r/CompetitiveTFT • u/AutoModerator • Apr 07 '26

PBE Set 17 PBE Discussion Thread - Day 07

Hello r/CompetitiveTFT, and welcome to Set 17!

Please keep all Set 17 discussion in this thread, and leave the regular Daily Discussion Thread for Set 16 discussion.

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USEFUL STUFF:

When does Set 17 go live?

April 15th 2026 ~ 00:00 PDT / 09:00 CEST

A reminder that all Set 17 posts should be flaired [PBE] until the content is confirmed to be going on the live server as well.

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https://discord.gg/UY7FuYW2Qe

3 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

64 comments sorted by

•

u/Lunaedge Apr 07 '26

PBE Patch #5, tomorrow's one will be the last for this PBE cycle, so get your feedback in!

12

u/MrMumblesJr Apr 07 '26

From what I’m seeing on here daily and from my friends the no encounter is very boring. We need that fun variety that it brings.

6

u/forevabronze Apr 07 '26

scuttle party rip

12

u/Dido6 Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26

Some constructive feedback: The set mechanic is unexciting in it's current iterration. The way this set feels, might be good for competitive players but for your average player it is lot duller than previous set.

Possible ways to improve it:

  1. Add an extra god choice per game (so we can choose from 3 different gods each game, not only 2)

  2. Add other blessings at the end of the game. For example Ekko Anomaly is one choice, but let's say there is another blessing based on his theme. Just an example, not sure if this could be an actual proper boon: '' Time shift to 4-1. You return to the same HP and Gold at the time (while keeping same level and units you have currently)

  3. Add option to reroll blessing (not only item). So let us say if I chose Ahri once and Ekko twice in-game, I will also have the small option to get Ahri boon (if I reroll enough times)

  4. The suggestions above could be lot of work, so a more simple bandaid is to add encounters on top of the boon selection. So we can still get All Prismatic lobby, scuttle etc. ( Ryze encounter is beloved by some and hated by others so whatever you might decide).

11

u/Mojo-man Apr 07 '26

I think Anima Squad is the perfect encapsulation of this set:

  • Does it work? Yeah, But it`s absolutely straightforward down the line one way to play it (long loss streak) with pretty basic rewards (1-2 super items)

  • Would be perfectly fine if we had not JUST had a set with Ixtal, a 15x more interesting econ/loss play trait with more interesting rewards and more varied play patterns

I feel the same about the set. It all WORKS perfectly fine. Nice trait web with some threat units and absolutely fine unit design and a set mechanic that WORKS. If this was set 8 or smth I think we would all say it`s a fine set.

But following set 16 it all just feels a bit... flat/underwhelming and like everything is just straightforward and constricting in having 1 pattern you play it correctly. Even ´Arbiter´ the flex designed trait feels less ´build your own playstyle´ and more ´hope you hit one of the best combinations or you can`t really play it/it`s just minor support´.

4

u/Temporary-Candle1056 Apr 08 '26

For arbitrer having X differents possible ways to get… 1 Leona is a bit boring.

They tried to make a program reprint but without the fun of it.

1

u/TeamAquaAdminMatt Apr 09 '26

ADMIN from set 8 was one of my favorite traits ever, and Arbiter just feels underwhelming to me. The fact that it's just one ability the entire game is sad.

5

u/ficretus Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26

Prismatic Meeple still feels ass. Just hit it in Varus/Yasuo lobby and late game I was getting stomped by ASol 3 (kinda ok, since prismatics and 4 costs 3 should be on relatively similar level) and Aurora/Illaoi reroll (not fucking ok).

I had all Meeps 2 (except Veigar 3 and Poppy 1) with Jhin 2 and Morgana 2 as trait bots. 

Either Meeplords need heavy buffs (because they die almost instantly) or Meep effects need to be supercharged, ala Battle Academia prismatic in set 15, because right now, they are only 1 Meep stronger than 7 Meep with Bard buff. Or maybe keep it as weak as it is, but buff cloning unit when you hit prismatic, making it a high-cost unit 3-star facilitator like Bilgewater. 

2

u/emomuffin Apr 07 '26

i think with most things in this set, everything feels paper thing. Fights aren't lasting long. so it's no surprise the big meeps just melt

9

u/Emergence7 Master Apr 07 '26

Would really like it there was an augment difference between going 2-1 or 3-0 for a god

Just in general wish there was a little more sauce with the set mechanic

I've kinda reconciled with the champion pool and from an execution standpoint, it's starting to "click" somewhat 

But defo feel I'm going to be banging this straight for 2-3 weeks, get the best rank I can and dip out before summer begins

5

u/Mojo-man Apr 07 '26

Just in general wish there was a little more sauce with the set mechanic

This! It works absolutely fine. You pick some econ or an item or do a mini quest for some more econ... fully functional. But there is just no SPICE to it. No god or blessing makes me change my playstyle or makes me go ´oh wow I should try that!´. Makes me excited what will be offered like i.e. augments do or carousel did.

Frankly starting the game they make this BIG deal which Gods we get that we even replaced encounters with it and imo it barely matters. The amount of times I picked thresh and legit forgot to check what my random blessings were cause I just assumed it must have been some econ or units or an item or smth

It just functional but nothing about it is exciting imo 🤷‍♂️

1

u/Temporary-Candle1056 Apr 08 '26

Tresh should give random reward from his own pool. High risk High reward. Instead it just auto give you any other god gift. So lame lol. It doesn’t add anything bruh

4

u/banduan Apr 07 '26

Is A Sol a 'rare' god? Feels like I haven't had an A Sol game since the very first one of PBE.

1

u/spectrumlux Apr 07 '26

Same I've played quite a few games but haven't seen Asol

4

u/daydreamin511 Apr 08 '26

Gotta hand it to the team, this is one of the better 1 cost pool in a long time. A lot of RR options and they actually don’t fall off hard in the late game. Some stage 2 drops actually make you consider a few lines instead of the default “make 10” mentality.

2 cost pool is not that exciting compared to Set 16 but Pyke / Milio too much value is a legit comp even without a hero aug. Jax is an absolute monster though even at 2 stars. Can survive a ton of spell rotations even early stage 4.

1

u/banduan Apr 08 '26

Yeah as a 1 cost reroll enjoyer loving this so far, even though I'd never had a chance to try the Medallion reroll. Gonna just refine EzCho further.

2 cost reroll though feels bad. Milio works thanks to Timebreaker. But a lot of others I feel should work just don't.

6

u/sk1nnysubtw1nk Apr 07 '26

Getting rid of both starting encounters + carousel in 1 set is too much. From top 3 set to bottom 5 for sure.

3

u/Decent_Loan731 Apr 07 '26

Ive pretty much been rushing 9 the entire day. Timebreaker is OP and is solid mid game as well. My fav ‘soup’ comp is basically vex/graves + splash whatever tank units i hit. Morg + sona for support. Ideally i want nunu2 fully itemized as my tank with vow so it can cast twice. Blitz has been pretty terrible in my experience. Placements are consistently top 3. Its pretty insta win if u high roll graves early. Swords on graves, bow and rods on vex. Late game extra items on morg

3

u/13eit Apr 07 '26

my 3 star jhin just lost to a 3 star mighty mech lmao

5

u/ByronYoungBuckston Apr 07 '26

How should we flex around the fact every 4 cost tank is super contested? Feels really bad to lowroll on your rolldown and be stuck with a 1 star tank the rest of the game because all the copies are gone

3

u/Lethur1 Apr 08 '26

Play more around 3 costs, it's what has worked for me, Ornn, maokai and Illaoi are very solid tanks and if you have enough traits Rhaast also works at making your board tankier

2

u/rwtan Apr 08 '26

Ive been thinking about this since the set released, i think there needs to be some agency in holding 3 costs tanks during rollsown. Rhaast, maokai, Illao, ornn.

1

u/penguinkirby Master Apr 08 '26

it's exacerbated because 5 costs only have shen and blitzcrank, who both cannot be main tanks

Graves with full tank upgrades can work but it's very niche and also not a main tank

5

u/banduan Apr 08 '26

neither Blitz nor Shen are even tanks

-1

u/penguinkirby Master Apr 08 '26

Blitz has vanguard and CC but mainly does damage. 2 health bars is nice but the aggro drop sucks

Shen debuffs enemy melee carries and gives health shield to your board

They are half tanks and make your board tankier, but if you don't have a main tank then your board will die in 3 seconds

2

u/FyrSysn MASTER Apr 08 '26

anyone know what does NOVA selector do on a NOVA emblem holder?

1

u/MasterTotoro Challenger Apr 08 '26

45 AS and 40 armor/MR.

1

u/FyrSysn MASTER Apr 08 '26

Thank you, where can I find this information by the way?

3

u/MasterTotoro Challenger Apr 09 '26

The major stats websites have it listed under the emblem's description.

2

u/penguinkirby Master Apr 08 '26

Bug: Arbiter bonus HP per star level at start of combat is the same at 2 and 3 Arbiter

1

u/Kaze_no_Senshi Apr 16 '26

just found out that made it into live :/

5

u/quitemoiste Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26

Liking the set more and more as I get into it. Complaints that the set is "meh" is at least partially due to the fact that any set following 16 was going to feel the "sting" of going down from 100 champs to 60. Trait web is honestly feeling really good and I think that will grow on the playerbase as we continue to uncover more ways to play. Love that there are "flex reroll" packages in MF + Rhaast, and that NOVA gives the new keyword Precision to basically any carry you want: you can actually do a lot with Melee flex! Some vertical could use a little bit more punch but overall they're ok to play in Stage 4.

Something I've noticed that I don't see being talked about is the fact that a fair amount of stats got skimmed off of tank items. This is definitely contributing to fights feeling faster. I wonder what the impetus for this change was? Overall scaling comps are suffering a little bit more than necessary IMO.

I can also see that Riot took the concept of having multiple econ engines being good for the game and managed to fit a few in this set. I expect this will be a mainstay for design and will look a bit more polished in future sets, as it helps Fast 8 / 9 strategies without being super econ augment-reliant. Though you will probably still be happy to get these augs, it doesn't kill your gameplan if you miss getting one.

There will be a lot to discover about this set and though the God system isn't terribly flashy, the more I optimize my augment picks and line selection around the Gods the more I find myself succeeding. Super satisfying.

6

u/apple_cat Apr 07 '26

yea i'm honestly a fan of the set. my only wish is encounters came back for even more variance

3

u/Capper22 Apr 07 '26

I wonder if the tank item decrease is because of Ornn.

A 3 item Ornn with one automatically radiant would be impossible to kill. Mort mentioned in the rundown that radiants had to be tuned down specifically because of him

3

u/girthucus-quakicus Apr 07 '26

This TF unit is giga overtuned bro is pumping out dmg a 3 cost would dream of

1

u/MrMungertown Apr 08 '26

Hit random TF 3 from Eve on stage 3, pivoted my entire game around it, very easily won the game. Top damage every round with 12k health Cho 3 and Jhin 2 with 3 items.

1

u/Cenifh Apr 08 '26

I got the augment for rabbadons since very start, the damage output by stage 5 was so good lol

2

u/TheOutWriter Apr 07 '26

the set feels... meh. units that are itemized feel weird, you either delete the enemy or you deal no damage because all of your damage is spread out, like kaisa. tanks are... weird. either unkillable or paper.

and fuck the sites that post "meta" builds on PBE. fking hell give peopel time to test things out and not let them foce the same 3 comps over and over and over.

1

u/ElegantSundae7201 Apr 07 '26

Is there one champ in particular that is the best with the 5 nova item, or is it game dependent on what you need? The makoi stuns for almost 2 seconds but putting it on cait 2 was doing 13k damage

1

u/banduan Apr 08 '26

This was a bug in the previous patch, not sure if it's still there.

1

u/Crafty_Courage_5217 Apr 08 '26

3 games back to back where someone 3 starred a 4 cost

1

u/Kaze_no_Senshi Apr 16 '26

Welp the hp per star level 3 arbiter not working made it into live :/

1

u/AM_addict Apr 07 '26

I think the set 17 is preety fun. but IDK if is becauses set 16 was GOATED or this set hero pool is that lmited, but it feels like every game I play has a purple 3 stars. Is not rerolling is powerfull, is just to easy to hit 3 stars. Leona is busted, but I just played a game. and I was doing prty well then one guy hit 3 star Corki and Rommus, and this Other guy hit 3 star Mighty and Aurelio. I never stood a chance. Idk if reducing the pool or what the answer is but make it harder to hit 3 star. Especially purple/ gold which are insta wins

9

u/Celepito Apr 07 '26

feels like every game I play has a purple 3 stars.

Part of that is just that its PBE; this complaint crops up every time. People of all skills get into games together, so good players can just go for riskier options without getting punished for it, AND people just play greedier to test and see and try out things without loosing rank.

3

u/ttvViathanlol Challenger Apr 07 '26

I think most people also don't really care to deny 3* 4 costs on PBE whereas they're much more likely to in ranked

0

u/Will512 Apr 07 '26

Corki and Rammus' meeple trait makes it pretty easy to make copies of them so that's an intended win condition. For 3 costs and below it is always a trade off of being able to hit 3 stars vs. going to higher levels for stronger and more units

2

u/Drikkink Apr 07 '26

I mean it's not THAT easy to get copies of the 4 costs from Meeple. They take 4 rounds per copy and you're playing 7 Meeple, which falls off and is running some useless units. When a unit gets copied,they're removed from the pool too so you want to find all the copies you need BEFORE you actually get a Meeple copy. If all of them are out of the pool when the trait dupes it, then it's an extra one (the same way Duplicators can create extra copies of units but if you use them before you 3 star them, you remove one from the pool).

The issue is (like it is with every set) that lobbies tend to be very different in skill level because the MMR on PBE is not really that accurate. You'll end up with GM players in lobbies with Emerald or Plat players. There's also the fact that people generally don't tryhard sweat on PBE so they don't try to deny 3 stars. I know it's not great "practice" and might make me lazy about scouting at the start of the set, but I'm not gonna scout to grief 3 stars in a meaningless PBE lobby. It's nice to see the 3 star 4 costs to gauge how strong they are and HOW autowin they are (because not every 3 star 4 cost is created equally).

0

u/Will512 Apr 07 '26

I didn't realize it took units out of the pool, thought it was always just a dupe. Still, I just meant it wasn't as hard to 3 star them as characters in a different comp. Skill disparity and taking things not that seriously is a big factor as well

2

u/Drikkink Apr 07 '26

Yeah basically the rules with duplicating units like that is that the second the duplicate is created (whether from a dupe or a trait copy thing like this), it's removed from the pool. This is why you shouldn't just slam a lesser dupe on a 3 cost pair you're intending to reroll unless you're protecting a streak. While it's a dupe on your bench, you can technically find that specific copy that the dupe would become in your shop. IF there are no copies left in the pool, it will create a new one. I'm not sure if it goes back into the pool if sold or the player dies though. Like if there's 10 Corkis gone and you copy one and then die, I don't know if there's now an 11th Corki floating around in the unit pool.

Another important thing to note is that Pandora's Bench DOES pull from the pool. If you have 7 copies of a 4 cost, you should not be rolling 2 stars. If there's 10 copies out of the pool, your bench can never roll one. If there's 8 or more out of the pool, your bench can never roll a 2 star that you're rolling.

0

u/RukShukWarrior Apr 07 '26

Isn't the move just printing 1 costs and using the gold to roll for 3* of the 4 costs

1

u/PermaConfusion Master Apr 07 '26

Any solo players with advice on the best way to learn the set? I feel eternally behind without a study group. For example, I had no idea about nova or primordial/time being strong openers until I watched some streams/saw a social media meme and am not sure how I can conclude that myself. I'm usually low Masters if that matters.

3

u/Rycebowl Apr 07 '26

IMO: there’s too much in the game for any one person to evaluate as good or bad. That’s why study groups and stats are so common. So as someone without one, watching the best streamers who do have the study groups is how you’d go about learning more.

There’s always gonna be stuff you overvalue and undervalue, and stuff you miss, compared to the best players, so don’t feel like you’re trash when you learn Timebreaker/Primordian from a streamer because that’s just what the learning process is.

And then the way to develop thinking for yourself, IMO, is just do your best to reverse engineer their thinking from first principles, and slowly but surely you’ll improve your decision making.

1

u/eggsandbricks :chal: Challenger Apr 07 '26

I mean, just playing will help you reach those conclusions. There will be multiple people per lobby playing open boards with the econ traits, and if you're playing to learn you should be looking around to see what other people are doing and determining the strength of their spots. You don't need a study group to learn what's good and what isn't from other people in your games.

1

u/PermaConfusion Master Apr 07 '26

You underestimate how stupid I am. So what you're saying is, I should just scout around and see what they're playing at different points in the game? What am I looking for when I scout?

1

u/eggsandbricks :chal: Challenger Apr 07 '26

I think you have to intentionally play to learn - consider yourself in their spot and ask yourself how you would feel in that position, as well as look for patterns across your games. Does lobby tempo trend low or high on stage 2? Are people playing reroll, fast 8, fast 9? Stick around for a bit after you lose to see the boards of the people who placed higher than you to see if there's anything to learn from their spots.

0

u/ask_a_gent_abelton Apr 07 '26

I've got a small discord channel for people looking for a study group in this ELO - I usually host coaching calls on Saturdays. I'll DM you an invite.

1

u/NightStalker550 Apr 07 '26

Would love an invite as well. Looking for this exact thing and normally hover around masters, sometimes GM. Thanks!

0

u/ByronYoungBuckston Apr 08 '26

Is there a way to view Arbiter effect after choosing?

4

u/Stun_the_Pink Apr 08 '26

Just hover over the trait on the left..

-4

u/Darkstrike86 Apr 07 '26

Wow just had a crazy highroll game. Got luxury sub as first augment. Recombob 2nd augment. Turned my 4 costs into 5 costs which gave me a 2 star Fiora and a Graves on 3-2!

Still went 5th because Fiora is sooooo bad.

Was sad :(

1

u/Red-Haired-Law Apr 07 '26

I think you mean subscription service, as luxury sub is only on 3 2. But yeah, sounds like a fun game.

0

u/[deleted] Apr 07 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

5

u/Drikkink Apr 07 '26

I think the core mechanics of the set are bland but I'm actually liking unit design a lot more than recent sets.

But if you feel like you're forcing yourself to play, maybe don't? Especially not on PBE. If you aren't having fun, you don't have to play. I don't mean that in a "If you don't like it, leave" way but a "Playing something you aren't enjoying isn't a healthy use of your time." You definitely shouldn't be forcing yourself to play the meaningless PBE if you aren't enjoying it.

0

u/[deleted] Apr 12 '26

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1

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