Including Augments, items, positioning, and now Region Portals, the Champions that you field inTeamfight Tacticscontribute the most power to your team. Having a solid lineup of Champions creates a synergy that’s hard for lesser teams to overcome. But be warned, Set 9 has completely upended the entire roster of Champions. This patch has reset TFT and given everyone a fresh start.
Related:Teamfight Tactics: All Item Components, Ranked
Not everything has changed though. Components and Items have all remained the same - with one exception (Trait Emblems match the new Champion Trait changes). Whether you’re new to TFT or a lifelong player, this list will help jumpstart your ladder climb in Set 9.
Unlike some Sets of Teamfight Tactics, 1-cost and 2-cost Champions are relatively weak in Set 9. Where you could have had several 1 or 2-cost carry Champs in previous Sets, Set 9 is marked by its reliance on 3 or 4-cost carries.
Although Kled can’t carry your team to victory, he’s a valuable addition to several team compositions. When playing around Slayer-Katrina or a full Noxus team, Kled is a vital building block. Kled makes this list because of how different those two builds are as well as how powerful they are in the metagame.
Swain is a Noxus Champion that also has the Sorcerer and Strategist Traits. With these Traits, Swain gets huge value from his ability to play either a permanent or temporary role on so many team comps. Even if you plan to sell him later, Swain is a great addition to any team with Sorcerers or Strategists until you fill out your final roster.
In the early game, Swain is an incredibly strong frontline Champion. His ability Demonflare transforms Swain, gaining him max Health and dealing magic damage to all enemies with 2 hexes.
One of the most fun team comps in Set 9 is the full Void build. Once you reach the Void Trait thresholds 3 / 6 / 8, you get a moveable egg that spawns a special unit. At 3 Void the egg hatches a Void Remora, at 6 it becomes a Rift Herald, and finally evolves into Baron Nasher at 8.
If you’re lucky enough to get a Rek’Sai early in the game, you are poised to run a Void team. This Bruiser is often the make-or-break Champ that determines if you can run down the Void or be forced to pivot.
7Lissandra
When you’re waiting to finish your final lineup, add in a temporary Trait that only requires a couple of units to complete. If you pick up a 2-cost Ashe and a 3-cost Lissandra your team gains a powerful ice storm that damages, Sunders, and Shreds the enemy team.
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On top of the ice storm, Lissandra also has an ability that stuns a target for 2 seconds and deals magic damage to all enemies within 2 hexes. As you’re rolling for your ideal Champions, keep a Lissandra on your bench and you’ll always have a backup plan.
Similar to Swain in some ways and Lissandra in others, Taric is another versatile and flexible Champion that you should always keep an eye out for. Like Swain, Taric is a frontline Sorcerer that also has the Bastion trait for extra tankiness.
And like Lissandra, Taric has a Trait that can be used to temporarily buff your team on the way to the endgame. The Targon Trait increases healing and shielding to your team and activates with 2 Targon Champions. When your team is still unfinished, having a Taric around opens up a lot of interesting opportunities.
Yasuo’s primary strength comes from his strong ability, Last Breath sends a whirlwind to a target 3 hexes away and stuns all enemies within its path. He then dashes to the target of Last Breath to deal extra damage to all enemies within 1 hex.
Yasuo always plays a strong role in Teamfight Tactics, he’s a strong Champ and a fan favorite. In Set 9, Yasuo can be your primary carry or a valuable support unit. With a Void Emblem, he synergizes well with Kai’Sa, while in a Shadow Isles or Challenger team he buffs Kalista.
4Jarvan IV
The 4-cost Champion Jarvan IV is one of the most common units among high-end team compositions. Like a lot of the units on this list, Jarvan fits into many team compositions by having a valuable Trait and ability.
The Strategist Trait is another good option as a secondary or temporary buff to your team. When combat starts, units in your front 2 rows gain a shield for 8 seconds, while allies in the back 2 rows gain Ability Power. This Trait combined with an ability that stuns enemies makes Jarvan a well-rounded Champion.
When building a team of backline Champions, you’ll always need some meat in the front. If your team doesn’t have any tanky frontline units as part of the build, you may need to add in a Sejuani to hold the line.
Related:Teamfight Tactics Patch 13.11 Notes
This 4-cost Freljord unit is a perfect addition to Lissandra or Ashe as a small part of a larger team. you may put Sejuani on a team with other Bruisers, combined with Targon units, or Zuan Gunners. This Champion gives you a strong tank that lets your ranged units shine.
Some of the strongest units in TFT have 3 Traits, these Champions provide additional utility by default. Shen is a great example of this, as he essentially only provides buffs to other units. Not a carry Champion in any composition, Shen adds value by enhancing allies, absorbing damage, and shielding other units.
Shen’s ability Ki Barrier and his Traits are the reason why he’s commonplace in so many team comps. Whenever you see a team built around any Ionia, Bastion, or Invoker Champions, he always makes an appearance on that team as well.
Challengers are one of the most common units in Teamfight Tacts Set 9. You can build a team around Yasuo or Kalista, use Irelia or Warwick as support, or draft Kai’Sa to do either role. Kai’Sa is the crux of a Void build and is a central team player in a Kalista-focused team.
Whether you want Kai’Sa to carry or support, she’s a pivotal figure in several team compositions. When using Kai’Sa as your carry, her ability Icathian Rain deals massive damage to the enemy while keeping her safe through its dash mechanic - she wrecks!
