If you’ve been diving into Tekken 8′s online multiplayer, you’ve probably noticed those cryptic “Performance Stats” popping up after each bout. But what do those vague categories like “Technique” and “Appeal” actually mean? Are they just random fluff, or do they provide insight into how you’re playing?
As a fellow Tekken warrior, I was just as confused when I first saw that Performance Stats screen. Thankfully, after some digging around online communities and analyzing my own gameplay, I think I’ve cracked the code on deciphering this enigma. Let’s break it down!
The Five Performance Stat Categories
First off, the Performance Stats are split into five main categories: Attack, Technique, Appeal, Defense, and Spirit. Each one has a score out of 100, as well as four subcategories that max out at 25 points and are graded from S+ down to E.
While Bandai Namco hasn’t officially defined what each subcategory tracks, the Tekken community has collaborated on some educated guesses based on gameplay observations. Here’s what those five main stats likely represent:
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- Attack: How aggressive and overwhelming your offensive approach is. This covers aspects like landing counter-hits, dishing out high-damage combos, using unblockable attacks, and more.
- Technique: Your level of mastery and precision when executing moves and punishing your opponent’s whiffs or unsafe strings.
- Appeal: An entertainingly varied move-set and an appreciation for the psychological battle, including showing respect for rematches or clutching out “Great!” comeback rounds.
- Defense: Your ability to defend effectively through blocking, sidewalking, spacing, and breaking throws.
- Spirit: How fearlessly you engage at close range and apply offensive pressure with aggressive playstyles like rush down.
Subcategory Breakdowns
Curious about those 20 subcategories too? While not officially confirmed, here’s what they’re thought to represent based on gameplay observations:
Attack
- Troublemaker (mixup/throw game)
- Heavy Hitter (high knockdown/knockback attacks)
- Aggressive (lots of counter-hits and attacks landed)
- Overwhelming (armored moves, plus frames, perfect rounds)
Technique
- Precise (whiff-punishing and hit-confirming)
- Discerning (punishing unsafe/minus moves)
- Side Swapper (stance/side switching)
- Stage User (wall/floor combos and gameplay)
Appeal
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- Respectful (accepting rematches)
- Goal-Oriented (clutching out low health rounds)
- Fair and Square (not attacking between rounds)
- Myriad (large moveset variety)
Defense
- Block Up (consistent blocking/turtling)
- Dodge King (effective side walking/back dashing)
- Escape Artist (consistent throw breaks)
- Composed (strong spacing and keep-out)
Spirit
- Close Combatant (up close rush down pressure)
- Underdog (beating higher-rated opponents)
- Full of Fight (attacking between rounds)
- Hyper Focused (landing Heat moves and Rage Arts)
The Value of Performance Stats
On the surface, these Performance Stats just seem like cool extra stats to ogle after an online set. But I’d argue they provide some valuable insight for self-improvement if you understand what they’re tracking.
For example, let’s say you want to work on your Tekken defense and find your “Dodge King” stat is quite low. That would indicate you may need to spend some time in practice mode drilling sidewalk timings and whiff punishing. Or maybe your “Heavy Hitter” and “Overwhelming” stats are shockingly high, but your “Discerning” metric is low – pointing towards a tendency to mash without fully punishing your openings.
Of course, playstyles vary. But by keeping an eye on your Performance Stats, you can identify areas of strength and areas that need work. You can then spend virtual dojo time leveling up the weaker subcategories until you’re a Grade S+ all-around warrior.
How to Improve Your Stats
Improving any subcategory stat is simply a matter of applying conscious effort toward that aspect of gameplay. If you want to boost your “Trouble Maker” ranking, for example, spend some time in practice mixing up your throw game and learning all your command throw setups.
For stats like “Respectful” or “Full of Fight”, you’ll need to be mindful of your pre-and-post-round etiquette. And if you’re a defensive master working on that “Close Combatant” stat, start taking some risks and pressuring your opponents more aggressively in the corner or at the wall.
The key is recognizing any lopsided stat imbalances after your online sessions and then making the appropriate adjustments in training mode or future matches. It’s all about developing a comprehensive, well-rounded mastery of Tekken fundamentals.
Don’t Sweat It Too Much
At the end of the day, your Performance Stats are just an optional way to evaluate your current skill level and pinpoint opportunities for leveling up your game. They’re not the end-all-be-all, and you certainly shouldn’t sweat them too much in the heat of battle.
The most important stat to focus on? Your actual win rate against other players, of course! But by using these Performance metrics as a helpful secondary benchmark, you can ensure you’re constantly evolving as an adaptable, formidable Tekken competitor across all facets of gameplay.
So keep an eye on those stat screens after each online bout. If you start seeing some glaring lows or highs in specific areas, you’ll know exactly which skills to hone during your next Tekken lab session. With enough practice and mindfulness, you’ll be rocking a full grid of S+ ranks in no time!
