Riot nerfs TFT Set 12 ‘out of line’ powerhouses

Game design director Stephen “Mortdog” Mortimer officially returned from a moving hiatus to full-time weekend streaming with the Set 12 Teamfight Tactics 14.16 Patch Rundown this week.

During his Aug. 13 return, Mortdog already said he’s quite pleased with the launch of TFT Set 12, which is expected to drop onto live servers on Aug. 14—and had its notes released early. Outliers like Syndra and Kassidin definitely stole the spotlight, but hiding in their shadows are a variety of viable Magic n’ Mayhem comps.

“When you have a really solid base of a really good set, said Mortdog during the 14.16 Patch Rundown, “a couple of balance changes is easy versus having to giant rework and stuff like that.”

The most “out of line” TFT Set 12 champion from the launch update was Syndra. Dominating the Magic n ‘Mayhem meta for two weeks, Syndra was viable in six different builds. Traits like Eldrich, Witchcraft, and Shapeshifter were shown off at the Esports World Cup, with Syndra as a carry. And many players are tired of seeing her on the ladder.

Multiple balance levers were adjusted on the two-cost unit, from restoring Syndra’s cast time as intended to nerfs to magic damage:

• Syndra’s spell damage was nerfed from 225/340/520 to 205/310/480 percent.
• Syndra’s Rift damage was reduced from 35 to 30 percent.
• Cast time on Syndra was restored to one second as opposed to 0.3 seconds.

In a bid to prevent Syndra from “dominating another patch,” Mortdog explained, the TFT balance team went “pretty hard” on the two-cost champion. Riding the coattails of Syndra was Kassadin, who had his shield targeted:

• Kassadin’s spell stacking damage was reduced from 35/50/80 to 30/45/70 percent
• Kassadin’s shield health was nerfed from 300/335/370 to 260/285/310 percent

Despite the nerfs, Mortdog predicts the champion will remain strong. Both nerfs should open the meta, especially for Katarina, who was buffed alongside Warrior 4/6 and Faerie 4/6. 

• Omnivamp and bonus damage were increased at the breakpoints of four and six for the Warrior trait.
• The Faerie trait had its overall healing and shielding buffed to 35 percent, along with an increase in armor, and armor healing from Queen damage.
• Katarina had her spell damage buffed from 160/240/365 to 175/260/420 percent. 

All TFT Set 14.16 changes are live on PBE servers and will go live on Aug. 14.