Teamfight Tactics: How to Play TFT Complete Beginners Guide

Teamfight Tactics, a popular auto-battler born from the universe of League of Legends, offers players a unique blend of strategy and spontaneity across various gameplay modes. For newcomers, grasping the essential mechanics is vital for crafting effective strategies and excelling in the game’s competitive landscape.

This beginner’s guide will walk you through the crucial stages of a Teamfight Tactics match, providing strategic insights to help you clinch your first victory. From the initial champion drafts to the late-game positioning battles, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get started.

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Basic concepts of TFT

What is TFT?

Teamfight Tactics, also known as TFT, is an engaging auto-battler game developed by Riot Games, where eight players pit their strategic wits against one another. The objective is to be the last player standing by effectively managing and deploying a team of champions derived from the League of Legends universe.

The game sets itself apart from traditional chess by allowing players to use a dynamic roster of champions, each bringing unique abilities and synergies. Although these champions originate from the League of Legends lore, familiarity with LoL is not required to excel in TFT. The gameplay mechanics in TFT stand alone, with champions serving as visually thematic game pieces rather than direct ports from League of Legends. This distinction makes TFT accessible to both veterans of LoL and newcomers alike, focusing on strategy and tactical deployment over prior game knowledge.

How to play TFT?

In Teamfight Tactics, unlike the direct control you have over a champion in League of Legends, your involvement centers around strategic management. You’ll assemble a team composition of champions who then autonomously battle against the teams of other players. Each match consists of a series of rounds where your team will face off against a randomly assigned opponent’s team.

Your primary goal is to strategically select and position champions to maximize their combat effectiveness. As the rounds progress, your champions fight without your direct input, and the outcomes of these skirmishes affect your health points on the overall leaderboard.

Advancing in TFT involves skillfully drafting new champions into your team, enhancing their abilities through upgrades, and equipping them with items that bolster their strength. This strategic depth requires thoughtful decision-making about which champions to include and how to enhance their synergies for optimal performance against all opponents.

TFT core gameplay mechanics

Legend level 

In Teamfight Tactics, your Legend level plays a critical role in shaping your gameplay strategy and your team’s potential. Each player begins the game at Legend Level 1 and can advance up to Level 10 through the accumulation of experience points (XP). As you level up, not only can you place more champion units on the board—increasing from one unit at Level 1 to a maximum of ten units at Level 10—but you also unlock access to more powerful and costlier champions.

The concept of Legend level is pivotal because it directly influences the champions available to you in the rotating shop. Higher levels substantially increase your chances of encountering rare 4-cost and 5-cost champions. For instance, while you have a zero percent chance of finding a 5-cost champion at levels below 7, at Level 10, the probability leaps to 25%.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the probability changes for encountering champions based on your Legend level, showcasing how each level upgrade enhances your strategic options:

• Level 3: Dominated by 1-cost units (75%) and a small chance for 2-cost units (25%).
• Level 4: A mix of 1-cost (55%), 2-cost (30%), and the introduction of 3-cost units (15%).
• Level 5: The range widens with 1-cost (45%), 2-cost (33%), 3-cost (20%), and a slight chance for 4-cost units (2%).
• Level 6-9: Gradual increases in the availability of 3-cost, 4-cost, and the first introductions of 5-cost units, shifting the focus towards more strategic, high-impact champions.
• Level 10: The pinnacle of TFT strategy with significant access to 4-cost (40%) and 5-cost (25%) champions, enabling powerful combinations and endgame builds.

This tiered system underscores the importance of efficiently managing XP and planning upgrades, as higher Legend levels open up transformative possibilities for enhancing your team’s composition and competitiveness.

Champion positioning

In Teamfight Tactics, losing a round despite having a stronger lineup often comes down to poor champion positioning rather than a lack of power. Effective placement of your units on the board is crucial and can make the difference between victory and defeat.

The fundamental approach to champion positioning in TFT involves dividing your team into a frontline and a backline. This setup ensures that your tanks and bruisers, who are designed to absorb damage, are positioned at the front, shielding your damage dealers—whether they’re AP or AD carries—who are stationed safely in the backline to maximize their output.

Beyond setting the pace of combat, proper positioning can also activate specific buffs and abilities. For instance, snipers gain increased damage based on the number of hexes between them and their target, making it strategic to place them as far back as possible to maximize this advantage. Additionally, certain champions and items offer passive effects that boost or debuff nearby allies or enemies, making it essential to place these units thoughtfully to enhance their impact. Effective positioning not only optimizes your team’s potential but also turns the tide of battle in your favor, leveraging every possible advantage.

TFT Champions guide 

What are champion traits in TFT?

In Teamfight Tactics (TFT), champion traits are essential characteristics that define each champion’s role and strengths within a match. These traits are crucial in shaping your team’s overall strategy and effectiveness in combat.

Visible on the left side of your screen during gameplay, champion traits serve as the foundation of your team composition, providing various bonuses as you collect multiple champions with the same trait. Think of these traits as the building blocks of your team, allowing you to construct powerful synergies that enhance your champions’ abilities.

Depending on the traits you choose to focus on, your team can receive a variety of combat enhancements, such as increased ability damage or additional utility effects. Typically, you’ll need at least two champions with the same trait to unlock their special effects, with the power of these effects growing significantly as you gather more champions of the same type—often peaking when you have 6-8 champions sharing the same trait. These synergies are key to developing a formidable team that can dominate the battlefield.

TFT champion mana and ability

In TFT, each champion possesses a unique ability that sets them apart and complements other units on your board. These abilities are inspired by their counterparts in League of Legends and can have a wide range of effects, from dealing damage to providing crucial utility.

The timing of when these abilities are cast in a match is directly tied to the champion’s mana. Champions accumulate mana through items that boost their overall mana pool or by attacking enemy units. Once a champion reaches its full mana threshold, the ability is cast, and the mana is reset to zero, starting the process again. Managing your champions’ mana and ability timing is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness in battle.

TFT champion star and cost

In TFT, acquiring champions requires spending gold equal to their cost, which ranges from 1 to 5, based on their rarity and strength. Each round presents a new selection of champions at the bottom of your screen, allowing you to enhance your team by adding fresh units.

Beyond simply adding champions to your lineup, you can upgrade your existing ones by increasing their star level. A one-star champion can be upgraded to a two-star unit by collecting 3 copies of the same champion. To achieve a powerful three-star champion, you’ll need 3 copies of the two-star version. These upgrades significantly boost the champion’s stats and effectiveness in battle, making star levels a critical factor in securing victory.

TFT Items guide

How do items work in TFT?

Items in TFT are crucial for maximizing your champion’s potential, significantly enhancing their power on the battlefield. Even a high-level champion relies heavily on items to boost their stats and grant them special abilities, making items an essential part of your strategy.

To fully grasp how items work, it’s important to distinguish between item components and core items. Item components are the basic elements that provide raw stats, while core items are fully crafted by combining two components, offering not only stat boosts but also powerful active or passive effects.

Different combinations of item components result in different core items, and you can check the recipes by right-clicking on a component. Items in TFT can either be active, meaning they are currently equipped to a champion and can only be removed by selling that champion, or benched, which means they are not in use and can be equipped at any time. Understanding how to effectively manage and combine items is key to building a strong and competitive team.

Types of items in TFT

In TFT, items and components offer a wide range of benefits, each tailored to enhance different aspects of your champions’ abilities. These items can be categorized into three main types based on the kind of boosts they provide:

1. Physical (AD) Items - These items focus on increasing attack damage, making your champions more effective in dealing physical damage.
2. Magical (AP) Items - These items boost ability power, enhancing the potency of your champions’ spells and abilities.
3. Defensive Items - These items are designed to improve your champions’ survivability, offering increased health, armor, or magic resistance.

Beyond these standard item categories, you can also acquire special items through encounters and random drops throughout the game, each offering unique effects that can turn the tide of battle. Understanding and strategically using these different types of items is essential for optimizing your team’s performance.

Which items should I build on TFT?

To determine the best items for your champions in TFT, you can hover over their abilities to see which damage type they scale with, as indicated by corresponding symbols. Champions may scale with Ability Power (AP), Attack Damage (AD), or sometimes both, which directly influences your item selection and build strategy. Choosing the right items based on these scaling factors is crucial for maximizing your champions’ effectiveness in battle.

TFT economy guide

Mastering the economy in Teamfight Tactics is crucial for success, as a strong economic foundation often leads to victory. At its core, the TFT economy revolves around compound interest, which grants you 1 extra gold for every 10 gold you have saved up at the start of each round, up to a maximum of 5 additional gold if you have 50 gold or more in your reserves. This mechanic is essential for efficiently managing your resources, especially if you’re aiming to build a team composition that relies on acquiring higher-cost champions, such as 3-cost or 4-cost units, to dominate the late game.

Win streaks and loss streaks

In Teamfight Tactics, maintaining a streak—whether winning or losing—can significantly impact your gold income, providing a strategic advantage. When you consecutively win or lose two or more rounds, you enter a win streak or loss streak, respectively, which grants you additional gold each round. Specifically, you earn 1 extra gold for a streak of 2-4 rounds, 2 gold for a 5-round streak, and 3 gold for a streak of 6 or more rounds. This system helps balance the game by offering extra resources to players on both ends of the spectrum: those dominating with a winning streak can continue to bolster their squad, while those struggling with a losing streak gain the means to turn the tide and stage a comeback.

How should I spend my gold in TFT?

Effectively managing your gold in Teamfight Tactics can be challenging, especially with multiple options available each turn. You might have sufficient gold and interest saved to start rolling for key champions, or you could invest in experience points (XP) to strengthen your board by leveling up. The key to deciding how to spend your gold lies in assessing your current situation and strategy. If your plan demands quickly leveling up to access higher-tier champions and increase your board’s power, investing in XP might be the best choice. However, if your strategy relies on building a strong team composition early, a balanced approach of normal leveling with occasional re-rolls to secure important champions can be more effective. Always weigh your options and align your spending with your long-term game plan.

When should I buy XP in TFT?

The primary way to gain XP in Teamfight Tactics and expand your team composition is by purchasing XP directly. However, this strategy is best reserved for when you’re aiming to reach levels 8 or 9 quickly to complete a specific team composition, a tactic usually employed by more experienced players. These advanced strategies often require more units on the board to activate additional trait synergies or to access powerful 4-cost or 5-cost champions. For beginners, it’s generally advisable to avoid buying XP unless a single purchase will immediately level you up without significantly hurting your economy or reducing your interest gold. Prioritize maintaining a strong economy and only invest in XP when it aligns with your overall strategy without compromising your financial stability.

When should I re-roll in TFT?

Re-rolling in Teamfight Tactics should be a strategic decision based on your current level and the champions you’re aiming to acquire. Each level offers different probabilities for champions of varying costs to appear in your shop, so understanding these odds is key to maximizing your success. You’ll want to consider hyper-rolling—spending a significant amount of gold to refresh your shop repeatedly—only when your current level gives you the best chances of finding the specific champions needed to complete your team composition. This is especially important when you’re trying to hit critical power spikes by upgrading key units.

In some games, it might be beneficial to save your gold and refrain from re-rolling for several rounds, allowing you to level up and increase your chances of finding higher-cost units later on. However, once you’re at a level where your desired champions have the highest appearance rates, that’s when hyper-rolling can be most effective, even though it will impact your economy. Additionally, always take advantage of any free re-rolls you receive from Encounters or Augments, as these can help you find key units without costing you gold.

TFT events guide

Carousel

The Carousel is a pivotal event in Teamfight Tactics, where players have the opportunity to select a rotating champion from a central pool on the floating island. Each player can pick one champion, which comes pre-equipped with an item that ranges from basic components early on to fully built core items in the later stages. These champions and their items are immediately added to your team comp, providing a potential boost to your strategy.

Although the pool of champions is accessible to all players, the order in which they can be chosen is determined by current HP, with those at the lowest health getting the first pick. This setup serves as a comeback mechanism, giving players who are trailing behind a chance to select the champions and items they need to turn the tide of the game. This event is crucial for players who are either trying to catch up after a rough start or who are running a scaling composition that takes longer to become competitive.

Encounters

Encounters are a dynamic gameplay mechanic introduced in Set 11 of Teamfight Tactics, designed to add even more variety and excitement to the mode. As the name suggests, Encounters present players with a random event involving a champion that grants a specific buff or advantage.

These buffs can be similar to Augments but are unique in that they sometimes apply to the entire lobby, creating a shared power-up experience. The buffs provided by Encounters can vary widely, from temporary item loans that bolster your champions for a short period to game-changing mechanics that can significantly alter the course of a match.

Encounters occur up to five times per game, depending on how long you manage to stay in the fight, making them a key element in diversifying gameplay and keeping each match fresh and unpredictable.

Augments

Augments in Teamfight Tactics are powerful enhancements that can significantly influence the course of a match. These game-changing power-ups are offered at three key stages: 2-1, 3-2, and 4-2. Augments can range from unique buffs for your champions to boosts for your economy, requiring careful consideration when choosing one, as it can dramatically alter your strategy.

The random distribution of Augments adds an extra layer of unpredictability and variety to each game. There are three types of Augments in TFT, each varying in strength: Silver, Gold, and Prismatic. Prismatic Augments are the rarest and most potent, offering the most substantial advantages in battle. Choosing the right Augment at the right time can be the difference between victory and defeat.

How to win a game of TFT

TFT early game guide

Winning a game of Teamfight Tactics (TFT) begins with mastering the early game, which sets the stage for your success later on. Here’s a breakdown of the early game flow and strategies to help you secure victory.

Portal Phase: Unlike previous sets, TFT’s Set 9 introduces a new mechanic where players vote for one of three portals at the start of the game, each offering unique effects that can alter the fundamental rules. These portal effects ensure that no two games are alike, providing buffs that can significantly influence your strategy. Remember, voting for a portal doesn’t guarantee its selection—majority votes only increase the likelihood, so don’t hesitate to choose what best suits your playstyle.

Monster Rounds: At the start, your team is composed of a single champion, making the initial rounds a fight against AI-controlled monsters rather than other players. These rounds are crucial as they reward you with random items, gold, and champions, all of which help shape your early strategy. The items and champions you collect will influence the direction of your team composition before you face your first PvP round at stage 1-4. Early monsters like Murk Wolves or Golems are relatively easy to defeat, requiring only 1-2 units.

Assess Your Win Condition: As your team begins to take shape from the champions and items you’ve acquired, it’s important to determine your win condition. Whether you decide to adapt based on the random champions and items you’ve obtained or stick to a pre-planned strategy, having a clear team composition in mind is key. Focus on leveling up one of your key one-star units to two stars early on, as this can give you an edge in the first rounds or help you lose with minimal damage.

First Augment Selection: Before your first PvP battle, you’ll choose from three Augments, powerful buffs that can significantly enhance your team’s performance. If none of the offered Augments fit your strategy, don’t hesitate to re-roll, especially if you have a gold or prismatic option. Re-rolling allows you to swap out an Augment for a random one from a large pool, giving you another chance to find the perfect buff for your team.

Early PvP Rounds: As you begin to face other players, remember that losing the first few rounds isn’t the end of the world, particularly if you’re playing a composition that scales well into the mid and late game. The early losses don’t deal significant damage to your health, giving you time to build up your strategy and position yourself for a stronger mid-game performance.

By understanding these early game mechanics and making informed decisions, you’ll lay a solid foundation for the rest of the match, increasing your chances of emerging victorious in Teamfight Tactics.

TFT mid and end game guide

The mid and end game stages in Teamfight Tactics (TFT) are where the fate of your team composition is truly decided, as they bring about the most critical battles and strategic decisions. Unlike the early game, which sets the foundation, these stages demand careful management of your resources and team comp to survive increasingly powerful opponents.

First Carousel: After a few rounds of combat, the first Carousel event occurs, giving you a chance to strengthen your team composition further. Depending on your current strategy, your choice during the Carousel can be crucial. If you’re targeting a specific item component to complete a core item for one of your champions, grabbing that champion is essential. However, if none of the offered champions align with your needs, it’s often wise to select the most valuable champion, which you can sell for its item and gold. Your selection will largely depend on your current HP—players with higher HP might have to settle for less optimal choices.

Scaling Your Team Comp: As the game progresses into the later stages, your focus should be on completing your team comp by securing the last few critical pieces. This involves finding and purchasing key 4-cost and 5-cost champions that align with your chosen traits, creating powerful synergy spikes. These late-game units can dramatically increase your power level, especially when paired with the right items. Additionally, don’t overlook the importance of upgrading your existing 2-cost and 3-cost champions to their maximum star levels, as they can significantly bolster your overall strength.

Spending Your Gold: Managing your gold wisely is crucial in the mid to late game. As you aim to level up and increase your champion cap, it’s important to balance between spending on XP and maintaining a healthy economy. The general rule is to level up if you can still keep over 30 gold afterward, as this ensures you continue earning compound interest while gaining access to higher-cost champions. Once you reach levels 8 or 9, where the most powerful units become available, it’s time to spend all your remaining gold. This is the phase where economy management takes a backseat, and your focus shifts to upgrading your champions to their maximum potential and completing your final team composition.

By navigating these stages effectively, you maximize your chances of securing a victory in TFT, making strategic decisions that align with your long-term goals while adapting to the dynamic nature of the game.

TFT Game modes

in Teamfight Tactics (TFT), several game modes cater to different playstyles and preferences, each offering a unique twist on the core gameplay.

Normal Mode

The most common way to enjoy TFT is through Normal games, which follow the standard gameplay rules but do not impact your rank or MMR. This mode is ideal for casual play, especially with friends, as it allows you to experiment and have fun without the pressure of affecting your competitive standing.

Ranked Mode

For those seeking a more competitive experience, Ranked mode is where the real challenge lies. Players compete on a ranked leaderboard, climbing through divisions from Iron to Challenger. Similar to League of Legends, each rank has multiple divisions, and you must earn 100 LP within your division to advance. This mode is perfect for players who want to test their skills and strive for the top of the ladder.

Hyper Roll

Hyper Roll offers a fast-paced alternative to the traditional TFT experience. Designed for quicker matches, this mode changes several core mechanics to speed up gameplay. Players start with 20 HP instead of the usual 100, and instead of manually purchasing level-ups, they automatically level up with each round. This mode is great for those who want a rapid, high-energy game.

Double Up

Double Up introduces a cooperative twist to TFT by pairing you with another player. In this mode, you not only focus on winning your own battles but also support your partner by sending champions to aid them after your combat phase. It’s a unique, team-oriented mode that emphasizes strategy and coordination with your ally.

These diverse game modes in TFT ensure that whether you’re looking for casual fun, competitive climbing, or a fast and furious experience, there’s something for every player.

Conclusion

This comprehensive beginner’s guide to Teamfight Tactics has armed you with the essential knowledge and strategies to kickstart your journey in TFT. From understanding basic game mechanics and champion positioning to mastering the economy and exploring various game modes, you’re now better equipped to dive into the game and start climbing the ranks. Whether you’re testing the waters in Normal mode, competing in Ranked, or enjoying a quick match in Hyper Roll, your new insights will help you make smarter decisions and enhance your gameplay experience. Remember, practice and patience are key, as each game is an opportunity to learn and improve. So gear up, strategize wisely, and prepare to claim your victories in the ever-evolving battleground of Teamfight Tactics.