TFT: Compo Initiator and Mystique on Teamfight Tactics

Our articles on TFT Tactical Combat: Initiator and Mystic composition on Teamfight Tactics How to play the Initiator / Mystic composition? The writing explains everything: tips, composition, items, progress and positioning!

The composition Initiator / Mystic from Teamfight Tactics has become very effective since the addition of Cassiopeia, which deals the majority of team damage. The other units all becoming extremely tanky, they gain time so that this one melts the opponents with its poison.

• Read also | Our tier list of compositions.

The Initiator / Mystic composition

The idea behind the composition is very simple: 4 Initiators are very resistant to physical damage, and 4 Mystics also makes them tanky against magic damage. With Jayce et Cassiopeia in main carries, the first with area damage, and the second which will poison all opponents, this composition is very powerful, especially if these two champions have passed levels 3. If this composition is dependent on certain objects, it almost always guarantees at least a top 4.

When to Play This Comp and Victory Conditions

This composition is relatively easy to force, even if contested. However, it is recommended to respect some conditions:

• You quickly have important components for the key objects of Cassiopeia : the blue buff in particular, but also Chopsticks too big for the morellonomicon and Ion Spark.
• You quickly found your InitiatorsIncluding Jayce which will be very important at the start of the game.

 

If you are aiming for top 1 in a game, you will usually need to meet the following criteria:

• Cassiopeia and Jayce levels 3 with good things.
• Le 9 level to ideally add Thresh, especially if it can lead to Urgot in combat.

Preferred items

Spatula and other objects

If you are lucky enough to get your hands on a  Spatula, your best option will usually be to change Cassiopeia en  Guardian of the stars ( + ) so that she gives a lot of mana to her allies by adding poppy instead of Nautilus, or Janna level 9. Another option is to simply make a celestial orb to get 2 Celestial Beings.

At the level of your other components, Wukong will be very effective with Thief's Gloves if you have the opportunity to do so. Alternatively, it can work with a plethora of defensive items ( frozen heart,  bramble armor,  Shroud of Calming...).

Course of the game

Early game (levels 3/4/5)

The advantage of this composition is that its transition is very natural, the start of the game generally starting with a pair of Initiators. Often, Leona et poppy will be your first important champions, and you can either play 4 Initiators since the 4 level if you have the opportunity, either play 2 Initiators + 2 Sorcerers, with Ahri et Zoe for example. In this second case, Ahri will make a very good transitional unit, capable of carrying the objects of Cassiopeia.

If you are lucky enough to get your hands on Jayce quickly, you can add Darius au 5 level for example in order to start generating additional gold through space pirates. To do this, trybuy XP in round 2-3 to increase to 8/10 XP, and of thus pass level 5 at the beginning of round 2-4. This will increase your chances of unlocking a tier 3 champion early in the game.

Midgame (levels 6/7)

If you are already quite strong and on a winning streak, you can pass 6 level en round 3-2. Otherwise, wait until you reach this level by staying above 50 gold. It is then very interesting to play either 4 Wizards (Ahri, Syndra, Zoe and Twisted Fate) + 2 Initiators (Jayce and Wukong or Mordekaiser), or to play 4 Initiators (with additional Leona and/or Poppy) + 2 Sorcerers if there is a lot of physical damage in your lobby.

Of course, if you already have Cassiopeia level 2 et Karma ou Soraka, it will be interesting to already play your 2 Mystics. An interesting idea will also be to buy the different Bard that you will find: if you have it level 2, it can be useful to you later. It's the same for Gnar / Teemo which can be used.

Logically, you should passer level 7 in round 4-1. At this point, you will need establish if you are challenged on your composition. If that is the case, then you should play for level 8 or even level 9 and keep saving. Sinon, an interesting choice at level 7 is to play 4 Initiator + Cassiopeia, Gnar (or Teemo) and Bard. Besides the 2 Mystics that this gives you, you will also have the bonus Astronaut for Bard to generate experience. Thus, you can use this contribution of XP to stay level 7 and slow roll.

• Read also | Our guide to the slow roll strategy.

Your goal will then be to roll your excess gold above 50 gold each round in order to get Cassiopeia et Jayce levels 3, while Bard gives you experience. Besides your two carries, it can also be interesting to have Mordekaiser et Nautilus levels 3 if you find many. 

Endgame (level 8+)

If you have the opportunity to slow roll, you should still make sure to pass level 8 en round 5-1 at the latest. If you instead choose not to slow roll, you should fits level 8 and 4-3. In both situations, you will then have to play your 4 Initiators and your 4 Mystics, with Bard which replaces Lulu time to find it.

If you are still missing some level 2 champions, you should roll a little after passing level 8 in order to have all your upgrades. When this is the case, you should be very powerful, and therefore try to save up to get level 9. Ideally, you should pass level 9 in round 6-1 at the latest, but it is possible to go before if you have a good economy.

When you will be 9 level, you will have different options. The best will be in the majority of your parts to add Thresh, with powerful units on your bench: Urgot (the best champion to bring with Thresh), Blitzcrank, Soraka, Ezreal...You want units that have cool utility ultimates and can cast them quickly.

Otherwise, and especially if you have a Star Guardian Charm, Janna is also a good option for the area controls and attack speed boost it provides. If you haven't had a Spatula, you can always replace your Nautilus by poppy to still have 3 Star Guardians.

Different possible transitions

This build isn't hugely flexible at levels 8-9, but it's still possible to pivot to other options if you don't have the right items.

Positioning Tips

The positioning of this composition is rather basic: you want your Frontline initiators and your Mystics in retreat. Since it's so simple, you should regularly monitor your opponents' boards to avoid being fooled by their tools such as Zephyr, Shroud of Calming, Initiators et Blitzcrank.

Try to position Jayce so he hits multiple champions at the same time with his ultimate, even if it's the frontline. Wukong should be positioned on the side of the opposing carriages, so that he can go stun them with his ultimate.