Money Saving Playstyle
Saving money to reach crucial stages has never been pointless until patch 11.13 appeared. In the current phase, players need to accurately assess each round’s situation to build their composition rather than sticking to one team and using it continuously for 5 or 6 rounds just because it effectively defends health. Particularly, as Riot has adjusted champions to somewhat return to their appropriate power levels according to their cost.
Of course, having a strong team early on and consistently winning streaks is an advantage for both upgrading your team and leveling up to access 4 or 5-cost champions quickly, which is essential, but players must know when to spend money wisely. And you absolutely should not wait until rounds 7 or 8, after being defeated or breaking your winning streak, to start spending money because, by then, there won’t be enough crucial champions left to upgrade. Many players have previously complained about rolling for 60 or 70 gold but still not having enough necessary champions to upgrade.
A Consistent Composition
Riot’s goal has always been a balanced game, with no champion or composition deemed “invincible.” Players today have gradually developed the habit of regularly observing opponents, especially those on long winning streaks, to find ways to counter them. Therefore, a consistent composition is no longer the guiding principle for victory; situational compositions are now the best.
While some compositions like Celestial and Divine are still quite strong, or Demon is making a notable comeback, they always have counterplay and specific equipment and operational requirements. Finding a suitable composition is one thing, but to be truly effective in climbing ranks, players need to further develop their situational assessment skills and adapt their strategies accordingly.
Overly Reliant on Theorycrafting
As mentioned above, a consistent composition can be a double-edged sword; playing the game too reliant on theory can sometimes lead to players “ranking down.” The simple reason: Teamfight Tactics is a game mode with many variables, especially in Season 5, with unpredictable changes that players have experienced until now.
Following theory for item builds or arranging compositions based on guides from high-ranked players or YouTube videos can be quite useful for newbie or low-ranked players. However, as you climb higher, you need to prepare yourself with the mindset that: if you watched that clip, others did too.
This also leads to “duplicate compositions” in many matches, where if you don’t have the right items or champions, you can be sure of defeat. Some players will choose a threshold to start building a playstyle that fits their equipment and champions available at that moment, but regardless, you must prepare many backup plans in case you encounter competition for champions or your items don’t turn out as expected.
