The Best Team Comps for TFT

UPDATED (Patch 9.14, Week 1): 

It’s a big week for TFT, with ranked coming out and a massive patch shaking things up. We spent a lot of time with our experts who have been climbing hard on the PBE to get you the latest comps, so you can kick ass on the first day of ranked. To see our analysis on all the changes, check out our TFT Patch Breakdown for 9.14. For a quick fix, here are the cliff notes:

• Demons are strong and specifically Elise. She is now one cost and makes it very easy to activate the synergy.
• Shapeshifters are strong and combined with the item changes, carries like Shyvana can be monsters.
• Gunslingers had their passive smoothed out, and on hit items got buffed making debuff comps extremely strong. Gunslingers not caring about mana also raised their stock as demon stock rose.
• The big beefy must pick tanks of last patch (Sej and Cho) got toned down. With the prevalence of mana burn, this makes them slide a little out of favor.

As a result, there are lots of new comps appearing on the rift, and some old ones are still holding strong. Let’s check them out.

Hey all! Ace of Spades here with another guide for you. Teamfight Tactics is new, and although we know everything has not been discovered yet, we want to present you with some of the strongest and most reliable compositions the best players have been playing so you can start your game with a leg up on the competition.

Be sure to bookmark our site where we have the most updated information for our TFT champion tier list,  TFT team comp recommendations, and all TFT items recommended for all champions. We also have a TFT Items tier list here, similar to this article.

Our other experts and I have been high-ranked in previous auto chess titles and have gotten tons of games in with 8-Queen stacks to really fine tune these compositions. Here are team comps that we recommend to win your TFT matches.

Methodology

We evaluate compositions based on 3 key factors:

• Consistency: How well does this comp perform from game to game and how reliably can you build towards it given a reasonable start?
• Overall strength: If you do successfully complete the comp, how does it match up against other comps, especially those most prevalent in the meta?
• Flexibility: Can you make tweaks and adjustments to the comp while events unfold differently in game? These events include item luck, roll luck, and enemy units.

The combination of these three factors allow us to define team compositions as S, A, or B. The ones that have all three will lean toward S, those that are pretty good but may be lacking in some areas will lean towards B.

The Best TFT Comps (Patch 9.14, Week 1)

1. Brawlers of the Imperium: A-tier

Team comp description:

With imperial buff, Draven melts enemy front lines faster than they can kill your CC and HP loaded front line. For those troublesome backline champs, Blitzcrank used intelligently will win you the game.

When to make:

When you have an early Darius 2, and find good items for Draven early on.

Gameplan:

• Early game: Really all that matters here is that you have the Garius combo. The third and fourth units just need to be solid enough to get you to mid game.
• Mid game: Here you just want to establish a strong front line and get your Draven online. Feel free to play 4 brawlers while you look for all the imperials. Sejuani is always great to have too.

General tips:

• You should be hyper aware of what your opponent’s position, and place your Blitzcrank accordingly.
• For example, if most hyper carries are on the left or right, you can place your Blitz on the opposite side.
• If you really want to mess with your opponents, keep Blitz on your bench, and sub him in at the last second.

Ideal items for carries:

• Draven (carry #1): Guinsoo’s Rageblade, Rapid Firecannon, Bloodthirster
• Swain (carry#2): Ionic Spark, Phantom Dancer, Dragon’s Claw

2. Polar Bear Frenzy: A-tier

Team comp description:

The strength of this comp is that you don’t care about getting mana drained. Your entire comp is just a giant meatshield for Volibear. This comp has a monster late game when you reach level 8 with the 4 glacial buff. At that point, it should be nearly almost impossible to beat.

When to make:

If you have components to make an RFC and find a bunch of brawlers early.

Gameplan:

• Early game: Try to get 4 brawlers online as soon as you can, but until then use wild buff and any solid 2 star units.
• Mid game: At level 7 you can have 4 brawlers and 3 elementalists, that’s your goal. Get the elementalists as soon as you can, and then start adding in more of the desired units as you level.

General tips:

• Play smart with Blizcrank. Watch your opponents and catch their backline into your boys.
• Warmogs and Redemption are really OP early game since they give so much health to amplify your own health.
• Do not expect similar results without RFC on Volibear as he is the key to this strat,
• Getting mana burned/ CC’ed is a deal-breaker.

Ideal items for carries:

• Volibear (carry #1): Rapid Firecannon, Guinsoo’s Rageblade, Warmog’s Armor

3. Demons and Dragons: A-tier

Team comp description:

This comp relies on the raw HP of shapeshifters combined with a lot of mana burn to overpower your enemies. Immortal Shyvana can carry you easily if your opponents are not prepared.

When to make:

Whenever you find a start with either Elise and another Demon or the trio of early game shapeshifters (Nidalee, Elise, Shyvana).

Gameplan:

• Early game: The ideal early game is getting 3 shapeshifter buff and demon buff by level 4
• Mid game: Hit level 6 and roll a bit to find your 4 demons and 3 shapeshifters combo.

General tips:

Put a Warmog on Shyvana, and she’s incredibly strong even as a 1 star for early game shapeshifters. | Aatrox is a pretty easy unit to rank up and does respectable damage with his ult if you place him in the second row. Don’t be afraid to put items on Nidalee since you will substitute her for Gnar later and can recover them.]

Ideal items for carries:

• Shyvana (carry #1): Warmog’s Armor, Rapid Firecannon, Hextech Gunblade
• Varus (carry #2): Seraph’s Embrace, Guinsoo’s Rageblade, Rabadon’s Deathcap

4. A Wild Draven Appears: A-tier

Team comp description:

Shape Shifters will carry your early game and a Wild buffed Draven will help slay all the demons late game.

When to make:

When you are on your way to play a shapeshifter comp, if you get a lot of attack speed items that wouldn’t fit on demons, it’s a good time to switch comps and play this Draven version.

Gameplan:

• Early game: Try to complete your shapeshifter combo and place a Warmog on Shyvana.
• Mid game: Getting Draven and Gnar on the field as soon as possible is your goal in the mid game. Feel free to keep using Wild units and other solid two stars to buffer until you complete your transition.

General tips:

• This is not a comp you should force, as it’s not as strong as Demon Shapeshifter.
• It has to be played at the right time when the game gives you an early Draven with good items.

Ideal items for carries:

• Draven (carry #1): Guinsoo’s Rageblade, Rapid Firecannon, Bloodthirster.
• Shyvana (carry #2): Guardian Angel, Warmog’s Armor, Hextech Gunblade

5. Elemental Demons: B-tier

Team comp description:

You only need 6 units for this comp to work, it’s very easy to complete and at 7 you can add Aurelion Sol for sorc buff.

When to make:

When you get a lot of early Elise and Varus, this comp is a great option without closing off your options as the game progresses.

Gameplan:

• Early game: Try to get at least 2 demons online with some kind of frontline. Knights work great for the early game.
• Mid game: It’s better if you stabilize the board early at level 6 before thinking about going to 7. Remember the core of your composition comes online at 5 units.

General tips:

• Varus can carry even the early game if you give him some mana or a Guinsoo’s Rageblade.
• Remember that at 5 units this comp works, and at 6 it’s optimal with 4 demon.
• To make 7 worthwhile, you need to make a Yuumi and turn Brand or Varus into a sorcerer.

Ideal items for carries:

• Shyvana (carry #1): Warmog’s Armor, Rapid Firecannon, Hextech Gunblade
• Varus (carry #2): Seraph’s Embrace, Guinsoo’s Rageblade, Rabadon’s Deathcap

6. Imperial Spark: (note this comp was nerfed due to the Imperial trait hotfix)

Team comp description:

The cool comp uses Ionic Spark which does 200 unmitigated true damage every time an enemy casts a spell. Since it benefits from the imperial buff (this no longer applies due to hotfix), if you have 2 Sparks, that’s 800 damage which ticks before spell cast killing the enemy in question. Draven is present for solid steady DPS to kill the front line.

When to make:

When you have a good knight start with 2 star Darius and Garen, as well as the items necessary to make an Ionic Spark or 2.

Gameplan:

• Early game: Garen and Darius are key, but really any solid third and fourth unit will do if you can two star it. Katarina just gives a great imperial buff if you can find her.
• Mid game: Here you want any two knights with Garen and Darius for a total of 4 plus Draven. This gives Draven imperial and lets you colllect the other imperials on the bench while you level.

General tips:

• Any 4 knights will do well in this comp, and at level 8, you can use a Knight’s Vow and make 6 knights for an ultra tanky front line.
• Feel free to run Poppy early game and swap out Garen or her for Kayle later. | Only play 2 imperials or 4, never play 3.
• Running Darius and Draven until you get all 4, makes sure the buff goes on your damage units.

Ideal items for carries:

• Darius (carry#1): Ionic Spark x2, Hextech Gunblade
• Draven (carry#2): Guinsoo’s Rageblade, Rapid Firecannon, Bloodthirster

Previously Recommended TFT Comps (Updated for Patch 9.14)

7. Ninja Elementalists: S-tier

Team comp description:

Elementalists and Ninjas share units and spike really hard mid game. Put your units in a line to feel the true power of the new Zeke’s Herald.

When to make:

Anytime you want. This comp is very easy to force since it doesn’t require 3-star units or specific items, but greatly benefits if you can get them.

Gameplan:

• Early game: You can do anything you want in the early game. Whether that’s a strong early game synergy like noble OR just solid 2 star units, but your goal is to get to mid game and start putting in elementals.
• Mid game: Find a Brand and put the 3 elementals in with whatever 2-star units you have

General tips:

• If you see a Brand in the early carousel, grab him since three elementals, even at 1 star, will carry your early and mid game.
• Make as many Zeke’s Heralds as you can and put your units in a line.

Ideal items for carries:

• Zed (carry #1): Zeke’s Herald x3
• Akali (carry #2): Dragon’s Claw, Locket of the Iron Solari x2

8. Pirate Gunslingers: S-tier

Team comp description:

This team has the quickest draw in the west and relies on Tristana coming online early. You’ll have the pirate synergy to help fuel your economy and upgrades. Sejuani and Cho’Gath are more than enough protection for your backline of gunslingers to melt almost any composition.

When to make:

You need a lot of on-hit items for this comp. A good time to play Gunslingers would be when you get good items from the first camps or if you find 3/4 early Tristanas.

Gameplan:

• Early game: Pick up all the gunslingers and pirates you find, it’s common to spend some gold at level 4 to reach a quick level 5 and play 4 gunslinger 3 pirates combo.
• Mid game: At level 5, start rerolling to find your ideal 5 units composition to have 4 gunslingers and pirates. Stay above 50 gold as much as you can looking for a 3-star Tristana and Graves (Lucian as well if you can).

General tips:

• Take out GP (or Graves if not 3 star) and add Miss Fortune when you find one.
• On-hit Items like Sword Breaker and especially Cursed Blade are insane on Gunslingers. That’s why you want to have at least 4 on-hit items split among Trist and Lucian.
• Red Buff is great because it spreads to all enemies with gunslinger buff and denies healing.

Ideal items for carries:

• Tristana (carry #1): Cursed Blade, Rapid Firecannon, Red Buff
• Lucian (carry #2): Hush, Sword Breaker, Cursed Blade

9. Elemental Rangers: B-tier

Team comp description:

Similar to the traditional Glacial Rangers but more consistent and doesn’t require a Spatula. Having demons is similar to having more glacials since it stops the front line from CC’ing your team. The elementalists will carry you mid game.

When to make:

It’s a very easy comp to force, so you can play it any time you want. This comp doesn’t need Vayne 3 star, but it’s definitely a bonus if you find some Vaynes early and some mana/attack speed items.

Gameplan:

• Early game: Play the strongest 2-star units you can. This comp is ultra-flexible and doesn’t require much setup.
• Mid game: You want to set yourself up to transition into 4 rangers and 3 elementals. Get the elemental buff on the board as early as possible, and then get to level 7 while using Kennen as a placeholder till you find Anivia.

General tips:

• Look out for Brands at the carousel since that’s the key to getting your elementalists online.
• Consider rolling for a rank 3 Vayne if you have found at least 6 of them early on before the Krugs round.

Ideal items for carries:

• Varus (carry #1): Seraph’s Embrace, Guinsoo’s Rageblade, Rabadon’s Deathcap
• Brand (carry #2): Rabadon’s Deathcap

That’s it for now! We’ll be making more team comp recommendations every week and for future patches. Let us know in the comments if we missed anything and good luck in your TFT matches!