Tekken 8: Season 2 is HERE! You Won’t Believe What They Added!

Summary

  • Bandai Namco has released the Tekken 8 Season 2 update, adding Anna Williams and new shop content.
  • The update improves matchmaking, introduces new ranks, and adjusts point gains.
  • Season 2 also brings changes to Quick Matches and Practice mode, along with a V-Sync setting on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Bandai Namco has rolled out the Season 2 update for Tekken 8, making Anna Williams accessible on all platforms’ stores. Alongside the paid DLC, this substantial Tekken 8 update brings fresh content to the game’s store, special offers, tweaks to ranked matches, and numerous other improvements across various aspects of the game.

The newest installment in the well-known fighting game series, Tekken 8, has been out and Bandai Namco has provided numerous updates since its launch. These updates include tweaks for balance and fresh content additions. However, Season 2 sparked a bit of debate prior to release, as it included chip damage during throw breaks – an aspect that didn’t sit well with the community. Many players were disgruntled by this announcement, feeling it went against promises of more defensive options in Season 2. In response, the developer walked back on this decision. Now, a new update for the game is now accessible to players.

Bandai Namco has introduced Season 2 for Tekken 8, incorporating Anna Williams into the game. Furthermore, the Tekken Fight Pass – Round 5 – is now available in the store. By finishing missions, players can collect different items. For a brief period, the “Anna” avatar skin is also on sale at a reduced price of 75%.

The recent update for Tekken 8 has brought about substantial modifications to its multiplayer mode, primarily focusing on enhancing the matchmaking system. Instead of matching players based on their Tekken Prowess, the new approach now takes into account the rank of the character being played and the player’s highest achieved rank across all characters. This change is designed to ensure that players engage with opponents who possess similar skill levels. Additionally, the update introduces modifications to how sub-character ranks are inherited and refines search criteria, all in an effort to foster more balanced matchups and prevent players from encountering opponents beyond their selected range.

Moreover, Bandai Namco has added eight fresh ranks beyond “Destruction God,” with all the ranks being rebooted at the onset of Season 2. The system for earning points from victories has also been adjusted: players will now earn more if their opponent holds a higher rank and lose more when facing a lower-ranked opponent. Furthermore, this update introduces modifications to Quick Match and Practice mode, as well as a V-Sync option on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Apart from the debate about chip damage, Tekken 8 has also been subject to criticism regarding Anna Williams’ updated appearance. In response to fan feedback, the game’s director deemed their comments as “unproductive” and “without merit.” Despite receiving some negative criticism, Anna’s design was also admired by fans who thought her new look was quite attractive. Now, players can delve into Tekken 8 Season 2 and discover the latest changes and features.

Tekken 8 Season 2 Update Patch Notes

Downloadable Content (Paid DLC)

* Playable Character “Anna Williams”

The character “Anna” will be available on each platform store starting from the following dates:

1) Early Access

– [CEST] Tuesday, April 1st at around 1:00 AM

– [PDT] Monday, March 31st at around 4:00 PM

Note:

You can gain early access within 72 hours by opting for any of the packages scheduled for release on the specified date.

> For those who own the base game of “TEKKEN 8”:

– “TEKKEN 8 Season 2 Character & Stage Pass”

– “TEKKEN 8 Season 2 Character Pass”

> For those who do not own the base game of “TEKKEN 8”:

– “TEKKEN 8 Season 2 Ultimate Edition”

– “TEKKEN 8 Season 2 Deluxe Edition”

2) General Access

– [CEST] Friday, April 4th at around 1:00 AM

– [PDT] Thursday, April 3rd at around 4:00 PM

Note:

Access will be granted upon acquisition of the “Anna” downloadable content, which was made available as mentioned earlier.

# “TEKKEN SHOP”

* Added “TEKKEN FIGHT PASS -ROUND 5-“

– Complete missions during the period to level up and earn various items

– “PREMIUM” grants more items than “FREE”

– “FREE” allows up to 100 TEKKEN COINS to be earned

Apart from the initial 100 “FREE” coins, “PREMIUM” offers an additional 600 coins, bringing the grand total to 700 TEKKEN COINS.

* Added Avatar Skin “Anna”

– An avatar skin usable in “TEKKEN FIGHT LOUNGE”

In honor of Anna’s freedom, we’re offering a special discount! For a limited time, you can get 100 Tekken Coins at a reduced price of 75%.

Or simply:
Get 100 Tekken Coins for 75% off in celebration of Anna’s release. (Limited Time Offer)

* “TEKKEN SPECIAL DEAL” Event Held

– Selected items are available at special prices during the event

# “TEKKEN FIGHT LOUNGE”

* Five Special Ghosts Appearing with Obtainable Character Panels

– Talk to and defeat them to obtain one character panel each

– Character panels are fan art works submitted through the “TEKKEN FANDOM Campaign”

– Special Ghosts will appear in the lobby until the next update scheduled for May

– They will be replaced with new Special Ghosts in the next update

# “TEKKEN BALL”

– Adjusted ball return behavior for certain moves in “TEKKEN BALL” mode

# “RANKED MATCH”

[① Matching has been changed so that players can battle others with a closer skill level]

* Matchmaking System Changes in Ranked Match

– Matchmaking based on “Tekken Prowess” has been removed

Now, the matching system takes into account the rank of the character you’re currently using and your highest achieved rank across all characters.

* Sub-Character Rank Inheritance System Adjustments

– Changed the timing and target rank for sub-character rank inheritance

– When the highest reached rank among all characters is updated, rank inheritance will be applied

* Search Criteria Changes

– Added “Same Rank Only” to Rank Restrictions

I would recommend changing “±1 Preferred”, “±2 Preferred”, and “±3 Preferred” to “Prefer ±1 or less”, “Prefer ±2 or less”, and “Prefer ±3 or less”. This way, the meaning remains clear while using more natural and easy-to-read language.

The alterations reduce the possibility of encountering rivals whose rank falls outside the designated range.

* New Ranks Added Beyond “Destruction God”

– Eight new ranks added after “Destruction God”:

God of Destruction I / II / III / IV / V / VI / VII / ∞ (Ouroboros)

Note:

The difficulty of ranking up increases significantly in the ranks beyond “Destruction God”

* Rank Reset Implemented

– At the start of Season 2, ranks are determined based on the highest rank achieved in Season 1

Awards for special titles will be given out according to the top position reached during Season 1, which is a part of the ranking reset procedure.

[② The following changes have been made to create a more competitive and satisfying point system]

* Point Gain/Loss System Adjustments

– The higher your opponent’s rank, the more points you earn for a win

– The lower your opponent’s rank, the more points you lose for a defeat

(Examples)

1) Lower-Ranked Match

You: “Fujin” (Rank 21) vs Opponent: “Battle Ruler” (Rank 20)

> Win: +720pt / Loss: -1280pt

2) Same-Rank Match

You: “Fujin” (Rank 21) vs Opponent: “Fujin” (Rank 21)

> Win: +1000pt / Loss: -1000pt

3) Higher-Ranked Match

You: “Fujin” (Rank 21) vs Opponent: “Raijin” (Rank 22)

> Win: +1280pt / Loss: -720pt

– Promotion bonus points are now only awarded once upon reaching a new highest rank

– The system that caused a significant point drop after 3 consecutive losses has been removed

– The win streak bonus system has been adjusted:

– Bonus points for win streaks are now only available up to “Tenryu” (Rank 17)

– For ranks “Tenryu” and below, bonus points start applying after 3 consecutive wins

– For ranks “Tenryu” and below, the more wins in a row, the greater the additional points earned

# “QUICK MATCH”

* Added “Rank Restriction” Option to Search Criteria

– Now possible to choose from:

”Same Rank Only” / “±1 or lower” / “±2 or lower” / “±3 or lower” / “No Restriction”

# “RANKED MATCH”, “QUICK MATCH”, “VERSUS”, “PLAYER MATCH”

* Added “In-Battle Status”

– Now displays combo count and combo damage in actual battles, just like in “Practice” mode

– New indicators added: “PUNISH”, “CLEAN”, “COUNTER”, “TORNADO”

“To deactivate the screen, navigate to SETTINGS > ‘Display Options’ > ‘On-screen Information during Battles’ > switch it on or off.”

This way, you provide a more user-friendly and conversational tone while guiding the reader through the steps to turn off the display.

In “PRACTICE” and “My Replay & Tips”, you can switch them on or off using the “Display Options” within the pause menu.

Note:

To make battles more understandable and approachable, as outlined by the guidelines for Season 2, we’ve highlighted crucial aspects from the rapid combat sequences within the match itself.

This feature is intended not just for the players, but also to aid spectators and commentators in having a clearer grasp of the events unfolding during the battle.

# “PRACTICE”

* Added a Special Practice-Only Stage

– A practice-only stage with a wall distance of approximately 500m is now available

To access the Practice Stage, navigate to “Restart Settings” and simultaneously press the [Touchpad/View button/V] along with either [×/A/J] keys. This is the standard way to restart for the practice mode.

– You can also switch to the practice stage by pressing [Touchpad/View button/V] + [↑]

After using the combination of [Touchpad/View button/V] + [↑], to go back to the initial state, you should press [Touchpad/View button/V] along with [×/A/J].

* New Items Added to the Reversal Move List

– The following CPU actions can now be set:

Heat Burst / Heat Burst (Cancel) / Standing Block / Crouching Block

Low Parry / Dash / Back Dash / Sidestep (Into Background)

Side Walk (Into Background) / Sidestep (Into Foreground) / Side Walk (Into Foreground)

* Added “Action After Ukemi” to Practice Settings

– The following CPU actions can now be set after a tech roll:

Standing / Standing Block / Stand and Approach / Crouching

Crouching Block / Crouch and Follow / Block All / Random Block

Jump / Mimic / Sidestep (Left) / Sidestep (Right) / Side Walk (Left)

Side Walk (Right) / Back Dash/Move (Auto-switch) / Punish

Note:

By using the reversed setting option, you can create configurations such as “attack following a technical roll” or “perform a sidestep following a technical roll”.

– From side tech rolls, CPU performs reversals from crouching; from back tech rolls, from standing

* Added “Move (Auto-switch)” to “Action After a Hit or Block” and “Action After Ukemi”

– The following five movements cycle in sequence:

Sidestep (Left) > Sidestep (Right) > Side Walk (Left) > Side Walk (Right) > Back Dash

Note:

This makes it easier to test which direction your moves can be evaded.

# “OPTIONS”

* Added “V-Sync” Setting

– “V-Sync” settings are now available on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S

– Can be toggled ON/OFF via Options > Graphics Settings > V-Sync

Note:

– V-Sync is a feature that prevents screen tearing when images are displayed

– Turning it OFF slightly improves the response time between key input and character action

– When OFF, minor screen tearing may occur, but it does not affect gameplay progression

– V-Sync settings have been available on the Steam version since ver.2.00.01 and earlier

* Added Features to Tournament Settings

– Two new presets added, enabling the following bulk settings:

Default: Only “Disable Intro/Outro Skipping” is OFF

Preset 1: All settings ON (same as previous “Preset”)

Preset 2: “Disable Intro/Outro Skipping” and “V-Sync” are OFF

Preset 3: Only “V-Sync” is OFF

Custom: Each item can be customized freely

Note:

For Steam gamers, the way V-Sync functions during tournaments might be different compared to version 1.13, so it’s important to double-check your settings before you play.

# “LEADERBOARDS”

* Now Reflects Season 2 Stats

– Season 1 leaderboards have been reset

– Online ranking data from Season 2 is now viewable

Note: Future updates may allow viewing of Season 1 leaderboards

# “PLAY DATA”

* Now Reflects Season 2 Stats

– Season 1 stats have been reset in the following categories:

BATTLE (ONLINE), OTHER (ONLINE section only), PLAYSTATS, CHARACTER DATA (ONLINE)

– Newly accumulated stats from Season 2 are now displayed

Note: Future updates may allow access to some Season 1 play data

# “Playable Characters”

* Character Move Behavior Fixes and Balance Adjustments

Please check the article at the following URLs for details on the fixes and adjustments:

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2025-04-01 17:17