Use your favourite features in-game with our Desktop AppWelcome to our trait guide, where we'll be covering the Defender trait in the new TFT Set 16: Lore & Legends. In this guide, we'll explain how Defender works, cover its different champions, and provide a quick summary of the other potential traits you could branch into.
Explore all of the new Set 16 traits here!
Champions: Jarvan IV 1g / Rumble 1g / Neeko 2g / Vi 2g / Darius 3g / Kennen 3g / Sejuani 3g / Garen 4g / Sylas 7g
Your team gains 12 Armor and Magic Resist. Defenders gain more.
Here's a rundown of the traits you can branch into from Defender:
Jarvan IV is a supportive frontline tank. His Demacian Standard ability grants himself a Shield while also buffing his allies' Attack Speed. He'll definitely be useful in Demacia comps, but could also have decent utility on other boards when dipping into Defender.
Rumble's Junkyard Titan sets up a Shield before firing a burst of flames, dealing magic damage in a cone. He's a pretty stock standard unit for the early game, but his flames scale with Armor, providing the option to turn defense into offense later.
Neeko's a great early game pickup thanks to the combined Ixtal, Arcanist, and Defender traits. Having three synergies as a 2-cost is always welcome.
On the battlefield, her Pop Blossom ability has her leap at the target, gaining a Shield before slamming down to deal AoE magic damage. This also applies a Chill, giving her some supporting potential with Freljord units.
Vi follows up as another 2-cost, three trait champ with Defender, which is once again well above the curve. Her Relentless Force ability Shields, slams an enemy, and deals damage to those within range.
However, best of all, after every third cast she'll also knock up enemies hit, giving her a modest form of CC. Combined with Zaun's huge on/off Attack Speed buff, Vi could put a real dent into those who oppose her.
Darius's Decimate restores health, then spins to deal physical damage to adjacent enemies. This effect also applies a stack of Hemorrhage, causing the foes to take additional damage over time.
In classic Darius fashion, he has the ability to execute Hemorrhaged foes that fall below a certain Health threshold. With Darius, you won't have to worry about them getting away with a sliver.
Kennen provides a ton of value for a 3-cost unit. While he does need to be unlocked, it'll come naturally as you invest into either Ionia, Yordle, or Defender, and the reward is worth the effort!
Slicing Maelstrom Shields Kennen as he summons a lightning storm, causing waves of bolts to hit enemies wiithin range. The first three foes hit are also Stunned for 1.5 seconds! AoE Stuns are definitely a premium, making Kennen a fantastic choice.
Sejuani's Winter's Wrath Shields and strikes enemies within a cone and a line. This ability deals magic damage, Chills foes, plus Stuns enemies that were previously Chilled.
Alongside other Chill support she has great CC potential, which probably has her lean mostly towards Freljord comps. A solid Defender regardless, but great potential when used to the fullest.
Garen is a simple but strong frontliner that heals and gains Durability in combat, gotta spin to win. Each second of his Judgment deals physical damage to nearby enemies while simultaneously reducing their Armor and Magic Resistance.
This makes Garen a good supporting unit, as he can get into the fray and soften up enemies for your carries. Sometimes simplicity is all you need.
Sylas is a spicy unlockable payoff that requires you to sell a 2-star Jarvan, 2-star Garen, and a 2-star Lux. Doing so grants a fun champion with a plethora of useful abilities.
Stolen Might alternates between casting one of three different spells, supposedly choosing the best fit for the situation (can't cast the same spell twice in a row).
Cataclysm (Jarvan) leaps at a target close by, Stunning them and dealing magic damage to others within range. Demacian Justice (Garen) deals a large burst of damage, executing them if they are low enough Health. Lastly, Final Spark (Lux) grants a Shield before firing at all enemies in a line.
Sylas has a pretty unique cost for a very interesting set of abilities, so we'll have to see how it plays to find out if it's worth the effort. Though if you've been investing into Demacia and it's not working out, Sylas could be a pretty exciting pivot/escape plan.
Thanks for reading! If you want to try and come up with your own team comps for Set 16, check out our Team Builder. For a full overview on the new set, check out our TFT Set 16 Reveal Page.
