Every figure shows its source. Where a source is missing, the number is a placeholder — and it is never written as fact.

By GamGem ResearchLast updated 21 Aug 2026 · 00:00

Shepherd Akali

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

156,432games · Last 7 days

Play Shepherd Akali when AP components and natural Akali copies appear.

CarryAkali
TankLeona
Level8
StyleFast 8
Difficulty
Solid

Level 8 board

Shen★★
Poppy★★
Leona★★
Fiora★★
Talon★★
Milio★★
Akali★★★
Bard★★

Change strip

17.9Current
  • · Akali damage ↑
  • · Conduit (4) buffed
  • · Viktor mana ↓
17.8
  • · Leona armor ↑
  • · Viktor damage ↑
17.7
  • · Shen shield ↓
  • · Conduit (6) nerfed
View full history

Verdict

Avg place2.28
Win rate19.4%
Pick rate16.30%
Top 468.7%63.4 – 73.6
Optimal85
Games4,518

Trait breakpoints

  • Challenger246
  • Bastion246
  • Rogue246
  • Arbiter246
  • Space Groove246

Slam, hold & substitute

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

Opener · AD

RivenRek'SaiCaitlynJhin
2 Sniper2 Gun Goddess2 Primordian
Item path

Opener · AP

Preferred
MaokaiTeemoGragasBard
2 Party Animal2 Challenger2 Primordian
Item path

Opener · TANK

AatroxIllaoiMaster Yi
2 Primordian2 Divine Duelist2 Mecha
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 Arbiter Aatrox64%+22
  • Vs Aurora Flex AP65%+24
  • Vs Aurora Conduit48%-3
  • Vs Stargazer Invokers46%-6
  • Vs Gun Goddess Rangers53%+5

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 Akali 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

20% of the sampled boards disagree on Fiora vs Bard.

Sources

  • tactics.tools4,518
  • metatft.com19,332
  • tftacademy.app14,208

Freshness

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