When to buy xp tft

Struggling to figure out when to buy XP in TFT? Honestly, it’s one of the trickiest parts of the game, but mastering your XP purchases is super important for climbing the ranks. Think of it like managing your real-life budget, but instead of Budgeting software, you’re dealing with gold and unit odds! Get it wrong, and your board can fall apart faster than a poorly built Ikea furniture. Get it right, and you’ll be hitting those powerful unit spikes and steamrolling your opponents.

In Teamfight Tactics, knowing when to commit your hard-earned gold to leveling up buying XP versus rolling for units or saving for interest is a constant puzzle. It changes with every game, every augment, and every opponent you face. But don’t worry, we’re going to break down all the core strategies, common breakpoints, and sneaky tricks to help you make those crucial decisions. We’ll cover everything from the basic mechanics to advanced tips, making sure you have a solid understanding of how to manage your in-game economy and XP like a seasoned pro. By the end of this, you’ll be much better equipped to adapt on the fly and put yourself in a winning position more often.

Understanding XP and Leveling in TFT

First things first, let’s nail down the basics of how XP and leveling work in TFT. This is the foundation for all your strategic decisions, so it’s good to have it clear in your head.

Every round in TFT, you automatically gain 2 experience points XP. You can also buy XP in increments of 4 XP for 4 gold. It’s a pretty simple exchange, but when and how much you buy is where the magic happens. Your player level dictates two super important things: the number of units you can have on your board and the odds of seeing higher-cost units in your shop.

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Here’s a quick look at the XP required for each level and the base odds for seeing different cost units these odds can shift slightly with set mechanics and augments, but this is a good general idea:

Level	Total XP Required	Units on Board	1-Cost Odds	2-Cost Odds	3-Cost Odds	4-Cost Odds	5-Cost Odds
1	0	1	–	–	–	–	–
2	0	2	–	–	–	–	–
3	2	3	75%	25%	0%	0%	0%
4	6	4	55%	30%	15%	0%	0%
5	10	5	45%	33%	20%	2%	0%
6	20	6	30%	40%	25%	5%	0%
7	36	7	19%	30%	35%	15%	1%
8	56	8	18%	25%	35%	20%	2%
9	76	9	10%	20%	25%	30%	15%
10	90	10	1%	5%	20%	40%	34%

Note: Level 1 and 2 don’t require XP. you hit them automatically in the first couple of rounds.

This table is your cheat sheet! It clearly shows that if you’re hunting for a specific 4-cost unit, hitting Level 8 gives you a much better shot than at Level 7. Likewise, 5-cost units really start showing up once you hit Level 9 or even Level 10. Understanding these odds is crucial for deciding when to hit that “Buy XP” button.

The True Cost of XP

Since each XP purchase costs 4 gold for 4 XP, you can easily figure out the total gold needed to reach certain levels from a starting point. For example, to go from Level 6 20 XP to Level 7 36 XP, you need 16 XP. That’s 4 “buys” of XP, totaling 16 gold.

But the “cost” isn’t just the gold you spend. It’s also the opportunity cost. Every 4 gold you spend on XP is 4 gold you can’t use for rerolling your shop, buying units from the shop, or, most importantly, earning interest. Remember, you get 1 extra gold for every 10 gold saved, up to 5 gold interest at 50 gold. So, spending 16 gold to level up might drop you below an interest breakpoint like from 50 gold to 34 gold, costing you valuable gold income in future rounds. This balance is the heart of TFT economy.

Key Leveling Breakpoints and When to Hit Them

This is where the rubber meets the road! Knowing the general “rules” for leveling up at specific stages can give you a huge advantage. These are guidelines, not rigid rules, but they are often optimal for specific strategies.

Early Game: Stabilizing and Setting Up Stages 2-1 to 2-7

• Level 4 Stage 2-1 or 2-3: You naturally hit Level 3 at the start of Stage 2. To get to Level 4, you need 4 more XP. Buying one XP increment 4 gold for 4 XP will get you there immediately at 2-1.

  • When to go 2-1 Level 4: If you’ve got a strong board with good early upgrades or key units, pushing Level 4 at 2-1 by buying 4 XP for 4 gold lets you put in an extra unit. This is often done to secure a win streak and start building up bonus gold and preserving HP. It’s an aggressive play.
  • When to wait: If your starting units are weak or you don’t have good item components, it might be better to save that 4 gold, focus on hitting interest breakpoints like 10 gold by 2-2, and even intentionally lose streak for better carousel priority and gold bonuses. You could naturally hit Level 4 around 2-3.
  • Pro-Tip: If you’re on a win streak, investing in early XP often pays off by snowballing your gold and HP lead. Consider some comfortable Gaming headphones to really focus on those crucial early game sounds.

• Level 5 Stage 2-5 or 2-7 – Krugs: To hit Level 5 from Level 4, you need another 4 XP. You naturally gain 2 XP per round, so you’ll be at 6/10 XP by 2-5 if you didn’t buy any. Buying 4 XP here brings you to 10/10 XP and Level 5.

  • When to go 2-5 Level 5: If you’re still win streaking or have some strong 2-cost units you want to put in, leveling to 5 at 2-5 can help maintain your board strength. This keeps your win streak going and ensures you beat Krugs without losing too much HP.
  • When to wait for 2-7 Krugs: If your economy is a bit rough or you’re losing early, holding gold for interest is often better. You’ll hit Level 5 naturally by 3-1 if you don’t buy XP after Krugs. Sometimes, if your board is strong enough, you can even level to 5 just before Krugs 2-7 to ensure you clear them and get max loot without spending too much gold.

Mid Game: Finding Your Identity Stages 3-1 to 4-1

• Level 6 Stage 3-1 or 3-2: This is a big one. You need 10 XP to hit Level 6 from Level 5. You’ll be at 2/10 XP at 3-1. Buying 8 XP 2 buys for 8 gold brings you to 10/10 XP and Level 6.

  • When to go 3-1 Level 6: If you had a strong Stage 2 and want to keep that win streak rolling, hitting Level 6 at 3-1 is a solid move. It lets you add another unit to your board and capitalize on those streak bonuses.
  • When to go 3-2 Level 6: This is a very common breakpoint, especially if you’re playing a 2-cost reroll composition or just generally trying to stabilize. By 3-2, you’ve received your second augment, which might influence your decision. If you were lose streaking, leveling to 6 at 3-2 and rolling a bit of gold can help you stop the bleeding and prevent heavy damage in Stage 3.
  • Pro-Tip: For 2-cost reroll comps, Level 6 at 3-2 is often where you want to start slow-rolling rolling down to 50 gold each round to find those 3-star units.

• Level 7 Stage 3-5 or 4-1: This is a critical stage for many compositions, especially those built around 3-cost carries. You need 16 XP from Level 6 to hit Level 7.

  • When to go 3-5 Level 7: If you have a strong economy 30+ gold saved and a good win streak, pushing Level 7 at 3-5 can give you a significant power spike before others. This helps you find key 3-cost units or even early 4-cost units. It’s an aggressive tempo play.
  • When to go 4-1 Level 7: This is the standard leveling timing for most players. You naturally hit 30 XP by 4-1 if you only bought up to Level 6 at 3-2. At 4-1, you get your last augment, and it’s a prime time to roll down some gold 20-40 gold to stabilize your board, find 4-cost units, and ensure you don’t bleed out too much HP in Stage 4. For 3-cost reroll comps that haven’t 3-starred their units yet, rolling at Level 7 on 4-1 is often the move.

Late Game: Capping Out Stages 4-2 to 5-1+

• Level 8 Stage 4-2, 4-5, or 5-1: Level 8 is usually your biggest power spike, especially if you’re playing a 4-cost carry composition. You need 20 XP from Level 7 to hit Level 8.

  • When to go 4-2 Level 8 Fast 8: This is an aggressive strategy for strong boards with good economies, often accelerated by econ augments. The goal is to hit Level 8 early to get better odds for 4-cost units and potentially find early 5-costs before other players. You’ll typically roll down a significant portion of your gold often all of it, down to 0 here to hit your core units and stabilize. This is a high-risk, high-reward play.
  • When to go 5-1 Level 8 Standard: If you followed a more balanced leveling curve or had to roll at Level 7, hitting Level 8 at 5-1 is the standard approach. At this point, you should roll down a good chunk of your gold to finalize your board, 2-star your main carries, and find crucial secondary units. Stage 5 is where damage starts to get really heavy, so having a strong board is non-negotiable.
  • When to go 4-5 Level 8 Win Streaking/Econ Augment: If you’ve been absolutely crushing it with a huge win streak and have an economy augment, you might hit Level 8 even earlier than 5-1 to secure your lead.

• Level 9 Stage 5-2, 5-5, or 6-1+: Level 9 is typically for capping out your board with powerful 5-cost units or 2-starring existing 5-costs. You need 20 XP from Level 8 to hit Level 9 this was recently reduced from 80 XP to 72 XP in some sets, making Fast 9 more viable.

  • When to go Level 9 Fast 9: This is the ultimate high-roll strategy, only viable if you have a massive gold lead, incredible health, and/or multiple strong econ augments. The goal is to reach Level 9 as quickly as possible to maximize your chances of finding multiple 2-star 5-cost units, which are often game-ending powerhouses. If you are win streaking with an econ augment, you might even consider 4-5 level 9. You’ll likely roll all your gold at Level 9 to find those legendary units.
  • When to skip Level 9: In many games, especially if your health is low or your economy isn’t booming, hitting Level 8 and fully optimizing your board there finding 3-star 4-costs or multiple 2-star 4-costs is the more realistic and often stronger play. Don’t force Level 9 if it means going broke with a weak board.

“Slow Rolling” vs. “Fast Leveling”: Different Paths to Victory

These are two fundamental approaches to playing TFT, and your XP buying strategy will be completely different for each.

Slow Rolling Reroll Comps

• What it is: This strategy focuses on accumulating gold usually to 50 gold and then only rolling your shop down to 50 gold each round or sometimes a bit lower like 30 or 40 depending on urgency to find 3-star 1, 2, or 3-cost units. You intentionally stay at a lower level for longer to maximize the odds of finding those specific units.
• When to buy XP: You generally don’t buy XP for a long time. You’ll naturally level up from the 2 XP per round, but you’ll avoid spending gold on XP until your core 3-star units are found. Only after you’ve hit your key 3-stars will you start spending excess gold on XP to eventually reach higher levels and add more synergy units.
• Typical Leveling for Reroll:
  • 1-cost reroll: Stay Level 4 until Stage 3-1, then roll heavily for your 1-cost 3-stars. Once hit, slowly level up.
  • 2-cost reroll: Level to 6 by 3-2, then slow roll for your 2-cost 3-stars.
  • 3-cost reroll: Level to 7 by 3-5, then slow roll for your 3-cost 3-stars.
• Key Idea: Maximize your shop odds for cheaper units by staying low level, then power level once your core is complete. For example, if you’re going for a 1-cost reroll, you absolutely do not press that level-up button until you’ve got your main 3-star unit, maybe not even then.

Fast Leveling Fast 8/Fast 9 Comps

• What it is: This strategy involves aggressively buying XP to reach higher levels typically Level 8 or 9 much faster than normal. The goal is to access higher-cost units 4-cost and 5-cost with better odds to assemble a powerful late-game board.
• When to buy XP: You’ll be buying XP at almost every key breakpoint, sometimes even “pre-leveling” buying XP until you’re 2 XP away from the next level so you naturally level up at the start of the next round to hit levels earlier. You’ll often sacrifice some early game economy interest to maintain win streaks or stabilize your board by adding more units.
• Typical Leveling for Fast 8/9:
  • Level 4: Stage 2-1.
  • Level 5: Stage 2-5.
  • Level 6: Stage 3-1.
  • Level 7: Stage 3-5 if very strong or 4-1.
  • Level 8: Stage 4-2 Fast 8 or 5-1 Standard.
  • Level 9: Stage 5-2 or later Fast 9, usually with econ augments.
• Key Idea: Prioritize board strength and level advantages to reach the tiers where high-cost carries appear. This is often paired with win-streaking to boost your economy. If you’re going Fast 8, you pretty much save all your gold until that Level 8 spike, only rolling at 4-1 or 4-2. Having a good Gaming mouse can help you quickly buy XP and roll your shop.

When NOT to Buy XP

Just as important as knowing when to buy XP is knowing when to hold back. Overspending on XP can leave you with no gold to actually buy the units you need, or worse, put you in a terrible economic state.

• When you’re saving for interest: If buying XP means dropping below a 10-gold interest breakpoint e.g., from 32 gold to 28 gold, it might be better to save that gold for the extra income next round. The exception is if leveling immediately gives you a huge power spike that secures a critical win streak or prevents a massive loss.
• When you need to roll for units: Sometimes, your board is desperate for upgrades. If you have a bunch of 2-star pairs on your bench or your carry is just a 1-star, spending gold on rerolls to find those upgrades is more impactful than leveling up.
• When your board is already strong and healthy: If you’re crushing the lobby, have high HP, and your board feels stable, you can often “coast” on your gold, earning maximum interest, before deciding to power level later. There’s no need to rush if you’re already ahead.
• When you’re playing a reroll comp: As discussed, reroll strategies intentionally delay leveling to get better odds for cheaper units. Buying XP prematurely here can ruin your entire game plan.

The Impact of Augments, Portals, and Encounters

Modern TFT sets are full of variables that can drastically change your leveling strategy. Augments, Portals, and Encounters are constantly throwing curveballs, and you need to adapt!

• Augments:
  • Economy Augments: These are game-changers. Augments that grant extra gold like “Hustler,” “Tons of Gold,” or similar variations or modify interest thresholds can make Fast 8 or Fast 9 strategies much more consistent and powerful. If you hit one of these early, you might consider playing more aggressively with your XP purchases.
  • Leveling Augments: Some augments directly give you XP or a free unit slot, or reduce XP costs. These are obvious signals to adjust your leveling plans and potentially push levels faster.
  • Reroll Augments: Augments that empower rerolling or give specific units can lean you towards reroll strategies, meaning you’ll delay XP purchases.
• Portals or Regions/Prismatic Orb variations: Depending on the set, portals can offer unique starting bonuses or ongoing effects. Some might give you early gold, free rerolls, or even start you at a higher level, all of which directly affect your leveling curve. For example, if a portal gives you significant early gold, it could enable a faster Level 8.
• Encounters: These unexpected events can grant bonus gold, XP, items, or units. A lucky Encounter can give you the push you need to hit a critical breakpoint a round earlier, or save you enough gold to keep your interest high. Always consider the immediate impact of an Encounter on your economy and leveling plans.

Always be flexible and ready to pivot. No two TFT games are exactly alike, and the best players are those who can read the game state, their augments, and their opponents, then adjust their strategy on the fly. Maybe a comfortable Gaming chair helps with those long decision-making moments!

Does Playing TFT Give XP? Account XP vs. Pass XP

This is a common question, especially for new players or those coming from League of Legends. Let’s clear up the confusion.

• Does TFT give Account XP Summoner Level XP? No, unfortunately, playing Teamfight Tactics does not grant experience points towards your main League of Legends Summoner Level. If you want to level up your Summoner account, you’ll need to play traditional League of Legends game modes like Summoner’s Rift or ARAM. Many players who only play TFT will stay at Summoner Level 1.
• Does TFT give Pass XP Battle Pass XP? Yes, absolutely! Playing TFT is the primary way to earn XP for your seasonal TFT Battle Pass also known as the TFT Pass or Event Pass. This XP is crucial for unlocking various in-game rewards like Little Legends, arena skins, emotes, and more.
  • How to get TFT Pass XP efficiently:
    • Play Games: Simply participating in matches gives you XP.
    • Win Games: Winning or placing higher top 3 or 4 in normal/ranked games grants significantly more XP than losing.
    • Complete Missions: The most lucrative way to earn Pass XP is by completing weekly and seasonal missions. These can offer substantial XP boosts 800-1000 XP per mission. Always keep an eye on your active missions and try to complete them when possible.
    • TFT Pass+: Purchasing the premium TFT Pass+ often available through Riot Points if applicable in your region usually grants increased XP per game and unlocks additional rewards faster.
    • Hyper Roll vs. Normal/Ranked: Normal and ranked games generally offer better XP efficiency 100-200 XP per match depending on placement compared to Hyper Roll 50 XP per match. While Hyper Roll games are faster, you’d often need to play two of them to equal the XP of one normal game. So, if you’re time-constrained and want maximum XP, normal/ranked is usually better unless you can super-fast surrender Hyper Roll games.
    • Buying Pass Levels: As of a recent update like Patch 15.3, you can actually purchase Battle Pass levels directly using Riot Points RP, typically 130 RP per level, which can be a quick way to finish if you’re short on time.

How Much XP Do You Get in TFT Per Game?

This ties directly into the Pass XP discussion. The amount of XP you get in TFT varies slightly by game mode and your performance:

• Normal and Ranked Games: You’ll typically earn between 100-200 XP per match for your TFT Battle Pass. Placing in the top 3 or 4 usually nets you 200 XP, while lower placements will still give you around 100 XP.
• Hyper Roll Games: These faster-paced games generally reward 50 XP per match. While quicker, their XP-per-minute efficiency might be lower than normal games if those normal games result in high placements.
• Missions: As mentioned, these are your best bet for large chunks of XP, often rewarding 800-1000 XP each.

So, if your goal is to grind out that TFT Battle Pass, prioritizing missions and aiming for higher placements in normal or ranked games is your best bet!

Tips for Efficient XP Management

Let’s pull together some actionable advice for smart XP management:

1. Understand Your Comp’s Needs: Are you playing a reroll comp that needs 3-star 1-costs? Then you’ll be chilling at Level 4 for a while. Are you aiming for a legendary board? Then you need to get to Level 9 fast. Your composition largely dictates your leveling curve.
2. Scout Aggressively: Always keep an eye on your opponents. Are they strong and win-streaking? You might need to buy XP to keep pace. Are they weak? You might be able to afford to save gold. See what units they’re going for. if multiple people are contesting your units, you might need to level faster to find them or pivot entirely.
3. Balance Gold and Health: Don’t be afraid to spend gold on XP if it means saving a lot of health by putting in an extra unit or completing a crucial trait. Likewise, don’t blindly level if it means dropping all your gold and losing all your interest. It’s a constant balancing act.
4. Know the Breakpoints: Memorize the common leveling timings 2-1 Level 4, 3-2 Level 6, 4-1 Level 7, 5-1 Level 8 for standard play. Deviate when necessary, but use these as a baseline.
5. Utilize Pre-leveling: Sometimes, buying XP until you’re 2 XP away from the next level on the round before you intend to level up can be smart. This way, you naturally level at the start of the next round and see a new shop with the higher-level odds immediately.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot: If your early game isn’t going as planned e.g., you can’t hit a win streak for a Fast 8, be ready to switch to a different strategy, perhaps a reroll comp, that better suits your current board and economy.

Advanced XP Tricks

For those looking to push their game even further, here are a few more nuanced tips:

• The “All-In” Level 8/9: In the late game, if you’re low on health and need to stabilize, don’t be afraid to roll all your gold down at Level 8 or 9 to hit your carries and 2-star them. Sometimes, going broke to save your game is the only option, especially since you don’t earn interest at 0 gold anyway.
• Contesting Units: If you see an opponent going for the same carry as you, sometimes leveling faster than them to hit your units first can deny them copies and secure your own board. This is a more aggressive play that requires good scouting.
• Level 10 Consideration: Reaching Level 10 is usually only for the absolute richest boards, often enabled by multiple econ augments. At Level 10, your odds for 4- and 5-cost units are incredibly high, allowing you to maximize your board’s potential with multiple 2-star or even 3-star legendaries. It’s a luxurious late-game goal.
• Augment Synergy: Always read your augments carefully. Some augments like “Level Up!” directly give you XP or reduce the cost. Others might incentivize specific levels or playstyles e.g., “Think Fast” for rerolling. Adapting to these is paramount.

Mastering when to buy XP in TFT is a journey, not a destination. It takes practice, keen observation, and a willingness to learn from every game. But by understanding these core principles, you’re well on your way to becoming a true economy master. Get out there, put these tips to the test, and start climbing!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to save gold or buy XP in TFT?

It completely depends on your game state and strategy. If you’re playing a reroll composition, saving gold to hit interest breakpoints and rolling at specific lower levels like Level 4 for 1-costs is usually better. If you’re playing a standard or fast-leveling composition, buying XP at key breakpoints to maintain win streaks, increase unit slots, and get better odds for higher-cost units is more important. A good rule of thumb is to weigh the immediate board strength/health impact of leveling against the long-term economy benefit of interest.

How much XP do you get per round in TFT?

You passively gain 2 XP per round in Teamfight Tactics. This is consistent throughout the game and forms the baseline for your leveling progress.

Does playing TFT give XP for the League of Legends account?

No, playing Teamfight Tactics does not give experience points towards your main League of Legends Summoner Level account XP. TFT grants XP exclusively for its seasonal Battle Pass.

What is the fastest way to level up my TFT Battle Pass?

The fastest way to level up your TFT Battle Pass is by consistently completing weekly missions, which offer significant XP rewards 800-1000 XP per mission. Additionally, playing normal or ranked games and aiming for top 4 placements will grant more XP 100-200 XP than Hyper Roll 50 XP. Purchasing the TFT Pass+ also provides increased XP gains per game.

When should I go Level 8 in TFT?

Most players aim to hit Level 8 by Stage 5-1 as a standard power spike, rolling down gold to stabilize their board and find 4-cost carries. More aggressive players, often called “Fast 8,” will aim for Level 8 by Stage 4-2, especially if they have a strong economy or win streak, to get earlier access to higher-tier units. When to Buy Wide Shoes: Your Ultimate Guide to Happy Feet!

What are “pre-leveling” and “slow rolling”?

Pre-leveling is the act of buying XP to reach exactly 2 XP away from your next level. This ensures that you automatically level up at the start of the next round, giving you immediate access to higher shop odds and an extra unit slot for that round’s fight. It’s often used in the early game to secure a win streak.
Slow rolling is an economy strategy where you save up to 50 gold and then only spend gold on rerolls above that 50 gold interest threshold each round. You maintain the 50 gold to maximize interest income while rolling for specific 1, 2, or 3-cost units to 3-star, typically at lower player levels.

What is the cost to buy XP in TFT?

You can buy 4 experience points XP for 4 gold. This is the only direct way to purchase XP in the game, outside of specific augments or mechanics that may grant it for free or at a reduced cost.