TFT Patch 18.6 Notes: Elderwood Nerf, Nidalee Buff

Elderwood (9) loses most of its health bonus, AP Nidalee gets the patch’s biggest unit buff, and Middle Path and Curio Cart now cost more.

By the MID.GG editorial team

Patch 18.6 7 November 2026 9 min read

Teamfight Tactics patch 18.6 is a light balance pass riding on a heavy client launch. Elderwood (9) takes the only trait nerf, while Blossom, Sprykin, Nidalee and a handful of underplayed units get small buffs. Two Wisps get more expensive. If you were forcing Elderwood, keep doing it when it is open; if you hold a Blossom or Sprykin Emblem, you now have a reason to go vertical.

TL;DR

Elderwood is nerfed at 9: the health bonus drops from 25% to 10%, yet Elderwood (9) still sits 33.9 points above average in our early data.
Blossom and Sprykin are buffed at their top breakpoints, so a spare Emblem is a reason to commit rather than reforge.
Nidalee is buffed in both forms, with the larger gains on her AP javelins; AP Nidalee with Juggernaut is the comp to test.
Kobuko, Rek’Sai and Murkwolf are buffed, lifting the floor of reroll Teemo, Veigar, Ravager and Riftbeast boards.
Middle Path and Curio Cart are nerfed through higher costs, Embiggen is nerfed, and Unrivaled gets mixed changes for the Rengar and Kha’Zix duo.

Full changes

Every trait, unit, augment and Wisp change is on the cards below, with our notes on each.

Appreciation missions

Riot’s reasoning
The missions thank players for their patience through the move to the new client and help kick off Set 19.

Note: Play 1 game in Set 19 to earn 500 Treasure Tokens
Play 20 games in Set 19 to earn one random Mythic Chibi: To get specific: you’ll earn a token that can be used on a new banner that contains only Mythic Chibis - no Unbound Tacticians or Mythic Little Legends.

MID.GG analysis

Every player can claim these by simply playing Set 19 games, so the Mythic Chibi at 20 games is the reward worth planning around. Owners of premium Tacticians and Arenas get extra compensation on top.

Traits

Riot’s reasoning
Blossom’s top breakpoints are buffed so that hitting a Blossom Emblem feels worth playing instead of reforging.

AD/AP: 12/30/50/55%changed to 12/30/55/65%

MID.GG analysis

Blossom (9) already sits 25.2 points above average, and Blossom (7) 4 points above, so the buff rewards full commitment. Blossom (5) is 8.6 points below average; do not stop there.

Riot’s reasoning
Elderwood (9) keeps outperforming every other vertical even though it depends on Emblems and skill.

9 Piece HP Bonus: 25%changed to 10%

MID.GG analysis

Elderwood (9) remains 33.9 points above average in early data, so it is still the best cap when open. The nerf mostly hurts boards that hit 9 with weak units or items.

Riot’s reasoning
Sprykin’s Emblem vertical is buffed, with extra power for the ranged partner since most players pair it with a melee tank or Rengar.

BFF Ranged AD/AP: 15/28/33%changed to 15/30/38%

MID.GG analysis

Sprykin (7) sits 11.7 points above average, so the cap was already strong. The buff makes a backline carry the better BFF choice when your board has one.

1-cost units

Riot’s reasoning
Kobuko gets dropped from boards too early, so more healing should keep it relevant into the mid-game.

Spell Healing (AP): 285/335/480changed to 300/350/550

MID.GG analysis

Kobuko’s pick rate is already moving up, from 7.8% to 8.2%, while it sits near average. Reroll Teemo and Veigar boards benefit most since they keep it longest.

Riot’s reasoning
Rek’Sai rarely survives on boards into the mid-game, so the healing buff aims to keep it fielded longer.

Spell Healing (AP): 10/14/20changed to 10/16/24

MID.GG analysis

At 8.6 points below average, Rek’Sai is still a weak unit, so treat this as a floor raise for reroll Teemo and Veigar rather than a reason to play her.

2-cost units

Riot’s reasoning
Murkwolf’s comp suffered from the Brambleback nerf, and since it is never the main carry it has room for a buff at 3 stars.

Empowered Attack Damage: 65/100/160 ADchanged to 65/100/180 AD

MID.GG analysis

The buff only touches the 3-star value, so it matters only on reroll Ravager or Riftbeast boards that chase him. His top-4 rate is flat and his pick rate dipped slightly.

4-cost units

Riot’s reasoning
Malphite is a weak primary tank, so a better AP ratio on his shield and damage should let him finish off low-health threats.

Shield: 735/885/2000 (AP)changed to 750/925/2000 (AP)
Spell Damage (AP): 40/60/2000changed to 100/150/2000

MID.GG analysis

Malphite moves up but stays 5.7 points below average, so keep him as a second AP tank behind Sentinel. Flex boards running AP items get the most out of the damage buff.

Riot’s reasoning
Nidalee’s AD form dies too quickly to Ahri and Zyra boards and her AP form has not emerged as a carry, so both forms are buffed.

AD Form: Heal: 300/450/2000 (AP)changed to 325/550/2000 (AP)
AD Form: Third Cast Bonus Damage: 125%changed to 140%
AP Form: Empowered Attack Damage: 185/275/2000 (AP)changed to 195/295/2000 (AP)
AP Form: Third Attack Damage: 330/500/3000 (AP)changed to 350/525/3000 (AP)

MID.GG analysis

AP Nidalee with Juggernaut is the comp this buff is built for, and she already sits 3.1 points above average. AD Nidalee players gain sustain and better frontline breaking on the third cast.

Riot’s reasoning
Sentinel struggles as a main tank in AP flex lines, so a higher shield ratio on health makes items like Warmog’s stronger.

Shield HP Ratio: 10%changed to 12%

MID.GG analysis

With a 31.5% pick rate, Sentinel is the most played unit we track, so this buff touches a huge share of lobbies. Slam Warmog’s on it in any AP flex board.

Augments

Riot’s reasoning
Clockwork Accelerator lags behind other combat augments, so it gives more attack speed per proc.

Attack Speed per Proc: 10%changed to 12%

MID.GG analysis

Attack-speed carries that fight early benefit most. It is still a combat augment to take when your board already wants attack speed, not a pivot.

Bonus Pixie AD/AP: 50%changed to 35%

MID.GG analysis

Pixie boards lose a large chunk of bonus damage, so Embiggen drops from a strong pick to a situational one. Take it only when Pixie is already central to your comp.

Riot’s reasoning
Plot Armor falls short of the other combat augments, so its base resists go up.

Base Resists: 8changed to 10

MID.GG analysis

Frontline-heavy boards that rely on tanks holding the line gain the most. The extra resists are small, so it stays a mid-tier option.

Riot’s reasoning
Shopping Spree is the weakest econ Prismatic offered at 2-1 by a small margin, so it grants one more gold up front.

Initial Gold Granted: 6changed to 7

MID.GG analysis

One extra gold at 2-1 helps econ-first players who plan a fast 8. It now competes more evenly with the other econ Prismatics.

Riot’s reasoning
Unrivaled lost power after the Kha’Zix nerfs and was not meta before, so the Rengar and Kha’Zix duo gets a larger share effect.

Rengar Heal Share: 25%changed to 50%
Kha’Zix Mana Share: 50%changed to 70%

MID.GG analysis

These mixed changes lean on the Rengar and Kha’Zix pairing, with Rengar’s heal share doubling. Only take it when both units are already on your board.

Wisps

Riot’s reasoning
Emblems from Curio Cart can become strong win conditions, so a higher Emblem cost makes them a bigger econ trade-off.

Emblem Cost: 15changed to 17

MID.GG analysis

Vertical players chasing Elderwood, Blossom or Sprykin Emblems pay more now. Buy only when the Emblem completes a breakpoint, not to speculate.

Riot’s reasoning
Middle Path’s shop of 2-star 3-costs gives too much consistency for its cost when it fits a comp.

Cost: 4changed to 5
Upgrade Cost: 3changed to 4

MID.GG analysis

3-cost reroll boards still love it, but the higher cost and upgrade price eat into econ. Click it only when the 3-costs it offers are your carries.

Mid-patch update

Riot’s reasoning
These follow-up patches only fix bugs and improve the client, with two leftover fixes from the main notes added as side changes.

Default Settings (Mobile/Tablet) (A): Fixed some new devices defaulting to lower than intended settings.
PC Resolution Settings (A): Fixed PC resolution settings not working unless in windowed mode.
Mobile multitasking (B): You can now switch between applications for up to two minutes before disconnecting on Mobile.
Pass Rewards (Mobile) (B): Pass rewards are now properly redeemable on mobile devices.
Augments (B): A few Augments showed a “0” in the values. This was just a text issue, but is now fixed.
TFT Matchmaking (B): Matchmaking no longer intermittently fails when the League client is open in certain edge cases.
Ready Check: The TFT client now comes to the foreground when a queue pops for Ready Check. Previously, if the client was minimized or behind another window, it would not pop to the front.
Profile Icons: Some Icons were bugged and not appearing in the TFT client. All owned Icons should be visible now.

MID.GG analysis

No balance changes here, so your comps are unaffected. Mobile players gain the most: settings, pass rewards and a two-minute window to switch apps without disconnecting.

Traits: Elderwood stays on top

Elderwood (9) remains the best capped vertical after the nerf. Our early numbers have it 33.9 points above average, down only slightly from 35, on a small sample of 3,499 games. The change makes it less forgiving rather than weak. Elderwood (5) is the trap at 14.1 points below average, so either push to 7 or stay at 3.

Blossom (9) already sits 25.2 points above average and Blossom (7) is 4 points above, and the buff lands exactly on those two breakpoints. Blossom (5) is 8.6 points below, a clear signal to go deeper or not bother. Sprykin’s buff targets the ranged BFF option, so pick your backline carry as the partner instead of the default melee tank or Emblem Rengar.

Watch outDo not stall at the middle breakpoint

Elderwood (5) and Blossom (5) both sit well below average in our data. The buffs and the nerf all live at 7 and 9, so a half-built vertical gains nothing this patch.

Units: Nidalee and the AP tanks

Nidalee is the unit to watch. She already sat above average and has moved to 3.1 points above with a 10.1% pick rate, both trending up. The AD form gets more healing and a harder third cast (140% bonus damage, up from 125%) to break through frontliners, while the AP form gets the bigger javelin buffs.

Sentinel is on nearly a third of boards at a 31.5% pick rate, and a better shield ratio makes Warmog’s stronger on it. Malphite’s spell damage jumps at 1 and 2 stars, but he is still 5.7 points below average, so treat him as a secondary AP tank. Kobuko and Rek’Sai get healing buffs to stay on reroll boards longer; Rek’Sai remains 8.6 points below average, so do not expect miracles.

Augments and Wisps

Shopping Spree now grants one extra gold, Plot Armor gets more base resists, and Clockwork Accelerator gives more attack speed per proc. Embiggen is nerfed, cutting the Pixie’s bonus damage. Unrivaled is adjusted to lean harder on the Rengar and Kha’Zix pairing after the Kha’Zix nerfs left it behind.

Middle Path, the shop of 2-star 3-costs, rises to 5 with a 4-cost upgrade, and Curio Cart Emblems now cost 17. Both still win games when they fit your board; they just cost more econ, so take them only when the comp is already locked.

What to play on Teamfight Tactics patch 18.6

Nidalee (4-cost AP carry): the patch’s biggest unit buff goes to her AP javelins, and pairing her with Juggernaut gives the frontline she needs.
Sentinel (4-cost AP tank): already the most played unit we track, and the higher shield ratio rewards slamming Warmog’s on it.
Elderwood (9-piece vertical): still 33.9 points above average after the nerf, so force it whenever you have the Emblems.
Blossom (Emblem vertical): with the 7 and 9 breakpoints buffed, a Blossom Emblem is now a reason to commit instead of reforging.
Kobuko (1-cost reroll frontline): hold it with Rek’Sai on reroll Teemo and Veigar boards, which now keep a sturdier early board.

For positioning and econ fundamentals behind these comps, see our guides.

Client, missions and cosmetics

Patch 18.6 launches the standalone TFT client, the base for further client work through 18.7 and into Set 19. New Little Legends released from Patch 19.1 will not work as ARAM followers, and TFT emotes split from League of Legends emotes in Patch 19.2; anything released earlier keeps working in both games.

Two follow-up patches on 6 and 10 November 2026 fix bugs only: mobile settings and pass rewards, PC resolution outside windowed mode, matchmaking with the League client open, Ready Check bringing the client forward, and missing profile icons. Set 19 also brings Appreciation Missions with Treasure Tokens and a Mythic Chibi for playing games.

Chibi Prestige Cafe Cuties Gwen
Chibi Bewitching Yuumi
Chibi Dragonmancer Kai’Sa
God-King Garen Unbound
T1 Pyke Unbound
Chibi Ezreal
Anniversary Pengu
Atlantean Choncc
Chaos Pengu
Choncc
Disco Choncc
Drip Drummer Choncc
Earth Titan Choncc
Emo Choncc
Fabulous Fleur Choncc
Fencing Foilist Pengu
Fireborn Choncc
Honeybuzz Choncc
K/DA ALL OUT Featherknight
K/DA POP/STARS Featherknight
Kanmei Featherknight
Kiwi Doughcat
Lifeguard Choncc
Lunar Beast Choncc
Lunar Revel Choncc
Mixmaster Choncc
Order Pengu
Pengu Featherknight
Pengu Lisa
Pengu Pengu
Pentakill Choncc
Poggles Cosplay Pengu
Precious Panda Choncc
Ravenlord Featherknight
Rice Doughcat
Sakura Featherknight
Splash Town Choncc
Sun Kissed Choncc
Terra Inktales Featherknight
Tristana Cosplay Pengu
True Ice Featherknight
Umbra
Yasuo Cosplay Pengu
God of Tactics Pengu
Twilight Tactics Pengu
Akana Featherknight
Cheeper Featherknight
Dragon Trainer Pengu
Extra Spicy Featherknight
Ghost Doughcat
Ham Doughcat
Pengu with a Parasol
Salmon Doughcat
Whisker
Party God of Tactics Pengu
Bewitching Prowling Projectile
Chosen of the Wolf Death Lotus
Dragon Trainer Buster Shot
Galaxy Slayer Razor Shuriken
God-King Demacian Justice
Guqin Crescendo
High Noon Death Sentence
Mythmaker Paddle Star!
Mythmaker Vanguard’s Edge
Needlework
PROJECT: Silver Bolts
Star Guardian Glitterlance
Star Guardian Unleashed Power
Dawning Shadow
Death Sentence
Last Breath
Miss Fortune Make It Rain
Summon: Tibbers
Death From Below
Make it Rain

Compare with last patch’s changes or follow every update in our TFT patch notes.

Frequently asked questions

What changed in TFT Patch 18.6?

TFT Patch 18.6 nerfs Elderwood’s 9-piece health bonus and buffs Blossom, Sprykin, Kobuko, Rek’Sai, Murkwolf, Malphite, Nidalee and Sentinel. Clockwork Accelerator, Plot Armor and Shopping Spree are buffed, Embiggen is nerfed, Unrivaled is adjusted, and the Middle Path and Curio Cart Wisps cost more. It also launches the standalone TFT client.

Is Elderwood still good after the Patch 18.6 nerf?

Yes. Elderwood (9) loses most of its health bonus, dropping from 25% to 10%, but our early data still has it 33.9 points above the average top-4 rate, the highest of any trait breakpoint we track. It stays the best capped vertical; it just punishes weaker boards and missing Emblems more than before.

What is the best comp to try on TFT Patch 18.6?

AP Nidalee is the main comp to test. Nidalee is buffed in both forms, with the bigger gains on her AP javelins, and she sits 3.1 points above average in our data. Pair her with Juggernaut and a Sentinel frontline holding Warmog’s. Elderwood (9) remains strongest whenever you can reach it.

What are the TFT Appreciation Missions?

Appreciation Missions arrive with Set 19 in Patch 19.1. Playing 1 game earns 500 Treasure Tokens, and 20 games earns a token for a random Mythic Chibi from a Chibi-only banner. Players who own a Mythic Tactician or Arena before Patch 18.7 get 2 Mythic Medallions; Prestige Tactician owners get an unannounced Mythic Chibi.

TL;DR

Full changes

Appreciation missions

Traits

1-cost units

2-cost units

4-cost units

Augments

Wisps

Mid-patch update

Traits: Elderwood stays on top

Units: Nidalee and the AP tanks

Augments and Wisps

What to play on Teamfight Tactics patch 18.6

Client, missions and cosmetics

Frequently asked questions

What changed in TFT Patch 18.6?

Is Elderwood still good after the Patch 18.6 nerf?

What is the best comp to try on TFT Patch 18.6?

What are the TFT Appreciation Missions?

Sources

TFT, rebuilt in MID.GG