The leader of the Manji clan, Yoshimitsu returns in Tekken 8 to satiate the hunger of his cursed blade. One of the most equipped fighters in the game with just under 200 unique moves in his kit, Yoshimitsu appeals to many Tekken players as he has simple common combos that can be mastered quickly by new and veteran players alike, along with several fighting stances that change the way Yoshimitsu approaches combat and add a new layer of skill to mastering this fighter.

Appearing in every main Tekken installment and several Soul Caliber titles, Yoshimitsu has been a longtime fan-favorite of fans from both IPs. Fusing a unique katana sword style with a secret martial arts style known only to his clan, Yoshimitsu uses his sword arts and ninja tactics to decimate fighters in Tekken 8.

Yoshimitsu Style Overview

Yoshimitsu is one of the most versatile fighters in Tekken 8, excelling in every aspect of the fight. His start-up times are quick. his attacks are powerful, and he has multiple ways to dodge incoming damage (including blink abilities where Yoshimitsu momentarily disappears from the screen, making him entirely invulnerable to damage).

Yoshimitsu combines his Manji clan Ninjutsu with the bloodlust of the cursed blade that shares his name to unleash devastating attacks and clever ninjutsu tactics that keep foes constantly guessing. When stuck learning Yoshimitsu's combos, toggle to Special Style to dish out some quick damage.

When first learning Yoshimitsu, here are some strategies to consider:

• Abuse repeated attack inputs - Some of Yoshimitsu's common combo attacks can be input multiple times in rapid succession; take advantage of these combos when learning the ropes with Yoshimitsu. Keep in mind that a few of these moves can cause dizziness if overused; try to learn the pacing for these attacks and time your inputs to stop just before Yoshimitsu becomes dizzy, transitioning into further attacks.
• Pause to stand - Some of Yoshimitsu's best combos utilize a down input but must be performed while standing. Remember to take a breath between combos and allow Yoshimitsu to stand up when inputting multiple low-striking, juggle combos.

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Yoshimitsu Move List

Yoshimitsu has some pretty easy combos to learn but ultimately has an incredibly complicated kit with multiple types of damage and engagement mechanics that can be altered using any of his many fighting stances. Players will also find Yoshimitsu has several simple Heat Moves, such as Kuzuryu or Ganto, that can quickly stun the enemy while activating Heat to follow up with incredible damage.

In total, Yoshimitsu has 193 unique moves in his kit, including variations spawning from each of his stances; Manji Dragonfly, Mutou no Kiwami, Flea, Indian, Kincho, and Meditation - to master Yoshimitsu refer to the move list in the game and get a solid grasp on all the fighting moves from one stance before progressing to the next. To start, players should consider mastering the Kincho and Mutou no Kiwami stances.

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Yoshimitsu Combos

With one of the most diversified kits in the game, players willing to spend the time to learn Yoshimitsu will be able to string together his moves into an incredible amount of different combinations, keeping each fight fresh as you slice through opponents.

Basic Combo: Oma Kugiuchi + Heat Burst + Divine Sword Kagekiyo

(While Heat Activation Available) Back + RP, RP, Heat Button

A simple yet powerful combo that can be unleashed at the start of a round to reduce an enemy to about half health - start with a mid-jab followed by a high sword thrust that knocks enemies back. Heat followed by heat dash should activate automatically if available, once the gap to the enemy is closed, unleashing Yoshimitsu's heat smash before recovery is possible.

Advanced Combo: Naguri Kabuto Wari + Stone Fists + Kincho + Submission Chakram

LP, LP, Down-Back + RP, RP, RP, RP, <Brief Pause>, LP + RP, Forward + Left Punch

Lock the enemy with a jab-sword strike combo, then unleash a spinning barrage of closed-fist low attacks. Stop the attack before getting dizzy, transition to Kincho stance, and spin both blades to knock foes to the ground.

Perfect Combo: Left Punch + Oma Gehosen + Slap U Silly + Heshikirinagi + Heshikiriseibatsu + Death Slash

LP, Back + RP, LP, Back + LP, LP, LP, LP, Down + RP, RP, Down + LP, Down + RP, RP, RP, Down + LP (Hold)

A massive combo capable of obliterating an opponent's full health bar. Lock the enemy with a quick jab, then launch them into the air with Oma Gehosen. Time the start-up of Slap U Silly to catch the enemy as they are falling with a series of spinning slaps (be careful not to over-input and become dizzy!), then transition into an upward sword strike combo that ends with a downward stab, followed by another upward sword strike combo that throws enemies back. Begin the charge for Death Slash, holding the input until the moment the enemy begins to stand, then strike for the killing blow.

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Tips for Winning As Yoshimitsu

To become a master of Yoshimitsu and his possessed blade, players will need to take the time to learn each aspect of every fighting stance available in Yoshimitsu's kit. While players may find a particular stance or two to be more fitting to their playstyle, being able to quickly pull out a charging attack in Flea stance or a combination dodge and heal tactic from Indian stance can provide players the edge needed to climb to high ranks while playing this fighter.

To rack up more wins while playing online battles, keep these tips in mind:

• Simple combos are reliable - While complex moves are flashy and rewarding when executed, they can often put him in perilous positions if not executed to completion. If players find themselves in danger, pull out something simple and easy to turn the tide back in your favor.
• Learn the transition inputs - Players who want to be experts at Yoshimitsu will want to learn all his stance transitions, including the bonus transitions that can occur from other combo moves. Being able to seamlessly transition from one fighting style to another will force enemies to constantly evaluate their attack strategy.
• Drain their soul - Some of Yoshimitsu's abilities allow for lifesteal effects, restoring a small amount of HP to Yoshimitsu when successfully damaging the enemy. Know when to use these moves (and which stance is required for execution) to keep an advantage over your enemy. A well-timed transition to Indian Stance Healing while the enemy goes for a high attack or a sidestep to meditation can buy players time to get back in the game.

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How To Counter Yoshimitsu

A good Yoshimitsu player can be hard to defeat, especially if they can utilize each of the stances available in Yoshimitsu's kit. The best fighters for combating Yoshimitsu will be able to outpace him with fast start-up times or simply out-damage him with grappling attacks.

For players who prefer speed, consider fighters like Raven, Steve, or Victor,while fighters like Kuma or King are go-to picks against Yoshimitsu if a smash, grab, and throw playstyle is preferred.

Tekken 8

Franchise

Tekken

Platform(s)

PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

January 26, 2024

Developer(s)

Bandai Namco Entertainment , Arika

Publisher(s)

Bandai Namco Entertainment