TFT Guide: Breaking Down Set 5’s Shadow Items & How To Use Them

Riskthirster

Recipe: Shadow BF Sword + Negatron Cloak

"Basic Attacks heal the holder for 40% of the damage dealt. The holder takes 25% of their maximum Health in true damage at the beginning of combat. Each time the holder heals to 90% Health, they gain 40% Attack Speed for 3 seconds (does not stack)."

This is actually almost always better than a regular Bloodthirster, because the user is probably going to be able to heal up quickly if they do not get instantly one-shot. If they have a resurrection and/or some utility champions to keep them alive and doing damage, this would be an incredible item.

Evil Giant Slayer

Recipe: Shadow BF Sword + Recurve Bow

"The holder’s Abilities and attacks do 45% bonus damage. If the target has less than 1100 maximum Health, the holder’s Abilities and attacks do 15% decreased damage instead."

This is actually a downgrade in most instances because most low-cost units don’t hit 1100 health without items. For 3-cost units and above, typically they will not have that health except at 2-stars. So late game, this item will probably be better, but for earlier when you need to slam items, this is not the way to go.

Learn how to use TFT Set 5’s new Shadow Items!

Titan’s Explosive Resolve

Recipe: Shadow Recurve Bow + Chain Vest

"Every 4 seconds, the holder’s next attack deals 25% of the total damage they have taken since the last empowered attack as true damage."

The spell power version of the Cursed Gauntlet, this Rabadon’s is great on squishy spell users who won’t suffer too much from the max health loss. Pairing this with a Guardian Angel would also be a good idea.

Zz’Rot Dark Portal

Recipe: Shadow Recurve Bow + Giant’s Belt

"When the wearer dies, a Construct with 500 Health arises to continue the fight. When it dies it deals 777 true damage to enemies within one hex."

Just a straight upgrade over the vanilla version of the item. Though I don’t know why anyone is building either version.

Runaan’s Evil Hurricane

Recipe: Shadow Recurve Bow + Negatron Cloak

"Basic Attacks fire bolts at 2 nearby enemies, dealing 50% of the wearer’s Attack Damage. These bolts can critically strike but do not apply on-hit effects."

Unlike the regular Runaan’s, the item now shoots two bolts rather than one, but at a lower damage rate (50% vs 80% for the vanilla version). This means that its better for units who aren’t applying on-hit effects and for ones who are primarily building AD. It’s also purely better for champions who are building Deathblade.