TFT Hextech Augments Guide

Hextech Augments represent a game-changing feature in Teamfight Tactics (TFT), introduced in Set 6 to inject variability and strategic depth into every match. These permanent upgrades allow players to customize their economy, combat power, and team compositions in unique ways, with over 140 options creating millions of possible combinations. This guide explores their core mechanics, selection process, categorized lists, tier evaluations, optimal playstyles, and evolution through patches.

Understanding the Core Mechanics of Hextech Augments

Hextech Augments function as powerful, one-time bonuses applied directly to your game state. Unlike temporary items or traits, they persist for the entire match, influencing everything from gold generation to unit abilities. They appear at specific PvE rounds, offering players a choice that can pivot their strategy entirely.

• Selection Stages: Augments are offered at three key points: Stage 1-4 (early game), 3-3 (mid-game), and 4-5 (late game). At each, you choose one from three options of matching quality tiers.
• Tier System: Divided into Silver (Tier 1, basic), Gold (Tier 2, strong), and Prismatic (Tier 3, elite). Early choices are mostly Silver, scaling to higher tiers as stages progress, though rare outliers exist.
• Quality Matching: All players at a given stage receive augments of similar power levels, ensuring fairness, but options differ per player for diversity.

This system forces decisive choices: an early economy boost might secure a fast level-up, while a combat augment could win key rounds. With 2.7 million combinations, no two games feel identical.

When and How to Select the Right Augment

Timing is crucial. Early augments (Stage 1-4) should stabilize your economy or board, mid-game ones (3-3) enable transitions, and late ones (4-5) close out games. Always evaluate against your current roll, shop, and lobby meta.

Pro Tip: Reroll-heavy comps favor economy augments early; vertical trait stacks prefer combat buffs.

Complete Catalog of Hextech Augments by Tier

Below is an original compilation of notable augments, grouped by tier and effect type. Effects are synthesized from Set 6 standards, with examples for clarity.

Tier 1 (Silver) Augments: Foundations for Any Build

These provide reliable baselines, ideal for uncertain early games.

• Economy Boosters: Calculated Loss (gain 2 gold + shop refresh after losses), Hyper Roll (3 gold if under 10), Cognitive Tax (8 gold +1 XP).
• Combat Sustain: First Aid Kit (+35% healing/shielding), Makeshift Armor (armor/MR for itemless units), Knife’s Edge (AD for front-two-row starters).
• Trait Enablers: Heart (extra trait count), Band of Thieves (Thief’s Gloves), Branching Out (random Emblem).
• Unique Grants: Backup Bows (Recurve Bow, more after attacks), AFK (17 gold after 3 inactive rounds).

Tier 2 (Gold) Augments: Mid-Game Powerhouses

These amplify specific strategies, often turning good boards great.

• Damage Amp: Charge Transfer (+5% Damage Amp, overkill splash), Electrocharge (magic damage every 4 attacks taken).
• Scaling Tools: Climb The Ladder (+3% AP/AD/Armor/MR per dead ally’s trait match), Vampiric Vitality (12% heal from damage dealt).
• Unit Modifiers: Bonk! (Nasus as Attack Fighter), Stellar Combo (Aatrox with strike swaps), Termeepnal Velocity (Poppy flings Meeps).
• Defensive: Tiny Titans (+20% player health), Twin Guardians (bonuses for exact 2 front-row units).

Tier 3 (Prismatic) Augments: High-Risk, High-Reward Capstones

Rare and potent, these define late-game metas but demand commitment.

• Ultimate Disrupts: Broken Stopwatch (freeze enemies/non-Clockwork for 5s after 5s), The Tower (giant dummy zaps 5% max HP true damage).
• Economic Nukes: Augmented Power (next augment +1 tier), Continuous Conjuration (Rod, more after magic damage).
• Trait Synergies: Stand United (AD/AP per active trait), Dummify (dummy with 60% board HP + scaling).

Full lists exceed 140, with Riot adding more via mid-set updates. Tools like Mobalytics track current patches.

Tier List: Ranking the Best and Worst Augments

Based on win rates, versatility, and pro play, here’s a synthesized tier list for Set 6. Rankings evolve with patches; check current meta.

S-Tier dominate due to universal impact; E-Tier like Hyper Roll falter in aggressive lobbies.

Strategic Playstyles and Synergies

Augments shine when paired thoughtfully. Here’s how to build around categories:

• Econ-Focused (Reroll Comps): Pair Calculated Loss + Cognitive Tax for 50+ gold by Stage 4. Ideal for 4-cost carries.
• Trait Stacking (Verticals): Heart + Stand United maximizes bonuses in mono-trait boards like Syndicate or Innovators.
• Frontline Sustain: Makeshift Armor + Tiny Titans for tanky early games, transitioning to Bruisers.
• Damage Bursts: Ascension (100% damage post-15s) with regen traits; Knife’s Edge for duelists.
• Item Economy: Item Grab Bag + Tinker for endless reforging in flexible builds.

Adapt to lobby: If enemies econ hard, take combat augments to punish.

Patch History and Future Updates

Set 6 launched with 140+ augments, balanced via mid-set (e.g., nerfed OP like Titanic Force) and beyond. Set 17 introduced Tier 1-3 organization with new ones like AFK and Dummify. Riot rotates pools seasonally; track via patch notes for meta shifts. Prismatic rarities increased in later sets for excitement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)