January 8 marked the release of TFT’s latest update, the massive Patch 10.1. This patch introduced new Little Legends, a new Lunar Trait, two new champions, and a laundry list of changes to items. With all of this change coming through, the meta has gone through a drastic shift.
To help players find their footing a bit faster, The Game Haus has provided its first impressions of the new meta, detailing various champions, compositions and items players should look to utilize in the early stages of Patch 10.1’s meta. First, we looked at which champions players should look out for that have risen the ranks in the newest patch, but now we turn our attention to items. With so many reworks and new items, here are some that have become most dominant in the early stages of Patch 10.1.
[1/11 Update: The series is now finished. Be sure to check out our forecast for compositions and champions in Patch 10.1!]
Ionic Spark
Considering the game has just made a massive shift to more defensive-oriented compositions, it should be no surprise to see Ionic Spark on this list. Not only that, but the item has also recently gone through a slight rework. Per the official patch notes, Ionic Spark’s effect is now the following: “Enemies within 3 hexes that cast a spell are zapped, taking magic damage equal to 200% of their max Mana.”
At first glance, it’s hard to tell whether or not this is a buff or a nerf. Sure, it no longer can hit anyone across the map, but it also now hits a bit harder on certain enemies. Ionic Spark on a beefy frontline unit like Braum, Leona, Thresh or Nasus can enhance the damage output of a defensive frontline in a big way. Keep this item in mind more and more in Warden/Lunar compositions focused on long rounds.
Iceborn Gauntlet
Another item that has gone through a slight rework is Iceborn Gauntlet. It now does the following, “After casting a spell, the wearer’s next basic attack freezes the target for 1.5 seconds.”
This new rework opens up endless possibilities for this item. It could be used on an Ezreal, Kindred or Kha’Zix with Seraph’s Embrace to get a large number of freezes out quickly or it could be used on a frontline unit like Volibear who gets his ability more quickly. At first glance, this item’s rework seems to make it incredibly strong and nearly a must-pick for several champs. Definitely keep an eye out for it in the early meta of 10.1.
Last Whisper
Replacing the forgettable Repeating Crossbow, Last Whisper capitalizes on something very notable in Patch 10.1’s meta – Critical hits. Crits are currently an incredibly valuable and powerful aspect of the game and are one of the key ways of breaking a defensive composition if a player is unable to run one themselves. Here is what this new item does, “Critical hits reduce the target’s Armor by 90% for 3 seconds. This effect does not stack.”
This item basically allows a unit to become what makes Desert units so powerful, reducing enemy armor almost completely for three seconds, plenty of time to eliminate them. Put this on an Assassin composition or even a Ranger build and the enemy shouldn’t last near as long as they otherwise might.
[Related: TFT Rise of the Elements Item Cheat Sheet: Updated for Patch 10.1]
Jeweled Gauntlet/Infinity Edge
In much of the same vein as Last Whisper, other Critical hit items have to be looked at more seriously in Patch 10.1. Chief among these are Jeweled Gauntlet and Infinity Edge. If you have any intention of running a composition that cuts through Wardens in a meaningful way, it will likely have these two items involved in some way, perhaps alongside a Runaan’s Hurricane and Red Buff. Getting abilities fast and making them count for lots of damage is key right now, which these items should help to supply in full force.
More to Come
Overall, there are more items that are strong at the moment, especially when zooming out and looking at the many different compositions as a whole. However, these five have become especially strong considering their various reworks and which champions best enable them. Stay tuned for the remainder of this Meta Forecast series to see which compositions are looking strongest in Patch 10.1’s early meta and be sure to check out which champions are doing the same.
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