May 30, 2026 Rank-Up Guide: High-Cost Comps Dominate the Meta, Full Analysis of S17/S18 Core Lineups & Strategy!

Difficulty to Assemble: Medium | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Strategy

Xayah's skill is doubled in strength, offering multiple trait bonuses upon completion, maximizing damage. Transition early with Seamaiden or 3 Future. If you have Xiushan, open 3 Stargod to transition, using Sniper units as item holders. Prioritize core items, manage your economy. Start rolling at Level 8, add 2-star five-cost units at Level 9. Focus on positioning adjustments and counter-strategies.

Difficulty to Assemble: Medium | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Strategy

This is a high-cost transition strategy comp. Consider this comp if you have 2 to 3 Gnar copies at the start. Prioritize Gnar's items, then Rammus's items.

Early Game Transition (Stages 1-3): Transition with 3 Woodspirit at 4 population. If you don't have strong units early, use Future / Seamaiden traits to transition. Prioritize saving 50 gold to level up using interest. Mid Game Spike (Stages 4-5): Transition with 2 Bastion at 5 population, prioritize saving 50 gold to level up using interest. Transition with 5 Woodspirit at 6 population, prioritize saving 50 gold to level up using interest. If you naturally find 5 to 6 Gnar copies at Level 6, consider rolling for 3-star here before leveling. If Gnar copies are too few, prioritize leveling up and giving items to Jhin later. Transition with 2 Sniper at 7 population, prioritize saving 50 gold to level up using interest. Prioritize economy or combat Hextech Augments. Late Game Refinement (Stage 6+): At 8 population, roll for 2-star Rammus then level up. If your HP is above 60, consider pushing to Level 9 before rolling further. If your HP is below 30, check for other players contesting your comp, and consider rolling for 3-star 4-cost units at this level to win. If all opponents have 2-star units, you can level up to 9 to increase your comp's cap. At 9 population, roll for high-cost units within the comp; hitting 2-star makes the comp fully online. After maxing out your units, remember to observe opponents to prevent them from stealing 3-star 4-cost units; remember to hold key units.

Recommended Augments Priority Choices: Dormant Forge, Revitalizing Wind, Team Building, Partial Ascension, Portable Forge, Magic Toss, Indiscriminate Attack, Lightweight Magic Toss, Two for One. Recommended Deities: Ekko, Varus, Thresh.

Difficulty to Assemble: Medium | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Strategy

The core idea of this comp is Pipsqueak's exclusive augment, which allows him to slam the ground for massive damage.

Mid Game Spike (Stages 4-5): Play this comp directly if you get Pipsqueak's exclusive Hextech Augment. Prioritize activating 3 Shepherd. Start rolling at Level 6, chase 3-star core units. Late Game Refinement (Stage 6+): After chasing 3-star core units, level up to add Rhaast.

Recommended Augments Priority Choice: Pipsqueak's exclusive augment.

Difficulty to Assemble: High | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Strategy

This is a high-cost transition strategy comp. Once assembled, it has screen-clearing ability and extremely high strength. Prioritize this if you have high-quality Shepherd units early to secure a win streak. It's high difficulty, requiring mastery of economy and rolling timing.

Early Game Transition (Stages 1-3): Transition with 2 Heavy Armor at 4 population. Prioritize saving 50 gold to level up using interest. If your starting units are weak, consider using Future or Seamaiden traits to transition. Mid Game Spike (Stages 4-5): Transition with 3 Shepherd at 5 population. Transition with 2 Judge at 6 population. Transition with 3 Heavy Armor at 7 population. In terms of economy management, still prioritize saving 50 gold to level up using interest. At 5 population, prioritize making items for Sona and Nunu, using them for backline and frontline transition, then replace them with final carries later. At 7 population, prioritize economy or combat Hextech Augments. The Judge effect is best if it provides free rerolls or gold economy. Late Game Refinement (Stage 6+): At 8 population, start rolling for 2-star Nami and 2-star Nunu to stabilize and prepare to level up. At 9 population, start rolling for 2-star high-cost units within the comp to complete it. If your HP is above 60, consider pushing to Level 9 before rolling. If your HP is below 30, and there are other players contesting your comp, consider rolling for 3-star 4-cost units at this level to win. If opponents all have 2-star units, you can level up to 9 to increase your comp's cap. After hitting sufficient unit quality, observe opponents to prevent them from stealing 3-star 4-cost units; remember to hold key units.

Recommended Augments Priority Choices: War Supply (Needlessly Large Rod), Lightweight Magic Toss, Hot Sale, Foresight, Duo Queue, Large Bag of Tricks, Expansion Pack, Staff Crafter, High Voltage, Magic Toss, Gilded Steel. Best Deities: Ekko, Ahri, Thresh.

Difficulty to Assemble: Medium | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Strategy

Nova trait fully activated, an off-meta pick for climbing with no competition. Use Seamaiden to transition early, use Big B as item holder. Prioritize combat augments to secure win streaks. At Level 8, decide based on HP whether to roll for units to stabilize, or push to Level 9 to add more core units.

Difficulty to Assemble: Easy | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Consistently Popular

Core Items

Strategy

Gragas's Hero Augment performs better with Empathy. For Hextech and Deities, try to pick ones that offer burst damage, ideally enough to burst down the enemy's main Tank with two skills. Position Gragas in the middle of the front row, with only two of your strongest Tanks on either side of him to group enemies, allowing him to hit more units. Place Pyke in the back row for easier backline hooks. The Artifacts that provide the biggest boost are Armguard and Luden's Echo. If you don't have Empathy, use Empathy; if you have it, replace it with Hand of Justice. Pure burst damage is key.

Difficulty to Assemble: Easy | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Consistently Popular

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Strategy

The less common Stargod, Huntress, Altar, Boar (traits/augments) for Jax actually perform better than Medal, Spring, Xiushan, because it's unlikely anyone else will pick Jax. Overall, Viper is the strongest, offering significant damage reduction. With more big data samples, Night's Edge is now far stronger than Guinsoo's Rageblade. For Artifacts, almost all Warrior Artifacts are usable, with Wisdom being the strongest.

Difficulty to Assemble: Medium | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Consistently Popular

Core Items

Strategy

Zed can theoretically fit into any comp. The simplest and strongest formula is to replace Graves in Nova 95, as there aren't enough B.F. Swords for everyone. Frontline Maokai and Tahm Kench perform better than Blitzcrank and Nunu because Maokai can help Zed heal. When unable to play 95, there are relatively few strong physical 8-cost or 4-cost comps in TFT mobile, making it harder. However, it can smoothly integrate into Corki or Master Yi comps in TFT PC.

Difficulty to Assemble: Medium | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Strategy

The core idea of this comp is dropping fish to instantly eliminate the backline. Lulu's Spring effect can hit 6 units at once. The completed traits form a closed loop, and units on empowered hexes gain healing and damage increase per second. Use 3 Stargod to transition early. Start rolling at Level 7, chase 3-star core units. After getting 3-star Lulu and 3-star frontline, level up. Check the Stargod effect at the start; if it's "Spring", you can play this.

Difficulty to Assemble: Medium | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Strategy

The core of this comp is the strong combination of Aurelion Sol and Nami, activating perfect traits at Level 8. Use Shepherd to transition early and activate traits, using Teemo or Lissandra as item holders. Mid-game focuses on collecting Heavy Armor units. Start rolling at Level 8, aim for all units to be 2-star. If there are no other players contesting your comp, consider chasing 3-star 4-costs or pushing to Level 9 to add Savior for higher cap.

Difficulty to Assemble: Medium | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐ | Steal-Rank Comp

Core Items

Strategy

This is a high-cost transition strategy comp, an off-meta rank-stealing style. Best start if you have Xayah or recommended Ornn Artifacts, or many attack speed items. Early game, transition with 2 Sniper and 2 Bastion at 4 population, prioritizing saving 50 gold to level up using interest. If your starting units are weak, use Future or Seamaiden traits to transition. At 5 population, transition with 2 Nova Corps. At 6 population, add 1 Savior. At 7 population, add 2 Bruiser. Prioritize item or combat Hextech Augments; if there's an Artifact Hextech or Ekko Deity, take them to raise the comp's cap. At 8 population, roll for 2-star Xayah and 2-star Nunu to complete the comp. Pay attention to whether there are other players contesting your comp, and consider if you can roll for 3-star 4-cost units at this level to win. If all opponents have 2-star units, you can level up to 9 to increase your comp's cap. At 9 population, roll for 2-star high-cost units within the comp to complete it. After hitting sufficient unit quality, remember to observe opponents to prevent them from stealing 3-star 4-cost units; remember to hold key units.

Difficulty to Assemble: High | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Strategy

This Nova Zed is a branch of the Nova 95 comp. Zed's core mechanic is that his clones inherit item stats and can infinitely clone, leading to absurd damage density. Once completed, it's essentially a T0 tier comp with a very high ceiling. Early game, you can transition with a normal win streak, using 3 Seamaiden or 3 Future system, or Shepherd. Prioritize making Night's Edge and Guinsoo's Rageblade. Mid-game, units are generally assembled around Stage 4-5 / 5-1. It's common to roll at Level 9, following the Nova 95 pace. Lose streaking is not recommended; you need enough HP to reach 4-2 to get Zed. If your HP is dangerously low from early lose streaking, roll appropriately at 4-2 to secure unit quality. Shadow Assassin (Zed exclusive) is a must-take augment. Additionally, you can choose Big Economy Hextechs or Ahri (Deity choice) to help you reach Level 9 faster to find 2-star Zed. Zed can be placed in the backline or in a corner.

Difficulty to Assemble: Beginner-Friendly | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Consistently Popular

Core Items

Strategy

This comp is the 2.0 version of Million HP Cho'Gath. Through Dark Star's massive size effect combined with 3-star Cho'Gath, it achieves infinite scaling, becoming both tanky and dealing damage. Early game, take reroll Hextech Augments, don't level up, and chase 3-star Cho'Gath. Mid-game, gather Future, Bruiser, and Dark Star for transition. Late game, find Jhin at Level 9 to activate 6 Dark Star.

Difficulty to Assemble: Easy | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Consistently Popular

Core Items

Strategy

At the start, prioritize building 3 Spirit and go for a lose streak, reliably stacking 300-500 stacks of War Rabbit Crossbow on Jinx for transition. Prioritize item components throughout to synthesize Diana's core three items. At 7 population, do small rolls to find 2-star core units to stabilize HP, slowly chasing 3-star Diana. If LeBlanc hasn't appeared, you can use 3 Shepherd or 3 Judge units as item holders. Do not level up before your core unit is 3-star. At 8 population, after Diana is 3-star, prioritize adding Galio to strengthen frontline tankiness, save 50 gold interest to slowly level up, ensuring healthy economy. At 9 population, complete the comp by adding Karma to activate 4 Traveler trait. Prioritize extra tank items for the frontline, magic items for Aurora, and physical items for Jinx. Subsequently, slowly chase 3-star 4-costs to further stabilize and secure a win. The Judge's Karma effect must be 10 damage + 15% max HP shield, which synergizes with Diana's own shield to create infinite shields, making the frontline virtually immune to damage. If you can't get 3 Spirit or have a large lose streak at the start, leading to insufficient War Rabbit Crossbow stacks, your strength will suffer. Diana and Aurora are fixed dual carries; later, you can chase 3-star LeBlanc for replacement, which has a higher cap; the frontline can be flexibly replaced with high-tankiness units.

Difficulty to Assemble: Medium | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Strategy

Early game, rely on Heavy Armor units combined with backline units for a stable transition, such as Illaoi, Nunu, etc. Prioritize synthesizing LeBlanc's core damage items, such as Guinsoo's Rageblade and Jeweled Gauntlet. Immediately check the Judge refresh modifier at the start, prioritizing locking in the "Every 4 seconds + 10 Mana" modifier. Early game focuses on saving gold, don't blindly roll. Prioritize activating 4 Heavy Armor to stabilize HP, using strong 2-star units to hold board strength. At Stage 4-2, precisely level up to 8, focus on searching for core LeBlanc and completing the 4 Heavy Armor system. Once all units are 2-star, you gain stabilization; if you find enough copies, you can pursue 3-star LeBlanc for higher cap. Level up to 9 for the final transformation, replace Pipsqueak, and add Nasus and Blitzcrank to activate 6 Heavy Armor trait. Assign excess defensive items to Nunu to further enhance the frontline's overall damage absorption. Frontline Heavy Armor units build a sturdy defense, while damage dealers like LeBlanc and Karma are safely positioned in the backline. Flexibly adjust LeBlanc's positioning based on enemy divers or area damage to ensure her damage output space. If the Judge modifier refreshes to a health shield effect at the start, you can immediately abandon the "Iron Maiden" system and directly transition to "Infinite Shield Diana," allowing for flexible switching between two playstyles.

Difficulty to Assemble: Easy | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Jax Artifact Recommendations: Rapid Firecannon、Spear of Shojin、Wit's End、Mitten (Artifact).

Strategy

Early game, don't rush leveling. After getting "Stargazer's Will" at 2-1, use Twisted Fate and Talon to activate 3 Stargod, save gold for interest. If you naturally have 3 Stargod plus a 2-star frontline, and Jax already has an item, you can aim for a win streak from the start. Level up to 6 at 3-2; this is the most crucial stage. Immediately roll down to about 30 gold, searching for 2-star Jax and the basic comp structure. 2-star Jax is strong early, allowing for a slow roll to 3-star. Slowly roll, staying above 30 / 50 gold; you must hit 3-star Jax before 4-1. After 3-star Jax, save gold and level up. Prioritize chasing 3-star Jax, then 3-star Pantheon and Milio. Having one 3-star unit in both front and back is enough to go to Level 7 and 8; no need to wait for all to be chased. At Level 8, add Rhaast to use Kayn (or Morgana). If conditions allow, continue chasing Lulu and Maokai. Late game, Level 8 is usually played until the end; if HP is healthy, you can go to Level 9 to add five-cost units. Recommended to position in the 'toilet' spot on the left side, flexibly adjusting based on Stargod position. Pantheon is the strongest main tank; if he doesn't appear, he can be replaced by Maokai or Rammus. If still no tank, you can look for other tanks. Secondary carry can be another 2-star 4-cost or 5-cost damage dealer.

Difficulty to Assemble: High | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

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Strategy

Oracle Laser Aurelion Sol is a popular comp in the current meta, especially effective against single-tank comps, rapidly clearing their HP bars. The core lies in the pure burst damage of 2-star 4-cost frontline units and 2-star Aurelion Sol, as well as activating 3 Oracle at Level 9 to raise the cap. It's not a brain-dead comp; it requires precise economy management and itemization. If you can roll for 2-star frontline units and 2-star Aurelion Sol in the first few rounds of Stage 4, you can reliably stabilize and secure a top finish. Compared to the T0 comps of the version, it's slightly inferior, but once completed, it has top-four potential. When other comps aren't working out, it can be a strong alternative for transition. It's high difficulty, not suitable for mindless play; recommended for players who understand mid-game transitions and economy management. At Stage 4-2, level up to 8 and start rolling for 2-star Aurelion Sol and 2-star frontline units. 4-2 is the critical rolling timing; leveling to 8 too early will crash your economy, too late and you might be defeated by other completed comps. Prioritize making Aurelion Sol's Jeweled Gauntlet and the main tank's Frozen Heart, then complete Aurelion Sol's second damage item and frontline tank items. If HP is healthy, economy is good, and units are coming smoothly, go to Level 9 to add Bard or Sona and activate 3 Oracle to raise the cap. Aurelion Sol positions safely in a corner for damage, while the main tank is at the very front to absorb damage; the frontline can be spread in a line or placed as a single unit. Prioritize economy augments, such as "Ahri" (provides gold and experience) or other augments that help you reach Level 8 by 4-2, ensuring enough gold for rolling.

Difficulty to Assemble: Easy | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Consistently Popular

Core Items

Strategy

The core of this comp is using the Judge trait's 10 damage and mana regeneration effect, combined with Ekko's Patience item, to achieve an infinite skill-casting perpetual motion machine for Zoe, dealing massive damage. It's a T0 tier, high-strength comp, relatively simple to play, suitable for players seeking high burst and sustained skill usage. Early game, prioritize using the Seamaiden trait to randomly obtain Leona and Zoe. At Level 5, you can field 2 Future, increasing reroll chances; the goal is to start rolling before Level 6 and find 3-star Zoe in one go. Mid-game, when the Judge's 10 damage and mana regeneration effect can synergize with Ekko's Patience, infinite skill-casting is achieved. Prioritize securing Zoe's key items. Late game, level up to add higher quality units. Position Nunu as a crowd control point; LeBlanc and Karma provide additional value and utility. Prioritize God-Forged Forge, Dormant Forge, Noble Adventure augments. Special augments can include Yasuo's Starlight Hex or Varus's Duplicator. The comp's advantage lies in Zoe's infinite skill usage, providing high burst and sustained damage. The rank-up advice is to seize the early to mid-game tempo, quickly reaching 3-star Zoe and assembling core items.

Difficulty to Assemble: Easy | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

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Strategy

In TFT Set 17 Stargod Season 17.3, "Infinite Laser Aurelion Sol" has become a powerful choice. This version significantly buffed Aurelion Sol's overall stats, transforming his damage output. The comp is built around Aurelion Sol as a pure damage system, using the Oracle trait for efficient mana regeneration, continuously unleashing lasers to suppress opponents. It's simple and easy to pick up, suitable for both new players and female TFT players. Early game, prioritize using the Shepherd trait for transition. Give Aurelion Sol's completed items to Lissandra for temporary use. Prioritize choosing AP-related items from Stargod's Blessing, and synthesize Aurelion Sol's core item Rabadon's Deathcap as early as possible. You can also choose Spirit lose streak to accumulate resources. Mid-game, at Stage 4-1 to 4-2, level up to 8 and start searching for core units of the entire system, getting main units to 2-star to stabilize HP. If you can't activate 4 Heavy Armor trait, directly use Galio to fill the frontline position to ensure overall tankiness. Late game, after Aurelion Sol successfully reaches 2-star, you can fully push for higher population; at 9 population, complete 3 Oracle trait to accelerate skill cooldowns. Prioritize synthesizing resistance-shredding items to maximize Aurelion Sol's laser damage output. You can also field Rhaast for additional utility. Recommended augments include economy ones (4-Cost Alliance, Late Game Specialist, etc.) and damage ones (Archangel's Embrace, Tailor Made, etc.).

Difficulty to Assemble: Medium | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Strategy

After the hotfix, the chance of sneaking a win with 3-star 4-costs has decreased; currently, this comp has the highest win rate, making it the top choice if your economy is good. It revolves around the Nova trait with Aatrox and Akali. Aatrox provides resistance shred for all, and Akali grants crit chance to all, greatly boosting the damage of five-cost units like Graves, Fiora, and Vex. The standard comp completes at Level 9, consisting of Aatrox, Akali, Maokai, Tahm Kench, Fiora, Shen, Morgana, and Graves, forming multiple traits. Early game, prioritize 3 Seamaiden with fighter items or Big B with attack speed items for transition. Based on economy, HP, and competitor status, choose 4-2/4-5/4-7 to push to Level 9 and do a big roll. At around 50 HP, roll for 2-star main tank + two carries, then go to Level 10.

Difficulty to Assemble: Medium | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Strategy

This is currently the easiest 4-cost comp to lose streak into stabilization. It's flexible to build and low cost, especially suitable for transitioning with AP or tank items, or starting with a lose streak. TFT Aurelion Sol's ability can directly bypass the frontline to hit the backline; its T0.5 strength makes it playable every game. The standard comp consists of Urgot, Viktor, Galio, Tahm Kench, Master Yi, and Aurelion Sol, forming 6 Mech, 2 Bruiser, 2 Juggernaut, 2 Psychic. This comp, combined with Tahm Kench's solo trait effect, makes it easy to steal 3-star 4-costs. Early game, use 2 Future / 3 Spirit / 3 Seamaiden to transition, accumulating gold and perfect items. Around 4-2, level to 8 and do a big roll; field the recommended comp based on what you find, and remember to transform all Mechs. After Aurelion Sol and Galio are 2-star, save gold and choose to level to 9 or chase 3-stars based on your opponents.