What is this guide about?
One strategy that is popular among a lot of players it to sell your units in the early PVE Stages to reach the 10 gold threshold for bonus gold interest. This can help you to accelerate your economy, especially when you are aiming for a lose streak and it won't matter if you keep any of your units.
This guide will cover which units can be used to defeat both Stage 1-3 and Stage 1-4.
Gold Interest
Before we get into the units, I do want to quickly explain how gold interest works in TFT. A lot of players don't believe that gold interest works before Stage 2, because they don't understand how passive gold in TFT accumulates. Here is how it works:
- Stage 1-3 -> 2 Gold
- Stage 1-4 -> 2 Gold
- Stage 2-1 -> 3 Gold
- Stage 2-2 -> 4 Gold
- Stage 2-3 -> 5 Gold
In the first two rounds you will only gain 2 gold. Then it gets increased each round and caps out at 5 gold once you hit Stage 2-3. This means if you have 10 gold in Stage 1-3 you should end up with 13 gold in Stage 1-4, since you received 2 Passive Gold and 1 Gold from Interest.
When is it worth going for?
If you want to reach 10 gold by Stage 1-3 you usually require some bonus gold from starting Portals or Encounters.
Portals
- 3-Cost Champion -> You start with a random Tier 3 champion
- Upgraded Champion -> Start with a 2 Star Tier 1 champion
- 3 Champions -> Start with 3 random Tier 1 champions
- Gold Opener -> Start with 7 more gold
- Crab Rave/Scuttle Puddle -> Bonus loot drops
Encounters
- Bard -> Every player starts with Level 3 and 3 random Tier 1 champions
- Tristana -> Start with 4 bonus gold
- Tahm Kench-> Puddle Mini Game for bonus loot
- Yorick -> Everyone starts with bonus 10 Gold
Stage 1-3 - Positioning
Melee units are usually played in A2 (second Hex, first row). Units like Cho'Gath or Malphite need to hit the caster minion with their ability. Ranged units like Sivir or Kog'Maw should be placed in D7 (bottom right corner) so they get a few attacks in while the minions are pathing. The following list is based on no components. If you give units components like Giant's Belt then risky units can become safe options.
Lose in Stage 1-3
Can win or lose Stage 1-3, depends on fight RNG
Safe in Stage 1-3
Stage 1-4
Darius is the only unit that is capable of defeating Stage 1-4 without any items, however this is still a very risky strategy. He needs to cast a second time to defeat the final caster minion and he won't have enough HP sometimes, because of fight RNG.
The only safe option is to give Darius one of the following componets:
- Giant's Belt
- Chain Vest
- Tear of the Goddess
You can improve your chances with other components as well, but this doesn't guarantee success.
The only other unit that can defeat Stage 1-4 outside of Darius is Malphite with Giant's Belt and Tear. However the fight requires him to NOT critically strike his first target, because he needs to attack twice with his enhanced attack to defeat the caster minion in the backline. Since this is effectively a complete coin flip it is currently NOT recommended.
Cho'Gath and Kog'Maw are quite close to beating Stage 1-4, so they might become viable options in the future if they receive buffs.
