TFT Guide: Everything You Need to Know About the Space Jam Comp

The Space Jam comp is one of the newest OP comps in Teamfight Tactics. Our latest TFT guide breaks down what it is and how to play it.

Come on and SLAM, and welcome to the JAM. That’s right everyone, our latest TFT guide is here to explain the comp that everyone and their mother seems to have been playing recently: the abomination love child of Celestial/Protectors and Space Pirates dubbed the “Space Jam” comp.

Today we will break down what the Space Jam comp is, which items and units are key to its success, and when you would want to build it. Let’s begin this TFT guide by answering one basic question.

What is the Space Jam Comp?

Core Space Jam: Darius, Xin Zhao, Jayce, Rakan, Ashe, Kassadin

As we touched on in the intro, this is a combination of Celestials, Protectors, and Space Pirates that is built around two key units in Xin Zhao and Darius. This is a slow roll comp, meaning that you are going to want to save gold early and use it to re-roll a lot when you’re at levels 5 and 6 to get these units to 3-stars if possible.

From these basic six units, you actually have a lot of options.

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You can go full Space Pirates by adding Graves and Gangplank if you want to plunder items. However, this is risky because you will likely be leveling much later than normal due to slow rolling, meaning getting a Gangplank will likely prove quite difficult.

Another option is to go Vanguards, with Leona, Mordekaiser, and Wukong alongside Jayce. You can also add Jhin as a Sniper along with Ashe (this is particularly good if you have an Infinity Edge or two). Finally, adding another Mana-Reaver like Irelia or Thresh is never a bad option.

What Are the Key Units and Items?

As we noted above, the two key units are Xin Zhao and Darius. These are the two main carries in the Space Jam comp.

As to items, as odd as it might be to hear, the key item for Darius is Rabadon’s Deathcap so that he can get more damage on his ability and get the resets as often as possible. Darius really doesn’t need any other items, but defensive items like Guardian Angel or QSS can be good on him.

For Xin Zhao, you should be building pure defensive items except that Guinsoo’s Rageblade can be a good purchase on him if you have the items (but the Needlessly Large Rod is probably better saved for Darius). Items like Bramble Vest, Dragon’s Claw, Frozen Heart, or Zephyr work well on him.

When Should You go the Space Jam Comp?

Because this is a slow roll comp, you are going to need to get several Dariuses and Xins early. Make sure you’re looking at other people’s boards to see that they aren’t also going for this comp. If they are, you can hold onto your copies but keep a transition plan to another comp (pure Protectors or Space Pirates/Vanguards) in your mind.

If you don’t have both of them at least 2-star by the second Carousel, I’d cut my losses unless you have a few Neeko’s Help. If you don’t have two 2-star copies of at least one of those units by Level 6, it’s time to start transitioning to another comp.

You should also avoid this comp if you get a lot of attack speed or AD items. As much as those would be good on Blademasters, Cybernetics, or Dark Stars, they would be wasted in this comp. Defensive items and one or two offensive items (preferably one Recurve Bow and/or a couple of Needlessly Large Rods) would be great.

How do You Counter this Comp?

If you’re facing someone with the Space Jam comp, you need to understand that it’s power comes from its huge damage on Darius, the tankiness on Xin, and the sustain that comes from the Celestial healing. You need a way to counter that however you can.

Mystics will be really good at stopping Darius, improving the chance his ability does not get a kill and reset. Obviously, magic resist will also be helpful to that and having a strong front line of champs like Leona, Malphite, or Jayce.

Celestials and Protectors are both vulnerable to huge burst, which prevents them from sustaining through all the damage. Sorcerers and units like Syndra, Vel’Koz, and Ahri are good against them, as are carries like Shaco and Irelia. Make sure you’re building a comp that can end fights quickly and not give the enemy time to heal via the Celestial ability.

Another way to counter that is through itemization. Red Buff and Morellonomicon will both be solid items to cut through the healing of Celestials.