Season 2 of Teamfight Tactics can be described as a “major overhaul” related to the Blademasters. After a few initial weeks of getting used to it, the later versions of this “auto chess” have been dominated by Blademasters, from the Blender composition with Nocturne, then Azir Blademaster (this composition is still extremely strong if you get a Spear early), and most recently, Yasuo Carry.
Therefore, in patch 10.5, the final update of Season 2, the Blademaster units could not escape adjustments. Recently, the official Twitter account of Teamfight Tactics announced the changes in patch 10.5, notably that only Yasuo was nerfed, while the Blademaster system in general received buffs.
In the buff section, we can see 4 traits – systems being buffed include Berserker, Blademaster, Lightning, and Ice. Berserkers are showing a significant disadvantage compared to other systems as only Olaf is truly strong, while the rest are merely fillers or require a lot of items to be effective. Blademasters, after losing the spear, now depend on whether you have Master Yi or not; perhaps this system needs a bit more buff to survive until you get this unit.
Lightning and Ice should have been buffed earlier, as the Guardian – Lightning composition is actually very interesting with its unique operational mechanics. However, due to a lack of damage and dependence on having Lux from the Lightning trait, this composition has been overlooked. The Ice trait being buffed seems to only result in a slight increase in damage when activating the stun effect.
The units being buffed in the upcoming patch mostly do not play a significant role (Ezreal, Rek’Sai, Dr. Mundo, Syndra…) or are too difficult to acquire (Zed, Lux). Most of these units are included in compositions just to complete some combos, rather than being key carry units. Hopefully, buffing these units will enhance their roles in compositions rather than just being there to fill the team.
The two units being nerfed will be Leona and Yasuo, with Karma possibly included as Riot Games is likely to reduce her strength at 1 star and gradually increase it at higher levels. To be honest, Leona is an extremely strong tank, with 2-star durability comparable to a 3-cost Guardian unit of the same level while you only spend a third of the money. Our advice is, if you don’t know what to use as a shield, just buy Leona because this unit is very powerful.
Yasuo truly deserves the title of “unlucky god”; before the Golden Spear was removed from the common selection pool, he was a unit bought just to fill the composition. Sometimes, due to the 4 Blademaster combo, players would buy a 1-star Yasuo and put him at the front to die first. After the adjustments and becoming strong for such a short time, he was nerfed again, even losing strength in the final version of Season 2, so there is no chance of him getting buffed back.
Hopefully, Yasuo’s story in Season 3 will be a bit better. According to the images released by Riot Games for gamers, our “god” will still appear in Teamfight Tactics: Infinite Galaxy in the form of the Space Blademaster Yasuo skin.