Game design director Stephen “Mortdog” Mortimer officially returned from a moving hiatus to full-time weekend streaming with the Set 12 Teamfight Tactics 14.16 Patch Rundown on Aug. 11.
Expected to drop into live servers on Aug. 14, with the 14.16 Patch notes releasing on Aug. 13, Mortdog is pleased with the launch of TFT Set 12. Outliers like Syndra and Kassidin stole the spotlight but hiding in their shadows are a variety of viable Magic n’ Mayhem comps.
“When you have a really solid base of a really good set, said Mortdog during the 14.16 Patch Rundown, a couple of balance changes is easy versus having to giant rework and stuff like that.”
The most “out of line” TFT Set 12 champion from the launch update was Syndra. Dominating the Magic n ‘Mayhem meta for two weeks, Syndra was viable in six different builds. Traits like Eldrich, Witchcraft, and Shapeshifter were shown off at the Esports World Cup, with Syndra as a carry. And many players are tired of seeing her on the ladder.
Multiple balance levers were adjusted on the two-cost unit, from restoring Syndra’s cast time to one second, as intended, to a magic damage nerf.
- Syndra’s spell damage was nerfed from 225/340/520 to 205/310/480 percent.
- Syndra’s Rift damage was reduced from 35 to 30 percent.
- Cast time on Syndra was restored to one second as opposed to 0.3 seconds.
Preventing Syndra from “dominating another patch,” per Mortdog, the balance team went “pretty hard” on the two-cost champion. Riding the coattails of Syndra was Kassadin, who had his shield targeted.
- Kassadin’s spell stacking damage was reduced from 35/50/80 to 30/45/70 percent
- Kassadin’s shield health was nerfed from 300/335/370 to 260/285/310 percent
Despite the nerfs, Mortdog predicts that the champion will remain a strong option. Both nerfs should open the meta, especially for Katarina, who was buffed alongside Warrior 4/6 and Faerie 4/6.
- Omnivamp and bonus damage were increased at the breakpoints of four and six for the Warrior trait.
- The Faerie trait had its overall healing and shielding buffed to 35 percent, along with an increase in armor, and armor healing from Queen damage.
- Katarina had her spell damage buffed from 160/240/365 to 175/260/420 percent.
All TFT Set 14.16 balance changes are live on PBE servers and will drop into live servers on Aug. 14.
