Tekken 8's second DLC character is Lidia Sobieska, who made waves in Tekken 7 as a Polish karate fighter with powerful pressure and fun stances. She's back in Tekken 8!
Lidia Sobieska returns to Tekken 8! The Polish Prime Minister uses a fierce Karate style to decimate her opponent with four stances, powerful moves that are plus on block, and a bunch of cool parries. She is looking quite strong already. In this guide, we'll give you a general overview of what are her best moves to use and which punishes to do at what time. Use these moves to start with and venture beyond.
This guide assumes that you know some Tekken 8 basics and understand notation.
Note: Some of this information was gathered before the official release of Lidia, but we have made some updates as new resources became available!
Tekken 8 Lidia DLC release date is July 22nd for Season Pass holders (early access) and July 25th for everyone else.
There already has been a good number of resources and video content posted of Lidia, and we're pumped for the Polish character to arrive. Get a head start on learning her, and if you won't be playing her, it's still really good to have an idea of what she does so you can counteract her.
Tekken 8 Lidia Overview
IGN posted an excellent overview about Lidia. They cover the main aspects of the character, including some of her best tools to start up pressure, how the stances work, and what options you have. Main thing to know: A lot of Lidia's moves force you into her stances. With some of her moves, if they are blocked, they can mash on you when you transition. The first move that we talk about is a notable exception, though.
Here's a breakdown:
Approach with f,f2
- It's +5 on block, so you have an advantage, and you go into the Horse stance, which has a lot of options: a low, a Heat engager, and an axe kick with 4 that is slower but leaves you +8 on block and goes into another stance, Wolf
- If you're already in heat and land this move, then follow up with 1, which is now guaranteed, you will then go into her Heat-only stance, Heaven and Earth
Alternatively, approach with f,f,1, which is a high so it can be ducked, but it's +6 on block, and does not force you into any stance
F1+2, 3, 1+2
- 14 frame punisher
- Heat Engager
- It's launch punishable on block, so don't do the whole string if the opponent is blocking. But it is a natural combo
- The range on this is pretty good, Lidia approaches pretty well at the start
- You can input d, df, f1+2 for the last hit to raise damage slightly (Lidia has a few "difficult inputs in her strings to raise the damage, but you can always do the simpler versions)
b1
- Safe mid that is +2 on block
- Heat Engager
- 18 frame punisher that wall stuns when close to the wall
- Knocks down if you're already in Heat
d,f2
- 15 frame punisher mid
- +11 on hit
- Goes into Cat stance. If they block this move, they can mash on your stance entrance
d,b4
- Tracking low that has 22 frames of startup
- Does not force Lidia into crouching, so you aren't limited to while rising moves after
d2
- Faster low at 18 frames, but it's -4 on hit
- Forces opponent crouch on counter hit, which lets you combo into a Heat Enager (df2)
FCdf3
- Riskier low that can knockdown into a guaranteed followup (f,f3)
- Launch-punishable if blocked
d,df,f4
- 17 frames tracking high, +1 on block
- If it hits, you are +10, which lets you do a followup string combo (1,2,2) which will go into Cat stance
1,2,2
- Quick 10-frame string that goes into Cat stance
- Very bad if blocked
- do 1,4 instead if you want a 1-frame punisher that doesn't go into stance
d,b3
- Tracking 16-frame low sweep
- +7 on hit, goes into Horse stance
In Wolf stance: 1
- Chargeable mid that can become up to +7 on block, full combo on hit
- Easy to sidestep
2,2
- 11 frame punish that goes into Cat stance
- You can do 2,4 if you'd rather not go into stance
f2,4
- 12 frame punisher, can wall splat and wall break
b2,3
- 13 frame punisher, leaves you at +6 on hit
3,2
- 15 frame combo starter
- Has a just frame property to slightly increase damage
u,f4
- Hop kick that tornadoes
df4,2
- 15 frame punish, has longer reach
- Get a guaranteed hit after (f,f1+2)
WR4,2
- 11 frames, goes into Cat stance
WR1,4
- 13 frames, can wall splat
WR1,2
- Puts you at +11 on hit and into Cat stance
WR3
- Knocks down and lets you follow up with f,f1+2
WR2
- 15 frame launcher
Heaven and Earth stance
You only have access to it while in Heat. You can enter it by going into any stance and pressing U, or after a Heat Engager.
Automatically parries attacks, but not lows. Parrying restores Heat gauge and reenters it to do a followup. Entering it grants a power up charge that persist over rounds. Charges increase the damage of certain moves and reduce Heat consumption.
In the stance, you have a Power Crush mid launcher, and unblockable high, and a powerful mid that's +6 on block.
If you want even more of an overview, the Tekken development team shared a demonstration during which they go over genereal aspects of Lidia.
For a longer and more in-depth guide, see the Tekken 8 Lidia Guide from King Jae on YouTube, with sections for various aspects of the character.
Tekken 8 Lidia Combos
RyzingSol posts excellent Tekken 8 combo guides, and the Lidia one is no exception. Beautifully edited, it's clearly sectioned, has all the inputs you need, and combos for basically every situation. Highly recommend using this one.
Lidia Match Footage
JakubDi's channel uploaded 40 minutes of a mirror match between two Lidias.
YellowMotion also uploaded a shorter match but with an already pretty proficient Lidia player.
Tekken 8 Lidia Move List
See the entire Tekken 8 Lidia move list in a video from the JakubDi YouTube channel. The entire move list is shown, with every move demonstrated, so it's a great way to get a visual view of everything she can do. It is one of the larger move lists in the game, too.
It shows a few sample combos as well, though of course those aren't optimal. You can see however, how a few moves link into other ones and which ones Tornado, etc.
Whether you play on console or PC, pick up an Arctis Nova 5P Wireless to easily chat with friends on either platform while having great sets in Tekken 8!
