TFT Game Mechanics Guides

Game Phases

The phases of a TFT match: the planning phase, PvP rounds against other players, PvE rounds against monsters, and the carousel. What happens in each one.

Stages and Rounds

How TFT matches are divided into stages and rounds: the stage numbering system, where PvE and carousel rounds fall, how damage escalates, and game length.

Economy and Gold Management

TFT interest pays 1 gold per 10 held, capped at 5 at 50 gold. Every gold source: passive income, streak gold, PvP wins, sell values, and when to save.

Leveling and XP

How leveling works in TFT: passive XP, buying XP, the XP needed for each level, the standard level-up timing by stage, and when to level instead of roll.

Player Damage Calculation

A TFT round loss costs base stage damage plus 1 per surviving enemy unit, whatever its star level. How base damage scales by stage, with worked examples.

The Shop

How the TFT champion shop works: buying and rerolling, champion costs, level-based odds, locking the shop, the shared pool, and when to buy or sell.

Carousel

TFT carousels happen at 1-1 and every X-4 round (2-4, 3-4, 4-4...). Lowest HP picks first, in pairs; 1-1 is a free-for-all. When to take the item vs the unit.

Items

6 articles

How TFT items work: item components and recipes, completed and special items, the hidden item bag, and when to slam an item or hold it.

Champions

4 articles

TFT champions explained: cost tiers and rarity, star levels and upgrades, and how the shared champion pool decides what your shop can offer.

Traits

3 articles

TFT traits explained: how synergy bonuses activate, which breakpoints are worth reaching, and how emblems add a trait to any champion.