The ranked ladder has officially reset, Set 16.1 is live, and the scramble to climb in Lore & Legends is on. With 100 champions, 40 hidden Unlockables, and a brand-new meta, the start of every new TFT season feels like stepping into organized chaos. Everyone is dropped back into the same rank range, everyone is blind to the early meta, and the first 5 games can entirely shape your climb.
If you’re unsure how to approach your provisional matches, which comps actually work in the opening days, or how Unlockables fit into your climb—this guide breaks everything down clearly and gives you a high-confidence roadmap to rise faster than the rest of the ladder.
Let’s jump in.
⭐ How the TFT Set 16.1 Ranked Reset Works
Understanding the ranked system at the start of a new set is the foundation of a smooth climb. Patch 16.1 adds specific rules designed to help all players re-enter ranked without fear.
🔹 Your Starting Rank (Soft Reset)
Whether you ended last season Gold, Diamond, or Challenger, everyone gets soft-reset into the same band:
➡️ All players begin Set 16.1 between Iron II and Silver IV.
This ensures a fair fresh start where game knowledge—not last season’s rank—determines your climb.
🔹 Provisional Matches (Your 5-Game Power Spike)
Your first five ranked matches operate differently:
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No LP loss for bottom 4 finishes
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Bonus LP for finishing top 4
This is your risk-free testing period.
Try comps, experiment with Unlockables, play aggressively—your LP is protected.
Pro tip: These 5 games heavily influence your MMR. Aim for consistency and strong top 4s, not yolo forcing random comps.
⭐ Early Meta Cheat Sheet: Best Comps for Your First 5 Games
The early Set 16.1 meta is wild, but several comps have already surfaced as reliable placement machines. These builds are simple to pilot, strong with low contest, and flexibly support Unlockables.
1. 🟦 Fast 9 Fleet (Lucian/Senna/Miss Fortune)
Playstyle: Econ → stabilize → level 9 → legendary carry board
Strength: Massive late-game power with high-cost units
Why it’s good now: Level 9 is easier to reach in Set 16.1
Unlockables:
Optional. Prioritize your level curve first; add legends like Thresh or Galio later.
2. 🖤 The Ruined King (Shadow Isles Reroll)
Core Units: Viego + Kalista (3-star them by slow-rolling at 5/6)
Strength: Incredible Stage 3–4 pressure to protect your HP
Why it works: Reroll comps are safer with the higher Stage 3 damage
Unlockables:
Naturally progresses toward Yorick and Gwen.
3. 🔴 Vertical Noxus (Darius/Draven/Sion)
Core: Stack items on Darius or Draven, use Swain as frontline
Strength: Punishes players who greed too hard early
Why it works: Perfect for winning provisional matches quickly
Unlockables:
Easy path toward LeBlanc for magic damage mix.
4. 💚 Bruiser Flex (Warwick/Tahm Kench/Zilean core)
Playstyle: Hybrid, adapt to whatever carry items you hit
Strength: Very forgiving; strong frontline keeps HP high
Why it works: Mitigates the Set 16.1 increased Stage 3 base damage
Unlockables:
Excellent shell for adding Volibear later.
⭐ Climbing Mindset: The #1 Skill in Week 1
New sets reward players who are flexible, not stubborn. Avoid forcing one composition every match.
1. Let Items, Shops & Augments Decide Your Direction
Your early items + first augment = your roadmap.
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Get BT + Noxus units? → Go Noxus
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Hit Econ augment? → Consider Fast 9
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Hit Kalista/Viego early? → Go Ruined King reroll
Stop trying to pre-decide your comp in the loading screen.
Your board should evolve based on what the game gives you.
2. Protect Your Health—It Matters More in Set 16.1
Stage 3 deals more damage now, so:
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Don’t greed interest too hard
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Spend gold to stabilize if you're losing too much HP
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Strong boards now beat perfect econ
A healthy HP pool makes your late-game path much easier.
3. Unlockables Are a Bonus—Not Your Win Condition
40 hidden champs = awesome new depth
…but they are also a trap if you chase them too early.
Do this instead:
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Unlock champions naturally as you play your board
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Avoid gold-draining conditions like double Deathcap crafting early
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Never sacrifice entire rounds to rush an unlock
Strength > Unlockables in the early climb.
4. Scout Often — Especially Early in the Set
In Week 1:
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Every lobby is confused
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Everyone is contesting random stuff
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Many players force the same meta comp they saw on YouTube
Scouting gives you the free advantage of uncontested units AND helps you pivot correctly.
⭐ Final Thoughts: Your First Week Blueprint for Climbing
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Use your provisional matches to test comps risk-free
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Play what the board naturally gives you
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Preserve HP — econ isn’t everything in Set 16.1
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Don’t tunnel on Unlockables too early
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Scout to dodge contested comps
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Lean on proven early meta builds:
Fast 9 Fleet, Ruined King reroll, Vertical Noxus, Bruiser Flex
Master these fundamentals in the opening week, and you’ll blast past the Silver bottleneck faster than most of the ladder.
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