Enter the ring with the undisputed King of grappling in Tekken. A true powerhouse, King thrives as the premier grappler on the roster, and the shifts in Tekken 8’s throw mechanics only amplify his prowess. His entire gameplay revolves around landing devastating throws, with his giant swing, although a 1+2 break animation, deceptively requiring a 1 break—a subtlety that, when exploited by a skilled King player, becomes a source of immense frustration for opponents.
King’s throws are not just maneuvers; they are strategic tools akin to lows, compensating for his comparatively lackluster low attacks. Skilled players leverage throws to coerce opponents into ducking, setting the stage for punishing mids and accumulating substantial damage. The inclusion of chaingrabs introduces sequences with built-in mixups, compelling opponents to make educated guesses or suffer massive damage consequences.
In the heat of battle, King’s arsenal expands with unbreakable grabs, mid strikes, and a low slide—elevating the guessing game to new heights. The super-strong okizeme resulting from his grabs opens avenues for additional damage. However, the trade-off for King’s throw dominance is his weaker lows and limited keepout capabilities, posing a challenge when facing opponents adept at breaking grabs or anticipating his moves.
Pros:
- Unrivaled throw game
- Among the best okizeme strategies
- Potent canned mixups in heat
Cons:
- Weak lows
- Limited keepout capabilities
Recommended for players who appreciate:
- Grappling-centric gameplay
- Unorthodox character dynamics
Difficulty: Advanced
Tekken 8 King’s Chain Throws Guide
- Arm Breaker and Heel Hold:
- Visual Cue: Crouch Dash
- Break: Mash 2 (arms breaking)
- Key Threat: Rolling Death Cradle (break with 2)
- Giant Swing and Tomahawk:
- Visual Cue: Blue Sparks, two arms out
- Break: Giant Swing (1) / Tomahawk (1+2)
- Context Clues: Wall position, wiggling animation
- Any Other Chain Throw:
- Visual Cue: Slow Crouch Dash
- Break: 1 or 2 (50/50 guess)
- Considerations: Mixes and variations, beware of experienced players
- Jaguar Sprint:
- Queues: Pointing, Armor Flex, Heat Smash, Armored Kick, Position Change
- Break: Duck the unblockable throw
- Strategies: Watch out for armor, mix-ups, and consider neutral game
Detailed Explanation:
Arm Breaker and Heel Hold:
- Death chains, leading to Rolling Death Cradle
- Visual Cues: Crouch Dash, 1+2 animation
- Primary Threat: Rolling Death Cradle (Break with 2)
Giant Swing and Tomahawk:
- Fast true guesses, distinguishable by blue sparks
- Context Clues: Wall position, wiggling animation
- Break: Giant Swing (1) / Tomahawk (1+2)
Any Other Chain Throw:
- Long chains, common in lower ranks
- Visual Cue: Slow Crouch Dash, breaks at every step
- Break: 1 or 2 (50/50 guess)
Jaguar Sprint:
- New Tekken 8 addition with multiple entries
- Break: Duck unblockable throw
- Strategies: Neutral game to prevent Sprint, consider various Sprint entries
Perfect Legend 