This small Teamfight Tactics Set 17 change is a game-changer for loss streak traits

Teamfight Tactics has had some ridiculously potent loss streak traits over the years. Gizmos and Gadgets' Mercenaries stashed away delicious loot with each L taken, while managing my Crystal Gambit cashout in K.O. Coliseum led to many-a-firsts. Though I haven't run into many griefers during my time with Riot Games' auto chess game, it's miserable when someone decides to forfeit mid-round, completely derailing your game. New set Space Gods has just landed on PBE, and lead designer Stephen 'Mortdog' Mortimer has finally revealed a long-awaited change to how surrendering works.

As Mort confirms on X, "now when you surrender, it no longer instantly ends combat/deletes the army." Instead, the combat will play out to its conclusion, giving you the chance to continue tumbling down the scoreboard. It's a small change to TFT that could save you a solid chunk of LP across the course of the set, especially if you're eyeing up those Anima weapons.

The change also has some nice knock-ons if you're in the middle of winning-out. Imagine it's 4-2 and you've just taken Malicious Monetization. Now, if someone FFs you won't lose a full round's worth of value. Additionally, if you've managed to build yourself a three-star five-cost, you'll still get to see it in action even if your opponent goes next fast. These are, of course, very niche game states, but the potential's there.

Of course, there's a good chance players looking to grief will look to circumnavigate the change. Instead of straight up FF'ing, I can imagine players will instead sell their board and field a single, weak unit before peacing out. Ideally, the new change should record the previous round's board state as a baseline, then update if the board's improved, but I can imagine that'll take some technical wizardry that I am absolutely not knowledgeable enough about.

Regardless, it's a cracking little tweak, and one which I'm looking forward to seeing in action when I finally fulfil my dream of three-starring Jhin; my genius will be realized - eventually. Set 17's already treating me very well, even though I'm sad to see Lore and Legends go. Now I know I'm less likely to fall foul of griefers, it might be time to give Aurora reroll a whirl.