TL;DR
- Sparring Gloves introduces 8 new items with adaptive offensive/defensive scaling
- Critical item reworks include Infinity Edge changes and Sword of Divine removal
- Neeko’s Help provides strategic unit duplication with specific usage constraints
- New items create powerful counters to Yordle and crowd control compositions
- Strategic item prioritization becomes crucial for early vs late game optimization

The upcoming TFT update represents a fundamental shift in itemization strategy, introducing the versatile Sparring Gloves component that enables eight distinct build paths. This expansion significantly diversifies strategic options beyond the previous limited item pool.
Riot Games continues their aggressive development cycle for Teamfight Tactics, building upon recent additions like new origins and trait reworks. The item system overhaul addresses critical gaps in build diversity while introducing counter-play mechanics against dominant compositions.
Patch 9.18 delivers comprehensive item changes including major Infinity Edge reworks, Sword of Divine removal, and the game’s first consumable item. These changes fundamentally alter how players approach both early game economy and late game composition building.
The Sparring Gloves foundation enables adaptive stat scaling based on final item selection, creating unprecedented flexibility in champion itemization. Understanding these mechanics separates average players from strategic masters in the evolving TFT landscape.
New Items added to TFT in patch 9.18
Sparring Gloves: This foundational component provides +10% dodge chance and +10% critical strike chance, with final items determining whether offensive or defensive stats receive amplification. Strategic tip: Prioritize Sparring Gloves in carousel when planning flexible late-game compositions.
Thief’s Gloves: Combining two Sparring Gloves creates this high-variance item that grants two temporary items each round. Quality scales with player level, making it stronger in later stages. Critical limitation: Champions cannot equip additional items, making careful carrier selection essential. Common mistake: Placing on low-impact units wastes potential value.
Hands of Justice: Sparring Gloves + Tear of the Goddess creates this versatile item that randomly provides either 40% increased damage or 40 life on hit per round. Optimal placement: Champions with consistent damage output or sustain requirements.
Infinity Edge: Now requiring Sparring Gloves + BF Sword instead of dual BF Swords, this reworked item makes critical strikes deal 200% bonus damage. Advanced tip: Combine with high base damage champions for maximum effectiveness.
Arcane Gauntlet: Sparring Gloves + Needlessly Large Rod enables ability critical strikes, revolutionizing AP carry potential. Sorcerer compositions gain significant power spikes with proper itemization.
Quicksilver: This defensive powerhouse (Sparring Gloves + Negatron Cloak) provides crowd control immunity with 5-second cooldown. Strategic application: Essential against compositions featuring Kennen, Morgana, or Leona crowd control chains.
Iceborne Gauntlet: Sparring Gloves + Chain Vest creates expanding zones that reduce enemy attack speed by 30%. Functions similarly to Frozen Heart but with different positioning requirements.
Backhand: Sparring Gloves + Giant’s Belt provides initial spell shield that stuns attackers when broken. Placement strategy: Ideal on frontline tanks to disrupt enemy initiation patterns.
Repeating Crossbow: Sparring Gloves + Recurve Bow creates this transferable item that passes between champions upon death, stacking critical chance and attack speed with each transfer. Optimal use: Place on sacrificial frontline units to buff your backline carries progressively.
Mittens: Sparring Gloves + Spatula transforms any unit into a Yordle, stacking with existing Yordle dodge bonuses. Composition tip: Enables flexible trait activation beyond standard Yordle champions.
Same TFT recipes, new TFT items
Patch 9.18 introduces two powerful replacements for removed items, addressing specific meta weaknesses while maintaining recipe familiarity.
Lord’s Edge: BF Sword + BF Sword creates this exclusive item that prevents additional item equipping. It provides stacking BF Swords that persist through rounds, creating snowball potential in extended fights. Strategic consideration: Best on self-sufficient champions who don’t require multiple item synergies.
Last Whisper: BF Sword + Recurve Bow guarantees attacks cannot miss while dealing true damage. This effect migrates from Rapid Firecannon, creating dedicated anti-dodge technology specifically countering Yordle compositions with their 60% dodge chance.
Advanced meta prediction: These changes will significantly impact Yordle viability while creating new hyper-carry possibilities. The removal of miss chance from Rapid Firecannon opens new build paths for ranged carries beyond the previous mandatory itemization.
The introduction of Neeko’s Help marks TFT’s first consumable item, addressing one of the most frustrating aspects of high-roll dependency. Every experienced player understands the pain of missing one crucial unit for three-star upgrades or trait completion.
This innovative mechanic creates a copy of the consuming unit, with important constraints: if bench space is unavailable, the item activates later when space opens. This creates strategic depth in bench management and timing decisions.
Common implementation mistake: Using Neeko’s Help too early on replaceable units instead of saving for game-changing champions. Optimization tip: Reserve for four or five-cost units that dramatically impact late-game compositions.
Advanced usage: Combine with gold economy strategies to secure key units before interest thresholds, or use to complete crucial two-star upgrades that stabilize mid-game transitions.
Mastering Patch 9.18 requires understanding not just what items do, but when and where to deploy them. Early game priorities should focus on flexible components that enable multiple build paths rather than committing to specific compositions prematurely.
Early Game Strategy: Prioritize Sparring Gloves and flexible components during initial carousel phases. This approach maintains adaptability as the game state evolves and scouting reveals opponent strategies.
Mid-Late Game Transitions: As compositions solidify, itemization should shift toward counter-building against dominant lobby threats. The new item pool provides unprecedented tools for targeted responses.
Counter-Comp Considerations: Quicksilver becomes essential in lobbies with multiple crowd control compositions, while Last Whisper provides the definitive answer to Yordle-heavy metas.
Pro tip: Understanding item power spikes relative to champion star levels and composition breakpoints separates top-tier players from the competition. For comprehensive strategic foundations, consult our Complete Guide to build comprehensive game knowledge.
When planning your Weapons Unlock strategy, consider how these new TFT items parallel the importance of proper equipment selection in other tactical games.
Similar to optimizing your Class Guide selections, item choices in TFT should complement your overall composition strategy rather than being made in isolation.
Patch 9.18’s scheduled release for September 11 provides limited preparation time, making efficient learning of these mechanics crucial for competitive advantage.
Action Checklist
- Master Sparring Gloves build paths and understand when to prioritize offensive vs defensive stat amplification
- Practice Thief’s Gloves placement on appropriate champions based on game phase
- Implement Quicksilver against crowd control heavy compositions
- Use Last Whisper specifically to counter Yordle compositions
- Develop Neeko’s Help timing strategies for maximum late-game impact
- Create counter-build plans for common meta compositions using new items
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » These new items are coming to Teamfight Tactics in Patch 9.18 Master TFT Patch 9.18's new items with strategic insights and practical gameplay optimization tips
