*Tekken 8*, released in 2024, brought significant improvements to the series in terms of gameplay and balance. Over a year later, we've seen the meta evolve, and now it's time to delve into a comprehensive tier list of the best fighters in *Tekken 8*. This list reflects the current state of the game, taking into account character balance, ease of use, and effectiveness in competitive play. Remember, while this list is a guide, individual player skill plays a crucial role in determining success.

Tekken 8 Tier List

S Tier

Characters in the S tier of *Tekken 8* are often considered "broken" due to their unbalanced power or effective gimmicks that provide strong offensive and defensive options.

Dragunov quickly rose to S-tier status early in *Tekken 8*. Despite nerfs, his frame data and mix-ups make him a "meta" choice, challenging to counter. Feng boasts formidable offensive tools with fast, low attacks and potent counter-hit abilities, keeping opponents on their toes. Jin, the protagonist, excels with his versatility and potential for devastating combos, making him an easy pick for S-tier. His well-rounded moveset and devil gene mechanics make him a threat at any range, with a high skill ceiling for growth. King dominates close-range combat with his chain throws, leaving opponents guessing. Law is a versatile S-tier fighter with a strong poking game and agility, making him a formidable opponent. Nina, though challenging to master, offers powerful options with her effective heat mode and grab attacks that can drastically reduce an opponent's health.

A Tier

A-tier characters are slightly less challenging to learn than S-tier but remain dangerous in skilled hands, offering strong counterplay options.

Alisa leverages her android gimmicks and strong low attacks, making her suitable for beginners and pressure-focused playstyles. Asuka is ideal for newcomers, offering good defensive options and easy combos. Claudio becomes formidable when his Starburst state is activated, increasing his damage output. Hwoarang offers complexity with four stances, appealing to both beginners and veterans with his versatile combos. Jun can heal significant health with her heat smash and has strong mix-ups, with automatic stance changes adding complexity. Kazuya rewards players with a solid grasp of fundamentals, offering powerful combos and long-range pokes. Kuma surprised many at the 2024 *Tekken 8* World Tournament, proving his defensive strength and awkward movements can lead to punishing attacks. Lars excels in mobility and evasion, ideal for players focused on closing distances and applying wall pressure. Lee has an impressive poking game, with stance transitions and mix-ups suited for offensive play. Leo provides strong mix-ups and safe moves, making it difficult for opponents to predict attacks. Lili uses acrobatic moves for unpredictable combos and mix-ups, with few defensive weaknesses. Raven combines speed and versatility with stealthy teleportation and shadow clones, perfect for capitalizing on defensive gaps. Shaheen has a steep learning curve but offers strong, nearly unbreakable combos. Victor adapts to various fighting styles with his technological moves, making him a versatile and fun offensive choice. Xiaoyu is nearly impossible to pin down due to her mobility and stances, providing adaptability against various attacks. Yoshimitsu excels in long matches with health-siphoning combos and high mobility, offering tactical gameplay. Zafina requires mastering her three stances to control spacing and stage, making her a flexible and unique fighter.

B Tier

B-tier characters are balanced but can be exploited by skilled opponents, requiring practice to compete against higher-tier fighters.

Bryan delivers high damage and pressure but lacks speed and gimmicks. Eddy was initially seen as broken but has become counterable over time, with limited pressure and cornering ability. Jack-8 is ideal for newcomers with solid long-range attacks and impressive throws. Leroy has been affected by balance changes, reducing his damage and making him easier to punish. Paul offers high damage with moves like Deathfist but lacks agility, suitable for learning positioning. Reina is fun but lacks defensive options, making her vulnerable at higher levels of play. Steve requires extensive practice and has many counters, making him predictable without mix-ups.

C Tier

Panda sits at the bottom of the tier list, primarily because she performs similar moves to Kuma but less effectively. With limited range, more predictable movement, and harder-to-execute combos, Panda struggles to compete with the rest of the roster.

This concludes our *Tekken 8* tier list, reflecting the current state of the game. *Tekken 8* is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, inviting players to test these characters and find their perfect match in the arena.