TFT devs announce first step in major loot distribution update with item drop changes

The Teamfight Tactics devs have announced the first step in a major loot distribution update with item drop variance being reduced in Patch 14.3.

Teamfight Tactics is mostly a game about skill, there’s a bit of luck involved of course, but the players who have mastered the game will more than likely come out on top each game. Skilled TFT players are able to reduce the amount of variance from game to game, formulating strategies that work with their items, current economy, and what they’re offered in the shop.

With so many factors of RNG in TFT, there is only so much that the player can control. If your opponent ends up stealing your comp and getting all the units before you, there’s not too much you can do. If you end up getting almost no gold from PvE rounds to start your econ, there’s not much you can do.

With the introduction of Augments and Portals in Set 10, the devs have come to the conclusion that there’s a bit too much variance from game to game. Because of this, they’re looking to take a shot at item drop variance in Patch 14.3, hoping to alleviate some pressure from competitive play.

TLDR – We're lowering item drop variance in 14.3 as we head into the final leg of the competitive season, and then will be launching a larger scale update to in game loot distribution in 14.5

TFT is the kind of game that is most fun and successful when every time you play, the… pic.twitter.com/PPrAu9g51J

— Riot Mort (@Mortdog) January 29, 2024

TFT devs announce changes coming to loot distribution in Patch 14.3

The lead designer of Teamfight Tactics Mortdog took to Twitter to explain that items were a source of variance, long before augments and portals.

“Back, long before we even had augments, we relied on the orb drop system to be one of those sources of variance. Some games you might get a spatula, some games you’ll get more gold than items, etc.” the dev explained.

However, as time changed, new mechanics were introduced and player’s skills increased, their understanding of what was fair changed, and the level of item drop variance has become unfair.

“Being down two components but up 12 gold on 2-1 is no longer variance, but just unfairness as we understand truly which outcome can be optimized better.”

This change will see players always having the same amount of items, and all gold starts essentially being removed. This will take place from Patch 14.3 and run until Patch 14.5 where the devs have larger changes planned in the form of a larger scale update.