April 26, 2026 Ladder Climb Guide: TFT Set 17 5-Cost Legends & Mech Comps Dominate, Set 16.8 Demacia Freljord Revitalized, Plus Chosen Fortune 10k HP Zilean and Irelia for Easy Gains!

Difficulty: Medium | Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

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Playstyle / Strategy

After the hotfix, the chance of hitting 3-star 4-costs for a quick win has decreased. This comp currently has the highest win rate and is the first choice if you have good economy. Note that if Tahm Kench comes late, don't greed. This is the strongest comp in the current Set 17 version, built around the Nova trait with Aatrox and Akali. Aatrox provides armor and magic resist shred for the team, while Akali grants critical strike chance to the entire team, significantly boosting the damage output of 5-cost units like Graves, Fiora, and Vex. TFT Blitzcrank is very strong and can be developed as a third carry. The standard composition forms at Level 9, consisting of Aatrox, Akali, Maokai, Tahm Kench, Fiora, Shen, Morgana, and Graves, activating 2 Nova, 2 Berserker, 2 Bastion, 2 Heavy. Playable conditions include getting a strong economy Hextech Augment at the start or achieving a win streak. If you can reach Level 10, you can add units like Sona / Jhin / Maokai. For items, the physical carry items for Graves or Fiora are almost interchangeable; prioritize giving them to the higher-quality champion. Fiora prioritizes Night's Edge, Graves prioritizes Quicksilver. Vex must have Guinsoo's Rageblade, damage amplification items, and Hextech Gunblade. Main tank Tahm Kench or Nunu should prioritize Sunfire Cape if there's no grievous wounds.

Emblem Recommendations: Get Nova Emblem for Fiora or Graves to activate 5 Nova; pick up Berserker Emblem for Graves.

In-game Strategy: Early game, prioritize 3 Seadweller with warrior items or Darius with attack speed items for a smooth transition. Alternatively, 2-star Caitlyn can carry Vex's items. If you're struggling, you can add 2 Future for economy. If on a win streak, adding Future in Stage 4 will double its benefits. Based on economy, health, and opponents' boards, choose to go Level 9 and power roll at 4-2/4-5/4-7. If health is around 50, roll for 2-star main tank + two 2-star carries and go to Level 10. If health is average, get three 2-star carries before going to Level 10 and adding recommended units. For positioning, generally place units on the opponent's weak side, making it easier for Graves and Fiora to dive the backline, and also helping Vex stack dual attack stats.

Difficulty: Medium | Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Playstyle / Strategy

This is currently the easiest 4-cost comp to go on a losing streak and stabilize health with. Its build is flexible and costs are low, especially suitable for transitioning with AP/tank items or starting with a losing streak. TFT Aurelion Sol's ability can directly bypass the frontline to hit the backline, making this comp T0.5 strength and consistently playable. The standard composition includes Urgot, Viktor, Galio, Tahm Kench, Master Yi, and Aurelion Sol, forming 6 Mech, 2 Bruiser, 2 Berserker, 2 Psychic. When you have many AP items, you can raise Karma as a secondary carry. If 4-cost units don't have items or you're short on gold, you can adjust flexibly. In the late game, if you can reach Level 9, you can replace 4-cost units with 5-cost units of the same trait.

Item Analysis: Prioritize Aurelion Sol and Galio's three core items. Aurelion Sol's core items are Jeweled Gauntlet and Rabadon's Deathcap, the best third item is Last Whisper or Void Staff, and many useful artifacts can be used. Galio's formulaic three items are very tanky; they can be replaced by Gargoyle Stoneplate, Frozen Heart, Spirit Visage. Note that Masterwork Upgrade should prioritize Gargoyle Stoneplate. Secondary carries depend on items and rolls: raise Master Yi (as recommended, but Master Yi is a bit weak, can take leftover items/no items) or Karma (grievous wounds, magic resist shred, provides initiation/AP).

Comp Interpretation: This comp, combined with Tahm Kench's solo trait effect, makes it easy to high-roll 3-star 4-costs. When you get Radiant items, suitable Yasuo elemental hexes (Ice Hex greatly boosts Galio, Storm Hex greatly boosts Aurelion Sol), new artifacts, or Phantom items, you also have the strength to win.

Poach Strategy: Choose multiple economy Hextech Augments, use Future with Seadweller for transition, aggressively save gold for rerolls, quickly go Level 8 and aggressively roll for Mech units to quickly form the comp. Afterward, don't go Level 9, but chase 3-star Galio, Aurelion Sol, and other 4-costs at Level 8. If you hit, you win; if not, you can still get a decent placement. With Tahm Kench providing economy, it's easier to hit units if you're uncontested. 3-star Galio's strength is higher than many 5-costs, and 3-star Aurelion Sol's strength ranks in the top three. Small detail: In 3-star 4-cost mirror matches, Aurelion Sol should not transform for faster damage output, otherwise Tahm Kench, Master Yi, Karma can cause you to lose.

Alternative Paths: If you don't get economy Hextech Augments / it's harder to high-roll 3-stars at higher ranks / after TFT Aurelion Sol's backline targeting mechanism is fixed, you can still play with these alternative strategies. (1) Artifact Path: Play when you get an artifact suitable for Aurelion Sol or Galio. Use Zoe or Teemo to carry Aurelion Sol's items for an early game transition. (2) Losing Streak Phantom Path: Play when you get 2-star Phantom items (at least 300 stacks will grant them). With tanky Phantom items, Galio becomes unkillable, and these two can even improve your placement by more than 1 spot. If you get AP items, Aurelion Sol can also use them, but the boost isn't as significant as for Galio. The extreme 300-stack "harvesting" formula is a 5-loss streak in the early game, activating 3 Phantom by 3-1 at the latest, then continuing the 5-loss streak; you can reach it without swapping a single unit. (3) Expedition Path: The third strategy is also a losing streak. Use the Expedition formula to get a Radiant Reconstructor at 4-1 or 4-2, upgrading Gargoyle Stoneplate or Rabadon's Deathcap to stabilize your health.

Positioning: Galio solos the frontline, Aurelion Sol positions on the left side to be less susceptible to dives.

Augments: Prioritize item-related augments to ensure optimal items for both carries, followed by Hextech Augments that help chase 3-star 4-costs, such as Expedition, Patient Virtue, Twin Guardian, Restless Forge, Lone Stoneplate, Divine Forge, 4-Cost Reinforcements, Savings Account, Golden Draconic, Golden Bet ++, Subscription Service, New Recruit. For Divine selections, Yasuo and Kayle are best, followed by Ekko.

In-game Strategy: Early game, use 2 Future / 3 Phantom / 3 Seadweller for transition, accumulating economy and perfect items. For the Expedition formula, feed 1-cost and 2-cost units for the first two waves, then average 3 gold per wave for the next 10 waves, completing by 3-7 (monster rounds count), and activating health stabilization at 4-1. Around 4-2, go Level 8 and power roll. Build the recommended comp based on your rolls, and remember to transform all Mechs. After Aurelion Sol and Galio are 2-star, save gold. Based on your opponents, choose to go Level 9 or chase 3-stars.

Difficulty: Medium | Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Playstyle / Strategy

This comp consists of Leona (1-cost), Lissandra (1-cost), Nasus (1-cost), Teemo (1-cost), Mordekaiser (2-cost), Zoe (2-cost), Illaoi (3-cost), Nunu (4-cost), Blitzcrank (5-cost). The final traits are 6 Heavy, 3 Space Groove, 3 Shepherd, 2 Judge, 2 Darkstar.

6 Heavy provides massive armor and magic resist, 3 Space Groove grants the frontline Groove state for healing and attack speed, 3 Shepherd enhances ability effects, 2 Judge provides shields and crowd control, and 2 Darkstar grants attack damage and ability power.

Early Game Strategy: At Level 5, use Leona, Nasus, Teemo, Mordekaiser, Illaoi to form Heavy and Shepherd traits. These low-cost units are easy to find, and the frontline is extremely tanky for health stabilization.

Mid Game Strategy: At Level 7, add Lissandra (keep her from early game) and Zoe to activate 2 Judge and 2 Darkstar, boosting damage and crowd control, leading to strong health stabilization in the mid game.

Late Game Strategy: At Level 9, add Nunu and Blitzcrank to reach 6 Heavy and 3 Space Groove. With all units being tanks, it becomes unstoppable in the late game.

Augments: Bronze for Life (first choice, increases damage for each Bronze-tier trait), Best Friends (suitable for clustered positioning, grants attack speed and armor to isolated paired units), Combat Caster Recurve Bow (provides attack speed item for Teemo to stack passive faster), Ascension (when an ally dies, allies with the same trait gain stats), Embrace (at combat start, adjacent allies gain dual resistances), Clockwork Accelerator (unit gains attack speed every 3 seconds, fits Teemo well).

This Heavy Teemo comp cleverly combines the tankiness of Heavy units with the sustain of Space Groove. The strategy is clear: stabilize health in the early game, power up in the mid game. Once Teemo has optimal items and is 3-star, coupled with the dual resistances from 6 Heavy, almost no comp can withstand this onslaught.

Difficulty: Medium | Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

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Playstyle / Strategy

TFT Set 17 Nami casts quickly. This comp is flexible and adaptable, with considerable strength. If you have Space Groove Emblem, prioritize combining it with the Space Groove system. If not, you can build around multiple trait synergies. The frontline positions of Poppy and Rammus can be flexibly replaced based on rolls and items with Blitzcrank + Nasus, LeBlanc + Sona, or two of Traveler / Rhaast / Morgana, making it easier to chase 3-star 4-cost units in the late game. The comp centers Nami as the core damage dealer, paired with high-quality frontline and support champions, forming a stable AP comp with high burst potential.

Difficulty: Medium | Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Playstyle / Strategy

In Set 17, many other emblems have been nerfed, so Groove Emblem is currently the strongest. Prioritize this comp if you get a Spatula. If you have Space Groove Emblem, you can choose this comp. Riven with Groove Emblem is very strong. At Level 8, roll for 2 to 3 2-star 4-costs, then go Level 9 and add Shen. If you don't have Space Groove Emblem, then raise the hidden 4-cost Samira, use 2 Future with Ezreal as a placeholder, and at Level 8, roll for 2-star units excluding 5-costs. Go Level 9 with 2 Future and add Shen (if you have items, replace Pantheon with Riven). Once you have Blitzcrank and Jhin, you can activate 4 Heavy, or continue to benefit from 10 Future trait.

Difficulty: Easy | Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Playstyle / Strategy

This Set 17 comp is suitable for beginners or when Hextech Augments aren't suitable for high-cost comps, when you're just starting out, or when pressure mounts. This is a reroll 3-cost comp with considerable strength, and can stably climb ladder. The core idea is to quickly chase 3-star Samira and use her high burst damage to clean up.

Difficulty: Medium | Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Playstyle / Strategy

This strong 3-cost comp in Set 17 is hailed as the current strongest. The hotfix had minimal impact on Viktor, and Psychic items are still strong. Playable conditions include getting Drone or Symbiotic Implants (2 Psychic items) at the start. The standard composition forms at Level 8, consisting of Lissandra, Mordekaiser, Yuumi, Pyke, Illaoi, Rhaast, Viktor, and Nami, activating 3 Shepherd, 2 Magician, 2 Darkstar, 2 Traveler, 2 Heavy, 2 Oracle, 2 Psychic, 1 Savior. Viktor has a long cast time, so pure damage items are recommended. Drone or Symbiotic Implants are best. Illaoi as main tank uses pure tank items. Nami as secondary carry provides supplementary damage and utility. Early game, you can use Zoe or a stable 2-cost transition (paired with 2 Future) for transition, or 3 Seadweller 2 Future for a losing streak. Around 3-5, go Level 7 and roll. Find the basic comp and 2-star main carry and tank. Normally, save interest to chase 3-stars then go up levels. If there are opponents contesting, go 2-star at Level 8, complete traits and find 2-star Nami, or switch to Mech. For positioning, stand on the opponent's weak side, allowing Pyke to hook the backline. Yuumi stands on the outermost side to take damage earlier and activate her CC on more enemies. Prioritize economy or reroll augments, followed by artifact augments, and finally combat augments. For Divine selections, Varus is preferred.

Difficulty: Medium | Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Playstyle / Strategy

This Set 17 comp is extremely strong, infinitely stacking AP around the "Judge" effect, and is not prone to being contested. The standard comp forms at Level 8, consisting of Leona, Mordekaiser, Yuumi, Zoe, Illaoi, Nunu, LeBlanc, and Karma, activating 4 Heavy, 3 Judge, 3 Shepherd, 2 Darkstar, 2 Traveler, 2 Oracle.

Playable Conditions: Choosing the Judge effect that grants AP after auto-attacking/dealing 10 instances of damage is best. When gaining AP from attack speed or other prerequisite conditions, you need good items before playing. If you have a Shield Emblem, choose increased shield effect = increased AP.

Early Game Transition: Early game, you can use Zoe or Teemo to carry LeBlanc's items for transition and expand traits. You can also choose Future or Seadweller to lose streak for economy, waiting until Stage 3 carousel to get LeBlanc.

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

Late Game Formation: Around 4-5, roll for 2-star LeBlanc, 2-star Illaoi or Nunu. If health is healthy, you can consider going Level 9. If health is average, roll for all 2-stars at Level 8 to secure a good placement. At Level 9, typically add Morgana. As long as it doesn't break 3 Judge, 2-star Bard or Blitzcrank can also be added directly. If you have 2-star Vex, you can replace LeBlanc and transition into Heavy 5-Cost.

Emblem Recommendations: Get Heavy Emblem for LeBlanc (activates 6 Heavy); pick up Judge Emblem (allows Zoe to replace Bard or Leona to replace Blitzcrank).

Difficulty: Medium | Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Playstyle / Strategy

The core of this comp is the duplicate slot provided by the 7 Yuumi trait. Combined with economy augments, it makes chasing 3-star 4-costs easy. The buffed Corki has high burst damage, and once completed, the comp has a very high chance of winning.

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

Prioritize picking up 3 Yuumi, pair with Agent units for a win streak, and also add 2 Future trait (assisted by economy augments). You can also use a 2 Mage + 2 Fated system for a stable transition, adjusting flexibly.

Mid Game Formation (Stage 4-2)

At stage 4-2, quickly go to Level 8 and activate the 7 Yuumi trait. At this point, you need to find 2-star Corki and 2-star Rammus to start stabilizing health.

Late Game 3-Star Chase (After Level 8)

After Level 8, based on the number of units rolled, focus on chasing 3-stars for 4-cost units within the system, such as Corki and Riven. Once you successfully hit 3-stars, you can generally secure the win and easily take first place.

Difficulty: Medium | Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Playstyle / Strategy

This is a Set 17 playstyle that relies on the "Phantom" trait for "harvesting" (accumulating power/rewards). Playable conditions include starting with 3 Phantom, or being on a 4-loss streak by stage 3-2 at the latest with suitable items. The standard comp forms at Level 7, consisting of Leona, Yuumi, Jinx, Illaoi, Diana, Alora, and LeBlanc, activating 3 Phantom, 3 Judge, 3 Shepherd, 2 Challenger, 2 Traveler, 2 Heavy. In the late game, you can add Rhaast, Galio, Morgana, etc. For Judge effects, prioritize "dealing 10 instances of damage/auto-attacking to gain dual resistances or shields." The number of Phantom stacks depends on the losing streak situation. The goal is to reach a multiple of 100 for "harvesting." 200 stacks is acceptable, 300 stacks can stabilize health, and 400 stacks almost guarantees a win.

Positioning: Alora stands on the third hex from the left or right, making it easier to hit more enemies. Diana and summoned units stand next to Illaoi to prevent being focused down immediately.

Augments: Prioritize augments suitable for losing streaks or delayed power spikes, followed by economy augments, such as Little Giant, Patient Virtue, Heroic Lootbag, Savings Account, etc. For Divine selections, Soraka, Varus, Kayle offer excellent buffs. Avoid Evelynn, Aurelion Sol, Ekko.

In-game Strategy: Mindlessly lose streak. Around 3-5 or 3-7, go Level 7 and roll sparingly to maintain interest. Safely allow for two rounds of buffer, then "harvest" around 4-1. After harvesting, power roll for at least one 3-star 3-cost to stabilize health. Unless there are many contestants, chase 3-stars before going up levels and adding Kayn.

Difficulty: Easy | Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Playstyle / Strategy

After the hotfix, the data has improved. Fewer players transition with Seadweller, so play this if you have suitable items. This Set 17 comp is suitable for beginners and is very strong. You can choose this comp if you can gather 3 Seadweller at the start or have suitable items. The standard comp consists of Rek'Sai, Briar, Aatrox, Caitlyn, Akali, Darius, Maokai, and Kindred, activating 5 Nova Special Agent, 3 Seadweller, 2 Bruiser, 2 Challenger, 2 Berserker.

Early Game Transition: If items are good and unit quality is high, you can choose to level to 4 at 2-1, 5 at 2-5, 6 at 3-2 for a win streak transition. If unit quality is low, you can use 3 Seadweller to cruise and save economy.

Mid Game Strategy: After reaching Level 6 at Stage 3-2, start rolling. Once you find 2-star Darius + 2-star Akali or one Maokai, save gold. Maintain interest to chase 3-stars for both carries, then sequentially go up levels to add Aatrox and Caitlyn. For low-cost Seadweller, chase 3-stars if convenient.

Late Game Formation: After reaching Level 8 and activating 5 Nova, if you don't have an emblem, prioritize giving the selector to 2-star Maokai for full-screen crowd control. If health is average, roll for 2-star Kindred and 3-star Maokai at Level 8. If health is healthy, you can directly go up levels to add recommended 5-cost units.

Emblem Recommendations: Get Nova Emblem for Darius; pick up Seadweller Emblem for Akali or a tank to optimize Briar.

Difficulty: Medium | Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular

Core Items

Playstyle / Strategy

Although heavily nerfed before the Set 17 launch, it can still stabilize health with suitable items. The core is the Nova Emblem. After activating 5 Nova, give the selector to an auxiliary unit to gain high attack speed and dual resistances, plus a team buff. When Fiora can be 2-star, you can transfer Master Yi's items to her.

Difficulty: Hard | Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Newly Popular (Set 17.1B)

Core Items

Playstyle / Strategy

This comp is extremely demanding under Set 17.1B conditions, requiring Ekko's Artifact + the Judge effect that restores mana after dealing 10 instances of damage for Zoe to cast her ability infinitely. At Level 6, first form a system of 4 Heavy + Zoe + Lissandra, then focus on rolling to chase 3-star Zoe and 3-star Leona / Mordekaiser. Afterward, by going up levels, look for Karma or LeBlanc as secondary carries to further boost the comp's damage output.

Difficulty: Easy | Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Secure-a-Placement Comp

Core Items

Playstyle / Strategy

Early game at Level 5, use Gragas, Yuumi, Milio, Pantheon, Pyke to form Bruiser and Future traits. These low-cost units are easy to find, providing sustain and stable health for a smooth transition. All are 2-cost units, which have the highest roll chance at Level 5, making it very easy to upgrade them to 2-star to ensure combat strength. Gragas and Pantheon provide Bruiser and Psychic Agent. Yuumi and Milio provide Yuumi and Future Warrior. Pyke provides Traveler and Psychic Agent. Mid game at Level 7, add Gwen and Riven. Before Level 7 is the best stage to roll for 2-cost units; try to get all essential units to 3-star. Gwen supplements Space Groove and Ranger. Riven supplements Future Warrior and Fated. Damage burst increases, leading to strong health stabilization in the mid game. Late game, go Level 9 and add Corki and Bard. Corki, as a 4-cost, is reliably rolled at Level 8, providing Yuumi and Ranger. Bard, as a 5-cost, is added at Level 9, providing Yuumi and Fated. This completes all traits, with multiple trait bonuses, maxing out late-game pressure. Recommended Augments: Well-Crafted, Bronze for Life, Best Friends, Revitalizing Winds, Ascension, Embrace.

Difficulty: Easy | Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Secure-a-Placement Comp

Core Items

Playstyle / Strategy

This comp utilizes Set 17's Stargazer emblem mechanic, which provides a 12% damage bonus, with further increases for each 3-star unit. Combined with the Lucky Judgment effect of the 4 Fated trait, it can achieve optimal, highest damage effects. The comp emphasizes leveraging low-cost Twisted Fate for early game strength, even being able to stomp 5-cost comps. Augment Selection: Prioritize those related to Stargazer emblem and Lucky Judgment to maximize damage.