TFT’s headliner system currently has some hidden rules and unintended bugs. Lead Designer Stephen “Mortdog” Mortimer recently talked about them and outlined the planned changes for them in Patch 14.2.
Game developers add in hidden rules to their games because true random can create unacceptable experiences for certain players. This logic was implemented to the headliner mechanic for Set 10. However, players have figured out these rules and found an unintended bug that currently exists. Mortdog explained all of this and the planned changes and fixes to the system for Patch 14.2 in this thread. Here's what you need to know.
TFT headliner rules
To preface, the article will mention "passing" headliners. This will refer to rerolling past a headliner unit without buying and selling it.
Hidden rules, explained
Headliner Rule #1: When a headliner appears in your shop, it will have a different +1 trait than the last time you saw that headliner.
- For example, if you pass on +1 Disco Twisted Fate, the next time he appears in your shop, he will be +1 Dazzler Twisted Fate. This does not apply to single trait units such as Jhin and Sona. For three trait units such as Akali, Kennen, and Neeko, you will have a 50/50 chance of seeing one of the two you didn't see the previous time. This means that, while unlikely, theoretically you can cycle back and forth on two of the three traits.
Rule #2: When you pass a headliner unit, that unit will not appear as a headliner for another 7/7/7/5/4 headliner offerings.
- The numbers are ordered by cost, from 1 to 5-cost, respectively. For example, if you pass Twisted Fate headliner, then for the next 5 headliner offerings, you will not see a Twisted Fate headliner.
Rule #3: If you pass on a certain +1 trait, then you will not see that +1 trait for the next 4 headliner offerings.
- For example, if you pass on +1 brawler Olaf, you will not see a +1 brawler for the next 4 headliner offerings. Unfortunately, this has caused an unintended interaction where you are locked out of any unit that shares the +1 trait for the next 4 headliner offerings.
Related articles
Other known rules
Rule #4: The Three-Star Gate
- The headliner of X unit will not appear if you have more than four copies if it's a four-cost.
- The headliner of X unit will not appear if you have more than three copies if it's a five-cost.
One, two, and three-cost units are unaffected by the three-star gate.
Rule #5: The Pool
- There must be three copies of a unit for it to appear as a headliner in your shop.
Current unintended interactions with TFT headliner rules
Interaction #1: It is currently possible to reset rules 2 and 3 by buying and selling the headliner.
- The game thinks that you didn't pass on the unit. Now, you are now able to see that unit again sooner than intended. It also enables you to take advantage of rule number 1. If you are looking for a specific +1 trait of a headliner, you can find it more quickly than intended.
- This interaction will be removed in patch 14.2.
Interaction #2: If you pass on a certain +1 of a trait, you are locked out of any unit that has that trait for the next 4 headliner offerings.
- For example, if you pass +1 Big Shot Miss Fortune, you are then unable to see any Big Shot headliners for four shops. This is an unintended interaction in regards to rule number 3. It will work as intended in patch 14.2.
Until patch 14.2 rolls around, be sure to buy and sell headliners in your shops when necessary. This will prevent unintended lock-outs and reset headliner rules that you may need to be successful. Hope this clears up some of the confusion and mystery surrounding headliners!
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