TFT Set 15 Guide: How to Play Protector

Welcome to our trait guide, where we’ll be covering the Protector trait in the new TFT Set 15: K.O. Coliseum. In this guide, we’ll explain how Protector works, cover the different champions, and give a quick rundown of the other potential traits you could branch into.

Explore all of the new Set 15 traits here!

Protector Trait Bonus

Units gain 5% Durability while shielded.

Once per combat at 50% Health, Protectors shield themselves and their closest ally for a percent of their maximum Health. Shields stack.

• (2) 20% Health shield
• (4) 40% Health shield
• (6) 60% Health shield

Protector is a great defensive trait that can support various teams. It enables a built-in emergency button that triggers at half Health, protecting the user along with an ally. It’s a great way to hold the frontlines, or potentially cover your backline depending how the fight plays out.

Protector Synergy

Here’s a rundown of the traits you can branch into from Protector:

• Kennen – Supreme Cells / Sorcerer
• Malphite – The Crew
• Janna – Crystal Gambit / Strategist
• Rakan – Battle Academia
• Neeko – Star Guardian
• K’Sante – Wraith

There aren’t any connecting synergies between Protector units, but it’s a solid ability that justifies splashing for the two-piece bonus.

Kennen Supreme Cells Protector Sorcerer 1g

Kennen is a premium 1-cost unit with three traits and a great active ability. His Eye of the Hurricane heals himself, then deals magic damage to the two nearest enemies while Stunning them. That’s a ton of value for the early game, and will allow players to stay open as they progress forward.

Malphite The Crew Protector 1g

Malphite passively gets increased Armor on top of whatever he has. As for his active ability, it deals physical damage to enemies within a cone, partially scaled based off his Armor. This makes it easy to build him defensively while still gaining a solid amount of offense; great for a simple 1-cost tank.

Janna Crystal Gambit Protector Strategist 2g

Janna’s Crystal Chrysalis grants a shield to the two lowest health allies, then fires butterflies dealing magic damage between the two nearest enemies. The shielding also allows her team to benefit from Protector Durability buff, making it even more effective. As a 2-cost with three traits, you really can’t go wrong with the support Janna offers.

Rakan Battle Academia Protector 2g

Rakan is a pretty basic frontliner. His ability heals himself, then deals magic damage to the three closest foes. It’s nothing outstanding, but if you need either Battle Academia or Protector he’s available early.

Neeko Star Guardian Protector 3g

Neeko’s Falling Flower Eruption grants her Durability, heals her, and deals magic damage to nearby enemies. On the surface she’s pretty simple, but her unique Star Guardian bonus grants increased healing and shielding. This obviously pairs well with the Protector ability, making the emergency shield even more potent than normal.

K’Sante Wraith Protector 4g

K’Sante is a formidable frontliner with a built-in cheat-death. When he first dies he instead heals all the way up to full, gains Attack Speed, then converts Armor and MR into AD. After the buff he proceeds to charge through his target, Stunning them. His active ability adds even more damage to the mix, and while he does lose Health quickly over time, he does heal on kill. K’Sante is a menace, and that’s not even considering the shield from Protector. If he’s on the opposing side, watch out!

• Preemptive Protection: Combat start: Protectors shield themselves and their closest ally for 14% of their maximum health. Shields stack. Gain a Rakan.
• Protector Crest: Gain a Protector Emblem.
• Protector Circlet: Gain a Protector Emblem, a K'Sante, and a Giant's Belt.
• Protector Crown: Gain a Protector Emblem, a Protector's Vow, and a Kennen.

Team comps are very fickle, but we’ll try to keep this section updated with the best team comps you can play around.

☑️ 6 Protector 4 Strategist

Link Guide: 6 Protector 4 Strategist

Thanks for reading! If you want to try and come up with your own team comps for Set 15, check out our Team Builder. For a full overview on the new set, check out our TFT Set 15 Blog Page.