Two of the strongest players in the world traveled to the U.S. to esports-test the newest version of the game. Did the emergency patch save the game competitively?
The release of Season 2 in TEKKEN 8 was nothing short of controversy. If you missed the drama, here it is in a nutshell: the developers dragged the game in a totally different direction than the community wanted it to be. Players were loudly disappointed, and an apology with an emergency patch were released to save the day.
Arslan Ash is one of the top pros who openly expressed his disappointment with the state of TEKKEN 8. The guy is not going to abandon the game, but he does point at what could be improved. He also keeps adapting to compete and win more tournaments.
Rangchu won the TEKKEN World Tour 2024 Finals. Since then, the game has changed a lot. It’s essential for the player to take his Kuma/Panda to the event and test the new competitive environment. The next circuit, TWT 2025 starts in just two weeks!
Arslan Ash and Rangchu participated in the first big esports event of TEKKEN 8 Season 2 — at LVL UP Expo 2025. The importance of this tournament goes beyond the personal careers of these pros. We all need to know what’s happening with TEKKEN 8! Watching matches with the current meta is the best way to figure that out.
TEKKEN 8 at LVL UP Expo 2025: Arslan Ash vs Rangchu and more
When such players attend a tournament, we can easily expect them to reach the top. Arslan Ash and Rangchu did not disappoint. They played twice: in the winners final and in the grand final of TEKKEN 8 LVL UP Expo 2025.
Arslan played Nina throughout the top 8 brackets. The addition of her sister, Anna Williams, to TEKKEN 8 did not shake the preferences of this legendary player.
Rangchu didn't change his character preferences, either. At the LVL UP Expo 2025 TEKKEN 8 esports tournament, he played Panda, another version of the bear who brought Rangchu his second title of the TEKKEN World Tour Champion.
Arslan Ash defeated Rangchu twice. In the winners final, Arslan reached the match point and Rangchu managed to secure only one game. In the grand final, the fight was closer. This time, it was Rangchu to reach the brackets-reset point. However, Arslan Ash won two games in a row and the entire tournament.
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TEKKEN 8 esports characters in Season 2
LVL UP Expo 2025 took place in the U.S., and not so many other guest players attended it. However, we sure can check out which character they played at one of the first big esports events of TEKKEN 8 Season 2.
Placement | Players | TEKKEN 8 character |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Twisted Minds | Arslan Ash | Nina |
| 2 | VARREL | Rangchu | Panda |
| 3 | R4R3side | KingReyJr | Asuka |
| 4 | Team Liquid | Shadow 20z | Anna, Zafina, Claudio |
| 5-6 | ELNegro | Raven |
| 5-6 | pling | Xiaoyu |
| 7-8 | ONi Global | Dr.theJAKEMAN, M.D | King |
| 7-8 | AverieyRiB | Jin |
The variety of TEKKEN 8 characters highlighted in the top 8 brackets is pretty impressive: no identical picks. Only Shadow 20z played the newest addition to the roster. This DLC character didn't appear overpowered.
TWT 2025 rehearsal
The next official esports circuit of TEKKEN 8 is right around the corner. The TEKKEN World Tour 2025 starts at EVO Japan 2025, from May 9 to May 11.
With everything happening around the game, witnessing top players grinding for TWT is somewhat reassuring. We could see the current Champion and one of the best TEKKEN players of all time battling despite the shaky changes. The game and the community should certainly survive the turbulence of Season 2 and get stronger.
A rare chance to witness Arslan Ash competing
In a social media post, Arslan Ash confirmed that he won't be able to attend Evo Japan 2025 due to visa problems.
It was the issue the player highlighted right after Team Pakistan defeated Team Korea in an epic TEKKEN 8 clash. Sadly, it’s still there.
Participating in a limited number of qualifiers to still end up on the top of a global leaderboard? Arslan Ash truly is a TEKKEN G.O.A.T!
In addition to the World Tour, the TEKKEN 8 tournament at Evo Japan 2025 kicks off the Esports World Cup 2025 qualification series. This is going to be an exciting season!
For all TEKKEN 8 news and updates, stick around on esports.gg.
