We've been looking forward to the new Teamfight Tactics set, especially after parts were teased in a recent Dev Drop video, but now we have all the details.
With the arrival of Reckoning, and departure of of Fates, we will see the Chosen mechanic leave; but replaced with the Shadow Items mechanic.
Reckoning Mechanic: Shadow Items
The Shadow Items will be a new mechanic that forms the centre of the new Set, themed around the Black Mist corrupting items.
There will now be an Armory that features item components, a pop-up shop which will also play a major role in Hyper Roll. Shadow Components can be bought in the Armory or through carousels. Players should expect to get between two and four Shadow Components each game.
The Shadow Items are more powerful than their original counterparts, but come with a twist - often a price.
The power of the Black Mist is all consuming, meaning one Shadow Component is enough to corrupt a full Item when combined. Once an item is corrupted, there is no turning back.
Zeke's Herald grants Attack Speed to allies within one hex of the same row, however the corrupted version, Zeke's Evil Herald, will steal Attack Speed from allies to empower the bearer instead.
Rabadon's Cursed Deathcap gives even more Ability Power than its uncorrupted version, but at the cost of the bearer's max Health.
In a similar way, Guinsoo's Evil Rageblade gives more Attack Speed than its uncorrupted version, but drains a percentage of the bearer's Health each attack.
With great power comes risky drawbacks, Shadow Items can be mixed and matched with various team compositions to make powerful combinations. One example given is Draven throwing axes faster and faster due to Guinsoo's Evil Rageblade, damaging himself with each throw, but then healing it back with Bloodthirster.
Origins and Classes
Forgotten
Vayne: Tier 1 Ranger
Warwick: Tier 1 Brawler
Hecarim: Tier 2 Cavalier
Thresh: Tier 2 Knight
Viktor: Tier 2 Spellweaver
Katarina: Tier 3 Assassin
Draven: Tier 4 Legionnaire
Ryze: Tier 4 Abomination Mystic
Viego: Tier 5 Skirmisher Assassin
This composition will spike most at (9) Forgotten units, but gains bonuses at (3) and (6) too. Each Forgotten Champion will get bonus Ability Power and Attack Damage, with Shadow Items increasing the bonuses further.
Hellion
Ziggs: Tier 1 Spellweaver
Kled: Tier 1 Cavalier
Poppy: Tier 1 Knight
Kennen: Tier 2 Skirmisher
Lulu: Tier 3 Mystic
Teemo: Tier 5* Cruel Invoker
Hellions gain Attack Speed which scales at (3), (5), and (7) Hellion units. Whenever a Hellion unit dies, an imperfect Doppelhellion of the same unit will join the fight. Due to there only being six Hellion units, a Hellion Emblem is required for the (7) bonus; a Spatula and Recurve Bow is needed for this, and one of them has to be a Shadow Item otherwise you'll get a Legionnaire Emblem.
Nightbringer
Vladimir: Tier 1 Renewer
Sejuani: Tier 2 Cavalier
Lee Sin: Tier 3 Skirmisher
Morgana: Tier 3 Coven Mystic
Yasuo: Tier 3 Legionnaire
Aphelios: Tier 4 Ranger
Diana: Tier 4 Dragonslayer Assassin
Darius: Tier 5 God-King
Nightbringers (2/4/6/8) gain a decaying shield equal to a percent of their maximum Health the first time they drop below 50%. When this shield is applied, that unit gains bonus damage.
We also see God-King Darius here, who's God-King trait gives him bonus damage against rival traits - specifically Redeemed, Ironclad, Verdant, Draconic and Dawnbringer for Darius.
Dawnbringer
To contrast the Duskbringers are the Dawnbringers, who heal when they drop below 50% health. Spiking at (2/4/6/8), all Dawnbringers will also gain bonus damage when an allied Dawnbringer heals through this trait.
Gragas: Tier 1 Brawler
Kha'Zix: Tier 1 Assassin
Soraka: Tier 2 Renewer
Nidalee: Tier 3 Skirmisher
Riven: Tier 3 Legionnaire
Karma: Tier 4 Invoker
Garen: Tier 5 God-King
To hit the full trait tier, a Dawnbringer Emblem is required; created by combining a Rod and Spatula.
In a similar way to Darius, Garen is a God-King and will gain bonus damage against his rival traits - Forgotten, Nightbringer, Coven, Hellion, Dragonslayer, Abomination, Revenant.
We also have a few 'splash' traits, which are minor and small but give a bit of flexibility and adaptability.
Cavaliers charge into battle, gaining an innate ability to dash at their target. Stacking the trait (2/3/4) gives damage reduction, which is doubled at the start of combat and after they charge.
Ironclad units will be similar to Mystic, giving all allies more armor to help combat AD-heavy comps; spiking at (2/3)
Coven seems to play similarly to the current Moonlight compositions. Having the three Coven Champions allows them to elect a Coven Leader. The Champion nearest the centre of the three Coven units needed to activate the trait will become the Coven Leader, gaining 50% bonus Health. In addition, every time a Coven unit casts their ability, the Coven Leader will gain some mana.
It looks like the Coven Leader doesn't have to have the Coven trait, so can easily be combined with other Champions to help power up your carries.
Revenant units revive after their first death each combat. Once they come back, they will take and deal increased damage. The more Revenants you have (2/3) the more health they resurrect with.
To round it out, we have a glimpse at a couple of Champions.
Kayle: Redeemed Verdant Legionnaire
Kayle will ascend every couple of seconds to gain bonuses. The first ascension will cause her attacks to cause bonus true damage, the second time she ascends will cause her attacks to explode around her target, the third ascension will allow her to gain immunity after every 7th attack.
Let her reach her final form, however, and she will "become the most powerful Champion TFT has ever seen" raising swords around her target and dealing large amounts of damage.
As Kayle is levelled up, she will ascend quicker, allowing her to hit harder, better, stronger, faster.
Teemo: Cruel Hellion Invoker
Teemo will cost players 6 Health, but can be sold for 5 Gold. Teemo will scatter Infernal Souls around the enemy with the highest Attack Speed. When an enemy goes near them, or after three seconds, the Souls explode and reduce enemy Attack Speed while dealing damage over time.
This patch should bring the anticipated changes to how Yorick interacts with Towers, as well as moving Champions into differing roles
