Tekken 8: Easiest / Hardest Characters

Tekken 8 boasts an impressive roster of fighters, each with unique fighting styles and varying levels of complexity. While some characters demand precise timing and execution, others offer a more accessible entry point for newcomers and casual players seeking an enjoyable experience. In this article, we’ll explore both beginner-friendly and high skill ceiling fighters in Tekken 8, helping you kickstart your journey in this iconic fighting game franchise.

TEKKEN 8: EASIEST CHARACTERS 

Tekken 8 brings an impressive roster where each fighter has their own unique style and mechanics to master. While some characters have really high skill ceiling and mastery, here are a few beginner friendly characters with easy mechanics to start your journey to king of iron fist in Tekken 8.

King: The Grappling Giant

King, a recurring fan favorite, excels in the grappling game. His design revolves around grabs and mixups, forcing opponents to constantly guess and react. In Tekken 8, King’s throws and grabs have received a universal buff, making him an even more formidable force.

Learning Curve: By playing as King, newcomers will quickly grasp essential Tekken mechanics like throws, plus frames, wake-up attacks, and grab breaks. His straightforward playstyle provides a solid foundation for growth and improvement.

Hwoarang: The Kicking Machine

Hwoarang, Tekken’s Tae Kwon Do practitioner, specializes in fast kick combos with impressive range and damage. His playstyle revolves around punishing opponents’ whiffed attacks and capitalizing on connections for blitzing combos.

Beginner-Friendly Kicks: While Hwoarang has stances to explore, beginners can find success by mashing kick buttons and stringing together flashy combos, gradually building their understanding of his advanced techniques.

Leroy Smith: The Fallen Powerhouse

Leroy Smith shares similarities with Hwoarang, offering a low barrier of entry and a high ceiling for mastery. Beginners can find success by pressing buttons, as Leroy’s moves naturally chain into combos and stances, like his d3 into 2 into “Hermit” stance.

Offensive Versatility: With his parry mechanic and numerous offensive options, Leroy provides beginners with a well-rounded toolkit, encouraging exploration and growth while delivering satisfying results.

Emilie De Rochefort (Lili): The Graceful Combatant

Lili is a powerful and beginner-friendly character with a diverse moveset. Her attacks chain together naturally, and her backturned stance provides a formidable offensive presence. With a wide array of options like her 1 into 2 jab combo and the distance-closing df3+4, Lili offers a rewarding experience for newcomers.

Elegant Powerhouse: Lili’s graceful moveset and potent stances make her an appealing choice for beginners seeking a visually striking and effective fighter, gradually introducing them to Tekken’s nuances.

Jin Kazama: The Balanced Protagonist

As Tekken’s main protagonist, Jin Kazama is a well-rounded character suitable for beginners. He excels in speed, range, and combo damage, while incorporating signature Mishima moves like the wave dash and Electric Wind God Fist.

Fundamental Foundation: Jin’s moveset subtly encourages players to learn Tekken’s core mechanics, making him an ideal starting point for those seeking a balanced and versatile fighter.

TEKKEN 8: HARDEST CHARACTERS TO MASTER

Tekken 8 brings a diverse roster where each fighter has their own unique style and mechanics to master. While some characters are beginner-friendly, others require extensive time in training mode to truly excel with them. For those seeking a challenge, these are some of the hardest fighters to learn in Tekken 8:

Bryan – Counter Hits and Taunts

Bryan rewards seasoned players who know how to defend and punish. He specializes in counter hits after baiting opponents into whiffing attacks. Mastering his counter abilities takes studying frame data to capitalize on openings.

Bryan also relies heavily on his taunts. His most damaging combos come after landing a taunt first. Players must practice smoothly integrating taunts into their flow. With dedication, Bryan can be a dangerous punisher.

Law – Dragon Stance and Slide Kicks

Law’s power lies in his Dragon Stance, which gates access to many combos. Players must master initiating and continuing combos out of Dragon swiftly. Laws signature sliding kick has a uniquely tricky input. And his pokes and mix-ups pressure foes to make mistakes. Law tests execution and mind games.

Nina – Sidestep Combos

Nina relies on sidestepping to bypass defenses during combos. Players must know her step flowcharts perfectly. Proper spacing sets up lethal wall combos using her handguns for added pushback. A strong throw game and poke pressure complement her evasive offense. Mastering movement is key.

Raven – Stance Switching

Raven uses deception and unpredictability to strike. He has two stances – Back-Turn and new Soul Zone – each with separate movesets. Knowing when to switch and capitalize on stance moves is essential. His teleporting attacks and ranged kunais also keep opponents guessing. Raven rewards practice and matchup knowledge.

Kazuya – Wavedash Fundamentals

As the face of Mishima style, Kazuya requires wavedash expertise. His damaging combos stem from clean inputs. Managing his Devil form’s added powers also takes finesse. Players must have his staple juggle launchers like Wind God Fist down pat through endless drilling.

Yoshimitsu – Eccentric Katana Wielder

With bizarre stances and teleports, Yoshimitsu plays like a puzzle to solve. His katana gives immense range but requires practice. Players must break down and memorize stance transitions and move properties. In the hands of a studied master, Yoshimitsu confounds novice opponents through sheer eccentricity.

Conclusion:

Tekken 8’s diverse roster offers a wealth of beginner-friendly as well as high skill ceiling  characters, each with their unique strengths and playstyles. Whether it’s the cybernetic prowess of Alisa, the grappling mastery of King or the hard-hitting brawls of Paul, there’s a fighter suited for every newcomer’s preference. It also flaunts characters with daunting learning curve for these demanding yet rewarding fighters. Their playstyles push player dexterity and knowledge to the limits. But with hard work and muscle memory, even the most difficult fighters yield to true mastery. The path is arduous, but satisfyingly mastering the hardest characters cements competitive skill.