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By GamGem ResearchLast updated 21 Aug 2026 · 00:00

Dragon Bruisers

Set 17 Space Gods·17.9·ends 2026-08-26

156,432games · Last 7 days

Play Dragon Bruisers when AP components and natural Rek'Sai copies appear.

CarryRek'Sai
TankCho'Gath
Level8
StyleSlow roll
Difficulty
Low sample

Level 8 board

Rek'Sai★★★
Illaoi★★
Briar★★
Bel'Veth★★
Cho'Gath★★
Maokai★★
Gnar★★
Rammus★★

Change strip

17.9Current
  • · Rek'Sai damage ↑
  • · Conduit (4) buffed
  • · Viktor mana ↓
17.8
  • · Cho'Gath armor ↑
  • · Viktor damage ↑
17.7
  • · Shen shield ↓
  • · Conduit (6) nerfed
View full history

Verdict

Avg place4.61
Win rate11.4%
Pick rate11.40%
Top 455.3%50.0 – 60.6
Optimal58
Games821

Trait breakpoints

  • Primordian246
  • Brawler246
  • Bulwark246
  • Bastion246
  • Doomer246

Slam, hold & substitute

Slam (priority)
Hold (situational)
Substitute (carry)

Opener · AD

CorkiBel'VethAkaliRek'Sai
2 Primordian2 Primordian2 Challenger
Item path

Opener · AP

Preferred
FizzLissandraNunu & WillumpVeigar
2 N.O.V.A.2 Brawler2 Stargazer
Item path

Opener · TANK

GragasGwenPykeJax
2 Fateweaver2 Divine Duelist2 Rogue
Item path

Retained units

  • Early game
  • Mid game
  • Late game

Stage timeline

  1. 2-1Level 4Stabilize
  2. 3-2Level 5Spike
  3. 4-2Level 6Roll Down
  4. 5-1Level 7Complete
  5. 6-1+Level 8Cap

Pivot window

Best pivot before4-2

Don’t force past this. After it the committed items cost more than the new line gains.

Matchup patterns

AgainstTop 4ΔLP
  • Vs Shepherd Akali60%+16
  • Vs Arbiter Aatrox54%+6
  • Vs Aurora Flex AP59%+14
  • Vs Aurora Conduit40%-16
  • Vs Stargazer Invokers63%+21

Positioning · Vs Sniper

Spread to avoid the fourth shot. Corner the tank.

Positioning · Vs Mecha

Split vs AoE. Protect the carry with the bastion.

Augments

  • Stellar ComboGOOD
  • Apotheotic ForgeGOOD
  • TimestreamGOOD
  • Reach for the StarsGOOD
  • Self DestructBAIT
  • Heat DeathBAIT

Substitutions

  • No AP / Anti-Heal
  • Need CC / Utility
  • More Crowd Control
  • vs High Armor

Game plan

  1. 1.Eco early. Don’t force. Look for AP items + the carry.
  2. 2.Level 4 at 2-1, Level 6 at 3-2. Stabilise board.
  3. 3.Hit Rek'Sai 2★ (7) and the tank 2★. Roll at 7.
  4. 4.Level 8 at 4-5. Complete core and itemize.
  5. 5.Level 8 for final cap (flex unit).

Copy & share

Situation matrix

SituationPlayForcePivot
AP Items✓—✕
Carry Early✓✓✕
Contested—✓✓
Low HP✕✕✓
No Frontline✕✕✓

Disagreement

17% of the sampled boards disagree on Maokai vs Briar.

Sources

  • tactics.tools821
  • metatft.com19,332
  • tftacademy.app14,208

Freshness

Last verified2026-08-21Patch17.9Set ends2026-08-26WindowLast 7 daysRegionGlobalRankAll Ranks