Jarvan IV
At a cost of 1 gold, Jarvan IV is one of the essential units in the currently strong Shredder composition. However, if he is not in that composition or paired with Xayah, Jarvan IV is almost a useless unit with low damage output and a skill that has little effect in the early game.
In the early game, when Jarvan IV has not reached the required level, the attack speed he provides might theoretically be high, but in reality, it only slightly improves your team’s damage. This unit does not provide skill damage, is not very tanky, and can be taken down extremely quickly, so if you don’t plan to play the Shredder composition, there’s no reason to buy Jarvan IV early.
Zoe
Essentially, the Star Guardian units have the characteristic of extremely low base damage and attack speed, which is compensated for by their area damage from skills. However, Zoe only has single-target damage from her Sleepy Trouble Bubble skill. If this unit doesn’t reach 2 stars early and disable an enemy unit, using Zoe feels like a handicap.
Furthermore, with the Star Guardian composition being nerfed continuously and no longer being very strong, buying Zoe early no longer makes much sense, and it’s understandable that this unit has been overlooked. Our advice is not to buy this unit early; if the game gives you a 2-star Ahri and a 2-star Poppy early, then buy Zoe just to activate the trait.
Annie
Just as Riot Mortdog, the lead designer of Teamfight Tactics, mentioned, Pilot units are too weak when standing alone, and perhaps the weakest is Annie. While Rumble can activate his Explosive Charge to stun or Fizz can trigger the Scout ability, Annie standing alone has no effect at all. While she does have a decent shield, with such weak defensive stats, she can be taken down easily.
Typically, when playing a Pilot – Scout composition, you will focus on building a strong backline first and using a few versatile frontline units to get through the early game. You will still buy Annie, but only when you have enough 3 Pilots should you put her on the board; otherwise, it’s like giving your opponent an extra unit.
Sona
As the core unit of the “energy pump” playstyle, Sona transforms compositions like Sorcerer and Void from ordinary to extremely powerful. However, as is the nature of this champion, continuously buffing health and energy, she has very little impact in the early game, to the extent that some players only start buying Sona if they have one or two Chalices of Favor.
Perhaps if you do not have strong damage-dealing units at the beginning of the game like Yasuo or Ziggs, or units from the Rebel trait, it is best not to buy her too early.