Thorn Mail
Damage is the most significantly increased aspect in the mid-season update of Teamfight Tactics as new champions (Vayne, Riven, Zed, Janna) all lean towards aggression. Therefore, items that counter the power of opponents will also become stronger, and Thorn Mail, as the strongest defensive item, is naturally much more dominant.
Besides the damage reflected back to opponents, the greatest strength of Thorn Mail is its ability to reduce critical damage from all sources, whether physical or magical. Therefore, even when facing a full team of Sorcerers, Thorn Mail still proves effective, rather than being as useless as many might think. In summary, you should find ways to support your tank line, at least with one Thorn Mail, so they don’t get burst down too quickly.
Infinity Edge
Although critical damage has been reduced, Infinity Edge remains the most dominant item for dealing physical damage due to its critical strike chance being increased to 100%. This item pairs perfectly with Rapid Firecannon, allowing you to easily obliterate your opponent’s frontline with these two items, provided the enemy does not have Thorn Mail.
With the strongest team compositions in the game currently, such as Brawlers – Cannoneers, Marksmen – Astronauts, or Korean Jhin, all featuring champions that hit hard and fast, Infinity Edge is an almost indispensable item. Perhaps in the near future, items like B.F. Sword or Thief’s Gloves will be fiercely contested.
Wizard’s Hat
With the introduction of Blue Buff and the disappearance of the Archangel’s Staff, teams relying on spell-casting have gradually weakened, while teams that deal burst magic damage at a single moment have become more favored. Notable examples include Sorcerers – Gangplank or Rebels – Blasters, which are becoming extremely strong.
The item that significantly boosts magic damage, Wizard’s Hat, has thus become much more popular. What could be better than witnessing your Gangplank obliterate the enemy team, right? With damage becoming increasingly paramount in the current meta, Wizard’s Hat seems to be an essential item for every magic damage composition.
Thief’s Gloves
In the recent mid-season update, whether by accident or design, Riot Games has made adjustments so that there are no longer any items considered “useless”. Items that were too weak in the previous patch, even if not buffed, can now counter new traits or champions, making them useful in certain situations.
And when most items have become useful, the item that allows access to any item, Thief’s Gloves, will naturally be much stronger. This item can even create high volatility in the late game, as it can sometimes provide you with items that can change the tide of battle. Our advice when you receive items that require positioning, like Silent Cloak or Frozen Heart, is to observe the opponent’s composition and place your unit for maximum efficiency.