Known for his “Fists of a Champion,” Steve stands out as a unique fighter, emphasizing punches over kicks, showcasing his boxing prowess. Renowned for his Counter Hit (CH) game, Steve possesses some of the most potent CH tools in Tekken, maintaining their effectiveness even in a meta where faster CH launchers are toned down. With swift whiff recovery, Steve’s keepout game becomes formidable, making it challenging for opponents to punish his missed attacks.
While his main strategy revolves around scoring CHs, Steve’s offensive repertoire includes various stances that seamlessly flow into one another through string cancels. Peekaboo, Flicker, and Duck are integral to his frame trap game, allowing him to keep opponents guessing. Steve’s ws1,2 serves as an exceptional i11 while standing (ws) punisher, making low pokes against a defensively sound Steve a risky proposition.
Despite his CH-centric playstyle, Steve’s arsenal of lows is effective for chipping away at opponents, inducing frustration and encouraging retaliatory actions, aligning with his strategic approach. In Tekken 8, a new stance introduces a guard-breaking high, adding an extra layer of defensive complexity for opponents.
While lacking a launcher at frames comparable to other characters, Steve compensates with his exceptional CH game, early punishment capabilities, and high damage output.
Pros:
- Best all-around CH game
- Strong early punishment
- High damage output
Cons:
- Vulnerable to exploitation on certain moves due to weaker later punishment
- Unrewarding whiff punishes
Recommended for players who appreciate:
- CH-oriented characters
- Stance-based strategies
- Creative offensive approaches
Difficulty: Advanced
Perfect Legend 