[14.5] Mastering AD Flex

Patch 14.5 update: Ezreal mana goes from 40 to 45, please replace Blue Buff with Shojin

2/19: Add Pentakill+ Viego variant

2/12: Add Caitlyn variant, summary by a mind map

2/10: Initial release

For who miss my mind map for every comp in set 10

https://www.tacter.com/tft/guides/play-every-comp-in-set-10-ea292d2c

Hello guys I'm Khym

AD Flex is a challenging comp in this set, with various ways to approach it. The options can sometimes leave players feeling overwhelmed. In this guide, I’ll simplify things and offer an easy path to follow. By reaching level 8 strategically, you’ll unlock a powerful board capped at level 9. And hey, for the truly enthusiastic, we’ll even delve into level 10 strongest board!

Check out my profile for more detailed guides which don't scam your LP buy guiding spend lots of gold finding a specific headliner trait then lost the game if you can't find any.

For easy visualize, I'll put champion into group instead of positioning, if any thing need to be noticed I'll mention.

When diving into the AD Flex composition, our starting point is simple: AD ITEMS. So we want to build a versatile arsenal that allows us to navigate this comp with ease.

IE obviously the safest to slam item, this works for any AD comp

Your second choice:

• Blue Buff: can wear on both Ezreal, Zed or Jhin
• Shojin: Cait or Jhin
• Red Buff: Ezreal or Cait

Ezreal BiS: BB + IE + RB, HoJ is also good on him because sometimes he jump to 3rd line then accidentally take damage, but will will show you a way to avoid this in below section

Caitlyn: Shojin + any AD items, her mana is 75 so Shojin is the best, due to her kit wierdly not optimise for any specific build, any item is fine. Normally IF playing her with Ezreal I'll make item for him first then give her a shojin (good for Jhin) then any AD redundant item. For who wonder about Caitlyn kit: https://www.reddit.com/r/CompetitiveTFT/comments/18jjera/tft_calculatorthe_ultimate_cheat_sheet_of_s10/

Jhin: you must equip on him ONE MANA ITEM (Shojin, BB, AH or Manazane). If not, he deal LESS DMG THAN A 4 COST! In that case itemize Lucian (even you play with 4 BS Lucian is still better). BB is better on him but normally it belongs to Ezreal so Shojin on Cait or MF holder then move to Jhin later is more practical. EoN and Zhonya is optional but really strong, not only save a life but also kill extra units (for every second he survive) if Jhin is the last man standing. LW is ok in case someone put a Bramble Vest to get him stuck.

Lucian: put ALL atk speed items, number of bullets scale with atk speed, his skill apply Runaan effect for every shot.

IMPORTANT NOTE: slamming item for Ezreal and main tank first, then a Sunder item (LW, Evenshroud). Secondary carry items depend on headliner you got at lv 8, keep in mind without any item augment/portal/ HS item cash out you probably get around 8 items (Riot lower heart per kill to find Thief Glove in 14.3). I will talk in below section.

Alright now we dig into the game.

AD flex is one of the most contested comp in this patch, so here is my crucial advice: Play this comp when you think you can hit lv 8 at 4-2 or 4-3 before everyone hit at 4-5. To success with this stategy, you must hit one of these condition:

• Hit 3 Heartsteel in stage 2, no later than 3-3 to have at least 1 cash out: you need 30g after reach lv 8 at 4-2 or 4-3 to play Ezreal without worry about being contested.
• Gold/exp augment
• Win streak

If you get lv 8 at 4-5 or later, Ezreal is already contested, prepare for hitting Caitlyn headliner, no problem.

In short, play Ezreal with a good econ, if not Caitlyn is your backup plan

Like many comp, play the best board with free shop reroll

First aug is important:

Win streak: with the help of combat aug (prefer item aug) or reward aug (Spoil of war, Escort Quest, Young and Wild and Free...). Make sure your board is strong enough for a win streak, casually a good 2* carry and a tank with suitable items.

Only go lose streak with 3 Heartsteel or a lose streak augment: Blood Money, Patient Study, Rich Get Richer, What Doesn't Kill You... Otherwise just save as much HP as possible

More explain in augment section.

Ergonomically, people will place in the right with weakest unit in the right most, place like this will help you kill at least 1 unit. I prefer + 2 Sentinel for further upgrade, this hold the fight longer to kill extra unit without accidentally win against someone.

You can trap K'sante like this in case someone trying to lose like you

Buy key unit and slowly transition (see lv 8 core unit below)

I always get a new 3 cost headliner from free shop reroll if possible, prefer frontline Amumu, Ekko, Mordekaiser, Neeko, Sett or backline MF, Samira to stablize my board before lv 8. Make sure you have items on them (by selling the weaker one).

There are many way to play with this but I recommend this one: no 5 cost, can play with many headliner, easy upgrade to the strongest board at lv 9.

Before lv 9, bench 1 Aphelios to play with Lucian, 2 Rapitfire make a huge different on him

You want to get a playable headliner with suitable items on the main carry and the main tank, stay alive until lv 9 (if you still have enough HP). At this point SCOUT YOUR LOBBY CAREFULLY to decide a stable lv 8 board.

From core unit above, upgrade your comp suitably with headliner trait

Perfect lv 9 synergy, no doubt this is the strongest form of AD flex, others comp just slightly behind this so don't worry.

Front line in set 10 is designed to be less tanky but deal more damage. Personally it's better to put Evenshroud on 2nd tank (Sett) than your main tank, you prefer the pure tank items on main tank (Poppy or Zac).

Lucian or Ziggs is your 2nd carry. MF is the item holder: Guinsoo, Runaan, Shojin, Nashor...

Amumu > 2* Thresh

Only play if you have good items on Yorick, not to mention Yorick is a high contested 5 cost (Pentakill players). I don't recommend to play Mosher variant at lv 9

If you reach lv 9 with lots of HP remaining, play 5 HS for more juice, then make a 3 HS capped board.

2nd carry is Zigg > Lucian: Prefer Shojin + any atk speed/AP items

More damage: Thresh, Yorick = Bard, Ziggs

If your frontline is strong enough (2* itemized Illaoi), Thresh Yorick = Bard Ziggs

You already got a headliner, but sometimes you see a better hln when stabilizing your board and might think should I switch into the new one:

1. 5 cost hln: any variant of Illaoi, Lucian, Qiyana, Mosher or Guardian Yorick

2. Emo+ Poppy or CD+ Zed (9 traits activated at lv 9)

3. Other Ezreal or Zed headliner

4. Mosher+ Poppy or Zac

Generally, you prefer Emo+/CD+ and try to avoid Mosher+ at lv 9

When you are so fuckin lucky with tons of HP remaining, lv 10 is achivable with this comp, sell the current headliner to find a new 5 cost one.

Getting desired 5 cost headliner is much easier than 4, so try to find the best end game board

This can work at lv 9 with a Tactician Crown and Ezreal BS+

Against Akali: put your back line at 1, 8 to bait Akali, your carry at 6, 7, she will jump around 1, 8, 9 and 10. this tech will easier with Illaoi tentacles.

Place Yone in the opposite side of opponent carry for stunning

Melee carry (Zed): place at 1 or 4 next to a second tank, away from opponent carry, moving path in TFT has some randomness but most of the time Zed will run to the middle, Poppy will run to the edge and take damage next after Zac die.

Tired of seeing Ezreal jump to the front then get one shot? Place him in 3rd row, make a place for him to jump, that's all!

Play this form when you get behind because no one will buy Cait headliner

Remember 6 cores in the left:

• 8-Bit headliner: + Aphe Ez
• Rapidfire headliner: + Corki Lux

Prefer Lucian as 2nd carry to itemize

At lv 9, add Ziggs to maximized Jazz trait, then slowly replace:

• Zac = Illaoi
• Jax = Yorick
• Aphe = Lucian
• Ezreal = Jhin

Can make AD items due to lots of atk speed