Jack-8 strategy

This page is for Tekken 8. For Tekken 7, see Jack-7 strategy.

Overview

Put simply, Jack is very overwhelming on offense, and gets very overwhelmed on defense.

A plethora of plus on block moves, a full suite of high damage throws, an insanely frustrating and spammable i12 low, great combo and wall damage, and a stance loaded with plus on block options, a power crush, a guard break, a throw, and even a mid throw, all while being even stronger in heat; true to his appearance, Jack is a juggernaut who can get in your face and overwhelm you very easily, and falling asleep at the wheel when facing him can be very dangerous.

However, on defense, Jack is perhaps the biggest sitting duck in the game. No i10 jab, no single hit CH launchers, no hopkick, a very wide hurtbox preventing him from sidestepping many moves that other characters can, and slow/duckable power crush moves; if Jack is put on the back foot, sometimes only a lucky guess can save him from losing the whole round. Despite this, Jack still retains some good keepout tools from older titles and still gets good rewards off of most punishes, as well as having the fastest heat smash in the game at i10, so defense isn't impossible if you're willing to put up with some abuse here and there.

Your basic gameplan is actually pretty straightforward given what's just been gone over: establish your presence in the mid range with your keepout tools to discourage your opponent from getting in your face, then once they're sitting still or have their back to the wall, begin your own pressure, mixing them up with your strong mids, complete throw game, and looping offense with Gamma Howl.

Key Moves

FunctionDegree to which the move is fit for this purpose.
	Core
	Secondary
	Extra

Move	PokeFast and safe, see Poke	CounterStronger against enemy attacks, e.g. has evasive, crush, parry, or counter hit properties.	MixupUseful against a guarding opponent.	KeepoutUseful against an opponent moving in.	ApproachUseful when moving in.	OkiUseful against a grounded opponent, see okizeme.
2
f+2
df+1
f+1
df+4
f,F+1
b+2
b+1+2
b+3
SS.2
db+1
FC.db+1
f,f,F+2
f,f,F+1+2

---

NameThe name of the move in the English localization.Most often directly from the in-game movelist, but can also be a community name.

AltOther inputs that also perform this move, written in notation.

NumThe move number as it appears on the full move list of the given character in the game.

InputThe input to perform the move, written in notation. This is often used as the move's name.For strings, the input of the previous moves in the string is shown but washed out.

Hit levelThe hit level of the move.Capital letters mean it hits grounded.For strings,​ the hit level of the previous moves in the string is shown but washed out.

DamageHow much damage the move does without any modifiers.For strings,​ the damage of the previous moves in the string is shown but washed out.

RangeThe maximum range recorded of the move hitting Lars on-axis. (For Tekken 7, it's vs Heihachi.) Assume an error of about ±0.03.For strings, this is the range of the whole string.This measurement shouldn't on its own be used to compare characters: larger characters get more "range" by this measure, but their opponents do too.

Left TrackingThe tracking score to the attacker's left.Roughly speaking, when up close, if the defender sidesteps or sidewalks right for no more than this many frames, the move still connects.

Right TrackingThe tracking score to the attacker's right.Roughly speaking, when up close, if the defender sidesteps or sidewalks left for no more than this many frames, the move still connects.

BlockThe frame advantage on block.Blank if the move can't be blocked (e.g., an unblockable or an aerial attack).For breakable throws, this is the frame advantage when the throw is broken.

HitThe frame advantage on hit.Blank if the move is not an attack, e.g. is a stance transition only.For throws, this is the frame advantage after the throw.

CHThe frame advantage on counter hit.Blank if this is the same as on normal hit, i.e. there is no special behavior on counter hit.

StartupThe active frames of the attack. The "i" stands for "impact", i.e. impact frame.If there is more than one hit, a comma indicates that frame 1 is now the frame after the last active frame of the previous hit.For strings, therefore, this usually has a leading comma.

StatesThe frames where the attacker is in any special states, e.g. jump, parry, or powercrush.

RecoveryThe total number of frames, the recovery frames, and what stance the move recovers in, if any.The "t" stands for total and "r" for recovery. If no stance is listed, the move recovers in the default, standing position.For strings, the total frame count is from the start of the string with no delays.

NotesAnything that doesn't fit elsewhere.Many common move properties, such as whether a string can be delayed, go here.See Movelist#Notes for standard wording of common properties.

#Jack-8-2

2

h

10

3

19

+1

+9

i11

t31 r20

• Recovers 2f faster on hit or block (t29 r18)

In exchange for being 1 frame slower than other characters' jabs, Jack's jab has very long reach, letting it be used for pushing opponents out at much longer ranges. It has two good extensions in 2,1 for a safe mid check and 2,3 for a tracking option for opponents who love stepping after a jab.

#Jack-8-f+2

Pinpoint Assault

27

f+2

h

22

5

7

-12

+5

+32a (+24)

i10

t43 r33

Sometimes written stop sign

Your only i10 option. Unsafe on block, but on counterhit leads to a guaranteed f,F+4 (or EWMF if you're got the execution) for great damage.

#Jack-8-df+1

df+1

m

12

-4

+3

+5

i14

#Jack-8-f+1

f+1

m

13

22

21

-6

+5

i14

• Effectively homing?

#Jack-8-df+4

Mimesis Wrench Kick

40

df+4

m

17

-9

+5

+14c

i15

#Jack-8-f,F+1

Jackhammer

68

f,F+1

m

22

12

11

-6

+8c

+16d

i15~16

Elbow

• Transition to GMH with D
• (+4 oB, +8c oH, +16d cH)

Your mid checks. df1 and f1 have good range with some solid extensions (notably df1,1 being an instant tornado to catch opponents mashing), while df4 is your best tracking option. Jackhammer in particular is excellent thanks to forcing crouch and its transition to Gamma Howl, though take care of its linearity.

#Jack-8-b+2

Piston Gun Assault

56

b+2

m

27

+2

+2a

i19

Heat Engager

Heat Dash +5, +36a(+26)

Balcony Break

• Gain GMC on Heat activation
• Can be charged to power up

#Jack-8-b+1+2

Tyulpan Blast

59

b+1+2

m

28

-19

-1d (-10)

i14

Heat Engager

Heat Dash +5, +43d(+35)

Balcony Break

• Gain GMC on Heat activation

#Jack-8-b+3

b+3

m

14

-9

+2

i16

#Jack-8-ss2

Piston Gun Snipe

97

ss2

h

20

+9

+35d (+27)

i17

Balcony Break

• Transition to GMH with D
  • (+9 oB, +35d (+27) oH)
• Chip damage on block (6)

Jack's longer range keepout tools have great reward on hit, giving him and easy way to discourage linear approaches like Slash Kicks and Demon Paws. However, most of them are very linear themselves, so take care of using them too close up where they can easily be stepped. Combine these with your mid checks to establish your presence in the neutral. ss2 in particular is excellent if you've noticed your opponent doesn't duck much, as its an incredible +9 on block with the option to go into Gamma Howl.

#Jack-8-db+1

db+1

l

13

-12

+1

i12

rFC

A very unusual but useful move. At i12 it's the fastest low in the game, and leaves Jack crouching with slight frame advantage. This couples well with Jack's long list of fullcrouch moves with many, many mid/low mixups. Because most of Jack's other strong lows are unfortunately very slow and punishable, this is your main way of making opponents crouch and enable you to land your strong mids.

#Jack-8-f,f,F+2

Cemaho Chop

75

f,f,F+2

m

25

+6

+10

i22

• Chip damage on block (7)
• Guarantees i10 moves on hit
• Alternate input wr2

#Jack-8-f,f,F+1+2

Mimesis Charging Tackle

76

f,f,F+1+2

m

34

+4

+7a (-2)

i20~23

Balcony Break

• Chip damage on block (10)
• Alternate input wr1+2

Jack's running options, both being plus on block mids that are a bit on the slower side. wr1+2 in particular has more tracking than you'd think, so it's a great option for catching tech roll on knockdowns.

#Jack-8-ub+1+2

Barrel Jacket Hammer

60

ub+1+2

h

30

-9

+23d

i20 pc7

pc7

Balcony Break

Homing

• Chip damage on block when absorbing an attack (12)

#Jack-8-f+1+2

Rolling Death Crusher

32

f+1+2

m,​m

12,​20

19

20

-12

+32d (+6)

i27 pc7

pc7

Balcony Break

• Chip damage on block when absorbing an attack (12)

Jack's powercrush options. ub+1+2 is usually more useful since it's faster, homing, and safe on block, but it can still be ducked. After ub+1+2, an EWMF is guaranteed unless the opponent holds back to get up.

Gamma Howl

Jack's brand new stance in Tekken 8, Gamma Howl (GMH) is unusual compared to most other stances; it has no low options and one throw, meaning it technically doesn't have the same mixups as stances. However, most options from GMH leave Jack at a very sizeable frame advantage, enabling him to freely run offense and potentially even looping back into GMH to create very overwhelming vortex scenarios.

GMH has options to catch most any escape attempt by the opponent - a powercrush to catch mashing, a homing mid to catch movement, a grab to catch powercrushes, and advancing moves that make it hard to back away from Jack. In addition, Gamma Howl gets powered up if the initial activation absorbs a move or if Jack is in heat. This state is noted as Gamma Charge (GMC) and powers up certain GMH moves, making them much more threatening. Proper use of GMH, and knowing the frame data associated with it, is key to success with Jack as it enables his offense and greatly improves his defense

This stance becomes even stronger in heat; in addition to always being in GMC, Jack also restores some heat every time he enters GMH, which means Jack's heat has a much longer lifespan than most other characters. This allows Jack to pile on chip damage with ease, further supporting his bully playstyle.

NameThe name of the move in the English localization.Most often directly from the in-game movelist, but can also be a community name.

AltOther inputs that also perform this move, written in notation.

NumThe move number as it appears on the full move list of the given character in the game.

InputThe input to perform the move, written in notation. This is often used as the move's name.For strings, the input of the previous moves in the string is shown but washed out.

Hit levelThe hit level of the move.Capital letters mean it hits grounded.For strings,​ the hit level of the previous moves in the string is shown but washed out.

DamageHow much damage the move does without any modifiers.For strings,​ the damage of the previous moves in the string is shown but washed out.

RangeThe maximum range recorded of the move hitting Lars on-axis. (For Tekken 7, it's vs Heihachi.) Assume an error of about ±0.03.For strings, this is the range of the whole string.This measurement shouldn't on its own be used to compare characters: larger characters get more "range" by this measure, but their opponents do too.

Left TrackingThe tracking score to the attacker's left.Roughly speaking, when up close, if the defender sidesteps or sidewalks right for no more than this many frames, the move still connects.

Right TrackingThe tracking score to the attacker's right.Roughly speaking, when up close, if the defender sidesteps or sidewalks left for no more than this many frames, the move still connects.

BlockThe frame advantage on block.Blank if the move can't be blocked (e.g., an unblockable or an aerial attack).For breakable throws, this is the frame advantage when the throw is broken.

HitThe frame advantage on hit.Blank if the move is not an attack, e.g. is a stance transition only.For throws, this is the frame advantage after the throw.

CHThe frame advantage on counter hit.Blank if this is the same as on normal hit, i.e. there is no special behavior on counter hit.

StartupThe active frames of the attack. The "i" stands for "impact", i.e. impact frame.If there is more than one hit, a comma indicates that frame 1 is now the frame after the last active frame of the previous hit.For strings, therefore, this usually has a leading comma.

StatesThe frames where the attacker is in any special states, e.g. jump, parry, or powercrush.

RecoveryThe total number of frames, the recovery frames, and what stance the move recovers in, if any.The "t" stands for total and "r" for recovery. If no stance is listed, the move recovers in the default, standing position.For strings, the total frame count is from the start of the string with no delays.

NotesAnything that doesn't fit elsewhere.Many common move properties, such as whether a string can be delayed, go here.See Movelist#Notes for standard wording of common properties.

#Jack-8-3+4

Gamma Howl (Gamma Charge)

WS.3+4

115

3+4

pc7~22

t40? r30 GMH

• When timed with opponent attack, or absorbing an attack, gain GMC and recover in t35? r15 GMH
• Recover Heat and recoverable health when absorbing an attack
• GMC is always in effect during Heat
• Alternate input: ws3+4

Manual transition to Gamma Howl. Has power crush properties on start up, letting it act as a pseudo parry. Should it absorb an attack in this way, Gamma Charge is activated. Take note that it loses to lows and throws like any other power crush, so it's not to be used carelessly as a panic button.

#Jack-8-f,F+1

Jackhammer

68

f,F+1

m

22

12

11

-6

+8c

+16d

i15~16

Elbow

• Transition to GMH with D
• (+4 oB, +8c oH, +16d cH)

#Jack-8-ss2

Piston Gun Snipe

97

ss2

h

20

+9

+35d (+27)

i17

Balcony Break

• Transition to GMH with D
  • (+9 oB, +35d (+27) oH)
• Chip damage on block (6)

#Jack-8-3

• f+3
• WS.3

3

m

18

13

9

-9

+5

i15

Knee

• Transition to GMH with D
  • (+2 oB, +16g oH, +16 ch)
• Alternate input f+3 or ws3

#Jack-8-uf+3

Terrapulser

66

uf+3

L

[8]

-12

+8c GMH

i23

js9

Spike

• Only deals recoverable damage
• Cannot K.O.
• Only spikes when hit up close
• Automatically transitions to GMH on hit
• Alternate input ub+3, u+3: less forward movement

There's a few ways to transition into Gamma Howl, with these options in particular being very reliable. Keep in mind that if transitioning into GMH from a move, it has no power crush properties. When looking at any move that GMH transitions from, take note of the frame advantage on block and hit, as that will show you which options you can and cannot go for without being interrupted.

#Jack-8-GMH.4

Full Metal Deathblow

109

GMH.4

h

30

+4

+21d (+11)

i14~18

r30

Heat Engager

Heat Dash +5, +36a(+26)

Balcony Break

• 9 chip damage on block
• Gain GMC on Heat activation

#Jack-8-GMH.2

Exaton Blast

107

GMH.2

h

40

+11g

+21d (+11)

i20

r34

Balcony Break

Tornado

#Jack-8-GMH.3

Granite Stomp

GMH.3

M

28

+4

+9c

+22a

i24

Floor Break

• Transition to FC with D
  • (+7 oH, +2 oB)

These three options, while having slightly different use cases, are all plus on block and leave Jack in the opponent's face. GMH.4 is the fastest option while even being a heat engager. GMH.2 offers even more frame advantage at the cost of being a bit slower. GMH.3 is the slowest of the three, but hits mid instead of high, and launches on counterhit.

#Jack-8-GMH.1

Juggernaut Hook

106

GMH.1

m

20

-9

+25d

i22

Homing

Balcony Break

Because the above moves are all relatively linear, GMH.1 exists to catch opponents attempting to sidestep. Only use this if you're trying to catch a sidestep, however, as being -9 on block means your turn is over, wasting Gamma Howl's biggest advantage.

#Jack-8-GMH.1+2

Mimesis Overkill

132

GMH.1+2

th

45 (57)

-6

+0d

i16

• 57 Damage if opponent hits the wall
• Throw Break 1+2
• Swaps positions on break

A throw which exists mainly to catch opponents sleeping on defense. This is the only (regular) throw out of GMH so there's no real mixup here if the opponent is prepared to break with 1+2, making this move sadly less useful than you'd think. Still, the massive damage on wall hit makes it nice to go for sometimes anyway.

#Jack-8-GMH.1+3

Gun Bomb

GMH.1+3

t

30

!

+0d

i15

• Crouch Throw (Unbreakable)

Floor Break

• Alternate input d+1+3

#Jack-8-GMH.2+4

Iron Gunman

GMH.2+4

t

25

!

+6d

i15

Heat Engager

• Cannot cancel into Heat Dash
• Crouch Throw (Unbreakable)
• Alternate input d+2+4
• Gain GMC on Heat activation

Should the opponent try to duck under your highs or your throw, Gamma Howl has not one but two crouch throws to punish such attempts. 2+4 is usually preferred as it's a heat engager, while 1+3 should only be used if you're on a breakable floor, leading to much greater damage.

#Jack-8-GMH.3+4

Particle Barrier

110

GMH.3+4

SM

20

-13

+40d (-18)

i20 pc6

pc6

Heat Engager

Heat Dash +5, +36a(+26)

Balcony Break

• 6 chip damage on block when absorbing an attack
• Gain GMC on Heat activation

A giant powercrush move that also acts as a heat engager. Great surprise option out of certain GMH transitions that don't offer enough frame advantage to be uninterruptable. Unsafe on block, so use sparingly otherwise.

Gamma Charge

#Jack-8-GMC.1

Jaguar Hook - Gamma

116

GMC.1

m

22

-6

+73a (+57)

i22

Strong Aerial Tailspin

Homing

• Partially uses remaining Heat time
• Chip damage on block (4)

#Jack-8-GMC.2

Exaton Blast - Gamma

117

GMC.2

h

42

+11

+31a (+5)

i20 pc1

pc1

r34

Tornado

Guard Break

Reversal Break

Balcony Break

• Partially uses remaining Heat time
• 4 chip damage on block

GMH.1 and GMC.2 are two standout moves enhanced by GMC. GMC.1 becomes less minus on block while now acting as a launcher, discouraging ducking and stepping even harder. It also causes Strong Aerial Tailspin (SAT) for added combo utility.

GMC.2 is now a power crush, a guard break and a reversal break, pairing particularly well with Jack's heat smash should it be available.

#Jack-8-GMC.3+4

Particle Barrier - Gamma

GMC.3+4

sm

24

-9

+14c

i20 pc6

pc6

Heat Engager

Heat Dash +5, +36a(+26)

Balcony Break

• Partially uses remaining Heat time
• Consumes GMC upon use
• 7 chip damage on block
• Gain GMC on Heat activation
• Forces backroll on hit

GMC.3+4 is also greatly enhanced. It's now safe on block and recovers a whopping 14 health on block and on hit! Not a bad use of a GMC if you just want to recover some grey health.

Throws

An often ignored component of Jack's moveset. He has a complete throw game (meaning he has a 1, a 2, and a 1+2 break throw), along with a few other throws for more niche scenarios. Don't underestimate or ignore Jack's throws, as they all lead to great damage and okizeme.

NameThe name of the move in the English localization.Most often directly from the in-game movelist, but can also be a community name.

AltOther inputs that also perform this move, written in notation.

NumThe move number as it appears on the full move list of the given character in the game.

InputThe input to perform the move, written in notation. This is often used as the move's name.For strings, the input of the previous moves in the string is shown but washed out.

Hit levelThe hit level of the move.Capital letters mean it hits grounded.For strings,​ the hit level of the previous moves in the string is shown but washed out.

DamageHow much damage the move does without any modifiers.For strings,​ the damage of the previous moves in the string is shown but washed out.

RangeThe maximum range recorded of the move hitting Lars on-axis. (For Tekken 7, it's vs Heihachi.) Assume an error of about ±0.03.For strings, this is the range of the whole string.This measurement shouldn't on its own be used to compare characters: larger characters get more "range" by this measure, but their opponents do too.

Left TrackingThe tracking score to the attacker's left.Roughly speaking, when up close, if the defender sidesteps or sidewalks right for no more than this many frames, the move still connects.

Right TrackingThe tracking score to the attacker's right.Roughly speaking, when up close, if the defender sidesteps or sidewalks left for no more than this many frames, the move still connects.

BlockThe frame advantage on block.Blank if the move can't be blocked (e.g., an unblockable or an aerial attack).For breakable throws, this is the frame advantage when the throw is broken.

HitThe frame advantage on hit.Blank if the move is not an attack, e.g. is a stance transition only.For throws, this is the frame advantage after the throw.

CHThe frame advantage on counter hit.Blank if this is the same as on normal hit, i.e. there is no special behavior on counter hit.

StartupThe active frames of the attack. The "i" stands for "impact", i.e. impact frame.If there is more than one hit, a comma indicates that frame 1 is now the frame after the last active frame of the previous hit.For strings, therefore, this usually has a leading comma.

StatesThe frames where the attacker is in any special states, e.g. jump, parry, or powercrush.

RecoveryThe total number of frames, the recovery frames, and what stance the move recovers in, if any.The "t" stands for total and "r" for recovery. If no stance is listed, the move recovers in the default, standing position.For strings, the total frame count is from the start of the string with no delays.

NotesAnything that doesn't fit elsewhere.Many common move properties, such as whether a string can be delayed, go here.See Movelist#Notes for standard wording of common properties.

#Jack-8-qcf+1

Pyramid Driver

130

qcf+1

t

40

-2

-2d

i11

• Throw Break 1

Floor Break

#Jack-8-qcb+2

Back Breaker

131

qcb+2

t

45

-2

+5d

i11

• Throw Break 2

#Jack-8-uf+1+2

Ground Zero

127

uf+1+2

t

35

-6

-10d

i11

• Throw Break 1+2

Floor Break

#Jack-8-uf+1+2,d,df+2

Lift Up Megaton Hit

128

uf+1+2,d,df+2

t

40

-6

+19a (-7)

i11

• Throw Break 1+2

Balcony Break

• Wallsplats opponent
• If blocked, does 20 chip dmg and is -2 oB

Your basic 1, 2, and 1+2 throws. qcf+1 leads to a floor break for excellent damage, qcb+2 gives a guaranteed db+1+2 for some good additional damage, and uf1+2 has an optional extension that wallsplats leading to high damage wall combos, especially when coupled with wall blasts, wall breaks, or balcony breaks.

#Jack-8-df+2+4

Volcano

124

df+2+4

t

10

-2

+26a

i11

• Throw Break 2

#Jack-8-df,DF+2+4

Volcano Blaster

125

df,DF+2+4

t

10

-2

+54a

i14

• Throw Break 2

A 2 break that launches instead of doing damage outright. Due to the heavy scaling, your mileage may vary. Should you be in a spot where you can reach the wall, it can open up some great damage thanks to Jack's great wall combos.

#Jack-8-db,n,f+1+2

Pile Driver

129

db,n,f+1+2

t

50

-6

-1d

i11

• Throw Break 1+2

Floor Break

A 1+2 break that does great damage and gives excellent okizeme, thanks to leaving the opponent very close to Jack in a head-towards knockdown.

#Jack-8-d+1+3

Gun Bomb

133

d+1+3

t

30

!

+0d

i12

• Crouch Throw (Unbreakable)

Floor Break

• Can be done from crouch
• Alternate input GMH.1+3

#Jack-8-d+2+4

Iron Gunman

134

d+2+4

t

25

!

+6d

i12

Heat Engager

• Cannot cancel into Heat Dash
• Crouch Throw (Unbreakable)
• Can be done from crouch
• Alternate input GMH.2+4
• Gain GMC on Heat activation

Surprise! The crouch throws from Gamma Howl are usable even outside it - behaving exactly the same. d+2+4 in particular is a great surprise option for entering heat, especially if you've already made your opponent scared of your other throws and encouraged them to duck often.

#Jack-8-db+2+3

Body Smash

126

db+2+3

t

25

-2

+14c

i11

• Throw Break 2

Floor Break

Another 2 break throw, but this one forces the opponent to crouch and leaves them at -14, meaning that Jack's aforementioned crouch throws are a guaranteed followup here.

Okizeme

(wip)

Defense

Jack is built like a tungsten cube, meaning that while he hits hard and has no problem building momentum, he has trouble side-stepping away from things that others do not. His sidestep isn't useless though, as he can still step things like the last hit of Laser Scraper - it's just less reliable than other characters' sidesteps.

Luckily, Jack was given the aforementioned Gamma Howl (3+4). Manually entering Gamma Howl with 3+4 has armor properties, and successfully absorbing moves with Gamma Howl gives Jack access to Gamma Charge and often times guarantees a punish.

Smart usage of 3+4 can help make up for Jack's mobility issues, greatly improving Jack's defense and enabling scary offense at the same time.

Heat Usage

(wip)