August 23, 2026 Rank Climb Secrets: S18 Heavily Armored Caitlyn and S19 Eclipse Angel Dominate, Multiple Strong Comps Across Versions Help You Climb Easily!
Applicable Versions: S18, S19, S17, S16.8, S8, Chosen Fates This Issue's Recommendation: In the current patch, low-cost reroll comps like S18 Force of Nature's Heavily Armored Hunter Caitlyn and pure reroll Ascended Angel are rising strongly, paired with high-cost economy comps like Eternal Nine-Five and Spirit Blossom Ahri, forming diverse rank-climbing options. S19's 4-star Eclipse Knight Legion dominates with extreme star-level pressure. Meanwhile, classic strong comps like S17 Star Guardian season's Infinite Laser Aurelion Sol and S8 Monster Alliance's Pilferer EZ are still reliable rank-climbing secrets.
Star Guardian (S17/S18)
Difficulty: Hard | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular
Core Equipment
| Hero | Role | Recommended Items | Alternative Items |
| LeBlanc | Main Carry | Not mentioned | |
| Morgana | Secondary Carry | Not mentioned | |
| Karma | Support | Not mentioned |
Operation Strategy
This is an economy-based, high-cost system comp. Starting with a Shepherd emblem or a 3 Shepherd win streak is the best activation condition, aiming to build a comp with an unkillable 10k HP frontline and powerful magic damage output. At 4 units, you can use 2 Juggernaut for transition, prioritizing saving 50 gold to level up using interest. If lacking quality, you can transition with Future Warrior or Sea Demon traits. At 5 units, you can transition around 3 Shepherd, continuing to save 50 gold. At 6 units, you can transition with 2 Traveler, continuing to save 50 gold. At 7 units, you can transition with 2 Oracle, continuing to save 50 gold. Mid-game requires observing opponents' boards, prioritizing items for LeBlanc, then Morgana, and finally Karma. At 8 units, start rolling down, and once you hit 2-star LeBlanc and 2-star Morgana, you can level up. At 9 units, start rolling down. Once the high-cost units in the system are 2-star, the comp is considered fully online. After the final roll down, remember to observe your opponents to prevent Thieves Guild from stealing 3-star 4-cost units, and make sure to scout.
Difficulty: Medium | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular
Core Equipment
| Hero | Role | Recommended Items | Alternative Items |
| Ezreal | Main Carry | Axiom Arc | Not explicitly provided |
| Vi | Secondary Carry | Not explicitly provided | Not explicitly provided |
| Malphite | Main Tank | Not explicitly provided | Not explicitly provided |
Operation Strategy
This is a reroll-based, high-cost system comp, which can eventually 1v1 3-star 5-cost numerical monsters. At 4 units, use 3 Supers to transition. Prioritize making Ezreal's items (prioritize Axiom Arc), followed by Vi's items. Prioritize saving 50 gold, relying on interest to level up. At 5 units, use 2 Intel Agent to transition; at 6 units, use 3 Underground Pilferers to transition. At 6 units, roll down while capping at 30 interest, chasing 3-star Ezreal, Lee Sin, Vi, Malphite before leveling up. At 7 units, use 2 Mascot to transition; at 8 units, use 2 Intel Agent to transition. If conditions allow, pursue more 3-star Supers. At 9 units, start rolling down. Once the system's high-cost units are 2-star, the comp is fully online. If HP is below 30, you can roll for more 3-star quality at 8 units before leveling. Choose this comp if you have many system units or a Hero Augment at the start.
Difficulty: Medium | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular
Core Equipment
| Hero | Role | Recommended Items | Alternative Items |
| Teemo | Main Carry | None | None |
| Leimuna | Secondary Carry | None | None |
| Nasus | Secondary Carry | None | None |
| Nami | Support | None | None |
| Blitzcrank | Support | None | None |
Operation Strategy
This is an economy-based system comp that gradually forms with high-cost units, centered around Teemo. It's suitable if you get many Teemo copies early or have recommended augments. Recommended Deities: Varus / Thresh. The primary trait is Space Groove (2/3/5), providing core damage and tempo control; auxiliary trait is Juggernaut (2/4), providing frontline resistance; other transition trait is Dark Star (2). At 3 units, use 2 Juggernaut to transition, prioritizing saving 50 gold to level up with interest. If quality is low, you can prioritize a lose streak to cut off opposing Phantom players. At 4 units, use 2 Space Groove to transition, prioritizing saving 50 gold to level up with interest. Prioritize combat or item augments. At 5 units, use 2 Dark Star to transition, prioritizing saving 50 gold to level up with interest. At this level, you need to roll down while capping at 30 interest to hit 3-star Teemo/Leimuna/Nasus before leveling up. At 6 units, use 4 Juggernaut to transition, prioritizing saving 50 gold to level up with interest. Prioritize making Teemo or Leimuna's items, then Nami's. At 7 units, use 3 Space Groove to transition, prioritizing saving 50 gold to level up with interest. If you have "Don't scout, don't change comp" and no Blitzcrank, it's best to prioritize activating 5 Space Groove or 4 Juggernaut. At 8 units, use 5 Space Groove to transition, prioritizing saving 50 gold to level up with interest. Unless your HP is below 30, where you can roll for 2-star quality for a top 4 finish, you normally want to coast to level 9 for power. At 9 units, start rolling down. Once the system's high-cost units are 2-star, the comp is fully online. After maxing out quality, remember to observe your opponents to prevent Thieves Guild from stealing 3-star 4-cost units and make sure to scout.
Difficulty: Medium | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular
Core Equipment
| Hero | Role | Recommended Items | Alternative Items |
| Veigar | Main Carry | None | None |
| Rammus | Main Tank | None | None |
| Poppy | Secondary Tank | None | None |
Operation Strategy
This is an economy-based, high-cost system comp that requires certain economic management and tempo control. Starting with Baby Academy or a 2-star Veigar is optimal. At 4 units, transition with 3 Woodland. If you lack quality at the start, you can transition with Future Warrior / Sea Demon traits. Prioritize saving 50 gold to level up with interest. At 5 units, transition with 2 Bastion. Prioritize saving 50 gold to level up with interest. If you naturally find more than 6 copies of Veigar / Poppy, you can consider rolling for them at this level; otherwise, prioritize leveling up and waiting for 7 Woodland to manifest a 3-star. At 6 units, transition with 5 Woodland. Prioritize saving 50 gold to level up with interest. Prioritize combat or economic augments. At 7 units, transition with 1 Space Groove. Prioritize saving 50 gold to level up with interest. You don't need to explicitly chase 3-star Veigar as the subsequent 7 Woodland can manifest it. At 8 units, start rolling down. Once you hit 7 Woodland and 2-star Rammus, the comp is moderately online. If HP is below 30, you only need to chase 3-star 4-cost units at this level. At 9 units, start rolling down. Once the system's high-cost units are 2-star, the comp is fully online. After maxing out quality, remember to observe your opponents to prevent Thieves Guild from stealing 3-star 4-cost units and make sure to scout.
Difficulty: Medium | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular
Core Equipment
| Hero | Role | Recommended Items | Alternative Items |
| Kindred | Main Carry | Guinsoo's Rageblade, Giant Slayer, Kraken Slayer | None |
| Aatrox | Main Tank/Main Carry | Warmog's Armor, Gargoyle Stoneplate, Steadfast Heart | None |
Operation Strategy
The core idea is that Aatrox, with three Steadfast Plate items, gains more damage the higher his resistance, and combined with Nova Selector, gives Aatrox a screen-wide knockdown, maximizing damage. Transition with 3 Sea Demon in the early game. The key to economic management is not to level up to chase 3-star Aatrox. After hitting 3-star Aatrox, level up to activate 5 Nova.
Difficulty: Medium | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular
Core Equipment
| Hero | Role | Recommended Items |
| Aurelion Sol | Main Carry | Jeweled Gauntlet, Rabadon's Deathcap, Giant Slayer |
| Galio | Main Tank | Plate Armor, Plate Armor, Sterak's Gage |
Operation Strategy
The core of this comp is the powerful combination of Aurelion Sol and Nami, activating perfect traits at level 8. Transition in the early game by forming traits with Shepherd units. Use Teemo or Lissandra to hold items. In the mid-game, primarily gather Juggernaut units. At level 8, start rolling down to hit 2-star on all units. If there are no other players contesting your comp, consider chasing 3-star 4-cost units or adding a Savior at level 9 to raise the ceiling.
Advanced Combat Tips
S18 Specific Comp Strategies: For the newly emerging Spirit Blossom Ahri comp in S18, starting with a Needlessly Large Rod, Spirit Blossom unit, or obtaining a Spirit Blossom Emblem/Spatula is the best activation condition. When without a Spirit Blossom Emblem, flexibly adding Master Yi to activate 7 Spirit Blossom can significantly boost overall strength. For Judicator Chicken Azir, the sacrifice order of its Blackthorn trait is crucial; you can first sacrifice Rek'Sai, and after Kha'Zix evolves, then sacrifice Kha'Zix to maximize benefits.
Utilizing S17 Mech Aurelion Sol's Backline Access Mechanism: In TFT's S17 version, Aurelion Sol's ability can directly bypass the frontline to deal damage to enemy backlines, giving Mech comps a huge advantage against traditional, robust frontline enemy comps. For positioning, consider placing Aurelion Sol diagonal to the enemy's main carry to maximize his output efficiency. Additionally, combining with Galio's tankiness and crowd control can effectively protect Aurelion Sol and create a suitable environment for his damage.
Flexible Economy Management for High-Cost Comps: For high-cost economy comps, early game economic accumulation is key. Besides traditional economic augments, you can also use 3 Sea Demon or 2 Future for a win streak transition, or go for a lose streak to benefit from Phantom income. Based on the special mechanic of receiving 2-cost units in Stage 2, prioritize using 3 Sea Demon for a win streak transition. When rolling down in the mid-game, flexibly assess your HP and opponents' boards to decide whether to go for level 9 to chase 5-cost units or roll for 3-star 4-cost units at level 8, avoiding forcing levels which can lead to economic and HP collapse.
Item Priority and Flexible Adaptation for Multi-Carry Comps: In multi-carry comps like Star-gazer Sharpshooter Xayah and Woodland Nine-Five Jhin, it is crucial to ensure that the main carries, Xayah / Jhin, have their core damage items. Simultaneously, items for secondary carries like Jhin / Vex should follow closely. Adjust positioning flexibly to counter different opponents, ensuring that core damage heroes have safe space to deal damage. In the late game, optimize item configurations promptly based on battle developments to fully leverage the multi-carry advantage.
Phantom Stacks and Core Hero Augment Choices: To optimize Phantom stacks, it is recommended that Aurelion Sol and Nova Nine-Five perform best when Phantom stacks reach 400 or 500 stacks, while Judge Diana is recommended with Phantom stacks at 200 or 300 for optimal performance. For Graves's augment choices, the "Draw Sword" / "Pineapple Graves" combination is currently the best.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The early S17 patch has a relatively slow pace. Prioritize using 3 Sea Demon for a win streak transition or 2 Future for a lose streak to earn economy. In this environment, high-cost nine-five comps and comps that aim for 3-star 4-cost units are top choices for winning. If your early game transition is smooth and economy is good, you can choose Nova Nine-Five. If you want to roll for quality at level 8, Mech Flex is also a very good choice due to its unique mechanics and stable strength. For beginners or players with a rough start, reroll 3-cost comps like Star Guardian Weave Fate Twisted Fate are also good strategies for consistent points.
The main operational difficulty for these two 10k HP comps lies in their extreme reliance on specific Chosen units and core items. Zilean requires 3 stars and full items to consistently revive the entire team and stack HP; Irelia needs the Divine Sword Chosen and must be equipped with Archangel's Staff, Titan's Resolve, and Bloodthirster to achieve 10k HP true damage. If you cannot obtain key Chosen units or core items early on, it will significantly impact the comp's strength and win rate. Additionally, be wary of champions like Lee Sin and Seraphine, who can remove units, as they are natural counters to 10k HP comps.
For S16.8 systems like Demacia Mel and Freljord Elder, when facing magic damage comps, Demacia Mel's Gem provides magic resist, while Freljord Elder relies on Ornn's tankiness and dual ice turret control. Prioritize stacking magic resist items like Dragon's Claw and Spirit Visage for your frontline. When facing physical damage comps, focus more on physical defense items like Chain Vest and Thornmail. Furthermore, the Freljord trait's resistance reduction and damage amplification effects boost all damage output, while Demacia's Radiant items can also be adjusted based on the carry's damage type, for example, giving magic burst items to Mel or Lux, or physical sustain items to Shyvana, allowing for flexible adaptation.