TFT Set 13 Guide: How to Play Academy

Dive into our comprehensive guide on the Academy trait in TFT Set 13: Into the Arcane. In this article, we’ll break down how the Academy trait works, showcase its champions, explore impactful Augments, and discuss potential team compositions to help you maximize its potential.

Set 13 brings the Academy trait to life, a fitting addition tied to the lore of Arcane. With Jayce and Heimerdinger leading the way, the Academy introduces three unique items that empower its champions and their allies. These items, created through groundbreaking research, bring a fresh dynamic to gameplay. Let’s explore the mechanics, champions, and strategies that make the Academy a standout trait in this exciting new set!

How TFT Academy Works

Academy Trait Bonus
• Champions: Lux (1g), Leona (2g), Ezreal (3g), Heimerdinger (4g), Jayce (5g)

The Academy trait introduces the concept of “sponsored” items, offering a unique twist to item-focused gameplay. Each game, the Academy provides up to three sponsored items. Copies of these items grant bonus max Health and Damage Amplification, with Academy champions holding sponsored items benefiting from double these bonuses plus an extra 5%.
• (3) 2% Health and Damage Amp; 1 sponsored item
• (4) 3% Health and Damage Amp; 1 sponsored item
• (5) 4% Health and Damage Amp; 1 sponsored item
• (6) 8% Health and Damage Amp

First Impressions:

The Academy trait adds an exciting dynamic to gameplay by reducing item variance through guaranteed sponsored items. While you’ll need all five units to access the full range of sponsored items, the trait provides strong scaling bonuses for item synergy, making it a valuable addition to your team.

Academy Synergy:

Academy champions come with secondary traits that offer flexibility and trait web potential:
• Lux (1G): Sorcerer
• Leona (2G): Sentinel
• Ezreal (3G): Rebel, Artillerist
• Heimerdinger (4G): Visionary
• Jayce (5G): Form Swapper

The trait’s versatility allows players to adapt their strategy, with Heimerdinger often serving as the primary carry. His missile-based ability targets random enemies, making him a potent tool for taking down key opponents. Additionally, Heimerdinger’s secondary trait, Visionary, is easy to integrate, further enhancing your team’s potential.

While achieving 6 Academy requires a spatula, the absence of additional sponsored items at this level makes 5 Academy a practical stopping point for most compositions.

TFT Academy Champions Breakdown

Lux (1G) – Academy + Sorcerer

Lux provides utility by shielding the ally with the lowest Health, granting them an Ability Power-based shield. Her next attack deals bonus magic damage, making her an excellent early-game pick for stalling and supporting damage dealers. The shield buys valuable time for other units to dish out attacks, establishing Lux as a reliable enabler in early compositions.

Leona (2G) – Academy + Sentinel

Leona’s ability increases her durability for 3 seconds, granting her extra survivability. Afterward, she deals magic damage to adjacent enemies. The Sentinel trait enhances her tankiness, making her an excellent frontline choice for Academy comps while also enabling easy integration of Sentinel units into your build.

Ezreal (3G) – Academy + Rebel + Artillerist

Ezreal fires a skill shot that deals physical damage to enemies in its path and additional damage to the primary target. His versatile traits allow him to pivot into various builds, including Rebel or Artillerist comps. When Heimerdinger isn’t the primary carry, Ezreal can serve as a viable mid-game carry with proper itemization and support.

Heimerdinger (4G) – Academy + Visionary

Heimerdinger unleashes missiles at random enemies, dealing magic damage. With each cast, he launches an additional missile, making him a scaling powerhouse. His ability to target random enemies allows for the chance to eliminate key opponents’ carries, giving him immense potential as a late-game carry. Heimerdinger’s Visionary trait also pairs seamlessly with other team comps, enhancing his effectiveness as the central focus of an Academy lineup.

Jayce (5G) – Academy + Form Swapper

As a Form Swapper, Jayce adapts based on his positioning. If placed in the front two rows, he creates a Hextech Forge that shields nearby allies. If positioned in the back two rows, his ability knocks an enemy into a Hexgate, dealing significant physical damage to the target and enemies in its path. Jayce’s flexibility allows him to either serve as a defensive staller in Heimerdinger-centric builds or as a standalone damage-dealing carry, depending on the team’s needs.

Each Academy champion offers unique strengths, from Lux’s shielding utility to Heimerdinger’s missile ramp-up and Jayce’s versatile positioning. Together, these champions create a dynamic trait that supports flexible and strategic gameplay.

Best TFT Academy Augments

Augments such as Crest and Crown are universally effective, granting powerful bonuses for Academy-focused compositions. However, several Augments specifically shine for Academy builds, enhancing their flexibility and effectiveness. Here’s a look at the best Augments to prioritize when playing the Academy trait in TFT Set 13:
1. Academy Crest
Grants an Academy Emblem and a Lux, allowing you to seamlessly expand your Academy lineup and achieve trait milestones without requiring all natural units. This flexibility is excellent for creative team compositions or when aiming for maximum efficiency.
2. Academy Crown
Provides an Academy Emblem, a Hextech Gunblade, and a Lux. The Crown not only enhances your Academy count but also supplies a key healing item that synergizes well with Academy champions, especially carries like Heimerdinger or Jayce.
3. Hextech Experiment
Academy champions holding sponsored items gain 30% bonus Ability Power and Attack Speed. This Augment amplifies the effectiveness of sponsored items, turning your champions into powerhouses that thrive on the synergy between their traits and items.
4. Study Hall
Grants 15% bonus Health and Ability Power for every champion holding a sponsored item. This Augment rewards optimal item distribution and can transform your Academy units into durable, high-damage threats.
5. Arcane Research
Academy champions gain bonus mana generation, allowing them to cast abilities faster and more frequently. This synergizes particularly well with high-impact ability casters like Heimerdinger and Lux, ensuring your team maintains pressure in extended fights.
6. Brilliant Minds
Reduces the mana cost of Academy units by 10%. This enables faster ability casts and ensures consistent damage or utility from your team. Ideal for teams relying on sustained spellcasting.

Each of these Augments provides unique benefits to Academy teams, whether by boosting survivability, damage potential, or utility. Selecting the right Augments can turn a well-rounded Academy composition into a dominant force on the battlefield.

Conclusion

The Academy trait in TFT Set 13 offers an innovative and versatile gameplay experience, revolving around sponsored items and scaling bonuses. With its unique mechanics, Academy encourages creative itemization and flexible team-building strategies, making it an exciting option for players who enjoy experimenting with diverse compositions.

Whether you focus on carrying with Heimerdinger’s missile barrage, leveraging Jayce’s adaptability as a Form Swapper, or utilizing Ezreal’s ranged prowess, the Academy champions bring both utility and damage potential to your team. Properly distributing sponsored items and synergizing with secondary traits like Sorcerer, Sentinel, or Visionary can elevate your team to victory.

With careful planning, optimal item usage, and strategic positioning, Academy can be a game-changing trait in TFT Set 13. Its ability to amplify your team’s power through sponsored items and additional bonuses makes it a rewarding choice for players aiming to outwit their opponents and secure a top placement in their games. Dive into the Academy, and let the research fuel your success!