The Definitive Tekken 8 Character Difficulty Tier List

Trying to figure out how hard a character is to play in Tekken 8? This Tekken 8 character difficulty tier list should help answer all your questions

Like any other Tekken game, the latest entry in the franchise – Tekken 8 – offers a plethora of characters to choose from and hundreds of different moves to memorize. This aspect of the game is one of the main obstacles for players who want to learn the game seriously. Bandai Namco, the game developer, did an amazing job of streamlining the learning process. However, that does not mean that the game is all of a sudden a cakewalk. 

In this article, we will provide you with a definitive Tekken 8 character tier list so that you know where to start your Tekken journey. If you are new to the game, then you can start by learning the basics with some of the beginner-friendly characters. On the other hand, if you have played Tekken in the past and want to take your skills to the next level, then you can try out the more difficult fighters. That being said, let’s dive right in!

Tekken 8 Character Difficulty Tier List

The base game of Tekken 8 features 32 playable characters, each with their own unique fighting style. Learning these different styles from scratch can feel like a monumental task, especially if you aren’t familiar with the game. Moreover, if you go into ranked mode without understanding the basics of your character, you are unlikely to have a good time. So, as a reference point, this character difficulty tier list should help you understand which fighter would be best for you. 

But before we get into the meat and potatoes, it is important to note that this section is purely subjective and is based entirely on our interpretation of the game.

Our Picks for the Easiest Characters in Tekken 8

• Paul
• Jin
• Victor
• Law
• Alisa

When it comes to getting into Tekken as a new player, the game has a nice selection of beginner-friendly characters to choose from. In our opinion, Paul is one of the easiest characters to learn in Tekken as he has been a staple in the franchise since the very beginning. He can deal a ton of damage with very simple command inputs. However, many players criticize him for being too simple and somewhat boring. 

Apart from him, new players can also try out characters like Victor, Alisa, Law, and Jin. Victor and Alisa are both incredibly nimble and fast, making them excellent choices to learn combos with. Law is also very good at teaching new players about when to use pokes and big launchers. Lastly, Jin is the poster boy of Tekken 8 and is arguably one of the most well-rounded characters in the game. He is a good pick for players of all skill levels as his kit can adapt to any situation.

Our Picks for Modest Characters in Tekken 8

• Dragunov
• Azucena
• Claudio
• Leeroy
• Asuka
• Jun
• Shaheen

An average or modest character can be highly subjective depending on who you ask. However, as of the current meta, there are plenty of decent choices in Tekken. These characters can be defined as “easy to pick up, hard to master.” And we believe that characters like Dragunov, Azucena, and Claudio, perfectly encapsulate this concept. 

The fighters we mentioned are incredibly easy to start playing with even if you are new to Tekken. But when you start digging deeper into their move list, you will come to realize that there is a learning curve present. Whether it is Dragunov with his grapples, Azucena with her stances, or Claudio with his magic arrows, these characters have a lot more to offer than you initially may think. A similar verdict can be drawn for Leeroy, Asuka, Shaheen, and Jun, as players can get by from using their basic attacks while also coming to grips with their unique gimmicks. 

Our Picks for Challenging Characters in Tekken 8

• Hworang
• King
• Xiayou
• Raven
• Kuma
• Panda
• Jack-8
• Feng
• Lili
• Lars
• Leo
• Zafina

The biggest challenge when picking a fighter from this pool is that you will require a strong understanding of their specific fighting style. Hworang is a great example of this. He is a taekwondo specialist and uses a variety of kicks. So, if you select him and only use his punches instead, you won’t go very far. However, once you are able to master his highly versatile arsenal of kicks, you’ll be unstoppable. 

The same can be said about the other characters here as well. King’s wrestling moves are hard to counter, Feng’s fluid martial arts skill can break through any defense, Raven’s deceptive ninjutsu makes him difficult to predict, and so on. Everyone in this tier possesses a special attribute that makes them stand out. The catch is you have to practice with these characters and put in the time to learn them properly. Also, given the fact that a large chunk of Tekken 8’s roster consist of fighters like these, we believe that it is a subtle way of the game telling us to “get good.”

Our Picks for the Hardest Characters in Tekken 8

• Kazuya
• Reina
• Devil Jin
• Yoshimitsu
• Nina
• Steve
• Bryan
• Lee

If you are new to Tekken, then it would be best to stay away from these characters as they can be incredibly difficult to get the hang of. The characters mentioned in this list not only require you to understand their unique fighting style but also expect you to know the different mechanics of the game. 

Let’s consider Kazuya, Reina, and Devil Jin as examples. Their fighting styles are a variation of the Mishima fighting style, one of the hardest combat forms in the game. Players will need to deal with precise inputs and learn how to chain them together for combos. They will also have to educate themselves about frame data and have at least a basic understanding of how other characters fight. 

Steve is another great example. Since he is a boxer, his kicks are replaced with side steps. While it may be intriguing to think you can side-step out of the way from all incoming attacks, that is unfortunately not the case. Veteran players know exactly how to punish these maneuvers which will inevitably lead to a checkmate if you’re not careful. Overall, our suggestion would be to first get a good handle on the game before deciding to main any of these characters. 

Final Thoughts

No matter your skill level, you are bound to find a character in Tekken 8 that suits your unique play style. If you are new, then characters like Paul can be very fun to start with. On the other hand, if you are a veteran of the game, we believe it is high time you properly master the Mishima fighting style. With that said, it is also important to note that just because a character is more difficult to play, it does not mean that they are stronger than the easier ones. Sometimes simple characters are all you need to become the best in Tekken!

For more news, guides, and features on Tekken 8, keep your eye on ESTNN.