The portal to Lore & Legends has opened, the ladder has reset, and chaos is everywhere. With 100 champions, 40 hidden Unlockables, and a brand-new economy to master, the first days of TFT Set 16.1 can feel overwhelming — especially when everyone is rushing to find that “perfect” expensive comp.
But here’s the secret the top players won’t tell you:
You don’t need a 5-cost fantasy board to climb early.
You just need budget comps.
Set 16.1’s early meta strongly favors cheap, consistent, easy-to-farm units that spike hard in Stage 3 and punish greedy players saving for late-game carries. This guide breaks down the best budget comps, why they work so well right now, and exactly how to execute slow-roll strategies that guarantee top-four finishes while everyone else is still learning the system.
Let’s turn your 1-cost army into a ranked-climbing machine.
✔ Why Budget Comps Are Your Secret Weapon in TFT Set 16.1
Patch 16.1 quietly created the perfect storm for low-cost reroll comps to dominate. Here’s why:
1. Stage 3 Player Damage Got Buffed
Losing in Stage 3 now hurts — a lot.
Budget comps spike before this damage ramp, helping you:
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Stop big loss streaks
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Preserve HP
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Secure a stable top-4 path early
2. Level 8 Is Slower Than Ever
Riot increased XP requirements, making the classic “Fast 8” strategy:
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Riskier
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Slower
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Less consistent
While the lobby struggles to reach Level 8, your 2- and 3-star boards will already be steamrolling.
3. Cheap Units = Reliable Power
Budget comps rely on:
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Uncontested champions
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Low-cost units
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Predictable upgrade timings
In a chaotic Week 1 meta, consistency is king.
Top Budget Comps to Master in TFT Set 16.1
These comps are taken from high-elo data, community tier lists, and early ladder results.
All are cheap, powerful, and easy to execute.
1. The Ruined King (Shadow Isles Reroll)
Key Units: Viego (1-cost), Kalista (4-cost), Shadow Isles frontline
Style: Level 5 or 6 Slow Roll
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Strategy | Slow roll at Level 5/6 for 3-star Viego + Kalista |
| When to Roll | Econ to 50 → Roll excess gold each round |
| Why It Works | Dominates Stage 3, naturally unlocks Yorick/Gwen |
A top-tier reroll comp. Cheap, punishing, and consistent.
2. Yolo Yordles (Level 6 Slow Roll)
Key Units: Tristana (1-cost), Teemo (2-cost), Poppy (2-cost)
Style: Classic Level 6 Slow Roll
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Strategy | Econ to 50 at Level 6 → Roll for 3-stars |
| When to Roll | Every turn above 50 gold |
| Why It Works | Beginner-friendly, easy to find, strong mid-game |
A timeless reroll archetype that thrives whenever early units are overtuned.
3. Noxus Trio (Level 7 Slow Roll for Darius & Draven)
Key Units: Draven (3-cost), Darius (3-cost), Swain (frontline)
Style: Level 7 Slow Roll
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Strategy | Rush Level 7 → Slow roll for 3-star Draven/Darius |
| When to Roll | Spend down gold at Level 7 to hit carries |
| Why It Works | Vertical Noxus = raw damage + brute-force wins |
Punishes players who greet for late-game boards.
4. Bruiser Flex (Beginner-Friendly Power Board)
Key Units: Warwick, Tahm Kench, Zilean + any carry
Style: Very flexible — can slow roll or level quickly
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Strategy | Build an unkillable frontline, plug in any strong carry |
| When to Roll | Adapt to early shop RNG and items |
| Why It Works | High HP preservation, flexible, extremely forgiving |
A great comp for climbing even when your shops are terrible.
How to Execute the Slow Roll Strategy Perfectly
To explain clearly, we’ll use The Ruined King as our example.
Follow this structure and your reroll success rate skyrockets.
Stage 1 & 2: Your Foundation
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Buy every copy of your core units (Viego, Kalista, etc.)
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Play your strongest board
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Goal: Reach 50 gold ASAP
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Only level if you’re close to a breakpoint
Tip: Early item slams matter more now — don’t be greedy.
Stage 3: Your Power Spike
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Get to the right level (e.g., Level 5 for Ruined King)
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Maintain 50 gold
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Roll only the gold above 50
Example:
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You have 54 gold → roll 4 gold worth of shops
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You stay at 50 → interest continues → scaling continues
Goal:
⭐ 3-star your main carry
⭐ Stabilize into winning streaks
Stage 4+: Closing the Game
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Stop rolling immediately after your main carry hits 3-star
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Level up
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Add:
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Supporting traits
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CC units
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A secondary carry
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If the lobby goes late-game turbo, transition into higher-cost units that share your traits.
Mindset Tips to Climb with Budget Comps
1. Let the Shop Guide You
See 3 Tristanas early?
→ Go Yordles.
Hit double Darius?
→ Noxus is open.
2. Scout Before Committing
If 3 people are playing Ruined King?
→ You will get destroyed. Pivot early.
3. Unlockables Should Happen Naturally
Do NOT:
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Sacrifice econ
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Tank HP
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Chase unrealistic crafts
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Force two Deathcaps for Veigar
Unlockables are bonuses, not goals.
4. Health > Perfect Economy
If you’re about to lose a huge Stage 3 fight, spend gold.
A top-4 requires HP, not perfect 50-gold math.
Conclusion: The Easiest Way to Climb Early in TFT Set 16.1
Budget comps make Set 16.1 predictable, powerful, and low-stress.
You’ll:
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Avoid chaotic late-game RNG
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Spike early
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Maintain high HP
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Secure reliable top-4 placements
Master these fundamentals now, and you’ll climb faster than the players chasing shiny 5-cost carries.
If you want, I can also build:
🔹 A full item list for each comp
🔹 Best Augments per comp
🔹 A printable cheat sheet image
🔹 A carousel-friendly social version
Just tell me!
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