If you’ve noticed your favorite three‑star 4‑cost Unlockables disappearing faster than usual, or that uncontested carries no longer reliably pop up in your shop, you’re witnessing one of the most impactful system changes in TFT Set 16 Patch 16.3.
With this update, Riot tuned how Unlockables work — not just by making specific champions easier to unlock, but by shifting the odds tied to contested vs. uncontested picks. These changes fundamentally alter how you should scout, pivot, roll, and plan your economy in every lobby.
This guide breaks down exactly what changed, how it impacts your strategy, and how you can consistently adapt your game plan to climb in the new meta.
๐ What Changed: Unlock Rules, Conditions & System Context
Patch 16.3 made three important types of changes that directly influence how Unlockables behave in the shop:
๐ฏ 1. Unlock Odds Update (Core Rule Change)
Riot adjusted unlock odds to address how often three‑star 4‑cost and 5‑cost Unlockables appeared. This was done because the previous approach made uncontested three‑stars too common, reducing counterplay and strategic variance.
Here’s the new rule in a nutshell:
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๐ฏ Uncontested Unlockables are harder to hit — If you’re the only player who has unlocked a specific 4‑ or 5‑cost champion, it’s now harder to find further copies of that unit in your shop.
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๐ Contested Unlockables are easier to two‑star — If at least one other player has also unlocked the same champion, finding copies to reach a two‑star becomes slightly easier. However, even contested targets are still harder to three‑star than in pre‑patch games.
➡️ This means the classic strategy of secretly scoping an uncontested unit, then rolling every gold possible to three‑star it, has been deliberately weakened. Players are now encouraged to be more lobby‑aware and adaptive, not isolated and greedy.
๐ 2. Easier Unlock Conditions (More Flexibility)
To counterbalance the harder unlock odds, Patch 16.3 also made unlock conditions easier for several notable champions — giving you more ways to pivot and build around high‑impact units:
| Champion | Old Condition | New Condition | Strategic Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kai’Sa | Reach Level 8 | Reach Level 7 | Unlocks sooner, great mid‑game spike |
| Orianna | 3 Piltover units | 2 items on a Piltover champion | More item‑based flexibility |
| Tryndamere | 2 items | 1 item | Easier for reroll/tempo builds |
| Yorick | 2 items | 1 item | Better frontline unlocks |
| Warwick | 2★ Vi + 1★ Jinx | 1 item on Vi and 1 item on Jinx | Removes star‑level RNG |
๐ These changes give you more options mid‑game without having to build rigidly around exact trait combinations.
๐ 3. The Bigger Picture: Meta & System Interactions
Patch 16.3 didn’t stop at unlocks — it also changed the leveling tempo by increasing the XP cost from Level 8 to Level 9 (68 → 76 XP). This has two big effects:
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๐ Greedy high‑roll strategies are riskier — because hitting Level 9 later slows down your carry spikes.
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๐ Mid‑game strength and planning matter more — emphasizing sound decisions around Unlockables and pivoting.
Together with the unlock rule tuning, this makes lobby reading, scouting, and risk assessment more valuable than ever.
๐ง Why This Changes Everything
Before Patch 16.3, many experienced players used a “solo unlock → silent roll” strategy to three‑star a 4‑ or 5‑cost without interference. That often forced opponents into uncomfortable pivots, leading to inconsistent matchups.
Now? The game rewards players who:
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Understand when others are also pursuing the same unlock
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Adjust their roll timing and levels accordingly
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Pivot to alternative carries when necessary
This creates more dynamism and counterplay between players of all skill levels.
๐ Strategy A: When You’re In a Contested Unlock
Contested unlocks are now the optimal scaling path for securing a reliable carry — especially when multiple players want the same high‑tier unit.
๐ฏ Your Goal
Secure a stable two‑star version of your target Unlockable champion to anchor your board through mid‑game.
๐ง How to Execute
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๐ต️ Scouting early and often: Keep an eye on opponents’ boards and benches by Stage 3. If someone else is stacking the same trait or key items, treat it as contested.
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๐ Level & roll on time: Once you confirm contestation, plan your Level 7/8 roll‑downs just like a tempo GUI would suggest. Don’t go too early — preserve economy until you’re ready to hit your copies.
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๐ช Plan a pivot: Even if you’re contested, getting a two‑star isn’t guaranteed. Be prepared to rotate into a different carry or synergy if things get dicey.
๐ก The contested path requires timing and lobby awareness, but it’s more reliable than chasing a three‑star alone.
๐ Strategy B: When You’re On an Uncontested Unlock
The high‑risk, high‑reward playstyle still exists — but it’s much harder now. Pitching your entire game plan on uncontested three‑stars is unlikely to succeed unless you have near‑perfect economy and scouting.
๐ฏ Your Goal
Three‑star a 4‑ or 5‑cost Unlockable only when absolutely certain that no one else has the unit.
๐ง How to Execute
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๐ง Absolute certainty required: If you see zero hints that others are going for the same trait, you may consider this path.
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๐ฐ Build massive econ early: You’ll need 50+ gold and a plan to roll deep at Level 8 or 9 while staying healthy.
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๐ก️ Stabilize first: Don’t sacrifice your board to chase a three‑star too early. Secure a functional two‑star army first — then, if your econ and scouting stay favorable, go for the dream.
๐ Important: Riot intentionally reduced the odds of hitting uncontested three‑stars to discourage repetitive one‑trick strategies.
๐ Practical Tips That Work Right Now
✅ Scout Early & Frequently
Check multiple players’ benches and boards by Stage 2–3 so you can judge whether your unlock path is contested. This is much more impactful in 16.3 than in previous patches.
๐ Pivoting Isn’t Weak — It’s Smart
If you confirm multiple players are contesting your unlock, it’s often better to pivot early to a flexible carry (like one with easier unlock conditions, e.g., Kai’Sa or Tryndamere) than to throw gold at an unwinnable three‑star path.
๐ Plan Your Levels Around Unlock Milestones
Because Level 9 requires more XP, many games now bottleneck around Level 7/8 — and that’s exactly where unlock decisions are most meaningful.
๐ Final Thoughts: The Meta Is About Choice, Not Luck
Patch 16.3’s unlock tweaks aren’t just balance numbers — they’re a meta design shift. Riot has nudged Teamfight Tactics toward player agency and engagement, where scouting, adaptation, and long‑term planning matter more than raw luck or hidden roll mechanics.
If you’re playing TFT the same way you did before this patch, you will see inconsistent results. But if you think ahead, scout better, and adapt through contested and uncontested unlocks, you’ll consistently climb higher.
What unlockable strategy are you trying first post‑16.3? Share your thoughts and experiences below!
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