Leo strategy

This page is for Tekken 8. For Tekken 7, see Leo strategy (Tekken 7).

Key moves

• Note for all of the below: unless otherwise mentioned, assume these moves have bad tracking.

Midrange Tools

• df+4 - Basic 12f mid poke, decent range for its speed.
• f,F+2 - Forward advancing safe mid, great for stuffing out opponents at range. Gives LG on hit.
• f,F+4,3 - Forward advancing combo starter, with decent tracking to the right. -14 on block, with a risky low followup that can dissuade punishes.
• CD.2,1 - Safe mid,mid string with great range. Counter hits from either hit lead into a mini combo, and also has a cheeky KNK cancel.
• df+2 - Large fast launcher, only -13 on block and launches crouchers. Great whiff punisher.
• d+4,2 - The first hit is minus on hit low with tracking. You can still step or take back you turn after, and also threaten the LG-granting follow up against predictable opponents.
• db+2,4 - Hit confirmable heat engager that is safe on block.
• f,F+4,3,4 - Forward advancing launcher that provides some tracking. First and second hits are -13 and -14 respectively, third hit is a risky low that can catch punishes sometimes.
• df+3 - Safe mid counterhit launcher with homing. You lose your turn on block (-9), but this is one of your only mid homing tools for steppers.

Approach

• f,f,F+3 - Basic slash kick, plus on block.
• d+2 - Forces crouch on block at +4, and gives a counterhit combo.
• b+1,4 / b+1,1+2 - Risky strings to use but can be nice midrange against timid opponents. b+1,4 gives mix but the 2nd hit is steppable, b+1,1+2 will stop the stepping but is -12. .

Close Range Tools

• 1 - Basic 1 jab. Don't use 1,4 on block.
• 1,2,1,1 / 1,2,1,4 - String follow ups that are sometimes useful for counterhitting after your 1,2. The first 3 hits are all highs, though.
• df+1,2 - First hit is a generic df1, -1 good for checking mid. High 2 extension after gives decent reward on counterhit.
• 4 - 12f magic 4, gives a decent minicombo on counterhit.
• df+2+3 - Slow high crushing low, but not that punishable. Gives a full combo on counterhit.
• CD.1 - High crushing low, minus on hit but gives a guaranteed ws4 heat engager on counterhit.
• CD.3/iws3 - Using this move from standing or after moves that leave you crouch (df2+3, CD.1) can track your opponent. On CH you can finish the string for good damage.
• f+4 - mid that enters KNK stance for mix. Fast, but lacks range and tracking.

Defense/Panic Options

• db+3 - Backswing blow with tons of high (and sometimes mid) crush. Save on block high, some opponents won't be keen enough to duck it.
• b+3+4 - Manual backstep that enters KNK, use it like Feng's back kenpo. KNK2, KNK3,4, and KNK3+4 here can punish whiffs. Cancel into crouchdash to either take back space or keep it safer.
• f+2+3 - Safe high that evades to the right. Can be used to evade retaliation or escape pressure.
• b+1+3 - parry (todo)
• b+2+4 - parry (todo)
• ub+1 - parry (todo)
• b+2+3 - sabaki (todo)