Welcome to the Enchanted Wilds, the latest TFT set that transports players into a mystical forest teeming with powerful nature protectors, whimsical Wisps, and a fresh set of Traits. Patch 18.1 marks the first live release of this set, but it's more than just new content—it's a monumental shift as the game transitions from Hextech to Unreal Engine. This patch notes overview covers the key system changes, including the new Wisp mechanic, the return of the Carousel, and the removal of certain Encounters. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer, there's plenty to unpack in this magical update.

The Enchanted Wilds Set and Its Core Mechanic: Wisps

The Enchanted Wilds introduces a novel mechanic: Wisps. These mystical beings appear in every other shop and are categorized into seven distinct types: Champion, Combat, Misc, Shop, Gold/XP, Risky, and Item. Each category has its own color and icon, making it easy to identify at a glance. Wisps can only be purchased during the planning phase—once the phase ends, they vanish to reveal the unit they were hiding. This adds a layer of strategy, as players must decide whether to invest in a Wisp without knowing the outcome. Notably, after stage 5, every other Wisp is guaranteed to be a Combat Wisp, which can significantly impact late-game tactics.

Engine Transition: What to Expect on Launch

Patch 18.1 is the first step into the Unreal Engine era for TFT. This transition brings several temporary changes that players should be aware of. Loading times will be longer than usual, but the team is working on backend optimizations. The minimap and pings have been removed, with pings being reworked into a social tool independent of the minimap. Friend spectate will also be unavailable at launch, but it's planned for a future release with an improved spectator experience. Additionally, patch size will be larger than normal due to the new set, but subsequent patches should be smaller. Finishers are also affected—they'll be displayed as videos rather than in-engine, and will temporarily feature River Sprites until they're rebuilt. Cosmetics will be migrated gradually, with more added each patch until parity is achieved.

System Changes: Carousel Returns and Targeting Adjustments

The Carousel makes a comeback with a twist: it now has a higher chance to spawn more champions or higher-cost champions. This adds a new layer of excitement to the early game. Targeting has also been revamped—units no longer retarget after being crowd-controlled, eliminating the 'target amnesia' that could disrupt backline positioning. This is a welcome change for players who rely on precise positioning to protect their carries.

Encounter Updates and Augment Adjustments

Opening Encounters have been rebalanced to reduce extreme variance. New Encounters like 'Completed Item Anvil Start' and 'Reroll Subscription' provide more consistent starts, while 'Item Forge' gives everyone two Completed Item Anvils. On the other hand, several high-impact Encounters like 'Loot Subscription' and 'Artifact Anvil' have been removed. Augments have also seen significant changes: many have been removed, some have returned, and others have been adjusted. Notable adjustments include 'Band of Thieves II' now triggering after 5 player combats instead of 6, and 'Birthday Reunion' now grants a random 2-star 2-cost champion, a component at level 6, and a 2-star 5-cost at level 9. The full list of changes is extensive, so be sure to check the detailed notes.

Additional Updates and Player Rewards

Players who reached Gold or higher in Space Gods Ranked or Double Up will receive the Victorious Lumie, a special little buddy to celebrate their achievement. The minimum specs have been updated, with iOS 2GB and Android 2/3GB devices no longer supported. Also, the PvE loot system now allows missed loot from Stage 4-7 to overflow to the next PvE round, ensuring you don't lose out on valuable items.

  • Wisps: 7 categories, purchasable only during planning phase, appear in every other shop.
  • Carousel: Now has a chance to include more champions or higher-cost champions.
  • Targeting: Units no longer retarget after crowd control.
  • New Encounters: Completed Item Anvil Start, Reroll Subscription, Item Forge.
  • Removed Encounters: Loot Subscription, Artifact Anvil, Reroll Start.
Source: Based on the official Teamfight Tactics Patch 18.1 notes by Riot Games (Katie 'Riot Ukime' Guo and Rodger 'Riot Prism' Caudill). For full details, visit the TFT patch notes page.