While it’s way too early to have a definitive tier list for this year’s top 3D fighting game Tekken 8, it doesn’t mean we should ignore one that’s made by a player who has had 1,300 high-level matches since the game’s launch.

Enter Yuttari Yuki, one of the top Law players in the world, who came up with his early impressions tier list for Tekken 8. To sum it up, let’s just say Knee’s comments about “newcomer” Jun Kazama being overpowered may have some merit.

Here’s the full tier list below:

SS Tier

Jun Kazama, Dragunov

Jun has no weaknesses, according to one of Korea’s top Tekken players. She has a safe launcher and good pokes, along with strong homing moves and a 13-frame Heat Smash and recovery. Dragunov has the best pokes and tools in the game just like his Tekken 7 iteration, except now with Heat Smash advantages.

S Tier

Devil Jin, Xiaoyu, Law

These three have the best tools, combos, wall carries, and pressure tools in the game, just shy of Jun and Dragunov.

A Tier

Feng, Nina, Hwoarang, Azucena, Raven, Jin, Kazuya, Leo

Don’t count out these A-Tier characters as they have a ton of rushdown and mixups that will keep your opponent guessing. It’s also apparent that legacy characters Nina, Jin, and Kazuya still retain their tools and skills, making them still viable for veterans of the franchise.

Also, top Tekken player Arslan Ash is maining Azucena: that tells you all you need to know about the best new Tekken character on the block.

B Tier

Lars, Paul Phoenix, Lili, Claudio, Shaheen, Steve Fox, King, Alisa, Lee, Reina, Yoshimitsu

The standard characters that can get you by. Compared to the S and A-Tier characters though, they do lack certain tools that give them the edge, be it Reina and her damage problem, or Paul and his overall lack of speed.

C Tier

Victor, Brian Fury, Jack-8, Asuka

While not the worst characters, these characters do hit certain niches and playstyles (Victor and his counter-hit game is still strong, Jack and his overall damage). Still, you’ll have quite a challenge with these characters.

D Tier

Kuma, Panda, Zafina, Leroy

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— ??????? (@tsyu_ki_xx) February 6, 2024