Set 18 Trait Rundown: Brawler Explained

This guide was originally written as our initial impressions of Set 18 at the time of its reveal, prior to the PBE launch. For up-to-date guidance, click on any champion links, or check out our Meta Comps section below.

Welcome to our trait guide, where we'll be covering the Brawler trait in the new TFT Set 18: Enchanted Wilds. In this guide, we'll explain how Brawler works, cover its different champions, explore Brawler Meta Comps, and provide a quick summary of the other potential traits you could branch into.

Brawler gives your frontline extra Health, buying time for your carries to deal damage. You can use a small Brawler core to support your board or push further into the trait when you find an Emblem.

Here’s a comp that plays around the Brawler trait.

Adapt or Die

Adapt or Die builds around Master Yi and Rengar, with Krug, Sett and Gnar completing 4 Brawler alongside an Emblem on Yi. Krug can take your tank items, though Vi is another option if you find more copies.

Start with Blossom around Yi, Karma and Yorick, or play an early Rengar to begin building Rival stacks. Slow roll at level 7 for both carries and your main tank.

A Brawler Emblem is the biggest indicator, turning Yi’s extra Health into bonus magic damage on attacks. Portable Forge can offer Wit’s End for Yi, while Heroic Grab Bag helps finish your 3-stars.

[Adapt or Die Comp Guide]

Carries: Master Yi, Rengar, Nidalee and Vi
Leveling: Level 7 Slow Roll

Brawler Trait Bonus

Champions: Kobuko 1g / Rek'Sai 1g / Alistar 2g / Krug 3g / Sett 4g / Gnar 5g

Your team gains max Health. Brawlers gain more.

• (2) 25% Health
• (4) 40% Health
• (6) 65% Health

Brawler Synergy

Here's a rundown of the traits you can branch into from Brawler:

• Kobuko - Sprykin
• Rek'Sai - Blackthorn
• Alistar - Elderwood
• Krug - Riftbeast
• Sett - Blossom
• Gnar - Elderwood / Sprykin

Kobuko Sprykin Brawler 1g

[Link to Champion Page]

Kobuko restores health over time. The next attack is replaced with a bash that deals magic damage. As Kobuko is a tank, the empowered attack will help him deal damage, and the restoration health will help him absorb damage.

Rek'Sai Blackthorn Brawler 1g

[Link to Champion Page]

Her Passive restores health each second, and the Active makes her lunge out of the ground and stun the targets.

Alistar Elderwood Brawler 2g

[Link to Champion Page]

He roars, restoring health and cleansing all disables. He heals the two lowest health allies and then CCs the target. The heal is useful to keep the key carries alive, but also to help buff up his frontline.

Krug Riftbeast Brawler 3g

[Link to Champion Page]

Krug’s Passive splits them into two Kruglettes when Krug dies. The Active gives Krug max health and rolls into the target. The Slate Buff provides a shield for all allies when Kru and Kruglettes die. I particularly like the Passive on Krug, and the shield is really useful too.

Sett Blossom Brawler 4g

[Link to Champion Page]

Sett’s Passive gives him extra mana when he falls below a certain percentage of his health in each combat. The Active winds up a big punch that deals damage and rapidly heals him. Sett is going to be a strong late-game champion that can soak up and deal lots of damage.

Gnar Elderwood Sprykin Brawler 5g

[Link to Champion Page]

He passively gains rage per second and attack. When it reaches max stacks, he transforms into Mega Gnar and leaps into a group of targets: dealing damage and reducing their defensive stats. His ability then transforms into Grab n’ Throw, which throws the target towards the farthest enemies. If they are the last enemy, then he throws them off the battlefield. Gnar is a strong late-game champion, and he will deal considerable damage as long as he can get his ability stacked.

Thanks for reading! If you want to try creating your own team comps for Set 18, check out our Team Builder. For a full overview of the new set, check out our TFT Set 18 Reveal Page, or explore all of the new Set 18 traits here!