With the latest update, the meta in Teamfight Tactics has changed again. We reveal a champion combo that will guarantee you a spot in the top 4.
Update December 2019: This guide refers to patch 9.21. It is now outdated. You can also find a guide to patch 9.23 here.
What kind of combo is this? The champion combo that we and many players on Reddit are successfully using is based on 6 Yordles. Unlike in the previous meta, these are no longer paired with elemental mages, but rather with dragons and shapeshifters.
Why is this combo strong? The new patch 9.21 has made two significant changes:
- On one hand, spell classes have become popular due to the adjustments
- On the other hand, player damage in the early game has increased
This results in a need for a successful early game to even reach the late game. The first players often get eliminated early in stage 3.
Additionally, there are rarely wild and strong late game combos anymore, making the mid game more important. The combo of Yordles and dragons benefits greatly from this.
Simple but extremely effective combo
Which champions are used in the combo? The combo fundamentally relies on 7 champions:
- Kennen – Yordle/Ninja/Elementalist
- Poppy – Yordle/Knight
- Lulu – Yordle/Mage
- Veigar – Yordle/Mage
- Gnar – Yordle/Beast/Shapeshifter
- Shyvanna – Dragon/Shapeshifter + Yordle through item
- Aurelion Sol – Dragon/Mage
As an eighth champion, if the game lasts long enough, you can bring Nidalee onto the field. This ensures the buff for shapeshifters and beasts becomes active. Gnar will thank you for it!
These attributes are used in the combo:
- 6x Yordle
- 2x Dragon
- 3x Mage
- 1x Ninja
- (2x Beast)
- (3x Shapeshifter)
What items does the combo need? The combo relies on you getting at least one spatula for Shyvanna. She needs the item “Gloves” to take the place of the sixth Yordle. Other mandatory items are:
- Poppy – Iceborn Gauntlet
- Kennen – Guardian Angel and Morellonomicon
- Shyvanna – Warmog’s Armor
- Gnar – Dragon Claw
Another useful item is Ionic Spark, especially in the early game. This item secures your survival in the early rounds. The Giant Slayer is still a strong item and should also be built if the items allow.
How does the early game play out? In the first carousel, try to get the most important item components:
- Brawler Gloves
- Spatula
If you have these two, focus on getting components for the Iceborn Gauntlet, Guardian Angel, and Ionic Spark. These items will carry you through the early game.
When it comes to champions, ensure to first build a frontline with Shen and two knights. Shen should get the Iceborn Gauntlet. This will create many ice fields that slow down your opponents. A typical early game build would be:
From this, you will then later build 3 Mages and 3 Yordles. Ahri and Tristana can be used here. You will replace them later with Aurelion Sol and Gnar. If you find a Nidalee early, then level her up, keep her on the bench, or combine her with Ahri.
Mages countering dragons
What are the strengths of the build? Due to the faster playing style, builds like 6 Knights and 4 Imperials or 6 Brawlers and Jinx have fallen out of the meta. Instead, many builds with demons, mages, and elementalists are popular. They can be built early and are effective.
However, this combo works well against those, as it reduces incoming magic damage to Shyvanna, Aurelion Sol, and Gnar.
If you do encounter knights or brawlers, the Iceborn Gauntlet will ensure they are strongly slowed. Together with the CC from Gnar and Kennen, as well as the burst from Veigar and Aurelion Sol, you can win against these combos as well.
The build is also flexible in the early and mid game and is not dependent on 5-gold champions and leveling a character to level 3. The latter is quite difficult in the current meta anyway.
Yordles and dragons on farewell tour: In the current meta, these two origins play a major role, but soon they will be leaving us. In the upcoming set 2, both origins will rotate out of the game.
Instead, we can look forward to new combos and champions. You can find an overview of the new set here. Additionally, there will also be changes to the game board.
