TL;DR
- Ranked system hard reset with 5-game placements instead of 10-game system
- Ocean/Warden synergy becomes dominant frontline with Thresh & Nautilus buffs
- Three-star Tier 2 & 3 champions receive massive damage scaling improvements
- Shadow and Glacial traits nerfed but remain viable in specific compositions
- Ionic Spark, Frozen Heart, and Iceborne Gauntlet receive significant stat reductions

Teamfight Tactics welcomes its first major ranked reset with Patch 9.23, marking the competitive debut of Set 2: Rise of the Elements. This update represents a critical juncture for players adapting to the completely overhauled gameplay introduced in Patch 9.22.
The transition to Set 2 brought fundamental changes including entirely new unit rosters, synergy systems, and class mechanics. Riot Games implemented a two-week adaptation period before executing a hard ranked reset, returning all players to Iron tier regardless of previous standings. The placement system now requires only five games to establish initial rankings rather than the traditional ten-game system used in Summoner’s Rift.
During placement matches, players enjoy protected LP status – finishing fifth or lower won’t cost LP, while fourth place or better guarantees LP gains. This streamlined approach helps players quickly establish their competitive footing in the new elemental landscape.
New cosmetic options arrive with Series 5 True Damage Little Legends, available for direct purchase at 750 RP each for Ossia, Melisma, and QiQi variants. Random series five eggs offer alternative acquisition methods at 490 RP per egg.
Traits changes in Patch 9.23
Ocean compositions receive strategically significant mana generation enhancements that benefit entire team compositions, not just Ocean-affiliated units. The trait now provides:
- Ocean mana per second: 15/30/50 ⇒ 15/35/60
The mana regeneration applies globally to all allied champions, making Ocean an exceptional support trait. Wardens also gain substantial defensive improvements:
- Warden bonus armor: 125%/275%/450% ⇒ 150%/300%/450%
These modifications create powerful synergy opportunities for Thresh and Nautilus, who possess both Ocean and Warden traits. This dual-class combination establishes an incredibly durable frontline that synergizes with multiple composition archetypes.
- Thresh Ability Shield: 200/300/400 ⇒ 250/400/600
The Thresh-Nautilus partnership eliminates wasted trait bonuses while providing exceptional crowd control and survivability. Optimal strategy involves equipping these champions with defensive items like Warmog’s Armor or Dragon’s Claw, pursuing three-star upgrades, and building complementary backline damage around them. These frontline anchors work effectively with Mages, Summoners, Rangers, or even Assassin compositions.
Conversely, Shadow and Glacial traits undergo necessary power reductions. Shadow had emerged as the dominant early-game strategy in Patch 9.22 due to its substantial damage amplification.
- Shadow bonus damage: 50%/100% ⇒ 45%/85%
Facing six-Glacial compositions proved particularly frustrating, especially when Olaf was included in the formation.
- Glacial stun chance: 20%/40%/60% ⇒ 20%/35%/50%
Two-Glacial setups remain reliable for crowd control, but pursuing the full six-unit bonus delivers diminished returns. Both traits maintain viability but operate within more balanced power parameters.

Three-star scaling adjusted in Patch 9.23
Previously, pursuing three-star upgrades represented a high-cost investment with questionable returns. Most players focused exclusively on one-cost units due to their economic efficiency and respectable scaling. Patch 9.23 dramatically improves the value proposition for higher-cost three-star champions, specifically targeting Tier 2 and Tier 3 units.
The comprehensive adjustments include:
Tier 2
- Jax Damage: 150/250/350 ⇒ 150/250/450
- Leblanc Damage: 200/450/700 ⇒ 200/450/800
- Neeko Damage: 100/200/300 ⇒ 100/200/350
- Syndra Damage: 175/350/525 ⇒ 175/350/600
- Thresh Shield: 250/400/550 ⇒ 250/400/600
- Volibear Damage: 200/450/700 ⇒ 200/450/850
Tier 3
- Aatrox Damage: 250/500/750 ⇒ 250/500/1000
- Ezreal Damage: 200/400/600 ⇒ 200/400/800
- Kindred Damage: 150/325/500 ⇒ 150/325/650
- Nautilus Stun Duration: 3/4/5 ⇒3/4/6
- Nautilus Damage: 100/200/300 ⇒ 100/200/400
- Sion Damage: 200/400/600 ⇒ 200/400/800
Thresh and Nautilus receive compounded benefits from these three-star improvements alongside their Ocean and Warden trait buffs. This positions them among the most powerful individual units available in Patch 9.23.
Item changes in Patch 9.23
Three previously dominant items undergo significant nerfs to rebalance the meta. Ionic Spark served as a consistent damage source that players frequently stacked triple copies on single champions to maximize passive damage output.
- Ionic Spark Damage: 100 ⇒ 90
Frozen Heart and Iceborne Gauntlet previously countered attack-speed focused compositions effectively. Their impact sees substantial reduction:
- Iceborne Gauntlet Attack Speed Slow: 35% ⇒ 25%
- Frozen Heart Attack Speed Slow: 35% ⇒ 25%
While stacking multiple copies remains a viable strategy, the required item investment now carries greater opportunity cost.
Action Checklist
- Complete 5 placement matches to establish initial ranked position
- Experiment with Ocean/Warden frontline using Thresh and Nautilus
- Test three-star Tier 2 & 3 champions in controlled environments
- Adjust itemization away from nerfed Ionic Spark/Frozen Heart
- Analyze Shadow/Glacial composition performance post-nerf
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » TFT Patch 9.23 resets ranked, adds True Damage Little Legends Master TFT Patch 9.23 meta changes with ranked reset strategies, trait adjustments, and three-star optimization
