Teamfight Tactics Patch 16.4 has introduced targeted trait adjustments that meaningfully change the strategic landscape — including the Ionia Path of the Blades rework and a major buff to the Gunslinger trait. Riot’s stated goal for this patch was to “create as many viable paths to top four as possible,” encouraging diversity in playstyles instead of the previous heavy emphasis on certain fast pacing and 4-cost cores.
This guide breaks down exactly what changed for Ionia and Gunslinger, explains how these buffs shift their performance in the current meta, and shows you when, why, and how to play them effectively — plus built-in tips for pivoting when needed.
π Why Ionia & Gunslinger Matter in Patch 16.4
π Ionia (Path of the Blades) Buff
Patch Changes:
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Ionia (Path of the Blades) — Additional attack proc chance increased at higher breakpoints:
• (5) 35% ⇒ 38%
• (7) 40% ⇒ 45%
Official patch notes show this change directly targets scaling issues at higher counts.
What That Means:
Before Patch 16.4, committing beyond the 3-unit breakpoint often didn’t feel worth it due to diminishing returns on attack outputs. This buff changes that dynamic by making higher-tier Ionia boards (5 or 7 units) much more effective — creating both strong mid-game boards and scaling potential into later stages.
π« Gunslinger Damage Buff
Patch Changes:
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Gunslinger Bonus Attack Damage:
• (2) — unchanged minor buff
• (4) 35% ⇒ 40% Attack Damage
This is a substantial buff to the 4-unit breakpoint that many players skipped previously due to weak payoff.
What That Means:
Gunslinger has historically been fun but inconsistent. Patch 16.4 gives the 4-unit Gunslinger bonus enough punch to be worth a serious look when synergizing with Bilgewater or other flexible traits.
π How These Changes Affect the Meta
Before getting into builds, it helps to understand how the overall meta vibe has shifted:
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Ionia now rewards full commitment: You can go beyond 3 units with confidence instead of stopping there.
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Gunslinger has real damage output at 4 units. You can use it as a secondary trait in strong boards instead of just a minor bonus.
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The system changes (easier Level 9 XP and higher 3-cost odds) mean synergy-focused boards have more room to breathe and scale into late fights.
π₯ Meta Tier Snapshot — Ionia & Gunslinger
Here’s a snapshot of how these traits stack up in the current meta:
| Tier | Trait | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| π₯ S-Tier | Ionia | Reliable, consistent carry trait with multiple build paths |
| ⭐ A-Tier | Ionia + Support Traits | Works well with Bruiser, Arcanist, and more |
| ⭐ B-Tier (Situational) | Gunslinger | Solid as a supporting damage source |
| ⚠️ Situational | Gunslinger with Emblem | Less efficient unless traits naturally align |
(This snapshot aligns with current community meta tools like tactics.tools as of Patch 16.4.)
⚔️ Best Ionia Builds for Patch 16.4
Ionia now has three viable approaches in 16.4.
π 1. Ionia Fast 8 — Consistent Climber
Win Condition:
Hit Level 8 and roll for key 4-cost carries (e.g., Yunara, Wukong) while keeping strong synergies.
Core Units
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Yunara — Primary carry
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Wukong — Tank frontline
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Sett — Secondary carry
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Jhin — Hybrid utility
Recommended Items
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Yunara: Guinsoo’s Rageblade, Infinity Edge, Titan’s Resolve
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Wukong: Gargoyle Stoneplate, Spirit Visage, Warmog’s Armor
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Sett: Jeweled Gauntlet, Hand of Justice
How to Play (Step-by-Step)
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Stage 2: Build economy, play your strong unit lineup early.
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Stage 3–4: Level to 8 by Stage 4-2 if possible; save gold.
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When at 8: Roll 30+ gold for 2★/3★ core units.
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Late Game: Use positioning and traits to maximize AOE and sustain.
π₯ 2. Ionia Fast 9 — Legendary Power Spike
Win Condition:
Reach Level 9 by Stage 5-2 to field a board full of high-impact units (e.g., Lucian & Senna, Kindred, Fiddlesticks).
Core Strategy
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Hold strong 2★ 4-cost units at Level 8
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Sell temporary boards to fund Level 9 rollout
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Map out traits that scale into late game
This is riskier but yields some of the highest ceilings in Patch 16.4 for players with good econ and timely augment choices.
π 3. Ionia Reroll (Niche but Powerful)
How It Works:
This builds around 3★ Yasuo, Yone, and Slayer synergy early. You slow roll at Level 6, then transition into a typical Ionia composition with upgrades.
When to Pick It:
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You hit multiple Yasuo/Yone early
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Your items favor attack speed or crit
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The lobby isn’t heavily committing to Ionia or reroll
This is harder to execute but can be devastating if you hit it.
π€ Strategic Guide: Gunslinger in 16.4
While Ionia is notably strong this patch, Gunslinger is more situational but still a valuable tool.
π‘ When Gunslinger Works Best
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You have strong AD items early (e.g., Guinsoo’s + Infinity Edge)
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Key units like Jinx or Graves are available
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You can combine it with flexible traits (like Bilgewater, Ionia, or Mystic)
Note: Lone Gunslinger builds without support units or emblems are generally not optimal — they often slot into secondary roles within broader boards.
π§ Key Gunslinger Compositions
π₯ Bilgewater Gunslinger
Core Idea:
Use Gunlinger trait to amplify damage while Bilgewater trait provides survivability and scaling.
Key Units
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Graves
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Miss Fortune
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Twisted Fate
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Jinx (when available)
Play Tips:
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Early silver serpents from Bilgewater help smooth out upgrades
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Miss Fortune sprays damage around the board
π€ Ionia + Gunslinger Flex
This high-skill route uses Gunslinger as a supporting trait in larger Ionia boards, usually in a Fast 8 or Fast 9 context.
Key Units
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Jhin
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Lucian & Senna
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Sett
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Wukong
Strategy:
Focus on the Ionia board first — add Gunslinger when you have the items to justify it.
π When to Pick Ionia vs Gunslinger
Here’s an easy decision tree:
π’ Pick Ionia If…
✔ You hit Ionia early
✔ You have strong frontliners and AP carries
✔ You want a reliable S-Tier comp
π‘ Pick Gunslinger If…
✔ You find early Jinx/Graves with AD items
✔ You have Bilgewater units and Serpent income
✔ You need an alternate plan when Ionia is contested
π§ Final Meta Verdict
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Ionia: ✔️ Strong, flexible, and consistently top-tier.
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Gunslinger: ⚠️ Situationally strong if item and unit alignment are favorable.
Together, these traits embody Patch 16.4’s strategic diversity. Ionia delivers consistent power and multiple paths to victory, while Gunslinger capitalizes on aggressive AD builds and secondary synergies.
The key to climbing now is flexibility — understand when to commit, when to pivot, and how to balance econ with power spikes.
π Next recommended reads:
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