Teamfight Tactics Patch 13.16 - The Reign of Aphelios continues

We are a few days into playing this patch, so let's revise again details of the changes while also taking a close look at which comps are doing the best in this Teamfight Tactics Patch 13.16.

What marked the last patch?

The last patch saw utter domination of 1-cost rerolls, mainly Samira and Kayle, along with fast 9 comps and Zeri variations. All of them made for an interesting meta, but to hopefully shake things up ahead of the Mid-Set finale these comps are being nerfed to open up more possibilities.

On the possibilities side, one comp that got much stronger is the Demacian one along with another round of buffs to Shadow Isles (Riot really wants them to be meta).

Taking into account that we are very close to the Runeterra Reforged Mid Set, let’s get a closer look at the patch that will say goodbye to this first part of the set (on the competitive side of things).

Disclaimer UPDATE: Today we just received a hotfix patch that tuned down a few things. Most of the comps mentioned as powerful should still be very impactful.

Summary of the changes. Source by Riot Games

The Demacian Era - Traits in TFT Patch 13.16

Starting with the traits, we need to start with Demacia. Since the start of this patch, Demacia comps are been doing quite hot even sparkling up discussions.

The new OP comp

Adding extra radiant holders is too good for Demacia, with the new changes every time you hit the 7 and 9 breakpoints usually means a huge power spike in the board, and if you use that tempo advantage to your favor it can snowball to the first positions in the lobby.

• Demacia Elite Count: 1/2/3/5 ⇒ 1/2/4/6

The secret to playing this comp relies on using well the Master Yi augment, Pump Up!, but there are many more tips you can follow to ensure you play the comp to its fullest.

Buffs to Traits

Starting with Multicasters. The trait itself is getting a minor nerf to his multicast damage, to compensate for this the units are massive buffs, so this trait is having massive improvements. However, Multicasters haven’t quite performed as expected despite all of the buffs, but if you are given a good start, make sure to test them out.

Teemo is back. Kind of

• Multicaster, multicast Damage Reduction: 60% ⇒ 66%
• Sona Crescendo Bonus AS: 30/35/40% ⇒ 35/40/45%
• Taliyah Seismic Shove Damage: 150/225/350 ⇒ 160/240/370
• Teemo Noxious Trap Damage: 230/350/535/535 ⇒ 260/390/585/585
• Vel’Koz Plasma Fission Damage: 210/315/520 ⇒ 230/345/560

One trait that is getting also both buffs and nerfs is Shadow Isle. The power of the trait is getting nerfed at the last breakpoint but improved at Three shadow isles, so they should be feeling much better in the early.

One of the BEST comps among pros

• Shadow Isles Mana Regen: 5/12/20 ⇒ 6/12/18
• Shadow Isles max Health % Shield: 40/80/125% ⇒ 45/80/115%

Shadow Isles + Challengers is one of the best performing comps right now. The trick is to find the emblem with the URF legend, and to have a good opener for it too. To know the rest of the tips and advice to play this comp, check our detailed guide.

Last but not least, Shurima is receiving another round of buffs yet again. The Shurima Ascencion Health is being improved along with Shurima 7 Ascension bonus

• Shurima Ascension bonus Health: 30% ⇒ 33%
• Shurima 7 Ascension bonus: 20% ⇒ 25%

Nerfs to Traits – Zaun

If you got 6 Zaun in the latest patch you were poised to take the game, especially with a Jarvan IV/Sion with the Zaun mod Unstable Chemtank exploding the back line. With these changes you can still inflict damage and carry, but not so much at 2/6 Zaun.

• Zaun, Adaptive Implant AD, AP, and Omnivamp: 25% ⇒ 30%
• Zaun, Robotic Arm Proc Chance: 50% ⇒ 40%
• Zaun, Unstable Chemtank Overcharge Health Explosion: 45% ⇒ 35%
• Zaun, Hextech Exoskeleton max Health Heal 10% ⇒ 12%
• Zaun, Hextech Exoskeleton now cleanses all debuffs, including Burn, Wound, Shred, Sunder, and Mana-Reave
• Zaun, Hextech Exoskeleton Overcharge damage no longer triggers when Sion revives

Unit Changes

Cost 1

Goodbye Samira

Samira Reroll and Kayle Reroll smashed too many lobbies, so they got nerfed, they tune down the stats that made them too reliable at the later stages of the game.

Despite of that, Samira is still a good unit to play in the early game with the Noxus comp. Also, with the addition of Demacia Vertical as one of the best comps, Kayle is still a good option.

• Kayle Divine Ascent Base On-Hit Damage: 33/44/66% AP ⇒ 35/50/75% AP
• Kayle Divine Ascent, Ascended Wave Damage: 33/44/66% AP ⇒ 20/25/40% AP
• Orianna: now resumes attacking more quickly after casting Command: Protect
• Samira Flair AD ratio: 175% ⇒ 200/200/210%
• Samira Flair Armor reduction: 20/25/30 ⇒ 10/15/20
• Samira Flair can no longer reduce Armor below 0

With these changes though, all one-cost units are kind of viable to play in the early stages.

Cost Two

Teemo is again a good comp but not as strong as in the first patch of the set.

When the set started one of the best comps was Multicasters, using Teemo as the front runner, and while that has not been the case throughout the majority of the set, he’s making a late comeback… but not as impactful.

• Taliyah Seismic Shove Damage: 150/225/350 ⇒ 160/240/370
Teemo Noxious Trap Damage: 230/350/535/535 ⇒ 260/390/585/585

The Noxus units are getting a nerf too in the Cost Two unit part. Swain was being too reliable as a tank (and getting win streaks in the early phases of the game). So to tune down the Noxus power level they are also hitting Swain.

• Swain starting Mana nerf: 30/70 ⇒ 20/70
• Swain Demonflare Transform Health: 450/500/550 ⇒ 375/450/650
• Swain is now classified as a Magic Tank in the Inspect Panel

Last but not least, Galio and Kled are getting buffs to their three-star versions, and Ashe is improved as a carry but nerfed as a support unit.

• Ashe AS: 0.7 ⇒ 0.75
• Ashe Mana nerf: 30/60 ⇒ 20/70
• Ashe Volley AD ratio: 150/150/160% ⇒ 160/160/170%
• Galio Shield of Durand Damage Reduction: 20/20/30% ⇒ 25/25/35%
• Kled Skaaaaaaarl! Stacking AS: 60/65/70/75% ⇒ 65/70/75/80%

Cost Three – The star Garen is making a return

Spin-to-win is back in this Teamfight Tactics Patch 13.16. Garen just received a substantial buff to both his 1-star and 2-star versions, this tied along with the fact of the Demacia trait buffs has made Demacia Garen one of the best comps to play in this patch.

• Garen Judgement AD%: 75/75/85% ⇒ 80/82/85%

One of the main components to play Shadow Isles is Kalista and she’s receiving a buff to her Piece and Red spear. As of right now, Kalista with Shadow Isles and Challengers are on the verge of becoming the strongest comp of the patch. Check LeDuck's guide on how to play the comp.

• Kalista Pierce and Rend spear Damage: 16/24/40 ⇒ 18/27/45

The last changes are the buffs to Multicasters, Vel’Koz and Sona. Although Sona changes are to improve her utility, Vel’Koz buffs will improve his damage overall making it again a viable comp for reroll. As a matter of fact is being played right now.

Is it not a S tier comp by any means, but you should keep it in mind, especially if you got AP components and are getting contested in the Sorcerer comp.

Cost 4 – Aphelios is back

Last patch Zeri and Urgot were dominating most lobbies so they are getting the nerf hammer. Shen is getting massive buffs that the current best comps use him as the main frontline unit.

One unit that’s getting massive buffs is Aphelios. With his Chakram AD ratio improving at 1 star and 2 stars and with an increased speed of his ability, he’s one of the best units in the game currently.

The last four cost unit receiving a buff is Yasuo. His HP is increased and the AD/AP ratio of his ability is improved at 1 and 2 stars.

Because all doesn't need to be happy, if you are a Zaun advocate you will be sad that 4-cost units are nerfed.

There are many ways to play Aphelios, you can play Deadeye, Freljord, and Bastion. Your choice will depend on what you hit, but to be more consistent in your gameplay we recommend following our guidelines in our TFT comp tier lists.

• Aphelios: Increased the speed of Moonlight Sigil’s moon blast
• Aphelios Chakram AD ratio: 8/8/30% ⇒ 10/10/30%
• Lux Torrent of Light can no longer reduce Magic Resist below zero
• Lux Torrent of Light now turns faster while casting her Ability
• Shen Ionia Bonus - Damage Reduction: 10% ⇒ 9%
• Shen Ki Barrier Self Shield Amount: 350/450/2000 ⇒ 400/500/2000
• Shen is now slightly larger
• Yasuo Last Breath Range no longer scales with Attack Range
• Yasuo Health: 950 ⇒ 1000
• Yasuo Last Breath AD ratio: 475/475/1500% ⇒ 500/500/1500%
• Yasuo Last Breath AP ratio: 50/75/300% ⇒ 55/85/300%
• Urgot Disdain Shield Amount: 400/500/1200 ⇒ 375/450/1200
• Urgot Disdain AD ratio: 250% ⇒ 225%
• Zeri Surge Duration: 9/9/15 ⇒ 8/8/15
• Zeri Chain Lightning AD ratio: 50% ⇒ 45%

Cost 5 – Ahri nerfed again

A ton of changes to five cost units across the board.

Two patches ago the hottest comp revolved around leveling fast to 9 and capping boards with 5 cost legendaries. While you can argue that the nerfs to Aurelion Sol legend did hinder their success a bit, the units were still too strong so nerfs were needed.

Another set of nerfs directed to Ahri. Despite just being changed in the last patch, the Nine-Tailed Fox was still dominating lobbies so she’s getting a tune down again.

Talking about the other 5 cost units being too strong, Bel’Veth is also getting nerfs along with Aatrox and Senna.

• Senna, Redeemer AS Per Shield: 8% ⇒ 6%
• Sion Glory in Death Reanimation max Health % Decay per second: 15/10/0% ⇒ 20/13/0%
• Bel’Veth Royal Maelstrom bonus Damage Per Strike: 20/30/50 ⇒ 15/25/50
• Bel’Veth Royal Maelstrom number of Strikes: 6 per 100% Total AS ⇒ 6 + 5 per 100% bonus AS

Despite all of the nerfs, one unit that is great Quality of Life changes is Heimerdinger. Now his Technogenius Repair-o-matic (Turret mod) should be more viable as an option.

• Heimerdinger, Technogenius Repair-o-matic REWORKED: Repair duration is now a flat 7 seconds at all levels
• Heimerdinger, Technogenius Repair-o-matic: Stacking multiple copies of Repair-o-matic now instead grant the Apex Turret bonus Armor and Magic Resist
• Heimerdinger, Technogenius Repair-o-matic 1 Count: 10 Armor and Magic Resist
• Heimerdinger, Technogenius Repair-o-matic 2 Count: 50 Armor and Magic Resist
• Heimerdinger, Technogenius Repair-o-matic 3 Count: 100 Armor and Magic Resist
• Heimerdinger, Technogenius Mechano-Swarm Rockets Fired: 7 ⇒ 5

Last but not least, there’s another round of changes to the Ryze Regional Portal effects, consisting mostly of buffing a few of them (Bandle City, Piltover, and Targon) and nerfing Ionia.

• Aatrox World Ender Duration: 10 ⇒ 12 seconds
• Aatrox, Darkin Health: 400 ⇒ 350
• Aatrox is now immune to damage and untargetable when respawning
• Ahri Essence Thief Mana Reave: 30% ⇒ 20%
• Ahri Essence Thief Damage: 100/150/1000 ⇒ 90/135/1000
• Ahri Essence Thief Essence Wave (big boom) Damage: 250/375/3000 ⇒ 230/350/1888
• Bandle City Ryze will now star up pulled units to at least Ryze’s star level
• Ionia Ryze Mana buff: 60/120 ⇒ 50/125
• Ionia Ryze Damage: 175/275/3500 ⇒ 175/275/1500
• Ionia Ryze Heal: 400/600/3000 ⇒ 400/500/3000
• Piltover Ryze % Damage Share when within enforcer zone: 15/20/500% ⇒ 15/30/500%
• Targon Ryze starting Mana buff: 10/100 ⇒ 30/100
• Targon Ryze max Health % Damage: 18/25/100% ⇒ 18/30/100%
• Zaun Ryze Mana nerf: 50/90 ⇒ 40/100

Region Portals

Not much changes in regards to Region Portals, this patch they are only addressing Hall of the Nine nerfing the gold given along with units given equal to the stage minus one, instead of equal to the stage (If you were in Stage 4, you were given Cost 4 units).

Also, Unstable Rift has Blue Buff (item) disabled due to a bug.

Augments

In regards to augments, Ascension Damage Amp is going to 50%. And if you have been following the current trend, right now Ascension plus Transfusion is meta in a plethora of comps, so consider using these legends.

Talking about the other changes, nerfs to It Pays to Learn gold to stop the, even more, the Fast 9 strategies, huge buffs to the Boss (Sett Carry Augment), and much more.

• Ascension Damage Amp: 45% ⇒ 50%
• Challenger Crown now grants: Rapid Firecannon ⇒ Hand of Justice
• Dueling Gunners initial Attack Speed: 5% ⇒ 8%
• Endless Hordes Gold 8 ⇒ 6
• NEW: Added Endless Hordes+ at 4-2 only, which gives 9 gold.
• Frequent Flier rolls required: 10 ⇒ 8
• Haunted Shell (Shadow Isles) Stacking Resistances: 10 ⇒ 13
• Lategame Specialist can no longer be offered with Level Up! (and vice versa)
• Mana Burn has been re-enabled
• Parting Gifts shield is now added after the item is granted, rather than before.
• Perfected Repetition (Multicaster) AP Per Cast: 5 ⇒ 6
• Perfected Repetition (Multicaster) Max AP: 70 ⇒ 90
• Portable Forge Armory Choices 3 ⇒ 2/3/4 (based on stage)
• Riftwalk Ability Power Per Cast: 35 ⇒ 32
• Return on Investment rolls required: 22 ⇒ 20
• It Pays to Learn I/II/III Gold: 10/16/20 ⇒ 8/12/16 (XP unchanged)
• REWORKED Shimmering Inventors: Piltover Unit Bonus Per 10 Gold: 10% AS ⇒ 8% Bonus Damage
• Shimmering Inventors Maximum Bonus at 50 Gold: 50% AS ⇒ 40% Bonus Damage
• Shurima’s Legacy minimum Sun Disc Damage: 180 ⇒ 160
• Shurima’s Legacy Max Sun Disc Damage: 900 ⇒ 800
• The Boss AS & AP per Sit Up: 40% ⇒ 45%
• The Boss now cleanses Wounds (healing debuff) when doing sit-ups
• Two Healthy Health: 100 ⇒ 111
• What The Forge: You’re now slightly less likely to get multiple copies of the same item, especially Obsidian Cleaver

For further details, you can check the official Teamfight Tactics Website. To find out more on TFT/League-related information you can check our News site.