TFT Tier List Patch 12.1: Jhin is juiced

It is now easier than ever to grab information when it comes to what compositions are good in Teamfight Tactics. With data and API resources like MetaTFT.com, there are up-to-date resources that show in real-time which compositions are performing the best. However, there is a distinct lack of resources that tell you why. In this TFT tier list, Upcomer’s 16-time Master ranked player gives players not only a tier list to what the best compositions are based on data and analysis, but also explanations as to why they are currently ranked the way they are.

Here is the TFT Patch 12.1 tier list.

S-Tier

Syndicate Shaco

When Shaco was revealed in TFT: Gizmos and Gadgets, it was just a matter of time before he took his rightful place at the top of the metagame. Shaco is a reprint of his infamous TFT: Galaxies self where he was a top-tier unit for the entirety of the set. Now in Patch 12.1, he’s in a state with his traits and supporting cast where he is incredible once again. Unlike his previous iteration, healing items are not needed because his trait, Syndicate, gives built-in healing which allows him to build full offense. The aggro-dropping Assassin is impossible to kill and enemies can’t do anything but watch their carries get deleted. Also, Akali is one of the best five-costs in the game and happens to be a Syndicate Assasin just like Shaco.

Jhin Snipers

Just like Shaco, players knew when Jhin was revealed as a four-cost Sniper that he would become meta. It turns out that prediction was spot on as Jhin has been a meta champion in nearly every patch of TFT Set 6 so far. Out of the carries on the TFT Patch 12.1 tier list, Jhin is at the top. This is because Jhin can sit safely in the back row and pierce through every enemy champion to hit both the front and back line. Even in a meta where its hard counter, Assassins, are present, the supporting cast of Janna, Orianna and Yuumi make it hard for those champions to get on top of Jhin. Orianna is also a fantastic secondary carry in the composition as well as Miss Fortune if needed. For a full guide on this composition, check out Upcomer’s in-depth look to learn how to play it.

A-Tier

Chemtech Urgot

Every set has one Vertical trait that outclasses all the others. In TFT Set 6, it’s Chemech. With a perfect mix of frontline and damage dealers, the trait is well-balanced while also packing a powerful buff. With regeneration for the frontline and increased attack speed for the damage dealers, it’s hard for this comp to ever fall out of the metagame. That’s because Urgot is versatile with items. When Urgot was nerfed in Patch 12.1, Runaan’s Hurricane and Statikk Shiv got worse on him. But, that didn’t really matter because Urgot just went back to a pure attack damage build and has barely skipped a beat. For a full in-depth guide on Chemtech Urgot, players can check out Upcomer’s in-depth look on how to play it.

Heimerdinger Innovators

After its reign of terror during the first patch of TFT Set 6, Innovators took a step back and haven’t really been meta-relevant since. Although at times it has snuck back into the metagame paired with Jhin, or using Seraphine as the main carry, it hasn’t had a true damage-dealing threat to make it worth going deep into the trait. That all changed in TFT Patch 12.1 with the Heimerdinger buff. Heimerdinger was supposed to be a main Ability Power Carry threat in Set 6, but he has been too risky to use due to his short range. With a range buff to four hexes, that problem has been solved. As a result, Heimerdinger has emerged as the main carry needed to make Innovators good again.

B-Tier

Scrap

One of the most underrated comps in the metagame is Scraps. Out of all the comps on this list, Scraps is one of the strongest. If players hit the perfect end board, there is most likely not a comp that can stop it. The reason why the comp is so strong is that it shores up the one weakness that the hyper-carry of the comp, Jinx, has.

Jinx does a ton of damage, but to do it she jumps right into the middle of enemy teams. This usually ends with her death before she kills all the other champions. But because of the Scrap trait, Jinx along with every other member of the team gains a massive shield and everyone becomes almost unkillable. This opens the door for Tahm Kench, Jayce and Jinx to wipe out even the strongest of compositions. For a more in-depth look at how Scrap plays, check out Upcomer’s in-depth guide on how to pilot the comp.

Arcanists

Arcanists are a popular composition in TFT Set 6 due to how linear and easy the comp is to play and understand. The comp throws in a bunch of Arcanists champions and watches the Lux laser show. However, the reason why it is only in B-tier is due to how easy it is to play around the comp. This is where the linearity of the comp comes back to bite it. Long gone are the days of a simple Vex frontline being able to solo entire teams. To make this comp work, players will often need both a Malzahar and a Vex three-star. Either that, or both Viktor and Lux upgraded with the best in-slot items.

Protector Kog’Maw

Speaking of comps that have fallen from grace, Protector Kog’Maw isn’t the unbeatable beast it once was. However, it is still a fantastic option to grab top fours if players are uncontested. This composition’s main strength is its relative early power spike compared to the rest in this meta. Kog’Maw shreds through everyone while its sturdy frontline keeps him safe. The problem is that the comp does not scale well into the late game. The paradox of needing to be higher level to build a better frontline, but needing to be lower level to hit every champion as a three-star bites this comp hard. However, if a player is able to spike early enough, this comp is still capable of winning games.

Honorable Mentions

Challenger Kai’sa

The death of Kai’Sa was exaggerated as she is still one of the best late-game carry options in the game, even after her nerf in Patch 12.1. This was made apparent in the TFT Challenger Series finals when Kai’sa-focused comps won multiple games. However, the stats don’t do her justice right now and it still requires a lot of things to go right. But the combo of Kai’sa, Fiora and Yone should be on player’s minds going forward.

Imperial Talon Samira

Rumblings of a reroll Talon composition popping off have started to make the rounds. In the TFT Challenger Series finals, one of these comps placed top two in one of the games. The comp focuses on making Talon the main carry, but it can also fall back on the classic Samira carry if needed. This comp is shooting up the TFT Patch 12.1 tier list fast. It could be a top comp in the near future.