On October 9th, the new patch 9.20 was released in Teamfight Tactics and has significantly shaken up the meta despite minor changes. We will reveal two combos that are currently on the rise.
Update December 2019: The guide refers to the state of patch 9.20 and still includes old champions. You can find a guide to the current TFT meta here with us.
What has patch 9.20 changed in the meta? The new update has made a significant nerf to beasts and assassins. As a result, the previously strongest combo from patch 9.19 has dropped significantly in the tier list.
The knights were also slightly weakened, so a combo of 6 knights and 4 imperials is still strong, but no longer overpowered. Additionally, it is extremely hard to achieve.
Which builds are climbing up? Patch 9.20 has given the guardians a slight buff. This is enough to consider them as a replacement for two knights. This leads to a new combo of dragons, guardians, and knights.
Furthermore, due to the removal of the wilds and the Item Gloves from patch 9.19, there is a combo of elemental mages, yordles, and sorcerers that is currently making a comeback. Both builds can be found at the top of reddit .
Combo 1 – Dragons, Guardians, Knights
What does the combo focus on? This combo takes advantage of the fact that six knights have been weakened while guardians have received a buff. It also utilizes the synergy of dragons to be strong against magic damage.
These champions are used:
- Garen – Noble/Knight
- Kayle – Noble/Knight
- Mordekaiser – Phantom/Knight
- Sejuani – Ice Beast/Knight
- Shyvanna – Dragon/Shapeshifter
- Pantheon – Dragon/Guardian
- Leona – Noble/Guardian
- Aurelion Sol – Dragon/Sorcerer
These synergies does the combo have:
- 2x Guardian
- 2x Dragon
- 4x Knight
- 3x Noble
Carry of the team:
- Shyvanna – Guardian Angel, Guinsoo’s Rageblade, Warmog’s Armor
- Aurelion Sol – Rabadon’s Deathcap, Morellonomicon, Hextech Gunblade
- Garen – Warmog’s Armor, Dragon Claw
What makes this combo so strong? This combo is partly even more defensive than the six knights since it brings a lot of armor and includes three champions that are resistant to magic damage.
For good damage, you have Shyvanna and Aurelion Sol as carries, which are usually sufficient to defeat the opponents.
Which champions do I buy early in the game? At the start, you take Poppy as a substitute for Kayle. The champion Braum can temporarily replace Pantheon. Thanks to Aurelion Sol, you still have the dragon buff.
Make sure to quickly get the knights Garen and Mordekaiser and bring them to level 2 or 3. Theoretically, you can also use Darius instead of Mordekaiser as the fourth knight.
Variation with three Sorcerers: If you happen to find a spatula, you can slightly vary the build to get three sorcerers with Yuumi.
To do this, give the item to Pantheon and replace Shyvanna with Karthus. This way, you’ll additionally reach 3 sorcerers and 2 phantoms.
Combo 2 – Elemental Mages, Yordle, Sorcerer
What does the combo focus on? The combo primarily utilizes Lissandra, who is equipped with many items, and Kennen. Both deal heavy AoE damage.
Additionally, it makes use of the Yordle buff so that all champions survive longer. A spatula is essential for Lissandra to become the sixth Yordle. Make sure to get this item in the first carousel rounds and if necessary, lose initially for it.
These champions are used:
- Lissandra – Ice Beast/Elemental Mage + Yordle with Item Gloves
- Kennen – Yordle/Elemental Mage
- Veigar – Yordle/Sorcerer
- Lulu – Yordle/Sorcerer
- Gnar – Yordle/Wild
- Poppy – Yordle/Knight
- Morgana – Demon/Sorcerer
- Brand – Demon/Elemental Mage or Anivia – Ice Beast/Elemental Mage
- (Optional Level 9: Another Knight)
These synergies does the combo have:
- 3x Elemental Mage
- 6x Yordle
- 3x Sorcerer
- 2x Demon or 2x Ice Beast depending on champion
- (Optional 2x Knight)
Carry of the team:
- Lissandra – Morellonomicon, Guardian Angel, Gloves
- Kennen – Morellonomicon, Guardian Angel, Hextech Gunblade
What makes this combo so strong? Yordle champions have a high dodge chance in this combo, which was previously negated by the wilds. Since the wilds have disappeared, this combo is strong again.
It also has two good tanks with Poppy and the golem of elemental mages. Elemental mages also benefit from the three sorcerers with their skills, and there is a small synergy between demons/ice beasts.
Which champions do I buy early in the game? You can start by buying knights and later switch to this combo. These also harmonize well with Poppy. Until you find Gnar, Tristana will also do in the team.
The initial hype of auto chess games TFT and Dota Underlords is over. What’s next?
