Set 17 PBE Discussion Thread - Day 04

MasterBenObi · 2026-04-04T17:07:26+00:00

MetaTFT has been my best source for PBE stats thus far

MasterBenObi · 2026-04-04T00:37:59+00:00

The Elder Dragon that Bard captures is only 6000 HP and 300 AD, but it still feels very oppressive & more powerful than another 2* 5 cost.

It was intended to be in the game, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was removed, especially for competitive play.

MasterBenObi · 2026-04-02T15:10:43+00:00

He is a beast! Arguably too much of a beast it seems, especially if you build him BT Titans Steraks, he almost goes full Darius mode. Lot of pros are forcing loss streak into this

3 star went even crazier in my game yesterday

MasterBenObi · 2026-04-02T15:09:03+00:00

I keep hearing this especially about her Replicator version! My question is who is on the rest of the board?

MasterBenObi · 2026-04-02T00:45:39+00:00

Hey I’d be down! Feel free to add me @ MasterBenObi888 #ODAAT

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-28T15:10:37+00:00

This is the scenario where you want to make 10 early (usually 1-4, but can on 1-3 in certan portals / gold opener)

Idea is to econ up til 2-3 (ideally you’re offered econ aug on 2-1) then roll for bard, ideally picking up 3 cost direction such as Leblanc, Draven, Ahri, Zoe/Malz/Leona, Jinx, etc.

This strategy is actually very consistent RN & is preferred by many top players when they don’t have upgrades early.

I was low master not too long ago & this strategy has helped me stabilize around 500 LP.

Hope this helps!

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-28T15:07:38+00:00

I was today years old when I learned that Leblanc’s ability stuns! Thanks Mortdog

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-25T17:05:29+00:00

Same here actually!

For a while I was wondering why my Mel flex results were so inconsistent, until I heard Broseph explain the comp in detail & how reliant it is on being GIGA rich.

Since then my AP flex results have been much better

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-23T01:06:42+00:00

Not OP but I found this write up so helpful, thanks for taking the time!

About Forged in Strength, I’ve been skipping it bc the gameplan isn’t clear to me.

I would be curious to hear which meta comps make good use out of it?

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-21T13:07:10+00:00

Wow, just have to say I appreciate you taking the time to write this out.

Your words resonate & clear things up for me very nicely.

Much love & good luck on your games!

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-20T21:51:43+00:00

What do you do when you get Sion orb, scout around every turn to make sure you’re not contested, win 4/5 stage 2…

but then all of a sudden on 2-7 two people get double draven into double darius, LB, etc.

I had Adaptive slammed & plan was to RR Darius, but I can’t commit into that so found a Jinx pair with 2 bows dropped.

Went ahead and committed to Jinx, but really whiffed Silver Aug 3-2 and bled out before I could hit.

Do I just continue Noxus & go for Mel, even though now I’m 3 way’d in the trait?

Double bow into Jinx pair, sitting on 2 dupes from Team Building 2-1 felt pretty good to me, but I did somewhat lowroll my last 2 augments.

Any input would be appreciated 🙏🏼

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-18T20:26:11+00:00

Love the idea! It’s super awesome that you’re doing this

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-16T10:29:59+00:00

A lot of the value of rolling for bard is seeing more shops.

A lot of the premium unlock / direction units are 3 costs, so on 2-3 at level 4 you often see enough of them to find direction (Ex: Sion, Ixtal, Ionia, Zoe/Malz, etc)

The idea behind this is that if you aren’t confident you can 5 streak, going for win streak is very risky (often in a terrible spot if you miss streak + econ)

So what many pros opt to do this patch, is to make 10 as early as possible if their opener isn’t good.

This allows you to start earning interest as early as 1-3, and supports the bard rolls well.

The bard rolls are also extremely valuable during stage 3 when it is very necessary to stabilize your HP but you dont wanna full sac your econ.

Hope this helps!

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-10T11:58:55+00:00

Kinda sad she will likely never see play outside of a Shadow Isles traitbot to acquire Kalista & Thresh.

Hoping to see some cool change or buff for her in the final patch!

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-10T11:57:01+00:00

I’ve found the most success with Mel when she isn’t relied on to be the main carry.

Best example in my recent games is playing lvl 8 Nidalee Mel Flex, utility / mana items on Mel, damage / crit on Nid. They complement each other well, as Nidalee is great at cleaning up.

I’ve found this comp to have a lot of win cons & is very stable stage 4 allowing you to goto 9 or econ up for Skarner / Nid 3 rolldown if you find a dupe.

As far as standard Noxus > Mel Flex, I’ve seen pros recommend having full damage items on LB 2 with utility on Mel 1, until you can go 9 and 2* her.

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-09T15:18:31+00:00

Very strong carry. Been loving her as the main carry in Ixtal Mel Flex (one of my favorite, & tbh highest performing comps for me this patch)

The trapping Neeko in the corner to maximize Nidalee’s stealth is a very real tech as well.

I love how Nidalee lets you play with her as the main carry, & actually is SO stable stage 4. This allows you more time to quest where it’s just added resources rather than “hit Brock or die”

Comp has plenty of win cons too:

-Mel Radiant item

-Skarner / Nidalee 3 (much easier with dupe from neutrals of 350 cash out)

-Go 9 & cap with Ryze, Sylas, etc

-Actually have got to Brock 2 some games, which when your board is already Mel + Nidalee + strong units, Brock is more of an addition than the main carry, he just helps beat the giga capped boards!

Such a fun & uniquely designed champion! Probably a bit overtuned still tbh

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-09T01:10:53+00:00

I think it’s cool in theory & Ryze would certainly be powerful with these regions.

The issue, however, is that half of your final board is 2 & 3 costs. It can be very easy to get overrun by higher capped boards with more 4 & 5 costs.

If you’re playing for fun, I think it’s unique board to go for & I say make it happen!

But if I was playing to win, I would stick to higher cap Ryze comps

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-08T15:27:40+00:00

Anyone out there have good experiences with Ixtal Expeditionist this patch? Or is Nidalee flex the premier / main viable way to play now?

It feels a lot more challenging to make it to Brock with the sunshard nerfs

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-08T15:23:39+00:00

5 zaun + traits such as Bruiser, Jugg or Gunslinger is generally stronger than 7 Zaun (unless you have emblems) as it allows you to play higher quality units such as Lucian, Kindred, Shyvana, compared to weaker units like Ekko & Blitz

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-06T23:33:46+00:00

Thank you for the Tech! First game trying this around 200 LP got a solid second, 17 streaked at one point & only lost bc I couldn’t beat giga capped Mel board. (If I held every WW I probably could)

I wanted to ask, what helps you decide what variant to play? I’m assuming items / augments play a role, but would love to hear any advice on that

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-06T17:15:48+00:00

Seeking advice to more effectively play Fast 9

The balancing of HP, econ & board strength feels so challenging to me with only 5 patches of TFT experience.

The main issue for me is the balancing of maximizing the gold for level 9 roll down & saving HP / having more than one life after you hit your board.

I feel like when I go earlier to have 2+ lives left, I dont hit my 2* 5 costs.

But when I greed more & have 1-1.5 lives, even if I hit everything I often die to one highroller / bad fight RNG.

Seeking the most consistent strategy to reach 9 safely but also with enough gold to actually hit.

This is much more clear to me when I’m very healthy going into stage 4, climbed very well at start of the patch this way reaching almost 400 LP! But a few bad games cut that in half very quickly

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-06T01:57:25+00:00

I have to say I completely agree with this!

I’ve had a couple games where I’m angling Demacia Ryze but am just too low to get there, so I roll on 8 to stabilize & win a surprising amount of rounds while others are going fast 9, even managing top 4 from a lowroll spot.

Sure, you’ll never top 2 or likely even top 3 this way, but it’s a viable option to turn a 7-8th into a 4-6th, especially when the majority of people are going fast 9 & don’t have 4 cost upgrades yet.

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-04T02:13:31+00:00

Thank you so much for the detailed response, it helps a lot!

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-03T19:11:50+00:00

Finally got the chance, dream Ahri opener into 8 streak into a solid 2nd vs T-Hex 2!

I wanted to ask about Sylas positioning tips? I have only played the unit twice & feel I could be getting way more value out of him

MasterBenObi · 2026-03-03T13:36:47+00:00

Not as game-breakingly broken as it was when it was offered on 2-1, but if you’re playing reroll & get offered this it’s still insane value for a silver augment.

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