In Teamfight Tactics Patch 16.4, while many champions and traits received balance adjustments, augment changes are among the most impactful shifts in the meta. Riot actively re-enabled and redesigned tools like Trials of Twilight II and The World Runes to encourage more strategic diversity and create “as many viable paths to top four as possible.”
This guide covers:
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What the new and reworked augments actually do
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How to use them effectively
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When to take them — and when to avoid them
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How they fit into the current TFT meta
π Headline Augments in Patch 16.4
π 1. Trials of Twilight II — The High-Risk Power Project
What It Is:
A Prismatic Hero augment offered at 2-1 that instantly grants you two Xin Zhaos and a Bloodthirster, then unlocks a quest to evolve Xin Zhao into a unique 7-cost champion called Zaahen if you meet specific conditions.
How It Works
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Grants 2 copies of Xin Zhao and a Bloodthirster
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Win 5 player combats with a 3-star Xin Zhao to transform him into Zaahen
π Trials of Twilight II: Tiered Strategy Paths
| Build Path | Strategy | Difficulty | Key Units & Traits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demacia Focused | Reroll Xin Zhao and Demacia units at L6 | Medium | Xin Zhao → Zaahen, Garen, Galio, Lux |
| Ionia Pivot | Reroll Yasuo + Xin Zhao at L6 | Hard | Xin Zhao → Zaahen, Yasuo, Yone, Sett |
Why It Works:
Combining an essential mid-game carry like Xin Zhao with Demacia or Ionia traits increases board strength while you chase the quest. The reward — Zaahen — can swing late fights if built well.
π Trials of Twilight II: When Not to Take It
You should skip Trials of Twilight II if:
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You don’t hit a 2★ Xin Zhao by Stage 3-2
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Your opener lacks strong Demacia or Ionia units
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Other players contest Xin Zhao heavily
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You cannot itemize Xin Zhao early (no Bloodthirster-like items)
Why: Failed quests bleed economy and health, turning a high-reward augment into a liability.
Verdict:
π₯ Niche but potentially game-winning — commit only with a very favorable opener and early board strength.
π️ 2. The World Runes — The Flexible Tempo Engine
What It Is:
A re-enabled augment that grants:
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2 random Emblems immediately
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+2 XP per combat (or +4 XP if you have at least 4 Region traits)
This version emphasizes immediate power and tempo acceleration over slow power curves.
π How to Use The World Runes
Core Uses
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Fast 8/9 power spike: Level quicker and hit high-tier boards before your opponents
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Trait breakpoints without waiting: Emblems let you cross key thresholds (e.g., 7 Ionia, 4 Gunslinger)
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Flexible builds: Random Emblems allow creative comp pivots on the fly
Example Synergies
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Ionia: Combine with regional Emblems to hit high breakpoint damage and attack speed
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Noxus / Demacia: Add defensive or offensive Emblems without relying on specific units
Tip: You get 4 XP per combat when you have at least 4 different Region traits active — a design hint that Riot wants players to build broader boards with multi-region synergies.
π Top Augments in Patch 16.4 & How to Use Them
| Augment | Tier | Effect | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trials of Twilight II | High-Risk / High-Reward | Quest to evolve Xin Zhao into Zaahen | Demacia/Ionia reroll builds |
| The World Runes | A-Tier | Free Emblems + XP per combat | Tempo builds, fast leveling |
| Commerce Core | Prismatic | 16 initial rerolls + 2 each turn | Any reroll strategy |
| Gilded Steel | Gold | 3 random 5-cost units | Late-game stabilization |
| Max Build | Prismatic | 10 rerolls + duplicator | Power spikes / target leveling |
| Ascension | Prismatic | Bonus damage after 12s (Buffed) | Sustain comps |
Tiering reflects current community consensus and relative performance in early Patch 16.4 ranked play.
π‘ Augment Decision Tree (Actionable)
At 2-1 (First Augment Choice):
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Trials of Twilight II? Only if you have a strong Xin Zhao opener and early board
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World Runes or Commerce Core? These are safer, versatile options
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Anything else? Pick it if it matches your early items or comp direction
At 3-2 / 4-2 (Mid-Game Choices):
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Gilded Steel — If your core carries are strong and you want an immediate late game power spike
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Max Build — When you need to finalize 3-stars or secure key units
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Ascension — If you have a high sustain board and intend to scale long fights
π When Augments Backfire (What to Avoid)
Even powerful augments can hurt your climb if taken incorrectly:
❌ Trials of Twilight II without early Xin Zhao upgrades
❌ World Runes without at least moderate region diversity
❌ Commerce Core late in the game when rerolls are weak
❌ Ascension without sustained combat comps
The golden rule: Don’t force flashy augments if they don’t match your openers or items. Sometimes a reliable augment like Commerce Core or Gilded Steel is the road to top-4 finishes.
π Overall Patch 16.4 Augment Meta Verdict
| Augment | Meta Strength | Ris | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trials of Twilight II | πΆ Niche | High | Specialist reroll players |
| The World Runes | π‘ Strong | Medium | Flexible, tempo-oriented builds |
| Commerce Core | π· Reliable | Low | Reroll centric strategies |
| Gilded Steel | π· Strong | Medium | Late-game stabilizer |
| Max Build | π· Strong | Medium | Targeted leveling objectives |
| Ascension | ⚪ Situational | Medium | Sustain boards |
π Final Strategic Takeaways
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Trials of Twilight II is exciting and rewarding — but only if you hit early conditions.
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The World Runes is a top-tier augment with immediate tempo value, accelerating leveling and trait breakpoints.
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Core economy augments and single-roll boosters (Commerce Core, Max Build, Gilded Steel) remain essential for consistent climbing.
Top players see augments not as random gifts but as strategic tools — pick them with purpose, adapt as the lobby unfolds, and don’t be afraid to pivot.
π Next recommended reads:
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