TFT Patch Notes: Kobuko, Vayne, Kai’Sa, Ryze & Augment Changes

Teamfight Tactics (TFT) patch 16.7, released on March 17, 2026, focuses on smaller, targeted adjustments following the larger changes introduced in patch 16.6. This update, coinciding with the start of the Tactician’s Crown tournament, prioritizes balance refinements over sweeping alterations, according to Riot Games. The patch addresses unit performance, augment imbalances, and bug fixes, aiming to create a more stable and competitive meta.

Kobuko and Vayne: Continued Adjustments

Riot is continuing to address the performance of Kobuko and Vayne, two units that have struggled to find a consistent place in the current meta. Kobuko, described as an “HP bar” that isn’t even effective at that role, receives a buff to his self-healing ability. The self-heal amount is increased from 180/240/300 AP to 200/280/450 AP. This change aims to improve Kobuko’s survivability and allow him to remain on the board for longer durations.

Vayne, despite previous buffs, continues to underperform following nerfs to the Kraken trait. The developers are implementing one final buff to her ability damage, increasing it from 110/165/285 AD + 6/10/15 AP to 120/180/310 AD + 10/15/25 AP. If this adjustment fails to elevate Vayne to at least a “B tier” ranking, the team intends to re-imagine her as an Ability Power (AP) focused unit in a future “for fun” patch – typically the final patch of a set designed for experimentation. This signals a potential significant shift in Vayne’s gameplay and build path. You can find more information about Vayne builds on MetaTFT.

Tier 3 and 4 Unit Tweaks

Beyond Kobuko and Vayne, patch 16.7 includes adjustments to other units. Tristana, a Tier 2 unit, receives a boost to her spell damage, increasing from 250/375/600/825 AD to 265/400/660/920 AD. This change aims to enhance Tristana’s damage output, potentially making her a more viable reroll option.

Kai’Sa, a Tier 4 unit, is receiving adjustments to acknowledge that her Ability Power (AP) builds have been outperforming her Attack Damage (AD) builds. The patch notes indicate that the developers are “giving a bit of love” to Kai’Sa mains who favor AD builds, suggesting changes to improve the viability of sword-based builds.

5-Cost Unit and Augment Adjustments

The patch also addresses balance concerns with 5-cost units, particularly Galio and Ryze. Galio’s priority has increased due to changes in unlock conditions from the previous patch, leading to a durability and damage nerf that scales with his resistances. Ryze, deemed too strong, especially at two-stars within 4-region compositions, receives a lighter nerf at one-star, as that version was not considered overly problematic.

T-Hex, a unit that requires channeling time for its ability, is receiving a substantial buff, though the developers believe this won’t be overly impactful due to the channeling requirement. They’ve tested combinations with Rageblade, but found them to be ineffective.

Augment Revisions and Removals

Riot is also making changes to Augments, powerful bonuses that players can select during the game. The team is reducing the power of the best-performing Augments across all tiers. Two specific Augments are undergoing significant changes: Promised Protection is being removed entirely, as it has consistently failed to deliver top-four finishes for players. Walk the True Path II, the only path to Ionia’s Prismatic augment, is being temporarily removed due to being overpowered and currently bugged to appear on the Path of Enlightenment (XP), making it even more consistent. This removal is intended to maintain balance during the Tactician’s Crown tournament.

What Comes Next: Tournament Focus and Future Balance

With patch 16.7 serving as the “Tactician’s Crown Patch,” the focus is on ensuring a fair and balanced competitive environment for the upcoming March 27-29 tournament. The developers are implementing “smaller, safer, focused changes” to avoid disrupting the meta too close to the event.

Looking beyond the tournament, the future of Vayne remains uncertain. The developers have clearly stated that if the current buff doesn’t improve her performance, they are prepared to fundamentally alter her design. This highlights the iterative nature of game balancing and the willingness of Riot Games to experiment with significant changes when necessary. Further adjustments and refinements are expected in subsequent patches, based on player feedback and data analysis. The team is also hinting at another announcement around the time of the tournament, suggesting further developments for Teamfight Tactics are on the horizon. You can stay up to date on Teamfight Tactics updates on the official website: Teamfight Tactics Patch 16.7. A discussion on Vayne builds and Kraken Slayer can be found on Reddit.