April 24, 2026 Climbing Meta: TFT S17 High-Cost 95 and Mech Lineups Dominate, S16.8 Demacia Freljord System Reborn, Plus Chosen Fortune 10K HP Zilean and Irelia for Easy Rank-Ups!

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

Core Items

Gameplay Strategy

After the hotfix, the chance of 'cheesing' with 3-star 4-costs decreased. This is currently the comp with the highest win rate; it's the first choice if your economy is good. Be careful not to greed for Tahm Kench if he comes late. This is the strongest S17 comp in the current version, revolving around the Starborn trait with Aatrox and Akali. Aatrox provides magic resist shred for the team, and Akali grants critical strike chance to everyone, greatly boosting the damage of 5-cost units like Graves, Fiora, and Vex. The TFT Robot is very strong and can be developed as a third carry. The standard lineup forms at level 9, consisting of Aatrox, Akali, Maokai, Tahm Kench, Fiora, Shen, Morgana, and Graves, forming 2 Starborn 2 Berserker 2 Bastion 2 Juggernaut. Playable conditions include getting a strong economic augment at the start or going on a win streak. If you can reach level 10, you can add Sona/Jhin/Maokai, etc. For items, physical carries Graves or Fiora can largely share items; prioritize the higher quality champion. Fiora prioritizes Nightblade, Graves prioritizes Quicksilver. Vex requires Guinsoo's Rageblade, damage amplification items, and Hextech Gunblade. Main tank Tahm Kench or Nunu should prioritize Sunfire Cape if no grievous wounds.

Trait Spatula Recommendations: Get Starborn Spatula for Fiora or Graves to activate 5 Starborn; pick up Berserker Spatula for Graves.

In-Game Strategy: In the early game, prioritize transitioning with 3 Sea Monster carrying AD items or Bard carrying attack speed items. Alternatively, use 2-star Caitlyn carrying Vex's items. If you're struggling, add 2 Future for economy. If on a win streak, the benefits of adding Future in Stage 4 will double. Based on your economy, HP, and contested units, choose to go level 9 and start a big 'D' (roll) at 4-2/4-5/4-7. If your HP is around 50, roll for your main tank + two carries to 2-star, then go level 10. If your HP is average, get three carries to 2-star before going level 10 to add recommended units. For positioning, position your entire team on the opponent's weak side to allow Graves and Fiora to more 容<HeroLink chessId="14370" version="17_18.17.2_S18">Master Yi</HeroLink>ly access the backline, and also help Vex stack her dual attack.

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

Core Items

Gameplay Strategy

This is currently the most 容<HeroLink chessId="14370" version="17_18.17.2_S18">Master Yi</HeroLink>-y 4-cost comp for losing streak stabilization, flexible in build and low in cost, especially suitable for transitioning with AP or tank items or starting with a losing streak. TFT Aurelion Sol's ability can directly bypass the frontline to hit the backline; its strength is T0.5 and can be hard-forced every game. The standard lineup consists of Urgot, Viktor, Galio, Tahm Kench, Master Yi, and Aurelion Sol, forming 6 Mech 2 Brawler 2 Berserker 2 Psychic. If you have many AP items, you can raise Karma as a secondary carry; adjust flexibly when 4-cost units don't have items or you're low on gold. In the late game, when you can go to level 9, you can replace 4-cost units with 5-costs of the same trait.

Item Analysis: Prioritize three core items for Aurelion Sol and Galio. Aurelion Sol's core items are Jeweled Gauntlet and Rabadon's Deathcap; the best third item is Last Whisper or Void Staff, and many artifacts can be used. Galio's formulaic three-piece set is very tanky, replaceable with Bramble Vest, Frozen Heart, Spirit Visage; note that Masterwork Upgrade should prioritize Bramble Vest. For secondary carry, depending on items and units found, you can raise Master Yi (as recommended, but Master Yi is a bit weak, can pick up scrap/not give items) or Karma (grievous wounds, magic resist shred, for early activation/AP damage).

Comp Interpretation: This comp, combined with Tahm Kench's solo trait effect, makes it 容<HeroLink chessId="14370" version="17_18.17.2_S18">Master Yi</HeroLink> to roll for 3-star 4-costs. When you get radiant items, suitable Yasuo elemental hexes (ice hex greatly boosts Galio, storm hex is strong for Aurelion Sol), new artifacts, or Phantasm items, you also have the potential to win.

Reroll Path: Choose multiple economic augments, transition with Future paired with Sea Monster, aggressively save gold and refresh rolls, quickly go to level 8 and hard-roll for Mechs to quickly complete the comp. Afterward, don't go to level 9; instead, at level 8, chase 3-star Leona, Aurelion Sol, and other 4-costs. If you hit them, you win; if not, you can still get a decent placement. With Tahm Kench providing economy, it's relatively 容<HeroLink chessId="14370" version="17_18.17.2_S18">Master Yi</HeroLink> to hit if uncontested. 3-star Galio's strength is higher than many 5-cost units, and 3-star Aurelion Sol's strength is also top three. Small detail: in 3-star 4-cost mirror matches, Aurelion Sol should not transform to deal damage faster; Tahm Kench, Master Yi, Karma can cause you to lose.

Special Paths: If you don't get economic augments/it's hard to hit 3-stars as people climb up later/after TFT Aurelion Sol's backline hitting mechanism is fixed, you can still play with special paths. (1) Artifact Path: Get an artifact suitable for Aurelion Sol or Galio. Use Zoe or Teemo to carry Aurelion Sol's items for a smooth transition. (2) Losing Streak Phantasm Path: Play by collecting Level 2 Phantasm items (given after at least 300 stacks). If you get tanky Phantasm items, Galio becomes virtually unkillable, and these two items can boost your placement by more than 1 rank. If you get AP items, Aurelion Sol can also use them, but the boost is not as significant as for Galio. The ultimate 300-stack 'harvesting' formula is to go on a 5-loss streak in the early game, activate 3 Phantasm by 3-1 at the latest, continue with a 5-loss streak, and you can hit it without changing a single unit. (3) Expedition Path: The third gameplay strategy is also a losing streak. Use the Expedition formula to collect a Radiant Reforger at 4-1 or 4-2 to upgrade Bramble Vest or Rabadon's Deathcap, achieving stabilization.

Positioning: Galio solo-tanks the frontline, Aurelion Sol stands on the left side to be less 容<HeroLink chessId="14370" version="17_18.17.2_S18">Master Yi</HeroLink>ly engaged.

Augments: Prioritize item-related augments to ensure perfect items for your dual carries, followed by augments that help chase 3-star 4-costs, such as Expedition, Patient Study, TwinGuard, Portable Forge, Solitary Shell, Blessed Armory, 4-Cost Reinforcements, Gold Reserves, Golden Dragon, Golden Ticket++, Subscription Service, New Recruit. For Divine selections, Yasuo and Kayle are best, followed by Ekko.

In-Game Strategy: In the early game, transition with 2 Future/3 Phantasm/3 Sea Monster to accumulate economy and perfect items. For the Expedition formula, feed 1-cost and 2-cost units for the first two rounds, then average 3 gold for the next 10 rounds, completing by 3-7 (monster rounds count). Stabilize at 4-1. Around 4-2, go to level 8 and perform a big 'D' (roll). Build the recommended lineup based on what you find, and remember to activate all your Mechs' transformations. After Aurelion Sol and Galio are 2-star, save gold. Depending on contested units, choose to go to level 9 or chase 3-stars.

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

Core Items

Gameplay Strategy

TFT S17 Nami casts her ability very quickly. This comp is flexible and has considerable strength. If you have a Space Groove Spatula, you can prioritize pairing it with the Space Groove system. If not, you can build around multiple traits. The frontline positions of Poppy and Rammus can be flexibly replaced with Blitzcrank + Nasus, LeBlanc + Sona, or two out of Traveler/Rhaast/Morgana, depending on units found and items, making it easier to chase 3-star 4-cost units in the late game. The comp centers around Nami as the core damage dealer, paired with high-quality frontline and support units, forming a stable and high-burst AP comp.

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

Core Items

Gameplay Strategy

In S17, other spatulas have been significantly nerfed, and now Groove Spatula is the strongest. If you have a spatula, prioritize this comp. If you have the Space Groove Spatula, you can choose this comp, as Groove Spatula Riven has very high strength. At level 8, roll for 2 to 3 two-star 4-costs, then go to level 9 and add Shen. If you don't have the Space Groove Spatula, raise the hidden 4-cost Samira, use 2 Future trait Ezreal to float, and at level 8, roll for 2-star units excluding 5-costs. With 2 Future, go to level 9 and add Shen (if you have items, replace Pantheon with Riven). Once you have Blitzcrank and Jhin, you can activate 4 Juggernaut, or continue to benefit from 10 Future trait.

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

Core Items

Gameplay Strategy

This S17 comp is suitable for beginners or when augments aren't good for high-cost comps, when you're just starting out, or when pressure increases. This is a considerable strength 3-cost reroll comp that can also consistently climb ranks. The core idea is to quickly chase 3-star Samira and use her high burst to clean up.

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

Core Items

Gameplay Strategy

This strong 3-cost comp in S17 is hailed as the current strongest. The hotfix had minimal impact on Viktor, and Psychic items remain strong. Playable conditions include starting with Drone or Symbiotic Implants (2 Psychic items). The standard lineup forms at level 8, consisting of Lissandra, Mordekaiser, Ivern, Pyke, Illaoi, Rhaast, Viktor, and Nami, forming 3 Shepherd 2 Magician 2 Dark Star 2 Traveler 2 Juggernaut 2 Oracle 2 Psychic 1 Savior. Viktor has a long cast time, so pure damage items are recommended, with Drone or Symbiotic Implants being optimal. Illaoi as main tank uses pure tank items, and Nami as secondary carry provides additional damage and utility. In the early game, you can transition with Zoe or Draven (paired with 2 Future), or go on a losing streak with 3 Sea Monster 2 Future. Around 3-5, go to level 7 and roll, hitting the basic lineup and 2-star main carry and tank. After conventionally saving interest to chase 3-stars, level up. If contested, go to level 8 with 2-star units, complete the traits, and look for 2-star Nami, or pivot to Mechs. For positioning, stand on the opponent's weak side, allowing Pyke to hook the backline, and Ivern to stand on the outermost edge to get hit early and activate his crowd control on more enemies. Prioritize economic or reroll augments, then artifact augments, and finally combat augments. For Divine selections, Varus is preferred.

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

Core Items

Gameplay Strategy

This S17 comp is extremely strong, infinitely stacking AP around the "Judge" effect, and is not 容<HeroLink chessId="14370" version="17_18.17.2_S18">Master Yi</HeroLink> to be contested. The standard lineup forms at level 8, consisting of Leona, Mordekaiser, Ivern, Zoe, Illaoi, Nunu, LeBlanc, and Karma, activating 4 Juggernaut 3 Judge 3 Shepherd 2 Dark Star 2 Traveler 2 Oracle.

Playable Conditions: The "Judge" effect that grants AP after basic attacks/dealing 10 instances of damage is best. If it grants AP with attack speed or other prerequisites, you need good items to play it. If you have a Shield Spatula, choose the one where increased shield effect = increased AP.

Early Game Transition: In the early game, you can use Zoe or Teemo to carry LeBlanc's items for a transition, expanding your traits. Alternatively, you can opt for a losing streak with Future or Sea Monster to build economy, waiting until the Stage 3 carousel to pick LeBlanc.

Mid Game Strategy: Around 4-2, push to level 8 and roll for the recommended standard lineup.

Late Game Completion: Around 4-5, roll for 2-star LeBlanc, 2-star Illaoi, or Nunu. If your HP is healthy, you can consider going to level 9. If your HP is average, roll for all 2-star units at level 8 to secure a decent placement. At level 9, conventionally add Morgana; as long as it doesn't break 3 Judge, 2-star Bard and Blitzcrank can also be directly added. If you have a 2-star Vex, you can replace LeBlanc and pivot to Juggernaut 95.

Trait Spatula Recommendations: Get Juggernaut Spatula for LeBlanc (to activate 6 Juggernaut); pick up Judge Spatula (allows Zoe to replace Bard or Leona to replace Blitzcrank).

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

Core Items

Gameplay Strategy

The core of this comp is the duplicate hexes provided by the 7 Treant trait. Combined with economic augments, it allows for easy chasing of 3-star 4-costs. After being buffed, Corki possesses high burst damage, and once completed, has a very high chance of winning.

Early Game Transition (Stages 2-1 to 3-2)

Prioritize picking up 3 Treant, pairing them with Agents for a win streak, while also adding the "2 Future" trait (assisted by economic augments). You can also transition smoothly with a 2 Arcanist + 2 Fated system, adjusting flexibly.

Mid Game Completion (Stage 4-2)

At stage 4-2, quickly level up to 8 and activate the 7 Treant trait. At this point, you need to find 2-star Corki and 2-star Rammus to start stabilizing your HP.

Late Game 3-Star Chase (After Level 8)

After level 8, based on the number of units found on board, focus on chasing 3-stars for 4-cost units within the comp, such as Corki and Riven. Once you successfully hit 3-stars, you can generally secure the win and effortlessly claim victory.

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

Core Items

Gameplay Strategy

This is an S17 comp that relies on the "Phantasm" trait for 'harvesting' (scaling). Playable conditions include starting with 3 Phantasm, or being on a 4-loss streak by stage 3-2 at the latest with suitable items. The standard lineup forms at level 7, consisting of Leona, Ivern, Jinx, Illaoi, Diana, Alune, and LeBlanc, forming 3 Phantasm 3 Judge 3 Shepherd 2 Challenger 2 Traveler 2 Juggernaut. In the late game, you can add Rhaast, Galio, Morgana, etc. For Judge effects, prioritize those that grant dual resistances or shields after dealing 10 instances of damage/basic attacks. Phantasm stacks are determined by the losing streak, aiming to 'harvest' at multiples of 100. 200 stacks is acceptable, 300 stacks can stabilize, and 400 stacks generally secure a win.

Positioning: Alune stands left-three right-three to more 容<HeroLink chessId="14370" version="17_18.17.2_S18">Master Yi</HeroLink>ly hit more enemies with her ultimate. Diana and summoned units stand next to Illaoi to prevent being focused immediately.

Augments: Prioritize augments suitable for losing streaks or delayed combat power, followed by economic augments such as Tiny Titans, Patient Study, Hero's Bounty, Gold Reserves, etc. For Divine selections, Soraka, Varus, and Kayle's bonuses are excellent; avoid Evelynn, Aurelion Sol, and Ekko.

In-Game Strategy: Mindlessly lose streak. Around 3-5 or 3-7, go to level 7 to gain interest and small roll. Safely keep two rounds of HP leeway. 'Harvest' around 4-1. After harvesting, perform a big 'D' (roll) to hit at least one 3-star 3-cost to stabilize HP. Unless there are many contested players, chase 3-stars before leveling up to add Kayn.

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

Core Items

Gameplay Strategy

Data has warmed up after the hotfix; fewer people are transitioning with Sea Monster, and the items are good for playing this. This S17 comp is suitable for beginners and is very strong. If you can get 3 Sea Monster at the start or have suitable items, you can choose this. The standard lineup consists of Rek'Sai, Briar, Aatrox, Caitlyn, Akali, Bard, Maokai, and Kindred, forming 5 Starborn Agents 3 Sea Monster 2 Brawler 2 Challenger 2 Berserker.

Early Game Transition: If you have good items and high unit quality, you can choose to fast level at 2-1 to 4, 2-5 to 5, 3-2 to 6 for a win streak transition. If quality is low, you can use 3 Sea Monster to 'coast' and accumulate economy.

Mid Game Strategy: After reaching level 6 at stage 3-2, start rolling for units. Find 2-star Bard + 2-star Akali or one Maokai, then save gold. Save interest to chase 3-stars for both carries, then sequentially level up to add Aatrox and Caitlyn. Low-cost Sea Monster units can be chased to 3-star as opportunities arise.

Late Game Completion: After reaching level 8 and activating 5 Starborn, if you don't have a Spatula, prioritize giving the Selector to 2-star Maokai to provide full-board crowd control. If HP is average, roll for 2-star Kindred and 3-star Maokai at level 8; if HP is healthy, you can directly level up to add recommended 5-cost units.

Trait Spatula Recommendations: Get Starborn Spatula for Bard; pick up Sea Monster Spatula for Briar or a tank, to optimize Briar.

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

Core Items

Gameplay Strategy

Although it was heavily nerfed before the S17 release, it can still stabilize if you have suitable items. The core is the Starborn Spatula. After activating 5 Starborn, give the Selector to an auxiliary unit, which grants high attack speed, dual resistances, and a team buff. When Fiora can reach 2-star, you can transfer Master Yi's items to her.

Difficulty to Assemble: Hard | Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular (S17.1B)

Core Items

Gameplay Strategy

This comp is extremely demanding under S17.1B conditions, requiring Ekko's Artifact + the Judge effect that restores mana after dealing 10 instances of damage to allow Zoe to cast her ability infinitely. At level 6, first form a core of 4 Juggernaut + Zoe + Lissandra, then focus on rolling to chase 3-star Zoe and 3-star Leona/Mordekaiser. Afterward, by leveling up, look for Karma or LeBlanc as secondary carries to further boost the comp's damage output.