How to Play the Vanguard Slayer Team Comp in TFT Set 4.5

A new TFT team composition has recently emerged on the PBE server, combining two traits that seemingly have no connection through champions but create immense power together. This is the Vanguard Slayer comp in TFT Set 4.5, offering diverse strengths from multiple traits.

1. Strengths

• Diverse Power from Multiple Traits: Combining various traits offers a well-rounded and versatile playstyle.
• Massive Damage Output from Slayer Units: Slayer champions deal exceptional burst damage, especially in extended fights.
• Darius's Skill Chain: Darius can continuously cast his ability if he defeats enemies with it, making him a strong carry in the right situations.

2. Weaknesses

• Highly Item-Dependent: Core champions require specific items to reach their full potential, especially Darius and other Slayer units.
• Requires Good Team Composition Management: Players need to carefully pivot and manage their board to adapt to different situations.
• Darius's Ability Countered: His skill can be effectively negated by Brawlers (high health) and Warlords (scaling power), limiting his effectiveness against these comps.

1. The strength of the team composition

This composition utilizes the Elite Slayer, specifically the Elite Darius, to reach the power threshold of 3 Slayers, while also equipping Samira with a Guardian Pioneer item at the end of the game to synergize with the Pioneer trait. Darius' skill instantly eliminates low-health enemies, and he can reactivate his skill once more, repeatedly executing this chain of actions until every enemy unit falls.

Play this composition when you find the Elite Slayer. The Elite will either go to Darius or Samira, as they are the only Slayer units in the composition. For Slayer compositions, attack items are essential.

2. Main composition.

• Samira-Azir-Sett-Zilean (Darius)-Yuumi-Sejuani-Sivir-Pyke.

3. Activated traits:

• 4 Slayer (Elite Slayer), 3 Fortune, 3 Cultist, 2 Sharpshooter, 2 Vanguard, 2 Mystic, 1 Daredevil.

In the early game, you can build any composition with the traits you find in the shop. However, it’s best to start with a Cult composition combined with Slayer units. The Cult and Slayer traits will help you pivot your composition more easily later on.

Level up to 4 early if you want to start a win streak. Essentially, you need Elise, Twisted Fate, and Pyke for the early Cult setup, combined with Zed to quickly activate the Slayer trait by mid-game. Keep leveling up to level 5 if you want to maintain the win streak.

In the mid-game, continue building on your previous composition with higher-tier units. Darius joins the team, activating the Slayer trait and becoming the primary carry. Sivir replaces Twisted Fate, as she will remain a key unit until the end of the game.

Level up to 6 at the 3-2 round and assemble your strongest possible composition. Don’t rush to look for Elite Slayer, as the chances of finding a 3-star Elite are still low at this stage, and you might waste a significant amount of gold by rolling now. Recruit Yuumi and keep leveling up.

In the late game, once you reach level 7, start looking for the Elite Slayer, aiming to get Elite Darius so he can receive the stat boost from the Elite trait and allowing you to upgrade him to 3 stars faster.

Damage output will have stabilized by this point. Next, recruit three Pioneer units: Braum, Aatrox, and Sejuani. Once your composition is complete, level up to 8 to look for Samira and equip her with the Pioneer Guardian item to activate the 4 Pioneer trait. Finally, add Zilean to trigger the Mystic trait with Yuumi.

If you can't find the Elite Slayer, try to upgrade Darius to 3 stars, remove Yuumi and the Mystic trait, and make room for another Slayer unit to ensure the Butcher trait is still activated.

As one of the compositions with diverse strength and excellent support for the main carry, the Elite Pioneer composition in TFT Set 4.5 makes any opponent wary of its overwhelming damage. I think this composition offers a good balance between offensive power and tankiness, especially with the synergy between the Slayer and Pioneer traits. It also provides a strong late-game presence with champions like Darius and Samira, making it a solid choice for sustained damage.

I’d love to hear how it works for you if you give it a try—feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!