Teamfight Tactics Patch 16.3 didn’t just tweak numbers — it fundamentally changed how champion auras behave in combat, creating new opportunities for strategic positioning. Aura-focused champions like Shyvana, Skarner, and Taric now keep their buffs active even after death, letting you rethink where and how you place your units to maximize combat efficiency.
In this guide, we’ll break down what this change means, why it matters, and actionable positioning strategies to dominate your matches post-Patch 16.3.
🧠 What Changed in Patch 16.3 (Aura Persistence Update)
Previously, aura effects disappeared immediately when the champion died. That meant early-targeted aura champions could rob your team of critical bonuses mid-fight.
Patch 16.3 introduced a system-level change to aura behavior:
Auras from Shyvana, Skarner, and Taric persist even after the champion dies.
This change makes aura behavior more intuitive and predictable, reducing the penalty for early deaths.
Important: Not all aura-like mechanics persist — for example, Lucian & Senna’s Soulbound buffs still disappear when they die, highlighting the uniqueness of this update.
📍 Why Aura Persistence Matters for Board Setup
Aura persistence affects positioning in three major ways:
Frontloading Aura Benefits:
Aura champions can now be positioned closer to the frontline without fear. Even if they die early, their buffs remain active on your carries.Safer Carry Placement:
Backline carries can benefit from critical buffs without the need to babysit the aura champion, giving you more flexibility with spacing.Suicide Bait Tactics Are Viable:
Placing an aura champion where they’ll be engaged first can immediately apply buffs to the team. Since the aura persists, early deaths can be strategically leveraged for maximum early-round benefit.
🛠 Champion-Specific Positioning Tips
| Champion | Aura Effect | Key Patch 16.3 Change | Optimal Positioning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🐉 Shyvana | Early damage buff for your team | Faster cast: Mana 0/40 → 0/30, Spell Duration 3.5s → 3s, Damage/sec 165/250 → 185/275 AD | Place Shyvana closer to the enemy frontline to activate her aura early. The faster casts mean more team benefit before her death. |
| 🐍 Skarner | Armor buff to adjacent allies | Aura now persists after death; no direct stat nerf | Place Skarner in the frontline cluster near your main damage dealers. Armor persists even if he’s focused down early. |
| 💎 Taric | Magic resist aura | Reworked self-heal at 35% HP (300/700/2500 HP over 2 sec) while MR aura persists | Place him as a secondary frontline. Let him survive long enough to heal while the persistent aura continues to protect carries. |
📌 Recommended Board Patterns
Aggressive Aura Anchor:
Position the aura champion slightly forward of your main carries to ensure early application. Persistence ensures buffs remain after death.Aura Coverage Triangle:
Arrange carries in an arc within the aura radius. With persistence, you don’t need the aura champion to survive the whole round to get maximum coverage.Suicide Bait with Value:
Place the aura champion where they’ll be immediately targeted. The early aura application remains active, giving your team an advantage even if the champion dies.
🧠 Patch 16.3 Systems That Amplify Aura Value
Aura persistence interacts with other 16.3 changes:
Level 8 → 9 XP cost increase: Slower late-game level pushes make a well-positioned, aura-backed board more valuable in mid-game stages.
Leona & Diana synergy: Leona now provides consistent AP buffs to Diana. If you run Diana, positioning her near a persistent aura unit increases mid-game effectiveness.
🔍 Countering Persistent Aura Boards
When facing boards that utilize these champions:
Spread your units: Reduces the number of carries affected by a single persistent aura.
Target the carries: Killing the aura champion first no longer nullifies the buff; focus on the units benefiting from it.
Use crowd control wisely: Lock down high-value targets rather than the aura bearer itself.
📝 Summary — Dominating With Persistent Auras
Patch 16.3’s aura persistence is subtle but strategically powerful:
Place aura champions more aggressively without risking your board’s buffs.
Carries benefit from buffs even if the aura champion dies early.
Suicide-bait strategies are now viable and can grant early combat advantage.
Golden rule: Don’t protect your aura champions at all costs — instead, maximize the early and widespread activation of their buffs to gain consistent board advantages.
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