TFT Set 18 Vanguard Guide: Vanguard Emblem and Best Comps

@tft=set18:trait:DA_18_Vanguard@ is the shield trait of Set 18. Your Vanguards start every fight with a Shield based on their max Health, and they get it again when they drop below half. It turns a few sturdy champions into a front line that's hard to burn through.

Most boards that play it stop at 4, and the @tft=set18:item:DA_18_EmblemVanguard@ is how many of them get there. This guide covers how the trait works, the Vanguard champions, the comps that play it, how to play Vanguard Alune, and who should hold the emblem.

Quick answer. At combat start and after dropping below 50% Health, @tft=set18:trait:DA_18_Vanguard@ champions gain a Shield for 10 seconds. It's 18% of their max Health at 2, 30% at 4, and 40% at 6, where they also gain 5% Durability while Shielded. The six Vanguards are @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Rakan@, @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Elise@, @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Diana@, @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Hecarim@, @tft=set18:unit:DA_Sentinel18@ and @tft=set18:unit:DA_Taric18@. Build the @tft=set18:item:DA_18_EmblemVanguard@ from a @tft=set18:item:DA_Component_ChainVest@ and a @tft=set18:item:DA_Component_FryingPan@, and give it to a tank who isn't a Vanguard, like @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Lillia@. The main Vanguard comp without Coven is Vanguard Alune, a level 9 board with @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Alune@ and @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Morgana@ as the carries.

How does Vanguard work in TFT?

@tft=set18:trait:DA_18_Vanguard@ is a class with breakpoints at 2, 4 and 6. Each one gives a bigger Shield to every Vanguard on your board.

The Shield comes twice. Your Vanguards get it when combat starts, and again the first time they drop below 50% Health, and each one lasts 10 seconds. Because it scales with max Health, it's worth more on a champion with @tft=set18:item:DA_WarmogsArmor@ or other Health items.

4 is the breakpoint to aim for. Going from 2 to 4 almost doubles the Shield, while 6 needs every Vanguard in the set, including the 5-cost @tft=set18:unit:DA_Taric18@ or an emblem. Our Vanguard stats show how each breakpoint places.

Vanguard champions

There are six Vanguards, one at every cost from 1 to 5, plus a second 3-cost.

Diana, Sentinel and Taric are the core you'll see most. All three sit in the Vanguard comps below, and Sentinel also counts as an @tft=set18:trait:DA_18_Invoker@, so he helps your casters too. Rakan and Elise are early game Vanguards, and Elise stays to the end in Vanguard Coven Morgana.

Best Vanguard comps in TFT Set 18

Three comps near the top of our comps tier list play 4 @tft=set18:trait:DA_18_Vanguard@ by level 9.

Vanguard Coven Morgana is the strongest of the three. It's Tier 1 on patch 18.5, and Vanguard Alune is Tier 2. The Coven board is in our Coven guide, since Coven decides how you play it, and Vanguard Invoker Morgana is on our comps tier list. The next section covers Vanguard Alune as it stood in patch 18.5, the board that plays Vanguard without Coven. On patch 18.4 the same board was listed as Vanguard Morgana.

Vanguard Alune

This board runs 3 @tft=set18:trait:DA_18_Vanguard@ at level 8 in @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Diana@, @tft=set18:unit:DA_Sentinel18@ and @tft=set18:unit:DA_Taric18@. @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Hecarim@ makes 4 at level 9, or the @tft=set18:item:DA_18_EmblemVanguard@ on @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Lillia@ gets you there a level earlier. @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Morgana@ and Sentinel add 2 @tft=set18:trait:DA_18_Invoker@, and Lillia and @tft=set18:unit:DA_Fiddlesticks18@ add 2 @tft=set18:trait:DA_18_Defender@. @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Ivern@ fills the last slot.

@tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Alune@ and Morgana are the carries. Alune's 2-star matters most to the board, Morgana does a lot of the damage, and the Vanguards keep the front line up long enough for both to cast more than once.

Patch 18.5 was kind to this board. Alune's Moonshard and Attack Speed went up, Morgana's Curse hits harder, and @tft=set18:unit:DA_Taric18@ gained Resists and stronger empowered attacks. Sentinel's stun went from 1 second to 0.5, but his Shield grew.

When to play it

Play it when you hit @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Alune@, @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Morgana@ and @tft=set18:unit:DA_Sentinel18@ upgrades. The data is clear about the 2-stars. With a 2-star Alune the board averages 2.68, against 5.16 without one. A 2-star Morgana takes it from 5.16 to 3.34, and a 2-star Sentinel from 4.73 to 3.12.

Tears, Rods and Belts are the components to take, in that order. No augment stands out on this board yet, so take the strongest one you're offered.

Leveling plan

The board is tagged fast 10, but most of your rolling happens at level 9, so don't spend your gold at 8 unless you're losing a lot of Health. The most common opener is @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Caitlyn@, @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Camille@, @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Elise@ and @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Rakan@, and stage 3 adds @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Cassiopeia@, @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Diana@ and @tft=set18:unit:DA_Fiddlesticks18@. Diana and Fiddlesticks stay to the end, and the rest go as the 4-costs and 5-costs come in.

Items

• Alune: @tft=set18:item:DA_ArchangelsStaff@, @tft=set18:item:DA_BlueBuff@, @tft=set18:item:DA_JeweledGauntlet@.

• Morgana: @tft=set18:item:DA_HextechGunblade@, @tft=set18:item:DA_Morellonomicon@, @tft=set18:item:DA_VoidStaff@.

• Sentinel: @tft=set18:item:DA_GargoyleStoneplate@, @tft=set18:item:DA_ProtectorsVow@, @tft=set18:item:DA_WarmogsArmor@.

• Taric: @tft=set18:item:DA_GargoyleStoneplate@, @tft=set18:item:DA_SpiritVisage@, @tft=set18:item:DA_WarmogsArmor@.

Build items early and park them on holders. @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Cassiopeia@ holds Alune's and Morgana's items, and @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Elise@ holds Sentinel's.

Flex and substitutions

@tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Hecarim@ and @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Ivern@ are the flex slots at level 9. If you already have the @tft=set18:item:DA_18_EmblemVanguard@ on @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Lillia@, Hecarim's slot is free for another strong unit. If you'd rather add an @tft=set18:item:DA_18_EmblemInvoker@, it goes on @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Alune@ and makes 3 @tft=set18:trait:DA_18_Invoker@.

How to make the Vanguard Emblem

The @tft=set18:item:DA_18_EmblemVanguard@ builds from a @tft=set18:item:DA_Component_ChainVest@ and a @tft=set18:item:DA_Component_FryingPan@. It gives its holder the @tft=set18:trait:DA_18_Vanguard@ trait. If the holder survives 22 seconds of a player combat, you also gain 1 player Health.

Patch 18.2 cut its Armor and Magic Resist from 30 to 25. Every copy needs a Frying Pan, so take one when a carousel or an augment like @tft=set18:augment:DA_CookingPot@ offers it.

Who should hold the Vanguard Emblem?

Give it to a front liner. The holder gets the Shield too, and the player Health bonus only pays out if the holder lives 22 seconds, so a tank makes the most of both.

• @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Lillia@. She holds it in Vanguard Alune, where it takes the board from 3 to 4 before level 9.

• @tft=set18:unit:DA_Fiddlesticks18@. He's the second choice on the same board.

• @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Morgana@ or @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_ElderDragon@ in Vanguard Coven Morgana. That board already has 4, so the emblem makes 5. It doesn't reach a new breakpoint, but it gives the holder a Shield.

Common Vanguard mistakes

• Chasing 6. It needs all six Vanguards, @tft=set18:unit:DA_Taric18@ included, or five plus an emblem. 4 gives most of the value for a lot less.

• Rolling at level 8. Vanguard Alune does its rolling at 9 for 2-star @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Alune@. Spending your gold at 8 leaves you short when it counts.

• Staying in with a 1-star Alune. Vanguard Alune averages 5.16 without a 2-star @tft=set18:unit:DA_18_Alune@ and 2.68 with one. If she won't upgrade by level 9, the board won't hold, so pivot or cut your losses early.

Frequently asked questions

What does Vanguard do in TFT Set 18?

At combat start and after dropping below 50% Health, your Vanguards gain a Shield for 10 seconds. It's 18% of max Health at 2, 30% at 4 and 40% at 6, where they also gain 5% Durability while Shielded.

How many Vanguard champions are there?

There are six. They're Rakan, Elise, Diana, Hecarim, Sentinel and Taric, costing 1, 2, 3, 3, 4 and 5 gold.

How do you make the Vanguard Emblem?

Combine a Chain Vest with a Frying Pan. It gives the holder the Vanguard trait, and if the holder survives 22 seconds of a player combat, you gain 1 player Health.

What is the best Vanguard Emblem comp?

Vanguard Alune. The emblem on Lillia takes it from 3 Vanguard to 4 at level 8, a level before Hecarim does it for you.

Who should hold the Vanguard Emblem?

A tank who isn't already a Vanguard, like Lillia or Fiddlesticks in Vanguard Alune.

Is Morgana a Vanguard?

No. Morgana is an Invoker and Coven. She's the carry in the Vanguard comps, and the Vanguards are the champions in front of her.

Where can I see the full Vanguard comps?

Every comp's board, item builds and stats are on our comps tier list. Vanguard Alune is covered in full above, as it stood in patch 18.5.