TFT Set 17: All Champions - Abilities, Items and Positioning
By Hollow
TFT Set 17: Space Gods brings one of the most focused and experimental rosters in Teamfight Tactics yet. Every champion belongs to at least one Origin and one or more Classes, creating a rich web of synergies that shape the early, mid, and late game.
This post presents the complete champion roster organized by cost, highlighting their traits, key roles, best items, and strategic value. From 1-cost early game units that set up your board, to 5-cost late-game carries that define winning compositions, every champion is covered in detail.
We also include special units such as Hero Augment champions and summoned units, like Zed and the Shepherd duo Bia and Bayin, which can drastically influence board dynamics and strategy.
Whether you’re looking to understand meta-defining units, track PBE updates, or simply explore the full roster of Space Gods, this overview provides a clear, comprehensive look at all champions in Set 17.
1 Cost Champions
1 cost champions form the backbone of every early game board. They power reroll compositions, activate crucial trait breakpoints from turn one, and generate economy through streak mechanics. Several 1-costs remain relevant all game long as trait fillers even in high-level play.
Key 1-cost units to know:
Cho-Gath - Dark Star, Brawler
The most important 1-cost in Dark Star comps. Fields from turn one and activates Dark Star (2) together with Lissandra, giving you the Black Hole execute mechanic immediately. As a Brawler, Cho-Gath grows larger every time he eats a dead enemy - gaining bonus HP naturally. Stack tank items and let him snowball into a massive frontline threat.
Position: Front row center
Items: Warmogs Armor, Sunfire Cape, Gargoyle Stoneplate
Tip: Always open Dark Star lobbies with Cho-Gath and Lissandra together. They activate Dark Star (2) immediately giving you the execute Black Hole from the very first combat round.
Teemo - Space Groove, Shepherd
Teemo is more than a cheap board filler - he is a critical piece of Shepherd compositions. His 3-star contributes 3 star levels toward Bia and Bayin-s power scaling. In Space Groove comps he also helps reach the key (3) and (5) Groove breakpoints earlier. Hit 3-star on Teemo as a priority in any Shepherd build.
Position: Back row
Items: Spear of Shojin, Rabadon-s Deathcap
Tip: In Shepherd comps, 3-starring cheap Shepherd units like Teemo and Meepsie dramatically amplifies Bia and Bayin. Always prioritize 3-starring them before spending gold on higher costs.
Jax - Stargazer, Bastion
A double trait activator at just 1 gold. Jax activates both Stargazer constellation bonuses and Bastion resistance stacking from the very start. In Stargazer comps he is always positioned in the empowered constellation hex. Strong 3-star reroll target because Stargazer units deal more damage the higher their star level.
Position: Front row - always in empowered constellation hex
Items: Titans Resolve, Warmog-s Armor
Tip: In Stargazer comps always check which hex is empowered by your constellation and put Jax (or your strongest Stargazer) there immediately. The bonus amplifies throughout the entire combat.
2 Cost Champions
2 cost units bridge the gap between your early board and mid-game power spikes. Many are realistic 3-star reroll targets in dedicated builds, and several activate two or even three traits simultaneously - giving you enormous board coverage for minimal gold investment.
Key 2 cost units to know:
Mordekaiser - Dark Star, Channeler, Vanguard
One of the best value units in the entire set. Mordekaiser activates Dark Star, Channeler, AND Vanguard simultaneously for just 2 gold. This means you get the Black Hole execute, 20% bonus mana for your casters, and a frontline shield - all from a single unit. He is the ideal item holder in the early game while you search for your main carry.
Position: Front row
Items: Warmogs Armor, Blue Buff (item holder)
Tip: Hold your carry-s items on Mordekaiser early game. His triple trait activation means you are never wasting a board slot on him - he is always contributing three separate synergies simultaneously.
Jinx - Anima, Challenger
The primary reroll carry of Anima comps. Jinx at 3-star with Attack Speed items and Anima Weapon bonuses deals devastating damage to multiple targets thanks to her Challenger on-kill dash. She is the bridge carry you play while loss-streaking to build Tech - then she takes over as your mid-game damage dealer before Fiora or Jhin come online.
Position: Back row
Items: Guinsoos Rageblade, Runaan-s Hurricane, Last Whisper
Tip: In Anima reroll comps, stop rolling aggressively for Jinx 3-star around Stage 3. If you have not hit by 3-2, slow roll at 50 gold and maintain econ while you wait for her.
Bel-Veth - Primordian, Challenger, Marauder
A phenomenal value unit activating three traits at once: Primordian Swarmling spawning, Challenger on-kill Attack Speed, and Marauder Omnivamp with overheal shield. Her Challenger dash means she bounces between targets constantly once she starts getting kills. Great flex unit across multiple comp types.
Position: Back row
Items: Guinsoos Rageblade, Runaan-s Hurricane
Tip: Bel-Veth is one of the best board slot efficiency units in the set. Three trait activations from one 2-gold unit means she earns her board slot in almost any comp that needs Primordian, Challenger, or Marauder coverage.
3 Cost Champions
3 cost units are the mid-game backbone of Set 17. They hit the power ceiling of Stage 3 boards and remain relevant as key trait pieces throughout the entire game. Several 3-costs are triple trait activators that anchor multiple different comp archetypes.
Key 3 cost units to know:
Illaoi - Anima, Vanguard, Shepherd
One of the best frontline units in the set and a genuine triple threat. Illaoi simultaneously activates Anima Tech generation, Vanguard combat shields, and Shepherd summons for Bia and Bayin. She tanks the frontline, builds your Tech stacks during loss streaks, and summons your divine companions all at once. Always field her in Anima comps as the frontline anchor.
Position: Front row
Items: Warmogs Armor, Sunfire Cape, Frozen Heart
Tip: Illaoi is the perfect Anima frontline - she generates Tech while tanking, meaning you do not need to sacrifice frontline strength to build Anima stacks. Field her as your primary tank from Stage 2 onward in any Anima build.
Sona - Commander, Psionic, Shepherd
The best support unit in Set 17 and arguably the most valuable 3-cost in the set. Sona activates Commander (a free Command Mod every 2 rounds to alter any ally-s behavior), Psionic (a free unique Psionic item), AND Shepherd (contributing to Bia and Bayin summons). Three massive bonuses from one support unit. Never put damage items on Sona - support items only.
Position: Back row - keep her alive at all costs
Items: Redemption, Chalice of Power, Zekes Herald
Tip: Sona is irreplaceable in Shepherd and Psionic comps. The Command Mods she generates every 2 rounds can be applied to your primary carry to dramatically improve their targeting behavior in combat.
Urgot - Mecha, Brawler, Marauder
A 3-cost unit with the stats of a 5-cost when transformed. Urgot activates Mecha, Brawler, AND Marauder - and in his Mecha form he gains +60% HP on top of the already massive Brawler HP bonus. His overheal from Marauder converts to a shield stack. At 2-star in Mecha form, Urgot becomes one of the most durable units in the game. Remember: transformed Urgot takes up 2 board slots.
Position: Front row (2 board slots when transformed)
Items: Warmogs Armor, Titans Resolve, Dragon Claw
Tip: When running Urgot in Mecha comps, plan your board space in advance. At Stage 4+ you need to accommodate his 2-slot transformed form while keeping 6-8 other units on the board. Level to 8 or 9 before transforming him.
4 Cost Champions
4 cost units are the primary power spike of Set 17. Most comps aim to hit their key 4-cost carry at 2-star around Stage 4-1 to 4-2. These are your bread-and-butter late-game carries that define your comp-s identity and win condition.
Key 4-cost units to know:
Aurelion Sol - Mecha, Channeler
The premier AP carry of Set 17 and the centerpiece of Mecha builds. In his transformed Mecha form, Aurelion Sol gains +60% bonus Health and an upgraded AoE star breath ability. Channeler gives him 20% extra mana from all sources, meaning he casts his devastating breath attack constantly. Mecha Energy Cells add +20-35% AP on top of his already high AP scaling. 2-star Aurelion Sol is the breakpoint where Mecha comps become dominant.
Position: Back row (2 board slots when transformed)
Items: Blue Buff, Rabadons Deathcap, Spear of Shojin
Tip: Prioritize finding Aurelion Sol at level 7-8 rolling. At 2-star in Mecha form with Blue Buff, he casts his ability so frequently that he effectively deals permanent AoE damage to the entire enemy team.
LeBlanc - Arbiter, Shepherd
LeBlanc activates Arbiter (4) for significantly stronger divine law effects AND Shepherd for Bia and Bayin summons. Her clone-based burst mage kit with AP items makes her a genuine damage threat in the 4-cost window. Run her in Arbiter builds when you want to upgrade your law from the basic (2) version to the powerful (4) version.
Position: Back row
Items: Rabadons Deathcap, Jeweled Gauntlet, Spear of Shojin
Tip: If you are running Arbiter (2) and find LeBlanc, immediately upgrade to Arbiter (4). The law effects become dramatically stronger and LeBlanc also contributes to Shepherd summons simultaneously.
Nami - Space Groove, Replicator
A sleeper pick that becomes exceptional in the right build. Nami activates Space Groove for Groove sustain AND Replicator which makes her healing and buff abilities fire a second time at 25-50% effectiveness. This means every heal she casts echoes - giving your team double healing per fight. In sustain-focused Space Groove comps she can keep your entire team alive through fights that other comps would lose.
Position: Back row
Items: Redemption, Chalice of Power
Tip: Nami with Redemption and Replicator (4) essentially gives your team triple healing per fight - her ability fires, echoes once from Replicator, and Redemption provides additional passive healing simultaneously.
5 Cost Champions
5 cost champions are the pinnacle of Set 17. These are your primary late-game win conditions. They only appear in shops at level 8 and 9. A 2-star 5-cost defines your comp-s ceiling and a 3-star 5-cost is virtually unbeatable in any fair fight.
Key 5-cost units to know:
Jhin - Dark Star, Eradicator, Sniper - The #1 Carry
Jhin is the single best carry in TFT Set 17 and the primary win condition of Dark Star builds. He benefits from three separate damage amplifiers stacking simultaneously: the Dark Star Black Hole executes enemies below 10% HP, Eradicator permanently reduces all enemy Armor and Magic Resist by 14%, and Sniper Damage Amp scales with the distance between Jhin and his target. Position him in the far back corner for maximum Sniper amplification and let these three bonuses compound into devastating total damage output.
Position: Far back corner - maximize distance for Sniper amp
Items: Infinity Edge, Last Whisper, Deathblade
Tip: Always position Jhin in the absolute farthest corner from the enemy team. Every hex of distance adds to his Sniper Damage Amp. Combined with Dark Star execute and Eradicator shred, 2-star Jhin with these items will one-shot most units in the game.
Fiora - Divine Duelist, Anima, Marauder
Fiora-s Divine Duelist trait makes her literally incapable of losing a 1v1 duel against any unit in the game. This is hardcoded - not a chance-based mechanic. Every time she wins a duel, you also heal 15% of the player damage you dealt. Anima contributes to Tech generation and Marauder gives Omnivamp where overheal converts to shields. Position Fiora directly toward the enemy-s strongest carry. She wins the duel, you heal HP, they lose their main damage dealer.
Position: Mid row - front-adjacent toward enemy carry
Items: Infinity Edge, Quicksilver, Guinsoos Rageblade
Tip: Fiora is the best unit in the game for clawing back HP. After an early loss streak, fielding Fiora and winning the next few fights with her duel heals can recover 20-30 HP worth of damage. She is also excellent against tanks because her Marauder Omnivamp sustains her through prolonged fights.
Blitzcrank - Party Animal, Space Groove, Vanguard
The most unique frontline unit in Set 17. Party Animal makes Blitzcrank untargetable below 45% HP, repairing 15% HP per second until full health - and if he heals to full he enters The Groove and fires Party Crasher bolts four times as fast for the rest of the fight. Vanguard gives him a massive shield twice per combat at (6). His Rocket Grab pulls the farthest enemy unit directly into your frontline, completely disrupting backline-dependent opponents.
Position: Front row corner
Items: Warmogs Armor, Gargoyle Stoneplate, Dragon Claw
Tip: Rocket Grab is one of the strongest disruption tools in TFT. Always position Blitzcrank in the corner farthest from the enemy carry - his hook will pull that carry directly into your frontline where your frontliners can destroy them immediately.
Sona (5-cost) - Commander, Psionic, Shepherd
Wait - Sona is listed as both a 3-cost and a 5-cost? That-s correct. The 5-cost version of Sona is dramatically more powerful than the 3-cost version. Same traits but at 2-star she generates Command Mods faster, her Psionic items are stronger, and her Shepherd star level contribution is significantly higher. If you already have 3-star Sona and find the 5-cost version, upgrade immediately.
Position: Back row - never front row
Items: Redemption, Chalice of Power, Zekes Herald
Tip: 5-cost Sona is one of the most important units to hit in Shepherd comps. At 2-star she contributes enormous star level to Bia and Bayin-s power. Always keep support items on her - she should never be your damage dealer.
Special Units: Hero Augment Champions and Summons
Set 17 features several units that cannot be bought from the shop in the traditional way.
Zed - Galaxy Hunter (Hero Augment Only)
Zed is obtained exclusively through the Invader Zed Hero Augment - not from the shop. While at least one clone is alive, Zed gains 40% bonus Attack Damage. His clones multiply infinitely during combat, each retaining a percentage of his stats. The critical rule: if the ORIGINAL Zed dies, every single clone vanishes instantly. Build Guardian Angel first, then Quicksilver. Position him in the very back row surrounded by frontline. If you find this augment, build your entire comp around it.
Tip: Guardian Angel on Zed is mandatory - it is not optional. The moment the original Zed dies you lose every clone simultaneously. GA gives him a second life which is often enough to flood the board with an unstoppable army.
Bia and Bayin - Shepherd Summons
Bia and Bayin are a mother-daughter duo summoned by the Shepherd class. Bia arrives at (3) Shepherd, Bayin at (5), and at (7) their bond deepens. Their power scales with the total star level of all your Shepherd units. 3-starring cheap Shepherds like Teemo, Meepsie, and Sona dramatically amplifies both summons. Plan your Shepherd comp around reaching high total star levels efficiently - they are worth the investment.
Primordian Swarmlings
Spawned by the Primordian origin when your Primordian units deal damage. At (3) Primordian you also gain a free random 1 or 2-cost champion each round. Swarmlings serve as board fodder in early and mid-game, protecting your backline while your carries scale. 8% of damage Swarmlings take also converts to damage dealt - giving them surprising contribution in sustained fights.
More TFT Set 17 Guides
All Traits Explained - Origins and Classes
Realm of the Gods Mechanic Guide
Climb Faster with EB24
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