How to Play Zaun Rift Herald
A stage-by-stage plan for Zaun Rift Herald : opener, when to level and roll for Rift Herald , and where to position the board.
- Tier
- A
- Top 4 rate
- 60.0%
- Avg place
- 4.60
- 1st place
- 0.0%
- Playstyle
- 3-cost reroll
- Games
- 20
How to level and roll with Zaun Rift Herald
3-cost rerollZaun Rift Herald is a reroll comp: slow roll at level 7 from stage 4-1, keeping 50+ gold and rolling only the excess until Malzahar reach 3 stars. At level 7, each shop slot has a 40% chance to be a 3-cost.
| Stage | Level | Action | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-1 | 4 | Level | Level to 4 and play your strongest pairs; slam an early item if it saves HP. |
| 2-5 | 5 | Level | Level to 5 and keep building interest toward 50 gold. |
| 3-2 | 6 | Level | Level to 6 and save to 50 gold. |
| 4-1 | 7 | Slow roll | Stay at level 7: roll only the gold above 50 each round until Malzahar hit 3 stars. |
| 4-2 | 7 | Slow roll | Stay at level 7: roll only the gold above 50 each round until Malzahar hit 3 stars. |
| 4-5 | 8 | Level | Level to 8 for 4-cost upgrades and a stronger frontline. |
| 5-1 | 8 | Roll down | Roll for the last upgrades and finish the board around Rift Herald . |
Zaun Rift Herald early game and opener
We don't have enough early-board data for Zaun Rift Herald yet. Play your strongest pairs early and hold units that share traits with Rift Herald .
Rolling odds for Zaun Rift Herald
Your 3-star targets are Malzahar. Level 7 gives the best shop odds for them — use the calculator to see how much gold a 3-star costs.
Rolldown calculator: Malzahar
Pre-set to this comp's roll level. Change copies owned, copies other players hold and your gold.
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Zaun Rift Herald positioning
A starting board for Zaun Rift Herald . Drag units to adjust it, switch to the anti-assassin layout when the lobby has divers, and copy the Team Planner code into the TFT client.
- Corner Seraphine on the back line and put Singed in front of it.
- Split Seraphine and Malzahar across the back line so a single area spell can't hit both.
- Singed, Rift Herald , and Swain hold the front line — put the tankiest one opposite the enemy carry.
- Against assassins, step your carries up one row and leave Vi and Neeko in the back corners as bait.
Positioning board
Drag a unit onto another hex to move it — dropping on a unit swaps them.
When to play Zaun Rift Herald
Strengths
- Big power spike once Malzahar hit 3 stars
- Two damage threats (Rift Herald and Seraphine) make itemizing flexible
- Rarely played, so its units are usually free
- Strong mid game once the reroll units are upgraded
Weaknesses
- Needs Rift Herald and Seraphine at high cost, which can be hard to hit
- Falls off hard if someone else is rerolling Malzahar
Strategic Tips
Economy
Reach 50 gold, then slow roll at level 7 with only the excess until Malzahar are 3-starred.
Itemization
Build Protector's Vow, Ionic Spark, and Bramble Vest on Rift Herald .
When to pivot
Scout at 2-1 and 3-2: if two or more players hold your core units, or you haven't found any by 3-2, move into one of the comps on the Similar Comps tab instead of forcing Zaun Rift Herald .
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How to play Zaun Rift Herald – FAQ (TFT Set 16)
How do you play Zaun Rift Herald ?
Zaun Rift Herald is a reroll comp: slow roll at level 7 from stage 4-1, keeping 50+ gold and rolling only the excess until Malzahar reach 3 stars. Corner Seraphine on the back line and put Singed in front of it. Build Protector's Vow, Ionic Spark, and Bramble Vest on Rift Herald .
When should I roll down for Zaun Rift Herald ?
Zaun Rift Herald doesn't do one big roll down. Slow roll at level 7 from stage 4-1, rolling only the gold above 50 until Malzahar are 3-starred.
What level do you roll for Malzahar?
Slow roll for Malzahar at level 7, where its cost tier shows up most often in the shop. At level 7, each shop slot has a 40% chance to be a 3-cost.
Is Zaun Rift Herald a reroll comp?
Yes. Zaun Rift Herald wants Malzahar at 3 stars, so slow roll at level 7 with gold above 50 until you hit them.
How do you position Zaun Rift Herald ?
Corner Seraphine on the back line and put Singed in front of it. Split Seraphine and Malzahar across the back line so a single area spell can't hit both. Singed, Rift Herald , and Swain hold the front line — put the tankiest one opposite the enemy carry. Against assassins, step your carries up one row and leave Vi and Neeko in the back corners as bait.
What is the best opener for Zaun Rift Herald ?
Zaun Rift Herald has no fixed opener: play your strongest early pairs, keep HP high and hold units that share traits with Rift Herald .