N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion TFT Comp
This comp averages a 6.14 placement with a 22.7% top 4 rate and a 0.0% first place rate across 271,357 ranked games. A 0.1% pick rate makes this a less contested composition.
- Aatrox
- Caitlyn
1 CostReroll Lvl: Level 4
- Akali
2 CostReroll Lvl: Level 6
- Maokai
- Urgot
3 CostReroll Lvl: Level 7
- Kindred
- Master Yi
4 CostReroll Lvl: Level 10
- Shen
5 CostReroll Lvl: Level 10
Strategy Guide
This is the suggested positioning for the champions in this TFT team comp. Positioning is based on the roles of the units.
Playstyle Analysis
This composition prioritizes survivability above all else, aiming to outlast opponents through superior tankiness and sustain.
This composition prioritizes survival and scaling over early aggression. Deals ~68 avg damage per game.
Units in this comp are very durable — units survive significantly longer than average in fights.
N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark reaches full power in stages 4-5, aiming to close out before opponents scale. Games typically end around round 29.
Detailed Analysis
N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark is classified as a Fortress composition in TFT Patch 16.8. With a 22.7% win rate and 6.14 average placement, this comp requires precise execution to succeed.
Damage Profile: This composition is very defensive — it prioritizes survival and scaling over early aggression. This defensive approach means you may lose some early fights, but you'll have more HP remaining when your comp comes online.
Game Phase Strategy: Balance your economy with board strength to stay healthy while scaling into your mid-game power spike.
Stage-by-Stage Guide
Understanding when to level, roll, and transition is crucial for maximizing your success with N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark. This guide breaks down the optimal play pattern for each stage of the game.
Build the strongest board possible with your available units. Aatrox and Caitlyn are good early game options. Level to 4 at Stage 2-1 or 2-2. Win streak if strong, or loss streak cleanly if weak.
At Stage 3-2, level to 6 and roll down to stabilize if your board is weak (below 70 HP). Otherwise, save gold and level to 7 at Stage 4-1. Start collecting your key units: Aatrox, Caitlyn, Akali.
At Stage 4-1, level to 7 and roll for your core 2-stars. Look for Maokai, Urgot, Kindred. At Stage 4-5 or 5-1, push to level 8 and roll for 2-star Kindred and Master Yi. This is when the comp reaches full power.
Look to push to level 9 if you have gold and HP remaining. At level 9, search for Shen to complete your board.Scout the remaining players and adjust positioning to counter their carries.
Maintain interest thresholds when possible, and avoid panic rolling unless your HP is critically low.
Full Written Guide
Stage 2: Early Game
Build the strongest board possible with your available units. Aatrox and Caitlyn are good early game options. Level to 4 at Stage 2-1 or 2-2. Win streak if strong, or loss streak cleanly if weak.
Stage 3: Transition
At Stage 3-2, level to 6 and roll down to stabilize if your board is weak (below 70 HP). Otherwise, save gold and level to 7 at Stage 4-1. Start collecting your key units: Aatrox, Caitlyn, Akali.
Stage 4: Power Spike
At Stage 4-1, level to 7 and roll for your core 2-stars. Look for Maokai, Urgot, Kindred. At Stage 4-5 or 5-1, push to level 8 and roll for 2-star Kindred and Master Yi. This is when the comp reaches full power.
Stage 5+: Late Game
Look to push to level 9 if you have gold and HP remaining. At level 9, search for Shen to complete your board.Scout the remaining players and adjust positioning to counter their carries.
Player Damage Analysis
Multiple units survive and contribute player damage. This makes the comp resilient — losing one unit doesn't cripple your damage.
Key Takeaways
Full Damage Breakdown
Top Survivor:: Shen contributes 14.8% of total player damage. This unit reliably survives to deal player damage, though other units also contribute meaningfully.
Other Key Survivors:: Master Yi (12.7%), Kindred (12.6%). These units also survive fights consistently and contribute to your player damage total.
Positioning Tip:: Your damage is spread across multiple units, so you're less reliant on any single unit surviving. This gives you more flexibility in positioning.
When to Play N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark
Strengths
- Multiple carry options provide flexibility in itemization
- Strong trait synergies across multiple activated traits
- Balanced composition with clear win conditions
Weaknesses
- Below average 22.7% win rate requires optimal execution
- Higher 6.14 average placement indicates inconsistency
- Relies on 2-star carries without strong 3-star options
Strategic Tips
Economy Strategy
Level efficiently to find your Kindred and Caitlyn at higher levels.
Itemization
Prioritize items for Kindred and Caitlyn. Check the Top Items section for optimal builds.
Positioning
Place Maokai and Aatrox in the frontline to protect Kindred and Caitlyn in the backline. Use the positioning board above as a guide.
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F N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark TFT Comp - Frequently Asked Questions
What traits does this comp use?
This composition uses the following traits: N.O.V.A., Brawler, Marauder, Bastion, Bulwark. The primary trait is N.O.V.A., which is active on 5 units.
What are the carries of this TFT Comp?
What is the best positioning for this composition?
Place your carries like Kindred and Caitlyn in the backline and your tanks like Maokai and Aatrox in the frontline to absorb damage. Check the positioning board above for exact placement.
Is this composition good in the current meta?
This composition has a win rate of 22.73% and an average placement of 6.14, making it a strong contender in the current meta.
What item builds does N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark use?
N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark performs best with these item builds: Master Yi with N.O.V.A. Emblem, Edge of Night, Giant Slayer (20.00% win rate, -2.73% difference from comp average); Kindred with Guinsoo's Rageblade, Striker's Flail, Kraken's Fury (25.00% win rate, +2.27% difference from comp average); Shen with Protector's Vow, Sunfire Cape, Warmog's Armor (0.00% win rate, -22.73% difference from comp average).
Is N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark contested in TFT Set 17?
N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark is relatively uncontested with only a 0.1% pick rate, making it a good choice when you want to avoid fighting for units. You can often hit your key champions like Kindred and Caitlyn without much competition.
What is the win condition for N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark?
The win condition for N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark is "Vertical N.O.V.A.". This composition focuses on maximizing the N.O.V.A. trait with 5 units, providing strong synergy bonuses. Position your carries Kindred, Caitlyn safely and itemize them properly for maximum damage output.
Should I reroll or level with N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark?
No, N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark is not a reroll composition. Instead, focus on leveling efficiently to find your key units at higher levels. Stabilize at level 8 with 2-star units before pushing to level 9.
How much gold does N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark cost to build?
N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark is a medium cost composition requiring approximately 69 gold investment to complete. Balance your economy between leveling and rolling. Maintain interest thresholds while staying healthy on HP.
What are the best pivot options for N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark?
N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark is moderately flexible with 3 pivot options available. The best pivot options share key units like Shen and Kindred. If you're contested, look at similar compositions that use these same champions with different supporting units.
When should I pivot away from N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark?
You should consider pivoting away from N.O.V.A. / Brawler / Marauder / Bastion / Bulwark if: (1) you see 2+ players contesting your key units in the early game, (2) you're not hitting your core champions by stage 3-2, or (3) you find stronger units for an alternative comp. The best pivot is Challenger / N.O.V.A. with a 93.0% win rate. Scout your lobby at stage 2-1 and 3-2 to decide. Check the Pivot Suggestions section above for 3 alternative compositions.