[Part 1] Mastering True Damage emblem (Strategy for top 1 with any headliner)

12/24: Part 2 is out, cover Caitlyn and Ezreal section

https://www.tacter.com/tft/guides/part-2-mastering-true-damage-emblem-statistics-bonus-8f0ae784

Hello guys I'm Khym

Have you ever feel pain when copy a "meta comp" then get a bottom half just because you can't find a specific headliner? Unlike many guides that show a level 8, 9 board with a specific headliner that makes you spend lots of gold to find, I will guide you to play from early board to final board with many headliner options, which is an easier way to play TFT. Also every 5 cost I put always have a lower cost same trait unit so feel free to play.

For easy visualize, I'll put champion into group instead of positioning, if any thing need to be noticed I'll mention.

You may saw many pro players slam True Dmg emblem whenever they got a Spatular at Vegas open right? There are 2 reasons

True Dmg emblem works on any AD/AP carry (8-bit emblem only works on AD carry for example)

True Dmg units have a good synergies with other traits, also comfortable for 5 cost upgrade

This guide will mainly focus on 4 cost carry, Akali with Ahri, Karthus, Ezreal and Cait. You choose with one to go depend on your items, in short:

• Blue buff + AP -> Ahri
• Red Buff/Shojin + AP -> Karthus
• Blue buff + AD -> Ezreal
• Any AD item -> Caitlyn (Shojin is not her BiS lmao)

So let's cook!

You may get a spat after 2-3 or 3-3, may slam a TD emblem after krug or whatever but like any guide, play a tempo style, in current patch playing lose streak (without heartsteel, econ/lose streak aug) is not recommened

Of course superfan opener is always prefered, with this you can easily flex to many comps later

In this patch there are some openers that I don't want you to miss it. Corki 8-Bit headliner and K'sante/Aphelios Heartsteel headliner are too strong. Caitlyn is so strong in this patch if we stack 8-Bit in early game

This one is easy, we want to go fast 8 to find headliner carry, roll a bit to stablize your board if you are too weak, add 2 more Sentinel (prefer put item on Morde), 2 Heartsteel or 2 True dmg and put True dmg emblem on temporary carry. Just remember this thing: SAVE AT LEAST ONE YASUO ON BENCH in case you can't find Qiyana

Flex around any headliner, the target here is getting a good headliner ASAP then lv 9 to find 5 cost, not finding the best headliner then stay at lv 8. You have an impactful benefit from True Dmg emblem and looking for a top 1.

High HP: can slow roll to stablize your board (especially your frontline), get another 2 star carry if there is no one contesting, otherwise just lv 9

Low HP: slow roll to stablize your board and find another 2 star carry, stay in top 4 first then think about finish the game

Superfan gives Akali HoJ, Ahri Rabadon

This team has a weak frontline and your carry already has 2 items (include TD emblem), prefer picking tank items in carousel then put on Ekko and 1 support item on Kennen for Blink bonus (prefer Sunfire or Redemtion, Shred and Sunder are not necessary when this team deals extra True dmg)

Positioning: place TD Akali between Kennen and Neeko (Guardian shield), Place Lulu near Ahri and Akali (Hyperpop buff). For KDA Akali place her in the other side to opponent carry and outer most to take dmg, she can't die and heal later

At lv 9: find Qiyana to replace Yasuo/Senna, and Illaoi for stable frontline (superfan frontline is not reliable in late game)

Keep Evelynn if you got Little Buddies augment, place her in the front to stun opponent carry

Blue Buff and Nashor are her BiS (slam one of them because superfan already gives her Rabadon, she need to cast as much spell as possible. You don't want to see her deal 1k dmg on a 100 hp champion. For somehow most people put JG to see it crit XD

Be careful Karthus is your only backline, sometimes you have to place him in the middle then place tank in outer most for baiting KDA Akali

Place Vex in middle to stun more enemy, place in corner when baiting KDA Akali

Karthus need at least 1 mana regen item like Red Buff or Shojin (I prefer Red Buff because Shojin got a huge nerf recently). Then Guardbreaker = Archangel > others. In 5 Pentakill comp he can wear both Red Buff and Shojin to fastly kill 5 units

1 item augments, prefer tank item then any combat augment. Lose streak/econ/exp aug at 2-1 for fast 8 purpose also good if you know how to deal with it. Not only because True dmg need items but also you need extra item for 5 cost to win the game.