Final Fantasy XVI’s Clive Rosfield has taken over Tekken discussions with his surprise debut as a playable character in the latest season. Now, the Mishimas have a new problem: a warrior who can summon multiple Eikons and bring his medieval flair into Tekken 8’s futuristic modern world. The results? Completely hilarious.
While fans expected Tifa Lockhart to be the next guest character in Tekken 8, the team at Bandai Namco had other plans. They chose to include Clive Rosfield from Final Fantasy XVI. This skilled warrior, imbued with the power of Ifrit, wields elemental abilities as a Dominant and even calls on his loyal dog, Torgal, to disrupt opponents' combos.
Right now, Clive’s presence feels like an awkward isekai adventure. He doesn’t belong in the Tekken 8 universe, but Bandai Namco, alongside Clive’s voice actor Ben Starr, had plenty of fun introducing him to this strange new world.
Clive Doesn’t Know What Cosplay Is
One of the best things about Tekken 8 is the character interactions before the battles begin. With Clive being the first guest character in this installment, his serious personality is displayed when he interacts with Tekken’s eclectic roster.
One standout moment is his exchange with Reina Mishima. Sitting on her throne, Reina mocks Clive’s attire, dismissing it as “cosplay.” Confused, Clive asks, “What the hell is a cosplay?”
The line, delivered perfectly by Ben Starr, had me laughing. I expected a more intense, badass response, but Clive’s genuine cluelessness made the moment even funnier.
After winning the match, he wants to ask Harpocrates (FFXVI’s resident lore expert) to explain cosplay.
Clive Mistakes Devil Jin for a Dominant
Another hilarious misunderstanding occurs when Clive mistakes Devil Jin for a Dominant. In Final Fantasy XVI, Dominants can summon Eikons like Shiva, Bahamut, and Titan, embodying their immense power.
These beings are used as living weapons in wars, capable of reshaping the land they fight upon.
As the Dominant of Ifrit, Clive can absorb the essence of other Dominants he defeats, gaining control of their powers. His misconception about Devil Jin being a Dominant is absurd and amusing, adding to his fish-out-of-water charm.
Clive Thinks Kuma and Panda Are Simple Animals
Clive seems to believe that Kuma and Panda are nothing more than ordinary animals. To him, they’re just another part of the hunt.
After the match ends, he even remarks to Torgal that perhaps they were mind-controlled, speculating that Chaos might have interfered with their natural evolution.
Clive Thinks Jack-8 and Yoshimitsu Are Relics of the Fallen
Clive’s fascination with Tekken 8’s technologically advanced characters continues as he mistakes Jack-8 and Yoshimitsu for relics of the Fallen. For those unfamiliar, the Fallen in Final Fantasy XVI is an ancient civilization known for its advanced machinery and architectural marvels.
His misinterpretation of Jack-8, a robotic warrior, and Yoshimitsu, a cyborg ninja, as remnants of this lost civilization is logical (in his context) and hilarious.
Clive Thinks King Is a Coeurl
Clive’s misunderstanding extends to Tekken’s King, the masked wrestler known for his grappling prowess.
Unable to grasp the concept of King’s perpetual tiger mask and growls, Clive assumes he’s a Coeurl, a creature from the Final Fantasy series resembling a cheetah-cat hybrid with large whiskers.
While fans of Final Fantasy will appreciate the reference, it’s worth noting that King doesn’t have Coeurl-like whiskers, making Clive’s assumption even more ridiculous.
Other Interactions
Clive’s inclusion in the King of Iron Fist Tournament also brings some less-hilarious moments. His face-off with Jin Kazama stands out as both characters share brooding, intense personalities.
In their interaction, Clive manages to one-up Jin with his single wing, referencing his Dominant powers.
Of course, no Clive moment would be complete without Torgal. After winning a match, Clive pets his loyal companion, delighting fans of Final Fantasy XVI who remember Torgal as the ‘best boi’ of the series.
Even Clive’s mirror match is a fun nod to Final Fantasy XVI, where he had to confront his other self as part of his growth as a Dominant.
Clive Rosfield is undoubtedly a unique addition to the Tekken 8 roster. His moveset is incredibly powerful, with his signature Zantetsuken ability capable of decimating opponents’ health bars by up to 80% if used strategically. This ability charges as Clive lands hits, making him a formidable foe in skilled hands.
With a versatile moveset that excels in mid-range and close combat, Clive is a dangerous character to face, especially in higher ranks. His zoning capabilities also make him a threat to rushdown fighters like Dragunov.
Clive Rosfield is now available as the final DLC character for Tekken 8’s current Season Pass. With future Season Passes on the horizon, fans are eagerly awaiting the potential arrival of Tifa Lockhart.