The Best Beginner Characters For Tekken 8

So, you want to get started playing Tekken 8 and you are a little unsure about the character to pick. Well, that’s understandable seeing as there are 32 characters in the game and having so many at launch is a big deal. 

Besides, each Tekken character is unique and has a plethora of moves and combos. This usually gives the impression that Tekken is a hard game to play, and while it will be hard to argue that Tekken is the easiest game to come to grips with, it is not as difficult as people like to say it is. 

On top of that, there are some excellent characters that can help you get started learning the game and understanding the things you need to do.

Sure, Reina Mishima looks pretty cool and Devil Jin is badass, but they might not be the best characters to get started with as they have steep learning curves. Here, we have some good characters to pick up and get started with the game, let’s get into it.

Alisa

Alisa is a cyborg creation of Dr. Bosconovitch who bears a striking resemblance to the Doctor’s dead daughter. As a character, she is pretty easy to use. This is because she has tools that make her a menace on pressure, and she has a chainsaw stance that keeps opponents trapped in the corner and does a decent amount of chip damage. You heard she has a stance and you immediately got scared didn’t you? There’s no need to as she can go into stance in many ways and there is no difficult input in getting into that mode. 

Beginner Combos

• u/f 4, 4 > 1, 2, 3 > u/f 1 > f 3, f 1

• u/f 4, 4 > f 2 > d/f 1, 2 > b 2, 3 > 1, 2, 2

• u/b 3+4, 1+2 > d/f 1, 1 > f 2 > u/f 1 > f 3 > f 1

• d/b 1, 3 > ff > d/f 1, 1 > u/f 1 > f 3 > f 1

• d/f 2 > d/f 1, 1 > f 2 > u/f 2 > f 3 > f1

Claudio

A character that calls himself an exorcist, Claudio comes with a lot of tools that will be of help to someone starting out in the game. First, he has a forward advancing punch which is relatively safe. He also has something called a ‘Starburst’ where his hand glows blue  and he becomes significantly stronger. 

This state is enhanced in Heat Mode and he is able to also fire projectiles and hit you with a DP that launches. This projectile can also hit you at full screen making it particularly dangerous for any opponent. 

Beginner Combos

• d/f 1, 2 > fF 4 > b 3 > b 3 > u/f 3+4 > d/b 1+2 > ffF 2

• (Heat/Starburst Active) f 1+2, 1+2 > ff 4 > b 3 > b 3 > d 1, 2 > ffF 2, F > (During Starburst) b 4, 3, 2

• u/f 4 > b 2 > fF 4 > b 3 > f 2 > b 4, 2

• 2 > b 3 > 2 > fF 4 > b 3 > d 1, 2 > ffF 2

• d/f 1, 2 > d/f 1, 2 > b 4, 4 > 2+3 > b 4, 2 F > (During Starburst) 4, 2

Shaheen

Shaheen is a slide character like Bison in Street Fighter V, and he is one of the easiest ones to use. Shaheen’s utility comes from some of his moves which takes away gray health. He has a couple of grabs that removes gray health and make it impossible for the opponent to make use of it.

On top of that, Shaheen has a ‘Superman’ punch which deals a decent amount of damage and isn’t too dangerous on block.

Beginner Combos

• Launcher d 2 > 4, 1 > f 2, 3 > tornado > db 2 df > snk 3

• 3 d/f > d/b > ws1 > 4, 1 > f 23 > tornado > fcdf2 > ff3

• D2 > 4, 1 > f 2, 3 > tornado > db2df > snk3

• 4, 1 > f 2, 3 > tornado > db 2, 1

• 3 df > snk > dbws1 > f 23 > fcdf2 > ff3

Asuka

Asuka is one of those characters that was made for newer players as she has several tools that make her viable without the numerous stances that could make characters difficult to master. Asuka does really well with pressure and while her whiff punish game is pretty weak, this is not something someone new to the game has to worry about a lot. 

Asuka has a b3 move which helps to steal the turn, but is also safe on block, and this can be exploited by players who are looking to win a game. So, if you are a player that values attack, then Asuka is a very good shout for you to pick up as a main. 

Beginner Combos

• 1+2 > b4, 2, 3

• 1+2 > d/b 4, 3 > 2, 1, 2 > ff (hold) 2, 1

• d/f 3+4 > ff (hold) 2, 3 > 2, 3

• d/f 3 > d/b 1, 4 > ff (hold) 2, 1

• d/f 2 > d/b 1, 4 > uf 3 > b2, 4, 3

• d/f+1,2 > Floor Break > f, f+2,3 > d/b+1,4 > Dash + 2,1,2 > Wall Break > 1+4,2,4

Leroy

Leroy was a new character in Tekken 7 and was also one of the most controversial based on how broken he was when  first released. He has since been nerfed, but it still insanely strong. His return in Tekken 8 is unsurprising, and is welcome as he is a great pick for beginners. 

This is due to his devastating offense which can smother an opponent and deny them the right to play. Unlike characters like Hwoarang who has some great strings, but still need a level of proficiency, Leroy’s strings are very easy to pull off. 

On top of that, he has a parry which is a great defensive tool for him, and his Wing Chun style, thousand punch, deals  a great amount of chip damage. 

Beginner Combos

• u/f 4 > d/b 1, 3 > 2, 1, 2, 1 > ff > (During Heat) f 4, 4 F > b 3+4

• u/f 3+4 > d  > d d/f f 2 > d/f 4, 3 > ff > u/f 3+4, 1+2

• d/f 2, 1+2 > f 2, 3, 4 > (During Hermit) 4, 1+2 > fF > b 3+4

• d/f 1, 1+2 > d d/f f 2 > 2, 2 > f 3, 1+2, 4 > fF > 1 > b 3+4

• d/b 2+3 > (Sidestep) d  > d d/f f 2 > 2, 2 > u/f 3+4, 1+2

The biggest advice when picking  a character is to go with someone you like, but if you still find yourself in a bit of a bind, these are excellent characters to choose from. 

With all that said, go out there and have some fun with Tekken 8.