Do you have a taste for unique fighting game characters? Are you drawn to the mystic and supernatural? If you answered yes to both of these questions, Zafina might be in your near future. Zafina is one of the more unique characters on the Tekken 8 roster. Her strategy involves utilizing three distinct stances all with their own advantages. She also has a mechanic that allows her to do increased damage at the cost of her own life points. Picking Zafina might be an uphill battle at first, but she is worth it if you put in the time to master her tools. Watching an opposing player freeze in fear as she crawls up to them never gets old. Once you learn her staple combos you will climb through the ranks in no time.
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Key Moves to Know
Lamashtu Claw (Down Forward Right Punch)
This is one of Zafina’s main launching moves. It has a deceptive range and can avoid certain attacks. I do wish it was a bit faster as a punishment tool.
Bloody Saif (Down Left Punch, Right Punch Left Punch)
You will usually only use the first hit of this string as combo filler. The second hit of the sequence naturally connects to the first. The third hit is slow and will only connect with opponents with their legs in the air or at the wall.
Cursed Claw (Back Left Punch, Left Punch+Right Punch)
I think this is one of the coolest moves in the game. You use your scary demon hand to slash your opponent. It is a deadly combo ender once you get the timing of the second hit right.
Shahur (Standing Left Kick)
This move will automatically put you into Scarecrow Stance. Hold back when using this move to cancel the stance.
Cerberus Strike (Down Forward Right Kick, Right Punch)
A cerberus has three heads. This little string only hits twice. Airborne enemies will spin when hit with this attack.
Lapis Dagger (Up Forward Left Punch)
This is an upward jab that can be used for combo filler. This move has decent range and carries Zafina forward.
Manticore (Left Punch + Right Punch)
This is a long range counter hit tool. This move is perfect for whiff punishing. You can follow up with right kicks after this attack lands even on block.
Shirush (Down Back Left Punch + Right Punch x2)
This is a sneaky slow sweeping attack that can launch opponents. The second attack can trip people who are not paying attention. You will automatically be put into Mantis Stance for further mixup potential.
Spinning Sappara (during Scarecrow Stance Right Kick)
This is one of the cores of Zafina’s mix up game. This is an armored kick that causes an opponent to spin on the ground or in the air. Use this move when your opponent does not respect your pressure or for combo extension.
Dark Rising (during Scarecrow Down Forward Left Punch)
This move puts the “Scare” in Scarecrow. This a long range mid attack where Zafina strikes the ground in front with her demon claw. The second hit of this move can catch people off guard since Zafina is such a rare character. While in Heat, this move becomes armored.
Ettimu (Forward Right Punch Left Kick Right Kick)
This is a handy sequence that can be both a counter hit tool and a combo ender. You can use this attack if you aren’t confident in using the Cursed Claw. Stopping the sequence in the middle will leave Zafina in Scarecrow Stance.
Tiamat (Running Left Punch + Right Punch)
This running pounce puts Zafina into her Tarantula Stance. Thanks to the latest patch, this move now has tracking properties. It is a good move to mix up your opponent.
Primitive Grudge (During Tarantula Stance Down Forward Left Punch)
This is the Tarantula Stance equivalent of Dark Rising. This a long range mid attack that launches the opponent up. This move becomes armored while in Heat, making the Tarantula Stance a true threat in neutral.
Stances
Scarecrow
This is your main mixup stance. . While she has t more offensive options , she is unable to block attacks. In this stance, Zafina gains a 2nd Heat Smash attack that hits low.
Mantis
This is a defensive stance that can avoid high attacks. Zafina is able to block from this stance with the back button and even sidestep. While this stance has decent mixup tools, it is my least used out of the three.
Tarantula
Zafina is one spider I don't want to squish. This stance puts her on all fours. Though she is unable to block, most attacks will pass over her head. She is very good at sweeping the opponent in this state.
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Combos
Combo#1 Shadow Dance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn2CwAwcQ54&t=0s
0:00-0:06
This is a basic combo for you to start learning Zafina. It does decent damage and can push the enemy away from you. Just like a Subway sandwich, there are multiple ways for you to modify this combo to meet your needs.
Use this combo at the wall for more damage potential.
Use this combo against ducking opponents or characters with low stances(ie Xiaoyu, Zafina).
The first move of this combo can actually avoid certain high attacks with proper timing.
How to perform the combo
Down Forward Right Punch
Left Kick, During Scarecrow Right Kick
Forward Right Punch, Left Kick, Right Kick
Combo# 2 Haunted Scarecrow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn2CwAwcQ54&t=6s
0:06-0:15
This is a combo that utilizes Zafina’s Scarecrow Stance and her Cursed Claw technique. The latter can be somewhat difficult to use due to the timing requirement of the second hit. Be mindful of your health since Zafina’s claw attacks do a small amount of damage to you.
Use this combo in Heat to remove the self harm penalty.
This end of the combo will always switch sides with your opponent.
If the timing of the last move is too difficult, feel free to substitute it with Ettimu (Forward Right Punch, Left Kick, Right Kick)
How to perform the combo
Down Forward Right Punch
Up Forward Left Punch
Down Forward Left Punch
Forward Right Punch, Left Kick
During Scarecrow Stance,Down Forward Left Punch
Back Left Punch, Left Punch + Right Punch
Combo# 3 Mantis Blade
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn2CwAwcQ54&t=15s
0:15-0:22
This sequence can often catch opponents off guard due to the range of the first attack. The Manticore move can also be followed up by two additional kicks, adding a layer of mixup. This is another combo that ends in Zafina’s Cursed Claw attack.
Use this against opponents who whiff attacks in front of you.
After the first hit of the combo you can add a right kick for more damage.
The end of the combo will always switch sides with your opponent.
How to perform the combo
Left Punch+Right Punch
Down Forward Left Punch
Left Kick, During Scarecrow Stance Right Kick
Back Left Punch, Left Punch + Right Punch
Combo# 4 Reaper’s Rapier
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn2CwAwcQ54&t=22s
0:22-0:29
This is an alternate route of the previous combo. It starts out the same but instead of ending with the Cursed Claw, you can end with Eittimu for more consistent damage. You also won't take any damage for this combo.
When you go into Scarecrow Stance, you can use Down Forward Left Punch instead of Right Kick.
Use this combo near a wall for more damage potential.
This combo can cause a balcony break on certain stages.
How to perform the combo
Left Punch + Right Punch
Left Kick, During Scarecrow Stance Right Kick
Forward Right Punch, Left Kick, Right Kick
Combo# 5 Mantis’ Grip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn2CwAwcQ54&t=29s
0:29-0:38
Zafina’s Mantis Stance can start powerful combos. Be warned, her moves out of this stance can make you dizzy. This combo is more demanding than most and may require more practice.
You can double up on the first hit of the combo to catch opponents off guard.
The Mantis Stance commands require faster timing to keep the opponent juggled.
The end of the combo will always switch sides with your opponent.
How to perform the combo
Down Back Left Punch+Right Punch
During Mantis Stance Left Kick, Left Punch-Right Kick, Left Kick
During Mantis Stance Left Punch
Back Left Punch, Left Punch+Right Punch
Combo# 6 Scimitar Storm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn2CwAwcQ54&t=38s
0:38-0:44
If you duck a high attack or throw, you can punish your opponent with this combo. You can use this sequence after avoiding a dangerous high attack or throw. Be mindful of the self harm damage that comes after Dark Rising.
Holding down after the ender for this combo will leave Zafina in Mantis Stance.
Use this combo near a wall for more damage potential.
Use this combo in Heat to remove the self harm penalty.
How to perform the combo
While Rising Left Punch, Right Punch
Forward Right Punch Left Kick
During Scarecrow Stance Down Forward Left Punch
While Running Left Kick+Right Kick
Combo# 7 Stargazer’s Jewel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn2CwAwcQ54&t=44s
Making use of heat will allow you to increase your damage potential without killing yourself. If you are on the backfoot of a match, this combo is useful for shifting the momentum in your favor.
Use this combo near a wall for more damage potential.
This combo can cause a balcony break on certain stages.
You can use Forward, Left Punch + Right Punch, Forward to to continue the combo.
How to perform the combo
Left Punch+Right Punch
Down Forward Left Punch x2
Forward Right Punch, Left Kick
During Scarecrow Stance Down Forward Left Punch
Heat
Forward Right Punch Left Kick, Right Kick
Combo# 8 Demon Nail & Hammer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn2CwAwcQ54&t=56s
0:56-1:04
You can use this combo while already in Heat. If you are at the tail end of your heat gauge, use this sequence to maximize your damage. This combo is useful for closing out games.
Use this combo against ducking opponents or characters with low stances(ie Xiaoyu, Zafina).
You can set up the first hit of this move out of a counter hit move.
Use this combo near a wall for more damage potential.
How to perform the combo
While in Heat, Forward Left Punch + Right Punch, Forward
Down Forward Right Kick, Right Punch
Forward Right Punch, Left Kick
During Scarecrow Stance Down Forward Left Punch
Combo #9 Deadly Shadow Dance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn2CwAwcQ54&t=64s
1:04-1:14
This is a version of combo# 1 while in Heat. It has a similar advantage of actually avoiding certain high attacks. This sequence is harder to pull off but deals much more damage.
Use this combo against ducking opponents or characters with low stances (ie Xiaoyu, Zafina).
This end of the combo will always switch sides with your opponent.
If the timing of the last move is too difficult, feel free to substitute it with Ettimu (Forward Right Punch, Left Kick, Right Kick).
How to perform the combo
While in Heat, Down Forward Right Punch
Left Kick
During Scarecrow Stance; Right Punch, Left Punch Forward
Down Forward Right Kick, Right Punch
Back Left Punch, Left Punch + Right Punch
Combo #10 Wrath of the Spider Woman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn2CwAwcQ54&t=74s
1:14-1:21
Out of all the combos on this list, this one is my favorite. This sequence makes use of Zafina’s Scarecrow and Tarantula stances. Tarantula is my favorite of the two because of its low hit box and ability to confuse my opponent. Thanks to the latest Tekken 8 update, Tiamat (Running Left Punch + Right Punch) has improved tracking and will beat out sidestepping players.
You can use Down Forward Left Punch after Scarecrow Stance for more damage.
You can forego the last attack to maintain Tarantula stance pressure. Do not stay too close to the opponent or they can retaliate.
Use this combo in Heat to remove the self harm penalty.
How to perform the combo
While Rising Left Punch, Right Punch
Up Forward Left Punch
Forward Right Punch, Left Kick
During Scarecrow, Right Kick
While Running Left Punch + Right Punch
During Tarantula Stance Down Forward Left Punch
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If you enjoy freaking out your opponent with weird stances and performing unorthodox combos, Zafina is the character for you. Although she is one of the least played characters in the game, her toolkit can be quite oppressive in the right hands. Be sure to experiment with each of her stances to utilize Zafina’s full potential. Your opponent won't know what hit them.
A warrior on a never ending journey. Born & raised on Long Island, I am a fighting game addict with a lust for battle. Constantly seeking strong opponents to grow and reach my full power.
Gamer Since:
2001
Currently Playing:
TEKKEN 8
Top 3 Favorite Games:
Dark Souls 3 , Batman: Arkham City, Street Fighter X Tekken
