 8’s core mechanics, and let’s be honest, his Sasuke-esque aesthetic is undeniably cool.
Claudio
Claudio is another character that is easy to pick up, yet he boasts a remarkably high skill ceiling. This makes him an ideal fighter to learn immediately, as he can carry you incredibly far. While you won’t be executing super-long combo strings with Claudio, he has a selection of potent moves that can genuinely disrupt and frustrate opponents, particularly those new to the game.
Yoshimitsu
The iconic sword master Yoshimitsu returns, true to form, designed to bewilder adversaries with his flamboyant attacks and unique abilities. This character stands apart from the rest of the roster, featuring perhaps the most unconventional moveset specifically crafted to confuse and exasperate opponents. If you’re completely new to the series, it’s best to steer clear, but seasoned players looking to branch out will find Yoshimitsu an incredibly rewarding challenge.
Jun
Jun is another character who greatly benefits from the new Heat system. Her distinctive ability to empower her attacks by sacrificing a small portion of her health can be a game-changer in intensely fought matches. While she retains many of her classic moves from Tekken 2, she also boasts fresh techniques that bring her squarely into contention with the modern, juggle-heavy mechanics the series is now celebrated for.
Law
The Bruce Lee-inspired Marshall Law returns to Tekken 8 with a simplified moveset, making him easier for newcomers to grasp. Law has consistently been a popular choice in Tekken. His moveset simplification means that some of the attacks that defined him in Tekken 7 have been significantly toned down. Consequently, he’s a different fighter than he once was, but still a formidable force when wielded by skilled hands.
Clive
Even after a balance patch aimed at tempering the raw power of Clive Rosfield, Tekken 8’s newest guest character, he remains potent enough to secure an S-tier position. Clive is arguably a ‘scrub-killer’ – a character with a unique moveset that can intensely irritate players unfamiliar with specific match-ups. His attacks are incredibly flashy, making them hard to track, and his teleports exacerbate this issue. Clive can effectively zone opponents with his long-range attacks, maintaining distance while preventing enemies from closing in. However, he’s not truly unbeatable; a focused half-hour in training mode can teach you how to effectively counter his vexing offensive.
Asuka
Asuka returns as a well-balanced character, offering numerous options for both low and high combos. She also features a variety of command grabs and counter stances that can severely disrupt an opponent’s rhythm. While she may lack the sheer power of some other top-tier fighters, she more than compensates with efficient, high-damage combos, despite their shorter length.
A-Tier: Strong and Versatile Competitors
Fahkumram
Fahkumram, Tekken’s Muay Thai master, has finally made his return. It seems the developers have learned from his past iterations, ensuring he isn’t as overwhelmingly dominant as he was in Tekken 7’s early days. With incredibly long limbs, Fahkumram can easily punish careless players, catching opponents off guard with his impressive reach. His primary vulnerability lies in his weaker low attacks, a weakness that many S-tier characters can readily exploit. Given the recent direction of balance updates, we wouldn’t be surprised to see some of the stronger characters adjusted to better align with Fahkumram’s current power level.
Kazuya
Much like his son, Kazuya is one of the game’s most iconic characters, making him challenging to master as nearly every player is familiar with his strengths and weaknesses. Kazuya boasts access to a variety of highly damaging and, crucially, long combos. If he lands a single significant hit, he can quickly turn the tide of a match. He also features excellent Heat-exclusive attacks, leveraging his Devil form for an additional burst of damage.
Nina
Nina’s signature pistols are incredibly effective for extending combos beyond their typical limits and inflicting a respectable amount of damage. She retains many of her classic moves, including her various grapples. However, she heavily relies on intricate, long combos and has limited options to initiate them outside of mid or high attacks, which can make starting her offense difficult.
Heihachi
To the surprise of almost every Tekken fan, Heihachi has somehow returned to the roster despite his dramatic end in a pool of lava. Tekken 8 brings many alterations to Heihachi, significantly increasing his difficulty for new players. While it’s still early to definitively judge his power, his devastating Warrior Instinct combos suggest he’s a strong fighter. His steep learning curve is currently hindering his full potential, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see him ascend to S-tier in the future.
Shaheen
Shaheen is a challenging character to master because he lacks any “gimmicky” tools to fall back on; he’s fundamentally fair, which can sometimes work against him. Exceptional Shaheen players typically possess a profound understanding of Tekken’s fundamentals, instinctively knowing the precise moments to attack and defend without exposing themselves. If you pride yourself on being a strong, gimmick-free fighter, Shaheen is your ideal choice.
King
King holds immense potential to be one of the best Tekken 8 characters, primarily due to his incredibly devastating follow-up throws. However, King’s strategy can falter slightly as many of his opening moves are unsafe on block, leaving him vulnerable to counterattacks. Despite this, he does offer various methods to initiate lengthy, impactful combos.
Lili
Lili’s unpredictable attacks can be quite daunting for new players, and you’ll likely find yourself on the receiving end of a potent Heat Burst and Heat Smash combo if you’re unfamiliar with her playstyle. While some of her moves expose her to counters, a well-timed read can instantly turn the match in your favor, punishing her openings.
Paul
He might be one of the slower characters, but Paul’s punches pack an undeniable punch. His combos aren’t exceptionally long, but he can effectively use Heat Rush to extend them while Heat mode is active. Paul struggles against more agile opponents and has limited low-attacking options that seamlessly transition into his more powerful combos. Nevertheless, in the right hands, he can certainly contend with top-tier characters.
Lars
Lars can be incredibly unpredictable for newer players, proving frustrating once he gets into his rhythm. In many ways, he’s similar to Lili, possessing several crucial attacks that leave him vulnerable to counters if they don’t connect. Compared to some other characters, he hasn’t received many new techniques. However, his Heat attacks are definitely something to watch out for when facing him.
Jack-8
One of Tekken 8’s largest and most destructive characters, Jack-8 might be slow, but he excels at a strong poking game with his incredibly long limbs. If you can get close with Jack-8, he can unleash explosive damage with various throws that can rapidly deplete health bars. He can, however, be susceptible to faster characters, so be mindful of opponents who frequently sidestep.
Bryan
When it comes to raw, explosive power, Bryan’s fists deliver a hefty amount of pain. His numerous punching strings make him somewhat unpredictable to fight against. Historically, Bryan has had only a few low attacks that could extend into full combos, and while Tekken 8 offers him some new options, none of them are truly safe on block, requiring careful timing.
Lee Chaolan
Lee Chaolan is another challenging character to master, but his true power emerges once you decipher your opponent’s strategy. When you can consistently counter their attacks, Lee excels at unleashing counter-hit moves that deal massive damage very quickly. Beginners will struggle to find their footing with Lee, as there’s a significant amount to learn about both the character and the game’s intricate mechanics before he can be played effectively.
Alisa
If you’re new to Tekken and drawn to highly mobile characters, Alisa is an excellent choice. She excels at darting around the arena, seeking out mix-ups. Her exceptional mobility provides fantastic opportunities to punish opponents who misinput risky moves, opening windows for potent counterattacks.
Feng Wei
Do you consider yourself a ‘turtle’ player? Meaning, do you prefer a defensive playstyle, meticulously punishing your opponent’s errors or setting them up for massive damage with well-timed launchers? Feng Wei offers all this and more, only lacking a ranged projectile to deter enemies who refuse to close the gap. He is a master of patient, strategic combat.
Steve Fox
Steve Fox, the British boxer, not to be confused with Street Fighter’s Dudley, is an incredibly intricate character due to his difficult-to-master stances. Equipped with various tools ready to counter his opponent, Steve becomes a deadly force when his controller can accurately read the enemy’s intentions. Newcomers might be tempted by this stylish blonde fighter, but we strongly advise avoiding him until you’ve accumulated a substantial amount of Tekken experience.
Azucena
Tekken 8’s ultimate coffee enthusiast, Azucena, is a fresh face in the series, making her debut as the game’s first business entrepreneur and fighting master. Her objective in the Iron Fist tournament is to promote her coffee brand, a goal she could realistically achieve with her distinctive fighting style that skillfully integrates taunts into her stances. Azucena is relatively easy to pick up, and she can be quite frustrating to fight against as some of her stances automatically evade specific attacks.
Eddy Gordo
The first of Tekken 8’s DLC characters to arrive is the iconic Eddy Gordo. A master of Capoeira, Eddy made headlines for becoming an absolute menace online. A bot, using only a single attack button, managed to reach the rank of Vanquisher by defeating countless opponents in ranked play. Beyond his online quirks, Eddy’s unpredictable attacking style can make him annoying to face, but seasoned players will quickly discern his moveset patterns. He’s a fun character for casual play, but his wild style can be read by veterans.
B-Tier: Niche Picks and Developing Fighters
Anna
Just as in Tekken 7, Anna remains a high-risk, high-reward fighter, offering powerful mix-up tools that can give opponents a serious headache. She also brings a bazooka to the fight, which is not only humorous but also a potent combo-ender and a long-range poking tool to catch opponents off guard. Anna possesses significant potential, but many players may find it challenging to maximize her effectiveness, as her moveset strongly favors aggressive playstyles.
Lidia
Lidia Sobieska makes her return, though seemingly in a weaker state compared to her previous appearance. Initially overshadowed by the announcement of Heihachi’s later return, players finally got their hands on the Polish Prime Minister. While it’s still early to definitively assess Lidia, it appears she’s lacking in several critical areas. Her moveset is easily punishable by top-tier characters, and her counter-attacks often lack significant power due to her lower damage output. Although Lidia is a genuine threat in Heat mode, she seems to require more to truly compete with fighters like Dragunov.
Xiaoyu
What seems to hold Xiaoyu back is that her new moves and combos aren’t as clearly defined as other characters. She was generally considered a lower-tier character in Tekken 7, and from a fundamental perspective, not much has changed. Perhaps future updates will grant her more powerful moves and reduce her vulnerability in higher-risk stances, but currently, she lacks the raw power to consistently climb the ranks.
Reina
Heihachi Mishima may be gone, but his spirit undeniably lives on through Reina. The exact origins of her Mishima-style attacks, such as the Thunder God Fist and Spinning Demon, are unclear, but their presence makes her incredibly deadly in the right hands. Don’t let her appearance deceive you; Reina is one of the more challenging characters to master on the roster, so beginners to the series might want to approach her with caution.
Leroy
How the mighty have fallen. Leroy, once considered one of Tekken 7’s top characters, finds his new moves less impactful compared to the rest of the current roster. His overall power level has significantly decreased, and his moves now offer fewer opportunities for follow-up combos than almost anyone else, making him a less dominant force than before.
Victor Chevalier
If the sniper rifle on his belt wasn’t a clear enough indication, Victor excels at dealing damage from a distance with ranged attacks. The Tekken community often finds Victor contentious because his playstyle is a blend of Noctis and Kunimitsu from Tekken 7 – two characters notorious for being incredibly frustrating to deal with. Additionally, he boasts a suite of offensive tools for when enemies get too close. If you enjoy exasperating your opponents, Victor might be the perfect character for your style.
Leo
Leo, a powerful all-rounder suitable for both beginners and seasoned fighters, has received significant buffs since Tekken 7, gaining new moves and a substantial increase in damage output. The Heat gauge also greatly benefits Leo, enabling them to create more confusion with rapid mix-ups for a short duration. If you’re a long-time Leo player, you’ll be pleased to experience these powerful new upgrades in action.
Raven
Objectively speaking, few things are cooler than a Black Ninja – that’s simply a fact. Raven specializes in counter-hits, dealing punishing damage to opponents who commit to risky moves or predictable attacks. When Raven manages to close the distance, he can unleash absurd amounts of damage using his Ninjitsu abilities, and his powerful Heat attacks are the perfect way to conclude a round with style.
Devil Jin
You’d be forgiven for thinking Devil Jin is merely an alternate, ‘evil’ version of Jin, similar to Evil Ryu in Street Fighter, but you’d be mistaken. Devil Jin, complete with wings and a forehead-mounted laser beam, plays nothing like his counterpart. Beginners should avoid Devil Jin entirely, as his moveset is tailored for players who have an in-depth understanding of Tekken’s mechanics. If you’re passionate about Just Frames and wave-dashes, then Devil Jin is for you; otherwise, you’re likely not ready for him.
Panda and Kuma
Initially, we considered Panda and Kuma to be among the weakest characters, but with more time and experience, it’s become clear there’s more to these bears than meets the eye. Their weaknesses are glaringly obvious even to Tekken newcomers: they possess some of the slowest attacks in the game and heavily rely on Heat mode to apply any real pressure. Despite these drawbacks, the sheer fun factor these characters provide is almost unmatched. If your priority in Tekken is to simply have a good time, you can’t go wrong with Panda and Kuma.
This concludes our current Tekken 8 tier list. For more insights, be sure to check out our full Tekken 8 review to see what we thought of Bandai Namco’s latest installment in the iconic series. You might also want to explore our list of exciting upcoming games to discover other top-tier titles slated for release this year.