Set 14 of Teamfight Tactics has arrived in the Convergence. Anima Squad has arrived at Cyber City to protect it from those who wish to control it. To defend Cyber City, Anima Squad has brought their best operatives equipped with the weapons they used to hold off the Swarm. How exactly they protect the City is up to the players who wish to control them. Thankfully, this guide is your number one aid to be successful.
Teamfight Tactics Anima Squad Overview
Anima Squad has eight units it can utilize. Sylas, Seraphine, Vayne, Illaoi, Yuumi, Xayah, Leona, and Aurora. With Anima Squad’s cap without emblems being at 7 Anima Squad, one unit gets left out to make room for others. Seraphine, a one-cost backline unit, does not appear in most late-game boards. Due to Sylas and Leona sharing the Vanguard trait, players do not need other Vanguards to play alongside Leona.
The other part of the trait players need to know about is the weapons. At each breakpoint (3, 5, 7, and 10), players get the choice of two weapons that were available in the Swarm PvE Game Mode. Right now, the weapon choice has little impact on fights and depends on whether you have Shred or Sunder.
Anima Squad Early Game
Having three Anima Squad on early boards is vital. The weapon damage is high in the early game. The best boards to play involve Sylas, Illaoi, and one of the backline units, depending on the items available. Adding a Bastion or Vanguard at level four enables the composition the most. In the early game, the frontline is more important, and focusing on early tank items will help to get an early win streak. A level two Vi can hold tank items and be the needed frontline.
Anima Squad Mid-Game
Finding a Yuumi on Stage Three to enable five Anima Squad will help keep your win streak going. If you can find a two-star Jarvan IV alongside having AD items on Vayne, putting the tank Items on Jarvan is worth it. Alternatively, keeping tank items on two-star Illaoi with a second Bastion on your board will keep your frontline alive. As mentioned, AD items are placed on Vayne, while Yuumi carries any AP items. Depending on which damage items you prioritize, having Shred or Sunder for mid-game boards is often the difference between winning and losing fights.
Anima Squad Late Game
Your late-game boards focus on hitting two-star Leona, Xayah, and Aurora. Hitting two-star Aurora on Stage Four is unlikely, while the other two are needed to carry. The specific tank items are not crucial for Leona. If she has three items, she will do her job.
Xayah, on the other hand, needs more specific items. Given that a significant portion of her damage is in her ability, Spear of Shojin and Infinity Edge are required. A third item of Last Whisper or Deathblade, if you do not need Sunder, will enable her to crush opponents. Aurora can utilize any leftover AP items, but if you can, getting her Shojin, Jeweled Gauntlet, and Morelonomicon will help her carry fights.
Since only seven Anima Squad units are needed, there are a couple of slots to give to other units, depending on your level. Frontline units are a priority. The most utilized units are Sejuani or Renekton for Bastion or Neeko for Strategist. Alternatively, squeezing in a Zac or Garen helps. One of the best backline units to add in the Late Game is Jhin since he activates Marksman for Xayah and Dynamo for the entire board.
With Aurora tossing in a unit from the bench every fight, the unit you choose can be the difference between winning and losing a fight. Your best option is Urgot. He benefits greatly from the Attack Speed Aurora gives. Any high-cost frontline can work as well.
When to Play Anima Squad
Having two stars of low-cost units is a significant indicator that you can play this line. However, getting one of the Anima Squad Augments or an Emblem is a big tell. The Anima Squad Augments significantly increase the potency of the trait, Support Spire, through combat effectiveness or Power Leveling by increasing XP gains. An emblem allows players to hit Five Anima Squad earlier, and you can drop Vayne on late-game boards for a better four or five-cost unit.
Best Augments to Take
With the Anima Squad trait providing a decent chunk of damage stats and the weapons, having augments that enable the frontline is essential. Examples of this are Bulky Buddies, Cybernetic Implants, or Belt Overflow. For the early game, anything to help with the Economy or Experience, like Raining Gold, Cluttered Mind, or All that Shimmers, will help to get to levels eight and nine. Pairs of Fours can also help this board since you predominantly play around Leona and Xayah. If you take this augment, you can not play units like Neeko or Sejuani.
