Rather than eliminating strong compositions all at once, Patch 18.5 of Teamfight Tactics Season 18 is closer to gradually lowering the strengths of Azir-centered compositions and giving opportunities to other carrys. It is easier to understand the changes in the actual combination by looking at the changed traits, tanks, and items together rather than just the numbers.
An important result is a broader choice of AP comps. Azir and Kha’Zix received nerfs, while Soraka, Morgana, and AP-form Master Yi received buffs. Buffs alone do not make a comp the strongest: finding the units, suitable items, a frontline, and an uncontested route still matters.
Why Azir boards received several nerfs
Azir's attributes as well as his surroundings have been adjusted. The skill damage coefficient has been lowered from 46/69/110 to 43/65/105 spell power from 1 to 3 stars. On a 2-star basis, the coefficient for one skill has been reduced from 69 to 65.
In addition, the 6 Blackthorn section buff effect has been lowered from 60% to 50%, and the damage amplification of basic ability power sacrifice has been lowered from 12% to 10%. The maximum health proportional recovery amount of Flora Fatalis has also been reduced from 8% to 7%. The development team explained that this recovery amount adjustment was to suppress the power of the combination of Rammus and Azir.
It may seem small if you look at each number alone, but in one combination, the carry's damage, amplification of traits, and frontline survivability have an impact on the same battle. If the front line collapses quickly, Azir's time to use his skills may be reduced. So, rather than judging the strength of a combination by looking at just one item, it is better to check the changes throughout the battle.
This doesn't mean you should just pass Azir by in the store. There are still options to choose from depending on when you reach 2-star completion, the items that suit you best, the composition of the Blackthorn, and the opponent's battlefield. However, rather than competing unreasonably with other players just because it is a powerful combination in the past, it is more flexible to look at other units that can utilize the same spell power item.
Check the follow-up changes to Kha’Zix and Brambleback
Kha’Zix has had both isolated and non-isolated damage reduced in this patch 18.5. However, as it became established as a powerful combination, further adjustments followed. Added to the official English patch notes on October 27, the non-isolated damage ratio was lowered from 250/345/500 to 230/310/450, and the isolated damage ratio was lowered from 280/390/590 to 250/350/530.
Brambleback also had two changes. In this patch, the recovery amount of the Alpha Mark was increased from 4% to 5%, but it was returned to 4% in the first additional patch. Subsequently, in a further adjustment in the English note on October 27, the base value of Ignore Armor was increased from 25% to 30%, but the ability power ratio was reduced from 25% to 10%. This is a change that requires looking at both the basic numbers and the increase due to investment in spell power.
The same follow-up patch reduced Hand of Justice’s omnivamp from 15% to 12%, and its Radiant version from 30% to 25%. This matters to melee carries that convert high damage into sustain. Check whether recommended comps and item guides include these changes; the dates on the English notes may differ from each region’s deployment time.
The important thing here is not to treat downgrade news and actual battlefield performance as the same thing. It can be confirmed that strong combinations have been adjusted, but even then, how often they are selected and how well they perform must be separately observed. There are too many variables to completely conclude that it has disappeared.
Soraka and Morgana broaden AP options
Soraka's initial star damage ratio increased from 225/335 to 235/355, and her bonus star damage ratio increased from 100/150 to 110/165. Since both damage items of the main skill have been strengthened, it is worth paying attention to when looking for a 4-cost unit to entrust your ability power items to.
Morgana's primary curse damage on primary target increased from 60/90 to 70/105, and bonus curse damage increased from 22/33 to 25/38. The purpose of the adjustment revealed by the development team was to increase the ability to deal with strong front lines. In addition to utilizing the existing auxiliary effects, it can be expected to play a role in breaking through the front line, but this alone does not mean that it is better than Soraka in all combinations.
Spell Power Form Master Yi's skill damage coefficient has also increased from 125/190/285 to 135/200/320. This may influence whether you choose to reroll around 3-cost units or level up to find 4-cost units. However, since reroll combinations require collecting multiple copies of the same unit, how competitive other players are is also important.
The meaning of this change is not to provide a single correct answer. For example, if you build a spell power item first and Azir isn't coming out well, you can look at the champions you've already collected and the talents you want to activate, so you have room to switch to a different carry. Conversely, even if the unit has been upgraded, it is difficult to achieve the expected performance if the front line is weak or the items are not suitable.
What changed for Tristana and Caitlyn?
Tristana's maximum mana has been reduced from 60 to 50, and her skill damage per attack ratio has been increased from 10/15/25 to 12/18/28. This change reduces the mana required to use skills and improves damage. As it has been adjusted to become a threatening carry when equipped with traits and key items, it is worth considering as a re-roll option focusing on attack power.
Caitlyn's enhanced base attack damage ratio increased from 190/285/470 to 200/300/490. The development team announced that it has been adjusted to be used in more diverse combinations as a reroll unit that uses Guinsoo’s Rageblade. However, rather than confirming the combination by only looking at the upward figures for both units, it is reasonable to first look at how well they come together in the beginning and whether the items are suitable.
The high section of the Rapidfire has been weakened. The attack speed increase per basic attack changed from 3/5/8/12% to 3/5/7/10%, so the lower two ranges remain the same but the high two ranges are reduced. Therefore, even if the unit that utilizes attack speed has been upgraded, configurations that build up that trait in depth must also consider downgrading the trait.
Fae buffs and high-trait nerfs
Fae's health recovery in sections 2 and 4 has increased from 2.5/4% to 3/5%, respectively. The standard for obtaining the fourth to sixth golden Pixies has also been lowered. For example, the fourth threshold was adjusted from 30,000 to 25,000, and the fifth was adjusted from 70,000 to 60,000. The developers explained that the increase in recovery will be especially helpful for Rakan and Lilia.
On the other hand, the additional health of 9 Elderwood's pets was lowered from 140% to 125%, and the attack power and spell power of 7 Riftbeast were adjusted from 6% to 5%. High attribute sections can be difficult to complete as they require emblems or configuration conditions, but this change is aimed at lowering the power gained from the rewards.
Still, when you have the opportunity to complete high traits, you don't have to give up just looking at the number. You need to compare alternative battlefields, the cost of obtaining the Emblem, your current health, and your remaining opponents. It can be seen that the decision to create the strongest battlefield under already secured conditions has become more important than before the patch.
Wisp filtering and economy augment changes
One easy-to-miss change concerns Wisp filtering. Checks based on the number of item-equipped champions now count champions on the bench as well. Filters based on a particular role now use the previous combat’s board instead of the current board.
This reduces the benefit of quickly rearranging your board and bench just to influence which Wisp appears. Consider the team you actually fielded in the previous fight, as well as the units currently on your board.
Prices also changed. Abandon Ship increased from 0 to 2 gold. Baron’s Help fell from 6 to 4 gold, but several of its stat bonuses were reduced. A lower price is not automatically a buff: compare the saved gold with the lost combat power.
Economic Augment has also been partially adjusted. Investment Strategy I's initial gold has been reduced from 6 to 3, and Investment Strategy II's initial gold has been reduced from 10 to 6. The gold provided by Pandora’s Bench and basic Pandora's Item II has also been lowered from 4 to 1. Instead, separate versions of Pandora's Item II have been added that appear in 3-2 and 4-2, providing 4 gold and 6 gold respectively.
If your initial gold decreases, the point at which you reach the interest receiving section or the amount of room to spend on leveling up or refreshing the store may vary. Although the Augment effect itself is still useful, it's best not to assume that it can operate at the same speed as before. Take a look at what is more important: the power you need right now on your battlefield or the economic benefits you will gain in the future.
Three checks before choosing a post-patch comp
First, Check whether the item and unit come together. If you have a Spell Power item and there's a lot of competition for Azir, see if you can switch to Soraka or Morgana. Conversely, if Tristana gathers early and the attack power items are correct, you can look into the possibility of a reroll.
Second, you must check the completeness of the front line. Even if the carry is upgraded, it is difficult to use your strength if the battle ends too quickly. It is best to look at changes to the tank side, such as increasing Malphite's shield coefficient, but do not forget that there was also a decrease in Flora Fatalis's recovery amount.
Third, check when the recommended material was created and whether additional patches were reflected. In particular, Kha’Zix, Brambleback, and Hand of Justice have different conditions after initial impressions and further adjustments in this patch. Even under the same name of 18.5, the actual number may change.
The criteria for reading this patch are clear. Rather than just showing whether a champion has been buffed or nerfed, you can see how the champion's traits, items, and front line have changed together. That way, the numbers in the patch notes will lead to actual combination choices.
