From the opening carousel, you’re already selecting your first item component and building your lineup. Without a Reforger, which is only found in very few games, the item components that you choose are permanent. This makes your selections a very important part of every game. Like in League of Legends, knowing which items are likely to be most effective can often be the key to success.
This list is ranking the overall usefulness of an item component by measuring the power of the items they create. However, if you need a particular item component to complete a specific item, then that component is more powerful than anything else. Use this list as a guide to selecting your item components, but also keep in mind the selection of Champions that you are fielding.
9/9 Sparring Gloves
Beginning with the weakest item component to seek out, we have the Sparring Gloves. This component is ranked so low because of its lack of utility in many situations. This is particularly true in the case of the Theif’s Gloves (two Sparring Gloves).
When an item component is weak when combined with itself, it becomes much less desirable to have. Thief’s Gloves are generally not a top-tier item, as they are unreliable and random. However, the Jeweled Gauntlet (Sparring Gloves + Needlessly Large Rod) and Shroud of Stillness (Sparring Gloves + Chain Vest) can both contribute well to many lineups.
8/9 Chain Vest
Unlike the Sparring Gloves, the Chain Vest is excellent when two are combined together. The Bramble Vest is a best-in-slot item for many tank Champions. With +30 armor, reduction of incoming critical strike damage, and the ability to deal damage when struck, the Bramble Vest can turn a frontline Champion into a meaty tank.
Sunfire Cape (Chain Vest + Giant’s Belt), Gargoyle Stoneplate (Chain Vest + Negatron Cloak), and Locket of the Iron Solari (Chain Vest + Needlessly Large Rod) are all solid choices for your frontline. While the Chain Vest can make a lot of decent items, none of them will single-handedly win you the game.
7/9 Negatron Cloak
The Negatron Cloak is used to build two of the best items in the game, the Runaan’s Hurricane (Negatron Cloak + Recurve Bow) and Dragon’s Claw. Runaan’s Hurrican is excellent for damage dealers who specialize in Attack Damage. While the Dragon’s Claw is one of the best tank items, and even better, it’s made with two Negatron Cloaks.
With the versatility to make both damage and tank items, the Negatron Cloak is an excellent choice if you aren’t committed to any build yet. At the beginning of a game when you are still deciding on your Champions, or if there is nothing else, grab a Negatron Cloak.
6/9 Needlessly Large Rod
When fielding Champions that dominate the battlefield through their abilities, the Needlessly Large Rod is undoubtedly part of their item build. However, the downside to the Needlessly Large Rod is that it makes items that are either feast or famine. The items that it can make are either top-tier or are better off forgotten.
Ionic Spark (Needlessly Large Rod + Negatron Cloak) is one the best items in the game, and we already praised the power of the Jeweled Gauntlet. While on the other side of the coin, Archangel’s Staff (Needlessly Large Rod + Tear of the Goddess) and Rabadon’s Deathcap (two Needlessly Large Rods) are two of the least powerful items.
5/9 Giant’s Belt
With the Giant’s Belt, you can build four different top-tier tank items. In addition, it’s also used to build a strong Attack Damage item and a solid Ability Damage item. The Giant’s Belt versatility is part of why it is powerful, but tank Champions can always use more.
Nearly all tank Champions want a Sunfire Cape (Giant’s Belt + Chain Vest), Warmog’s Armor (two Giant’s Belts), or Zz’Rot Portal (Giant’s Belt + Recurve Bow). Attack Damage dealers would love a Zeke’s Herald (Giant’s Belt + B.F. Sword) and Morellonomicon (Giant’s Belt + Needlessly Large Rod) is the best item for certain mages.
4/9 Recurve Bow
Runaan’s Hurrican and Zz’Rot Portal are just two of the items that make the Recurve Bow great. Giant Slayer (Recurve Bow + B.F. Sword) and Guinsoo’s Rageblade (Recurve Bow + Needlessly Large Rod) are also two of the best items in the game for Attack Damage Champions.
One of the few downsides to the Recurve Bow is that it’s generally bad for Ability Damage Champions and tanks (aside from Zz’Rot Portal). In addition, two Recurve Bows make a Rapid Firecannon, which is generally not a sought out item.
3/9 B.F. Sword
The B.F. Sword is required for three of the highest-tier items in Teamfight Tactics. Giant Slayer, Spear of Shojin (B.F. Sword + Tear of the Goddess), and Edge of Night (B.F. Sword + Chain Vest) can all be game-changing when equipped on the right Champions.
All three of these items can win the game, but they are all for widely different Champions. Giant Slayer is perfect in the hands of Champions who focus on Attack Damage, Ability Damager dealers should consider building Spear of Shojin, and Edge of Night is great for frontliners.
2/9 Tear Of The Goddess
If your lineup is centered around an Ability Damage Champion, you will definitely need at least one Tear of the Goddess. Not only is it used in a Spear of Shojin, but it is also vital for Chalice of Power (Tear of the Goddess + Negatron Cloak), Hand of Justice (Tear of the Goddess + Sparring Gloves), and Blue Buff (two Tears of the Goddess).
Focused mainly on Ability Damage, the Tear of the Goddess is a central component for items that your mages need to carry you to victory. All of these items are among the top three best for many Champions, so you should make them early and often.
1/9 Spatula
This final entry is a bit of a cheat because the Spatula is incredibly rare and isn’t able to be acquired in most games. However, if you can get your hands on a Spatula, you should almost always grab it immediately. The Spatula is the pivotable component in all Emblems, unique items that provide Champion Traits.
Emblems can give your lineup a very strong advantage, as they can give your team Traits without requiring a Champion slot. While Emblems are excellent when used in the proper circumstance, nothing beats a Tactician’s Crown (an item made from two Spatulas that allows your team to field an extra Champion).
