*Tekken 8*, released in 2024, was hailed as a pivotal update for the series, refining gameplay and balance. Over a year later, we present a detailed tier list of the best fighters in *Tekken 8*, reflecting their current standing in the competitive scene. Each character's placement is influenced by their adaptability, balance, and unique strengths. Keep in mind, this list is subjective and heavily dependent on player skill.
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 in *Tekken 8* features characters with exceptional balance or powerful gimmicks, offering versatile offensive and defensive options.
Dragunov quickly rose to S-tier status due to his frame data and mix-ups, remaining a meta choice despite nerfs. Feng excels 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 a high skill ceiling. King dominates close-range combat with his chain throws, making him unpredictable. Law is hard to counter with his strong poking game and agility, while Nina offers powerful heat mode and grab attacks, though she requires practice to master.
A Tier
A Tier characters are less challenging to learn than S Tier but still formidable, offering strong counters and adaptability.
Alisa is easy to learn with her android gimmicks and low attacks, ideal for pressure-based playstyles. Asuka is perfect for beginners, offering good defensive options and easy combos. Claudio becomes a force to be reckoned with once his Starburst state is activated. Hwoarang suits both newcomers and veterans with his varied stances and combos. Jun can heal with her heat smash and has strong mix-ups, while Kazuya rewards players with a solid grasp of fundamentals with his versatile fighting style. Kuma proved his worth at the 2024 World Tournament with strong defense and awkward movements. Lars excels in speed and mobility, perfect for evasion and wall pressure. Lee has an impressive poking game and stance transitions, while Leo offers strong mix-ups and safe moves. Lili uses acrobatics for unpredictable combos, and Raven leverages speed and stealth for devastating attacks. Shaheen has a steep learning curve but offers unbreakable combos, and Victor adapts to various fighting styles with his tech-based moves. Xiaoyu is nearly impossible to pin down with her mobility, and Yoshimitsu excels in long matches with health siphoning and teleportation. Zafina requires mastering her stances for effective stage control and mix-ups.
B Tier
B Tier characters are balanced but can be exploited by higher-tier opponents, requiring practice to compete effectively.
Bryan offers high damage and pressure but is slow and lacks gimmicks. Eddy was initially considered broken but has since been countered effectively. Jack-8 is ideal for newcomers with decent long-range attacks and wall pressure. Leroy has been affected by updates, reducing his damage output and balance. Paul deals serious damage but lacks agility, helping beginners learn positioning. Reina is fun but lacks defensive abilities, making her vulnerable at higher levels. Steve requires practice and can be predictable, though he suits aggressive players.
C Tier
Panda sits at the bottom of the tier list, performing similar moves to Kuma but less effectively. With limited range and predictable movement, Panda struggles to keep up with the rest of the roster.
*Tekken 8* is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
