Vanguard TFT Comp
This comp averages a 6.75 placement with a 0.0% top 4 rate and a 0.0% first place rate across 364,187 ranked games. A 0.1% pick rate makes this a less contested composition.
- Cho'Gath
- Lissandra
1 CostReroll Lvl: Level 4
- Jax
- Mordekaiser
2 CostReroll Lvl: Level 6
- Kai'Sa
3 CostReroll Lvl: Level 7
- Karma
- Nunu & Willump
- Xayah
4 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 ~51 avg damage per game.
Units in this comp are very durable — units survive significantly longer than average in fights.
Vanguard aims to dominate early and snowball advantages before late-game comps come online. Games typically end around round 27.
Detailed Analysis
Vanguard is classified as a Fortress composition in TFT Patch 16.9. With a 0.0% win rate and 6.75 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: Look to snowball your early advantage through aggressive leveling and maintaining win streaks.
Stage-by-Stage Guide
Understanding when to level, roll, and transition is crucial for maximizing your success with Vanguard. This guide breaks down the optimal play pattern for each stage of the game.
Build the strongest board possible with your available units. Cho'Gath and Lissandra 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: Cho'Gath, Lissandra, Jax.
At Stage 4-1, level to 7 and roll for your core 2-stars. Look for Kai'Sa, Karma, Nunu & Willump. At Stage 4-5 or 5-1, push to level 8 and roll for 2-star Karma and Nunu & Willump. This is when the comp reaches full power.
Look to push to level 9 if you have gold and HP remaining. At level 9, add any 5-cost units that synergize with your composition.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. Cho'Gath and Lissandra 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: Cho'Gath, Lissandra, Jax.
Stage 4: Power Spike
At Stage 4-1, level to 7 and roll for your core 2-stars. Look for Kai'Sa, Karma, Nunu & Willump. At Stage 4-5 or 5-1, push to level 8 and roll for 2-star Karma and Nunu & Willump. 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, add any 5-cost units that synergize with your composition.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:: Karma contributes 13.3% of total player damage. This unit reliably survives to deal player damage, though other units also contribute meaningfully.
Other Key Survivors:: Lissandra (13.1%), Mordekaiser (13.0%). 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 Vanguard
Strengths
- Strong trait synergies across multiple activated traits
- Balanced composition with clear win conditions
Weaknesses
- Below average 0.0% win rate requires optimal execution
- Higher 6.75 average placement indicates inconsistency
- Relies on 2-star carries without strong 3-star options
Strategic Tips
Economy Strategy
Level efficiently to find your Xayah at higher levels.
Itemization
Prioritize items for Xayah. Check the Top Items section for optimal builds.
Positioning
Place Nunu & Willump and Jax in the frontline to protect Xayah in the backline. Use the positioning board above as a guide.
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F Vanguard TFT Comp - Frequently Asked Questions
What traits does this comp use?
This composition uses the following traits: Vanguard. The primary trait is Dark Star, which is active on 5 units.
What are the carries of this TFT Comp?
The primary carries for this composition are Xayah.
What is the best positioning for this composition?
Place your carries like Xayah in the backline and your tanks like Nunu & Willump and Jax 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 0.00% and an average placement of 6.75, making it a strong contender in the current meta.
What item builds does Vanguard use?
Vanguard performs best with these item builds: Kai'Sa with Deathblade, Infinity Edge, Spear of Shojin (0.00% win rate, +0.00% difference from comp average); Nunu & Willump with Gargoyle Stoneplate, Sunfire Cape, Spirit Visage (0.00% win rate, +0.00% difference from comp average); Karma with Blue Buff, Morellonomicon, Void Staff (0.00% win rate, +0.00% difference from comp average).
Is Vanguard contested in TFT Set 17?
Vanguard 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 Xayah without much competition.
What is the win condition for Vanguard?
The win condition for Vanguard is "Vertical Dark Star". This composition focuses on maximizing the Dark Star trait with 5 units, providing strong synergy bonuses. Position your carries Xayah safely and itemize them properly for maximum damage output.
Should I reroll or level with Vanguard?
No, Vanguard 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 Vanguard cost to build?
Vanguard is a medium cost composition requiring approximately 63 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 Vanguard?
Vanguard is moderately flexible with 3 pivot options available. The best pivot options share key units like Karma and Nunu & Willump. If you're contested, look at similar compositions that use these same champions with different supporting units.
When should I pivot away from Vanguard?
You should consider pivoting away from Vanguard 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 Dark Star / Voyager with a 72.5% win rate. Scout your lobby at stage 2-1 and 3-2 to decide. Check the Pivot Suggestions section above for 3 alternative compositions.