Patch 18.6 review — November 4, 2026
The released 18.6 notes list no standard craftable-item recipe or balance change. This guide retains the checked 18.5 baseline, including its October 27 corrections where relevant. Champion, trait and Augment changes can still change which holder or board benefits from an item; this review does not establish a measured best-in-slot ranking.
Official Riot Patch 18.6 notes, published November 3 UTC / November 4 JST. Review scope: the released notes; PC/mobile regional deployment may take longer. Earlier dated sections retain their historical patch scope.
Patch 18.5 review — October 22, 2026
Set 18 — Enchanted Wilds · Current guide · Patch 18.6. The current patch-note timing is the first two seconds of Planning Phase, established in 18.4 and unchanged through 18.6. The older “first Wisp of the phase” description is superseded.
The current timing rule
Polymorph Wisps can be seen only within the first two seconds of Planning Phase. This is a time window, not a promise that the first Wisp must be Polymorph. A later offer outside that window is not an additional Polymorph opportunity under this rule.
Greater Polymorph returned
After its earlier disablement, Riot re-enabled Greater Polymorph in 18.4 with bug fixes. The old 18.3 disablement should not be used to rule it out of current planning. Being eligible to appear still does not guarantee a particular offer, target or useful result.
The 18.5 filtering context
General Wisp filtering now counts itemized champions on the bench as well as the board. Filters based on specific roles use the last combat board instead of the current planning board. These are general offer rules; the 18.5 notes do not replace Polymorph’s two-second timing window.
Read the offer before transforming
- Target: which owned unit meets the actual conditions?
- Role: can the board afford to lose that tank, carry or utility job?
- Traits: would the result break a useful breakpoint?
- Items: can the new unit use what was equipped?
- Recovery: can you repair an awkward formation before combat without relying on one exact shop result?
Availability is not value
A random transformation can create a more expensive unit and still weaken the next fight if its role or items do not fit. Compare the result’s possible jobs with the power of keeping the existing upgraded unit. The early window limits when the offer can appear; it is not a reason to buy every available Polymorph.
After the transformation
Check the resulting unit, item compatibility, active traits and formation immediately. Then decide whether spending more gold repairs the board or simply chases an ideal outcome. Preserve enough resources for the next real checkpoint. Read the current Wisp decision guide.
Official sources and review scope
Reviewed November 4, 2026. Current terms are reconstructed from Riot’s released notes through 18.6, not a fresh in-client measurement. The tables cover the named effects, not complete champion or item tooltips. Holder advice and arithmetic are TFT Item Guide editorial analysis; no measured best-in-slot or placement ranking is claimed.
