Innovators – Recyclers
With the recent heavy nerfs to physical damage team compositions, it would be hard for Innovators to maintain a high position in the current meta. However, players in Teamfight Tactics have leveraged Sivir’s impressive magical damage on her auto attacks and the Innovator trait to keep the Innovators system viable in the meta. Even more so, when combined with the shielding ability and item manipulation from the 4 Recyclers trait, Innovator units have become significantly more resilient and harder to take down than before.
Moreover, with a roster of champions capable of reaching the backline of opponents like Ekko, Jinx, and Irelia, this composition has no fear of competing with other meta team comps. The fact that Jinx can use her ability to deal significant area damage is already a great foundation for Irelia and Sivir to clean up the battlefield. However, to play this composition effectively, you will need to acquire a good number of Wooden Bows to craft Guinsoo’s Rageblade and Lightning Blade for Sivir. Therefore, you should aim to obtain them as soon as possible.
Jhin – Innovator
Leading up to patch 12.6b, the Innovator trait had been nerfed a total of 4 consecutive times with reductions to the stats of the Innovator Bear and the effects of the Innovator Dragon… However, this composition has managed to remain relevant in the meta, even climbing to the top due to a series of hard-counter compositions being nerfed. Additionally, with the “unit manipulation” effect, Innovators are always a strong choice for maintaining HP in the early and mid-game.
Of course, this dominance also stems from Jhin receiving what is probably the largest buff since the start of season 6, reducing his maximum energy by 20 points. For a champion with a capped attack speed, this buff allows Jhin to cast his ability extremely early and unleash devastating critical hits continuously on the enemy team. Combined with the frontline of this composition being able to buy enough time with Vi, Jayce, and the Innovator Bear, Jhin can deal significant damage comfortably in the late game.
Assassins
It seems that the nerf aimed at Twitch and Talon by Riot in patch 12.6b has only been half successful; while Twitch has indeed weakened, Talon remains extremely strong. With his ability to deal mixed damage, Talon consistently inflicts massive amounts of damage on opponents, regardless of whether the unit uses armor or magic resistance items. Moreover, the reduction in Talon’s basic damage from his ability hasn’t made him any weaker since this unit can refresh that damage continuously with Rapid Firecannon.
One of the valuable lessons learned from masters when playing this composition is that you should not only rely on VIP Talon when activating the Elegant trait. The standard damage that the VIP effect brings is only strong when Talon is attacking tanky units. Meanwhile, due to the Assassin nature, Talon often dives to the backline and attacks squishy carries, so this effect is not overly necessary. You could opt for VIP Leona to make the unit more tanky or VIP Syndra for her crowd control effect, for example.