Major balance changes planned for TFT Patch 10.21

A meta shift may take place in Fates.

Teamfight Tactics Lux
Image via Riot Games

Lead Teamfight Tactics game designer Stephen “Mortdog” Mortimer unveiled a large number of balance adjustments today, along with two major system changes. 

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Scheduled for Oct. 14, the TFT 10.21 patch contains trait, champion, item, and system changes that should “help balance out the meta,” according to Mortdog. Some of the changes are minor tweaks, with other adjustments likely occurring in future patches, while other nerfs and buffs are significant and will have an immediate effect on the present TFT meta. 

System Changes

At the launch of Fates in TFT, there was a change applied to champions appearing in the shop, preventing a repeat of unbought champions on that next reroll. And while the idea was good on paper, the design team has decided to revert it to provide a more “natural shop experience.”

Also adjusted in the 10.21 patch was how often players see a Chosen during the early game. Tacticians are now “guaranteed” to see “at least one Chosen champion by stage 2-2,” according to Mortdog. 

Trait balance changes

A total of 10 trait buffs and nerfs are scheduled to take place in the TFT 10.21 patch. Changes to Divine should have the greatest impact while smaller adjustments to traits like Adept are just a start, with more changes planned to take place in future patches. 

Related: TFT Traits expected to receive a number of buffs and nerfs in Patch 10.21

Champion balance changes

Most champions that are scheduled to receive buffs within the 10.21 patch are getting them at three-star levels. Nerfs were applied to overpowered champs like Ahri, making her more of a “glass cannon.” Several other four-cost champions were also nerfed, preventing them from “auto-winning” but still leaving them “really strong.”

Item balance changes

Items that are often ignored are all set to receive buffs in the upcoming TFT 10.21 patch. Locket of the Iron Solari’s shields could increase from 250/300/375/500 to 350/450/600/800. Luden’s Echo also is in for a nice buff, in which it will deal an extra 180 bonus damage to shielded or crowd-controlled champions. 

Related: Every TFT champion and item tweaked for balance in upcoming 10.21 patch


Changes revealed by Mortdog today are tentative and subject to change prior to the TFT 10.21 patch going live on Oct. 14. 

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Danny Forster
Danny has been writing for Dot Esports for over five years, first as a freelancer and now as a staff writer. He is the lead beat writer for Magic: The Gathering and Teamfight Tactics. Danny is also a solid Monopoly GO player, having beaten every main event without spending a dime. When Danny isn't writing or gaming, he's chilling by the water in Spacecoast Florida with his family and friends. He's always got a tan, because touching grass is important, and loves playing strategic digital and tabletop games. Past outlets Danny has written for include TheGamer and ScreenRant.