Okay, so I finally decided to dive into this “TFT Shadow Isles” thing everyone’s been talking about. I’ve been playing a bit of Teamfight Tactics here and there, but I’m no expert, so I figured I’d try out a popular comp and see how it goes. Here’s my experience:
Getting Started
First, I looked up a few guides online. There are tons, it’s kind of overwhelming! I mostly just skimmed through them to get the general idea. Seemed like the core of the comp is getting a bunch of Shadow Isles units and some Slayers, and then stacking items on a champion, Viego, he’s the carry.
Early Game Struggles
My early game was…rough. I tried to grab any Shadow Isles units I saw, like Maokai and Viego, and i picked up some slayers champions too. I wasn’t super focused on getting perfect items yet, just trying to get a few units on the board that fit the comp.
I lost a bunch of rounds early on. I’m not gonna lie, it felt a bit discouraging. I kept second-guessing my choices, wondering if I should have bought different units or rolled for better ones. I think my economy was pretty bad too, because I was spending gold pretty haphazardly.
Mid-Game Turnaround
Around the mid-game, things started to click a little. I finally managed to get a few 2-star units, including my Viego. I also snagged a Gwen, which is apparently another important unit for the comp. I started to see the synergy working, with the Shadow Isles units getting stronger after other units died. I remember one round where Viego just went absolutely nuts and wiped out almost the entire enemy team. It was pretty satisfying!
I also started to pay more attention to my items. I focused on getting items, and after many rounds i’ve finally got the 3 perfect items that can make Viego strong.
Late Game and Victory (Sometimes)
The late game was a mixed bag. Some games, I dominated. My Viego would be a monster, cutting through enemies like butter, and my other units would provide enough support to keep him alive. Other games, I got crushed. I think it depended a lot on what other players were doing, and whether I could get the right units and items.
I definitely didn’t win every game, but I did manage to get a few first-place finishes. It felt pretty good when it all came together.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’d say the Shadow Isles comp is pretty strong, but it takes some practice. You need to learn how to manage your economy, position your units correctly, and prioritize the right items. It’s not a comp you can just force every game, but when it works, it works really well.
I’m still learning, but I’m definitely going to keep trying this comp. It’s fun to play, and it’s satisfying to see Viego go on a rampage. Maybe I’ll even try some of the other variations I saw in those guides.
