The biggest splash in the TFT champion pool for set 4.5 comes from the addition of the Dragonsoul origin. The buff activates with 3/6/9 Dragonsoul units on the board, and is unlike anything else I’ve seen in TFT:
“The first Dragonsoul to take damage in combat receives the Dragon’s Blessing. While blessed, the unit gains bonus attack speed (40/80/200), spell power (40/80/200), and every 5th attack fires a Dragonsoul blast, dealing bonus magic damage (40%/80%/200% max health). On death, this blessing passes to the closest Dragonsoul ally.”
It feels like a very complex but flexible trait; a player will want to position so the carry takes on the Dragon’s Blessing before the fight goes on too long. Now that the Dragonsoul blast scales on max health, Giant’s belts should be a more contested item on carousel.
7 fresh champions enter the realm with various classes both familiar and strange.
Brand
Dragonsoul/Mage (1 Cost)
“After a brief delay, Brand erupts the ground under the enemy with the highest attack speed in flames, dealing (175/275/450) magic damage to enemies within. If an enemy is caught in the epicenter, they are stunned for (1.5/2/3) seconds.”
Brand works well with Luden’s Echo but may not be a great late game carry even when 3 starred.
Tristana
Dragonsoul/Sharpshooter (1 Cost)
“Trisana excites her Dragon, increasing her attack speed by (80/100/125%) and dealing (20/40/60) bonus magic damage on hit for 3 seconds.”
Tristana’s increased attack speed from her ability and the Dragonsoul buff make Statikk Shiv a great option on her.
Braum
Dragonsoul/Vanguard (2 Cost)
“Braum puts up his shield for 4 seconds, absorbing and stopping all incoming missiles and reducing his damage taken from that direction by (75/80/90%).”
Braum is the premier frontliner and pure tank. He’ll be great with Dragonclaw and Sunfire Cape, but players should avoid him taking damage first and gaining the Dragon’s Blessing for the entire fight.
Shyvana
Dragonsoul/Brawler (3 Cost)
“Shyvana dashes away from her current target and transforms into Dragon Form. While in Dragon Form, Shyvana gains 90% bonus health, (60/120/250) attack damage, and her basic attacks become ranged attacks that deal (150/300/600) bonus magic damage over 2 seconds on hit.”
Shyvana can use Guardians Angel and Warmogs to survive early in the fight and wreak havoc on the enemy back line once in Dragon Form.
Aurelion Sol
Dragonsoul/Mage (4 Cost)
“Aurelion Sol breathes lightening in a line towards the farthest enemy, dealing (350/550/1750) magic damage and overcharging all enemies hit for 10 seconds. If an enemy is already overcharged, Aurelion Sol consumes the effect and deals 50% bonus damage.”
Aurelion Sol will be a nice piece to the Dragonsoul trait, but the will carry your team in a mage comp; the 50% bonus on his second cast is too much to ignore.
Olaf
Dragonsoul/Slayer (4 Cost)
“Olaf gains (150/200/450% attack speed, immunity to crowd control, and his attacks cleave in a cone in front of him for (40/50/100%) physical damage for the rest of combat.”
Olaf is built as the perfect Dragonsoul carry; high base health and an attack speed boost. With Rapid Firecannon and Runaan’s Hurricane he’ll be nearly unstoppable.
Swain
Dragonsoul/Syphoner (5 Cost)
“Swain transforms into his dragon form for 6 seconds, gaining (60/75/100%) maximum health and dealing (75/150/1000) magic damage each second to enemies within (2.5/2.5/5) hexes. While in dragon form, every 2 seconds Swain breathes fire in a cone in front of him, dealing (175/350/5000) magic damage, burning enemies for 25% of their maximum health as true damage over 10 seconds, and reducing healing by 50% for the duration.”
Swain will need a balance between AP and defensive itemization to truly thrive. Try out Gargoyle Stoneplate, Ionic Spark, and Rabadon’s Dealthcap.
