When should I roll TFT?

Answered by Douglas Hiatt

When it comes to knowing when to roll in Teamfight Tactics (TFT), it’s important to consider various factors such as your current level, your desired unit composition, and the odds of finding specific units at each level. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, I can provide some general guidelines to help you make informed decisions.

1. Level 5 vs. Level 6: In most cases, it’s advisable to roll for units when you are at level 5 and before you reach level 6. This is because the pool of available champions at level 5 is relatively small, increasing your chances of finding and upgrading key units. However, there are exceptions to this rule.

2. 3-Star Unit Importance: If your desired composition heavily relies on a specific 3-star unit, it may be more beneficial to roll at level 6. This is because the odds of finding a 3-cost unit (which includes many powerful champions) are higher at level 6 compared to level 5. By rolling at level 6, you increase your chances of completing the 3-star upgrade for that particular unit.

3. Economy and Interest: Rolling consumes gold, so it’s crucial to consider your economy. Maintaining a healthy economy is generally recommended early on, as it allows you to generate interest gold and potentially level up faster. However, if you’re struggling to stay competitive or need to stabilize your board, it may be necessary to spend some gold on rolling for upgrades.

4. Assessing Board Strength: Before deciding to roll, take a moment to evaluate the strength of your current board and determine if rolling is necessary. If you’re already in a strong position and have a good chance of winning rounds, it might be better to save your gold and level up instead. On the other hand, if you’re struggling to win fights and need immediate upgrades, rolling can provide the necessary power spike.

5. Scouting and Adaptation: Throughout the game, it’s important to scout your opponents and adapt your strategy accordingly. If you notice that several other players are contesting the same units as you, it might be wise to roll earlier to secure the necessary upgrades before they do. Conversely, if you have uncontested units, you can delay rolling and focus on economy and leveling.

6. Late Game Considerations: As the game progresses and you approach the late game, rolling becomes less effective due to the limited pool of available units. At this stage, it’s generally more beneficial to focus on leveling up and increasing your chances of finding higher-cost units naturally.

Remember that these guidelines are not set in stone and should be adjusted based on the specific game situation, your current health, and the strategies of your opponents. Flexibility and adaptation are key in TFT, so don’t be afraid to deviate from these guidelines if it benefits your overall game plan.

In my personal experience, I’ve found that rolling at level 6 can be incredibly rewarding when trying to 3-star a 3-cost unit. I once had a game where I was running a Blademaster composition and desperately needed a 3-star Yasuo. By rolling at level 6, I managed to find the copies I needed and turned the tide of the game in my favor. However, I’ve also had instances where I rolled too early and depleted my economy, ultimately hindering my progress in the game.

To summarize, the decision of when to roll in TFT depends on factors such as your current level, desired unit composition, 3-star unit importance, economy, board strength, scouting, and late game considerations. By carefully considering these factors and adapting to the game situation, you can make informed decisions on when to roll and increase your chances of success in TFT.