With the hyper-roll meta of patch 11.3, the Vanguard champions could not withstand the damage output from 3-star champions. Therefore, team compositions utilizing this system, notably Vanguard – Legend, have not been favored recently. However, after a series of 1-cost carries were nerfed in patch 11.4, the “super tank” team comp called Vanguard – Legend has a chance to shine in Teamfight Tactics.
At the beginning of the match, you should start with Vanguard champions when building your frontline. Names like Garen, Wukong, and Nautilus will ensure a really solid front line. In the backline, you will have more flexibility in using early-game carries. A tip from the pros is to buy Sorcerer champions, including the Chosen one, to ensure damage output while also keeping items for Neeko in the later stages.
Moving into the mid-game, around levels 6-7, you should acquire a Neeko unit to easily transition your composition. If you cannot upgrade Neeko to 2-star yet, don’t be in a hurry to sell the Sorcerer pieces you bought early on to ensure damage. If you have a 2-star Neeko early on, it’s necessary to buy a few Mystic units like Yuumi or Janna to increase magic resistance for the Vanguard team.
Once you reach level 7, you should stop leveling up and start rolling to find Neeko pieces. Essentially, the damage of this composition will “all-in” on Neeko, so you must upgrade her to 3-star to compete for a top 4 position. You will adopt a slow roll strategy, spending down to 50 gold each round to achieve this goal. As soon as Neeko hits 3 stars, players need to level up to 8 as quickly as possible.
At level 8, you will decide how to build your composition based on the situation in the match. If you obtained Ornn early or have a Vanguard Chosen, pushing to 6 units is advisable towards the end of the game. If your Vanguard units are Mystic, pushing this system to 4 units is also a good idea.
Regarding item builds, Neeko needs a Rabadon’s Deathcap and Giant Slayer to deal the most damage possible. For defensive items, you need to observe the opponent closely to choose the most suitable equipment. If the opponent is using a Sword of the Divine to counter Neeko, a Quicksilver will allow your carry to deal damage comfortably. If you are not in the habit of “scouting” your opponent’s board, Guardian Angel is the safest choice for Neeko.
