If you’re a long-time Tekken fan who loves brawling with heavy-hitting grapplers, you’ve almost certainly asked is Marduk in Tekken 8 at least once while scrolling through the base roster. Craig Marduk has been a fan favorite (and often hated antagonist) since his debut in Tekken 4, with his brutal Vale Tudo moveset and over-the-top personality making him a staple for casual and competitive players alike. I’ve mained Marduk for over 12 years across 4 Tekken titles, so I dug through official announcements, datamine leaks, and community feedback to answer this question once and for all, plus break down what we can expect for his future in the game.
Is Marduk in Tekken 8 Base Roster?
The short, straightforward answer is no, Craig Marduk is not available as a playable character in the base version of Tekken 8. Bandai Namco released the full base roster of 32 characters ahead of launch, and Marduk did not make the cut, alongside other fan favorites like Julia Chang and Armor King. I was pretty disappointed when I first saw the launch roster, since Marduk’s mix of high-damage throws and fast jab strings made him my go-to for ranked matches in Tekken 7. Base roster spots are limited to characters that directly tie into the main game’s narrative, so it makes sense that side characters with smaller roles in the current Mishima family arc were left on the cutting room floor. The dev team has not shared specific reasons for cutting Marduk from the base roster, but many fans suspect it came down to prioritizing newer characters that would appeal to first-time Tekken players.
What We Know About Marduk’s Possible Tekken 8 DLC Inclusion
While Marduk isn’t in the base game, there’s plenty of evidence that he could arrive as part of Tekken 8’s post-launch DLC schedule. Bandai Namco has already confirmed that at least 4 seasons of DLC characters will roll out over the next 2 years, with each season adding 4 new playable fighters to the roster. Dataminers digging through the game’s files shortly after launch found unused voice lines and character model references for Marduk, which almost always signals a character is planned for a future release. Leaks from reliable Tekken insiders have also hinted that Marduk will drop as part of Season 2’s character line-up, alongside Armor King, which makes sense given their long-running rivalry in the franchise. It’s important to note that these are unconfirmed leaks for now, so don’t pre-order any DLC packs solely based on this info, but the signs are very positive for Marduk fans. I’ve also noticed that official Tekken social media accounts have been replying to more Marduk fan requests over the past few months, which is usually a sign the dev team is gauging interest ahead of an official announcement.
Why Fans Are Pushing So Hard For Marduk To Join Tekken 8
Marduk has one of the most dedicated fan bases of any Tekken side character, and there are a few key reasons players are begging for his return.
- His unique Vale Tudo moveset fills a gap in the current roster: There are very few pure grappler brawlers in Tekken 8’s base roster, and Marduk’s mix of fast strikes and unblockable throws offers a playstyle no other current character can match.
- His rivalry with Armor King and King is one of the most beloved side stories in the franchise: Fans want to see how the long-running feud between the three fighters wraps up following the events of Tekken 7.
- He’s a staple for competitive play: Marduk has been a consistent mid-tier pick in competitive Tekken tournaments for over a decade, and many pro players have built their entire brand around using the character.
What To Do If You Want To Play A Marduk-Style Character Right Now
If you’re craving that heavy grappler playstyle while you wait for Marduk to hopefully join the roster, there are a few solid alternatives you can try out in the base version of Tekken 8. King is the closest pick, with a similar set of high-damage throws and close-range strikes, though he has a much more acrobatic moveset than Marduk’s slow, brutal strikes. Jack-8 is another great option for players who love high-damage, low-mobility fighters that can take out half an opponent’s health bar with a single combo. If you play on PC, you can also find high-quality fan-made Marduk mods that import his full Tekken 7 moveset into Tekken 8, though you will only be able to use these in offline play or private lobbies to avoid being banned from online matches. I’ve tested a few of these mods myself, and they’re surprisingly polished, with accurate hitboxes and all of his iconic voice lines included. Just make sure you never use modded content in ranked matches, as Bandai Namco has a zero-tolerance policy for mods that affect online play, and you could lose access to your account entirely.
At the end of the day, while the answer to is Marduk in Tekken 8 is no right now, the odds are very high that he’ll join the roster as part of a future DLC season. Keep an eye on official Bandai Namco announcements during major fighting game events like Evo and Gamescom, as that’s where the team usually reveals new DLC character line-ups. If you’re a Marduk main, keep sharing your feedback respectfully with the dev team, and you’ll probably be throwing your first giant swing in Tekken 8 before you know it.