TFT Set 16 Strategy Guide & Tips

Set 16 introduces unlockable 7-cost champions like Sylas, Zaahen, and Brock. These powerful units require specific conditions to unlock (e.g., Zaahen requires Xin Zhao to be 3-starred for 5 combats). Plan your comp around unlocking these game-changers.

Many regions have unique positioning requirements: Freljord Towers provide stats based on position, Piltover Inventions activate on the right side, and Azir's Guards can be placed anywhere. Master positioning to maximize these mechanics.

Demacia's Rally triggers every time your team loses 25% max Health. Position your frontline to take damage gradually rather than burst to maximize Rally stacks and ability cost reduction.

Tahm Kench's Glutton trait lets you feed him champions for permanent stats. Feed him high-star units for maximum gains. Prioritize feeding units that match his role (Tanks for Health, Carries for AD/AP).

Zaun's Shimmer-Fused mechanic grants Durability and decaying Attack Speed after 4 seconds. Time your positioning and abilities to maximize the windows when Shimmer-Fused is active for maximum value.

Void Mutations can only be applied to Void champions and are removed when benched. Strategically place Mutations on your carries and avoid benching them mid-fight to maintain power.

T-Hex gains stats from her pilot based on their role: Tanks give Omnivamp, Fighters give AD, Marksmen give Damage Amp, Casters give Mana Regen, Assassins give Crit Chance. Choose pilots strategically.

Ionia randomly walks one of five paths each game (Spirit, Generosity, Enlightenment, Transcendence, Precision). Identify your path early and adjust itemization accordingly - AP for Spirit/Enlightenment, AD for Precision, etc.

Atakhan summons after enemies lose 15% Health and scales with each Noxian's star level. At 7 Noxus, he drains souls on cast. Prioritize 3-starring your Noxians to maximize Atakhan's power.

Yordles gain 50 Health and 7% Attack Speed per Yordle fielded, with 3-stars granting 50% more. At 8 Yordles, you get free rerolls and Grab Bags. Prioritize 3-starring low-cost Yordles for exponential scaling.

Bilgewater generates Silver Serpents through combat and takedowns. At 7 Bilgewater, you get 55 Serpents per round and superior loot. Spend Serpents strategically on stat boosts and save for high-value loot.

Shadow Isles gains Souls whenever ANY champion dies (yours or enemies). At 5 Shadow Isles, you get 1.9x Soul multiplier. Abilities are uniquely empowered by Soul count, so let fights extend to maximize collection.

At 4 Shurima, a Shuriman ascends to GODHOOD every 3 seconds, gaining massive bonuses. Shurimans also gain Attack Speed and restore Health each second. This trait scales infinitely in extended fights.

Freljord Towers provide Health to units in front and Damage Amp to units behind. At 7 Freljord, towers stun enemies on death. Position your frontline in front of towers and carries behind for maximum value.

Piltover lets you choose 3 Modules for your Invention. Strong combinations include: Damage + Healing for sustain, Damage + CC for control, or triple Damage for burst. Choose based on your comp's needs.

Ixtal completes Quests to earn Sunshards for loot. At 7 Ixtal, you heal 2 player health each combat and unearth bonus loot after wins. Prioritize completing Quests efficiently to maximize Sunshard generation.

Targonians are traitless but individually stronger than average champions. Aurelion Sol gains Stardust for each unique Targonian fielded. This trait rewards fielding all 6 Targonians at level 9.

Economy augments like 'Gain 21 Gold' or 'Savings Account' help you hit power spikes faster, while combat augments like 'Soul Awakening' provide immediate strength. Choose based on your current board strength and health.

Prismatic augments like 'Money Monsoon' or 'Commerce Core' provide game-changing value. If you're healthy, take economy prismatic augments to dominate late game. If you're weak, take combat augments to stabilize.

Augments like 'Darkwill's Invasion' (Noxus) or 'Defense of the Placidium' (Ionia) provide massive bonuses if you're running those traits. Prioritize trait-specific augments when you're committed to a comp.

Emblem augments like 'Spreading Roots' or 'The Trait Tree' provide flexibility to activate traits with fewer units. Use emblems to enable hybrid comps or reach higher trait breakpoints efficiently.

Item augments like 'Staffsmith' or 'Swordsmith' provide completed items. Take these early to slam items on carries immediately, or late to complete your itemization. Avoid taking them mid-game when you have components.

In Set 16, prioritize hitting 50 gold by Stage 3-2 to maximize interest. Avoid over-rolling early unless you're bleeding health. A strong economy lets you hit level 8 faster for 5-cost carries.

Roll at level 7 if you're playing a reroll comp (Yordles, Zaun). Level to 8 for fast 8 comps (Noxus, Ionia, Void). Level to 9 for late game comps (Shurima, Targon). Match your strategy to your comp.

Different comps spike at different times: Reroll comps spike at 3-stars (Stage 3-4), Fast 8 comps spike at level 8 (Stage 4-5), Fast 9 comps spike at level 9 (Stage 5-6). Play to your comp's timing.

Prioritize items on your primary carry first, then frontline, then secondary carries. In Set 16, many comps have multiple carry threats, so spread items strategically rather than stacking everything on one unit.

Scout frequently to identify contested comps and position against threats. If multiple players are running Noxus or Ionia, consider pivoting to an uncontested comp. Flexibility wins games in Set 16.

If your primary comp is contested, have a backup plan. Many units are flexible (e.g., Vi works in Piltover or Zaun, Kennen works in Ionia or Yordle). Keep your options open until Stage 4.

Don't panic if you drop to 60-70 health early. Many comps (Noxus, Ionia, Void) need level 8 to come online. Preserve economy and hit your power spike rather than bleeding gold to stabilize early.

Prioritize components for your carry's core items on early carousels. On late carousels, look for completed items or components for your frontline. Don't tunnel on one item - adapt to what's available.