10. Jack 8

Jack-8, the ultimate fighting machine

Meet Jack-8, the cutting-edge prototype in G Corporation's renowned Jack series—a pinnacle in humanoid weaponry. A woman named Jane is the brilliant developer behind Jack-8, whose life was once saved by an earlier version of Jack. Intriguingly, this life-changing encounter led her to join G Corporation, where she poured her heart and soul into the relentless pursuit of crafting the perfect Jack machine.

Jack-8 stands out as a formidable character, excelling in poke-heavy gameplay that keeps opponents guessing. His powerful combos, extensive range, and imposing size create a deadly combination, placing adversaries at a psychological disadvantage. In brief, Jack's strategic versatility and psychological impact make him a force to be reckoned with in the gaming arena.

See Jack 8 in action

9. Lili Rochefort

Lili, the fighting heiress

Introducing Lili, the spirited heiress from Monaco. Despite her pampered life, she secretly revels in the thrill of combat, jet-setting around the globe in pursuit of worthy adversaries. Concealing her passion from her peace-loving father, Lili's ultimate goal is to best her eternal rival, Asuka Kazama, who has twice defeated her in The King of Iron Fist Tournament. Get ready for a tale of opulence, hidden ambitions, and fierce rivalry.

Lili stands out as a character of exceptional versatility, capable of imposing one-sided threats on opponents. Her distinct strength lies in possessing the most extensive side step among all characters, providing a strategic edge. With effective combo launchers and a well-balanced mix of mid and low moves, Lili showcases both offensive prowess and strategic finesse. In summary, her unique attributes position her as a formidable force within the character roster. 

See Lili in action

 

8. Jin Kazama

Jin Kazama, the protagonist of Tekken series

Meet Jin Kazama, driven by a deep-seated disdain for the cursed blood flowing through his veins. His singular mission is to terminate the devil bloodline once and for all. Teaming up with the formidable Lars Alexandersson, Jin embarks on Operation Lightning, a meticulously devised plan aimed at eradicating the other bearer of the devil gene, Kazuya Mishima. 

Jin Kazama seamlessly combines Mishima and Kazama martial styles, inherited from his mother, Jun, and father/grandfather, Kazuya and Heihachi. Despite similarities to Mishima techniques, Jin's name hints at a balanced lineage. As Tekken's central figure, his design reflects a formidable skill set for subduing adversaries.

A notable aspect of Jin's combat prowess is his exceptional 10-frame punish, allowing a swift and potent response. His mid move, f+4, stands out as one of the best-executed techniques with a straightforward command input, serving as a counter-hit combo launcher. In the Close Beta Testing phase, there's a prevailing view that Jin Kazama is perceived as overpowered, sparking discussions in the Tekken community about his balance and competitive viability.

See Jin Kazama in action

 

 

 

7. Paul Phoenix

Paul Phoenix, the strongest in the universe

Meet Paul Phoenix. He's a passionate martial artist who really wants to be the best fighter ever. In the seventh The King of Iron Fist Tournament, Paul was super determined to win because of the big prize money. But things got messed up when the person running the tournament disappeared. Paul ended up with way less money than he expected and became really poor. Even though this happened, Paul hasn't given up. He's hoping the next tournament will give him enough money to get back on track and keep chasing his dream. 

Paul Phoenix seamlessly combines brawling and judo in Tekken, offering a unique combat style. Despite mixed character design feedback, his powerful movelist and consistent high damage make him a strong contender. The iconic Phoenix Smasher swiftly devastates opponents. In Tekken 8, the introduction of heat mechanics shifts gameplay towards offense, favoring characters like Paul Phoenix. The synergy between his established moves and new mechanics positions him as a formidable force in the aggressive landscape.

Essentially, Paul Phoenix is a strategic choice for players aiming to deal substantial damage. Despite design critiques, his reliable movelist and adaptability in Tekken 8 highlight his lasting effectiveness in the competitive scene.

See Paul Phoenix in action

 

 

6. Leroy Smith

Leroy Smith, the wing chun master

Introducing Leroy Smith, hailed as a hero for liberating New York from the grip of gangs. However, when he uncovers that the Mishima Zaibatsu orchestrated the war that devastated the city fifty years ago, Leroy takes up the challenge of The King of Iron Fist Tournament with a singular mission—to bring them to justice and dismantle their influence once and for all.

Leroy Smith, originally introduced in Tekken 7 and now seamlessly integrated into Tekken 8 with an expanded movelist, emerges as a formidable force in competitive play. Analyzing his tournament potential, Leroy's extensive move strings prove pivotal, exploiting the heat mechanics to their fullest and capitalizing on the inherent chip damage per move, a quality advantageous for characters with prolonged string sequences. His adept use of Wing Chun-style parries coupled with the ability to inflict substantial damage not only bolsters his offensive capabilities but also commands respect for his unique fighting approach. Leroy Smith's strategic evolution in Tekken 8 positions him as a character well-equipped for the rigors of competitive play, particularly in the demanding landscape of tournament settings.

See Leroy Smith in action

 

5. Jun Kazama

Jun Kazama, the ray of hope 

Meet Jun Kazama, a skilled practitioner of Kazama-Style Traditional Martial Arts and the caring mother of Jin. Her unique ability to communicate with animals led her to work as a wildlife surveillance officer. During the second The King of Iron Fist Tournament, she connected with Kazuya Mishima and later became pregnant with Jin. Opting to raise Jin in the remote mountains of Yakushima, her tranquil life took a dark turn when, on Jin's 15th birthday, she was attacked by Ogre and mysteriously disappeared.

Enter Jun Kazama, the Kazama queen, reaching the pinnacle of her strength in Tekken 8. Her unique fighting style now incorporates an intriguing light of purification, effectively suppressing the devil gene within her son, Jin Kazama, and her husband. Jun's distinctiveness lies in her nuanced approach to actively managing her life bar, adding a layer of complexity to her character. She wields both high-damage combos and utilizes heat mechanics to recover substantial health without relying on chip damage. As the community engages in spirited discussions during the Close Network Testing, Jun Kazama emerges as a focal point, sparking debates on understanding and unlocking her immense potential in Tekken 8.

See Jun Kazama in action

 

4. Feng Wei

Feng Wei, a ruthless warrior 

Introducing Feng Wei, a Taijiquan master driven by the teachings of exotic scrolls, aspiring to achieve the status of the ultimate warrior who transcends all. In his relentless pursuit of power, Feng takes a drastic step by even confronting and killing his own master. However, his journey takes an unexpected turn at the latest King of Iron Fist Tournament, where he faces a decisive defeat at the skilled hands of Wing Chun master Leroy Smith. 

Meet the powerhouse, a character whose overwhelming and villainous fighting style sparked widespread complaints within the Tekken community during Tekken 7. Notably, despite the contentious reputation, there is a prevailing sentiment that this character has resurfaced in Tekken 8 with undiminished ferocity. The introduction of heat mechanics adds an intriguing dimension, leaving room for speculation regarding the new heights this character might scale in the hands of skilled players, positioning him as a potential pocket character for adept players worldwide. Feng Wei's strength is not just talk; skilled players who've mastered him validate his power. The satisfaction from this community attests to Feng Wei's formidable prowess in competitive play.

See Feng Wei in action

3. Bryan Fury

Bryan Fury, a brutal cyborg

Meet Bryan Fury, the ultimate replicant fueled by the perpetual generator, unleashing havoc with his endless wellspring of energy. Even after the G Corp. and Mishima Zaibatsu conflict subsided, Bryan persistently carried out acts of war worldwide, drawing the attention of international police organizations. A pivotal transformation occurred when Bryan faced off against the elite counter-terrorist unit of the very international police agency he once belonged to, igniting a shift in his unpredictable path during an urban conflict.

Get hyped for Tekken 8's ultimate crowd-pleaser, Bryan Fury—the chocolate of the game! With fresh tools that put loyalists on notice, Bryan's Close Network Testing debut stole the show. Meticulously crafted by Tekken Developers, he rocks a unique fighting style, seamlessly blending offense and defense. In Tekken 8, Bryan unleashes the power of heat mechanics with prolonged strings, applying relentless pressure and securing his triumphant spot at number 3 in the top 10 list. His aura, safe playstyle, and a toolkit that leaves nothing to chance make him a standout force ready to dominate the competition!

See Bryan Fury in action

 

 

 

2. Claudio

Claudio, the powerful exorcist

Meet Claudio Serafino, the revered leader of the Sirius Marksmen, a group of exorcists dedicated to combating evil across the ages. Recognized as one of the organization's most potent exorcists, Claudio faced a crucial juncture six months ago. Informed by Heihachi Mishima about the formidable power of the devil gene within Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima, Claudio made a pivotal decision. Despite internal opposition, he chose to collaborate with Heihachi to exercise the devil gene from both Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima, marking a significant alliance in the battle against supernatural forces.

Claudio, a standout from Tekken 7's fifth season, solidified his position as a top-tier character, a reputation that persists into Tekken 8. With a distinctive fighting style that challenges opponents' patience, he introduces a game-changing element with his unique "StarBurst" access, granting him a substantial advantage. Widely acknowledged as a potent threat, Claudio is characterized by a lack of unfavorable matchups, a trait that endures in Tekken 8. His presence in the Close Beta Testing as a playable character has already established a significant psychological edge, thanks to his remarkably strong moves during the heat mechanics. Opting for Claudio is a decisively advantageous choice, as this versatile character excels in fulfilling any purpose you aim to utilize him for, making him a consistently strong pick.

See Claudio in action

 

1. Azucena

Azucena, the coffee queen

Introducing Azucena Milagros Ortiz Castillo, known as the "Coffee Queen" for her captivating charm and fearless MMA prowess. Raised on the Ortiz Farm, Azucena aspired to be a top-tier coffee farmer. Despite initial setbacks, her innovative coffee beans garnered top ratings, launching her into industry stardom. Fueled by a belief in stability and adventure, she entered the American MMA scene, promoting her "Azucena Blend" and swiftly achieving champion status. Now, Azucena sets her sights on The King of Iron Fist Tournament, confident that triumph will bring her closer to being the world's best. 

Enter Azucena, the new face of Tekken, and she's already sending shockwaves through the competitive scene before the game's official launch. Tekken fans embraced her reveal with open arms, captivated by the introduction of unparalleled parrying moves that take the game to unprecedented heights. Azucena's unique stances even grant her the ability to autoparry certain moves, providing a distinct advantage—Leroy Smith being the sole exception. While her top-tier potential was evident with her array of formidable moves, the recent Tekken 8 exhibition tournament witnessed the 4-time Evolution Champion, Arslan Ash, effortlessly defeating all other Evolution Champions using Azucena exclusively. The matches were unequivocally one-sided, sparking intense community discussions that Azucena might just claim the title of the strongest character in the roster, leaving Tekken enthusiasts on the edge of their seats.

See Azucena in action