How We Rank Emblems
Emblem tier lists require context. An emblem's value depends on:
- **Composition strength** - How good are the compositions that use it?
- **Breakpoint importance** - Does it enable critical thresholds?
- **Flexibility** - Can it work in multiple compositions?
- **Rarity** - Is it craftable or drop-only?
- **Stat bonus** - How useful are the bonus stats?
This guide provides tier rankings with full justifications, so you understand not just what's good, but why it's good.
S-Tier Emblems (Always High Value)
Yordle Emblem
Tier: S
Recipe: Spatula + Negatron Cloak
Stat Bonus: +20 Magic Resist
Why S-Tier:
The Yordle Emblem is unique in Set 16 because it enables an otherwise impossible composition. With only 7 natural Yordle champions, Yordle 8 (which unlocks Veigar) is unreachable without an emblem or augment. This makes the emblem build-defining.
Veigar is a powerful 5-cost carry who joins your team for free when you hit Yordle 8. This represents massive value - effectively getting a 5-cost carry without rolling for it.
When to prioritize: Always. If you receive a Yordle Emblem, strongly consider pivoting to Yordle composition.
Invoker Emblem
Tier: S
Recipe: Frying Pan + Tear of the Goddess
Stat Bonus: +1 Mana Regen
Why S-Tier:
Invoker is one of the most impactful traits in TFT Set 16. At Invoker 2, mages cast noticeably faster. At Invoker 4, cast frequency nearly doubles. This directly translates to more damage, healing, and crowd control.
The emblem is S-tier because:
- It fits into the #1 meta composition (Piltover Seraphine)
- Invoker 4 is a game-changing breakpoint
- Works in any AP-focused composition
- Mana acceleration is universally valuable
When to prioritize: Whenever you have an ability-focused carry. Essential for Seraphine, Lux, and Veigar compositions.
Piltover Emblem
Tier: S
Recipe: Non-craftable (augments/drops only)
Stat Bonus: Varies
Why S-Tier:
The Piltover Emblem enables the #1 performing composition in Set 16 data: Piltover Seraphine. This composition has the best average placement of any meta comp.
Because Piltover Emblem is non-craftable, obtaining one is a signal to pivot toward this composition. Other players cannot easily match your Piltover count, giving you an inherent advantage.
When to prioritize: Always. Non-craftable nature makes it premium whenever obtained.
Arcanist Emblem
Tier: S
Recipe: Frying Pan + Needlessly Large Rod
Stat Bonus: +10 Ability Power
Why S-Tier:
Arcanist is the most universally applicable AP trait. At Arcanist 2, your mages gain AP. At Arcanist 6, your ENTIRE team gains AP. This team-wide bonus makes the trait exceptionally powerful.
The emblem works in virtually any composition with ability-focused champions. It's never wrong to have more AP on magic damage dealers.
When to prioritize: Whenever you have AP carries. Pairs with Yordle, Piltover, Demacia, and many other compositions.
A-Tier Emblems (Strong, Composition-Dependent)
Ionia Emblem
Tier: A
Recipe: Spatula + Needlessly Large Rod
Stat Bonus: +10 Ability Power
Why A-Tier:
Ionia features a unique Path system and unlocks Yunara at Ionia 7. This legendary unit is extremely powerful, making Ionia 7 a desirable target. The emblem helps reach this threshold.
Ranked A instead of S because:
- Ionia requires more board commitment than some S-tier options
- The Path system adds complexity
- Yunara unlock requires Ionia 7 specifically
When to prioritize: When committed to Ionia vertical or when you have natural Ionia carries itemized.
Void Emblem
Tier: A
Recipe: Spatula + Recurve Bow
Stat Bonus: +10% AS, +10 AD, +10 AP
Why A-Tier:
Void provides the best stat bonus of any emblem (triple hybrid stats) and enables Void 9 for Baron Nashor. The mutations add variance but are generally positive.
Ranked A because:
- Mutation randomness adds inconsistency
- Void 9 requires heavy board investment
- Works best with specific carries (Kai'Sa, Bel'Veth)
When to prioritize: When you have Void carries with items, or when pushing for Void 9.
Zaun Emblem
Tier: A
Recipe: Spatula + Sparring Gloves
Stat Bonus: +20% Critical Chance
Why A-Tier:
Zaun provides strong team-wide bonuses at Zaun 7, and the crit chance stat bonus is excellent on AD carries. Warwick and Jinx are reliable carries that benefit from the emblem.
Ranked A because:
- Zaun 7 requires 7 board slots (or 6 + emblem)
- The composition is straightforward but not the absolute best
- Crit scaling is carry-dependent
When to prioritize: When playing Warwick or Jinx carries, or when Zaun is uncontested.
Quickstriker Emblem
Tier: A
Recipe: Frying Pan + Recurve Bow
Stat Bonus: +10% Attack Speed
Why A-Tier:
Quickstriker scales multiplicatively with attack speed, creating hyper-fast carries. The trait works well with on-hit builds and AD carry compositions.
Ranked A because:
- Requires attack speed investment to maximize
- Strong on specific carries but not universal
- Breakpoints at 2/3/4/5 require investment
When to prioritize: When playing Kindred, Jinx, or other attack speed-scaling carries.
B-Tier Emblems (Solid, Situational)
Juggernaut Emblem
Tier: B
Recipe: Frying Pan + Negatron Cloak
Stat Bonus: +20 Magic Resist
Why B-Tier:
Juggernaut is the most universally splashed trait in Set 16 - appearing in 80%+ of compositions. However, this ubiquity means you often have Juggernaut 2 naturally without needing an emblem.
Ranked B because:
- Easy to achieve naturally (many natural Juggernaut units)
- Juggernaut 4 is less impactful than other 4-breakpoints
- MR stat bonus is situational
When to prioritize: When you need defensive frontline and don't have natural Juggernaut units. Safe choice when no better option exists.
Defender Emblem
Tier: B
Recipe: Frying Pan + Chain Vest
Stat Bonus: +20 Armor
Why B-Tier:
Defender provides solid resistances and has excellent 2-breakpoint value. However, it's a splash trait rather than a build-around.
Ranked B because:
- Primarily a splash trait (2-count is sufficient)
- Defender 4/6 require board investment with diminishing returns
- Armor stat bonus is situational (AD-heavy lobbies)
When to prioritize: Against AD-heavy lobbies or when you need frontline tankiness without natural Defender units.
Demacia Emblem
Tier: B
Recipe: Spatula + Chain Vest
Stat Bonus: +20 Armor
Why B-Tier:
Demacia 7 unlocks Zaahen, adding a legendary unit. However, requiring 7 board slots for the payoff is heavy investment.
Ranked B because:
- Demacia 7 requires 7 slots (or 6 + emblem)
- Lux carry compositions exist but aren't top-tier
- Armor stat bonus limits flexibility
When to prioritize: When committed to Demacia vertical with Lux as carry.
Slayer Emblem
Tier: B
Recipe: Frying Pan + B.F. Sword
Stat Bonus: +10% Attack Damage
Why B-Tier:
Slayer provides omnivamp and stacking AD, excellent for sustained damage carries. Works well with specific champions like Bel'Veth and Yasuo.
Ranked B because:
- Requires extended fights to stack (burst meta diminishes value)
- Champion-dependent (not universal)
- AD stat bonus limits AP carry flexibility
When to prioritize: When playing Bel'Veth, Yasuo, or other sustained damage carries.
Bruiser Emblem
Tier: B
Recipe: Frying Pan + Giant's Belt
Stat Bonus: +150 Health
Why B-Tier:
Bruiser provides health scaling that works against all damage types. Universal but not spectacular.
Ranked B because:
- Health scaling is good but not exceptional
- Many natural Bruiser units exist
- Doesn't enable specific compositions
When to prioritize: When you need frontline health and lack natural Bruiser units.
Vanquisher Emblem
Tier: B
Recipe: Frying Pan + Sparring Gloves
Stat Bonus: +20% Critical Chance
Why B-Tier:
Vanquisher provides crit scaling that works well with specific carries like Kalista. The crit chance stat bonus is strong.
Ranked B because:
- Champion-dependent (Kalista, Yasuo)
- Requires crit item investment to maximize
- Competes with Quickstriker for similar carries
When to prioritize: When playing Kalista or other crit-focused carries.
C-Tier Emblems (Niche, Situational)
Noxus Emblem
Tier: C
Recipe: Spatula + B.F. Sword
Stat Bonus: +10% Attack Damage
Why C-Tier:
Noxus requires extended fights to stack damage. In the current meta, fights often end before Noxus reaches full power.
Ranked C because:
- Meta is burst-oriented, not extended-fight
- Noxus 7 is reachable naturally without emblem
- AD stat bonus limits flexibility
When to prioritize: In slow, tanky lobbies where fights last long enough to stack.
Freljord Emblem
Tier: C
Recipe: Spatula + Giant's Belt
Stat Bonus: +150 Health
Why C-Tier:
Freljord provides crowd control but doesn't enable strong vertical compositions. Works as splash but doesn't define builds.
Ranked C because:
- Primarily a splash trait (Freljord 3 is sufficient)
- Doesn't enable top-tier compositions
- Health stat is universal but unexciting
When to prioritize: When splashing Freljord in Piltover Seraphine or other compositions.
Bilgewater Emblem
Tier: C
Recipe: Spatula + Tear of the Goddess
Stat Bonus: +1 Mana Regen
Why C-Tier:
Bilgewater provides economic value rather than combat power. This makes it a "win more" trait that doesn't help when you're struggling.
Ranked C because:
- Economic traits don't win fights directly
- Mana regen stat bonus is weak
- Bilgewater compositions aren't top-tier
When to prioritize: When already winning and want to snowball advantage.
Non-Craftable Emblem Rankings
These emblems can only be obtained from augments, carousel, or drops:
S-Tier Non-Craftable
- **Piltover** (enables #1 meta composition)
A-Tier Non-Craftable
- **Warden** (excellent tank trait, enables Kalista compositions)
- **Ixtal** (limited champion pool makes emblem extremely valuable)
B-Tier Non-Craftable
- **Disruptor** (true damage counters tanks but situational)
- **Gunslinger** (multi-target damage, carry-dependent)
- **Longshot** (range bonus, positioning-dependent)
Using This Tier List
Remember: tier lists provide guidance, not rules. Context matters:
- **S-tier emblems** are always worth considering
- **A-tier emblems** are strong when you have synergy
- **B-tier emblems** are solid but don't define builds
- **C-tier emblems** are situational; often other items are better
Use EmblemComp.gg to see how any emblem fits with your current board. The tool shows breakpoint improvements and composition rankings in real-time.