Teamfight Tactics Set 14: Chug Bugging Along in the New Patch

Chug Bug is a Hero Augment that turns the three-cost, Gragas, into a carry unit. Gragas’ autos have a chance to knock back enemies and deal bonus Magic Damage, while his ability has him drink from his barrel, healing himself and causing his next Attack to deal extra damage. The composition is a three-cost reroll in which Gragas is your priority unit, followed by Fiddlesticks and Mordekaiser.

With two carries, you need at least six items outside of giving tank items to Mordekaiser, so you must be careful with the components you go for and use on your carries. Gragas’ two vital items are Bloodthirster and Titan’s Resolve, with Quicksilver, a second Titan’s Resolve, Archangel’s Staff, and Hand of Justice being other options. Since Fiddlesticks wants double Archangel’s Staff and a Jeweled Gauntlet, you rarely spend tears and rods on Gragas unless you get spare components. Bruiser Emblem on Fiddlesticks can replace Jeweled Gauntlet.

Chug Bug Early Game

The early game can go one of two ways, depending on what units you have. An upgraded four-bruiser frontline can dominate most early-game compositions outside high-roll compositions. However, without four bruisers, the composition will fail to defeat weaker boards. One benefit of losing in the early stages is that it guarantees at least one of the components you need from the Stage Two carousel. Prioritize economy to ensure you hit the fifty gold threshold early to reach level seven for your reroll. Only hold copies of Bruisers if it does not hurt your economy. The only unit that is an exception in this regard is Gragas.

Chug Bug Mid-Game

As you level, add in more bruisers. If you want to maintain a winstreak and are close to several two stars, you can roll a little at level six. If you are on a loss streak, once you reach level seven, roll to find your upgraded units to stabilize your board. Otherwise, if you are comfortable, you can slow roll above fifty gold while looking for Gragas and Fiddlesticks. Three-star Mordekaiser is a luxury and should only be a consideration if you can spare the resources.

Chug Bug Late Game

Once you hit your three-star Gragas and Fiddlesticks, aim to go to level eight for a better chance of finding Kobuko and Renekton. Kobuko is especially vital as he caps most Bruiser-based boards. Renekton adds the attack speed value and is a powerful late-game unit. Outside of Reneketon and Fiddlesticks, Poppy is your other inclusion out of the non-bruiser units since she gives Cyberboss to Kobuko and Bastion to the entire board, making the bruisers significantly more durable.

While you level, if you are close to three-star Mordekaiser, hold onto the copies if it does not cost your economy. You may find three-star Mordekaiser while you search for Renekton and Kobuko. You rarely need Shred with this composition since Fiddlesticks has that built into his kit. Aim to position Gragas and Fiddlesticks on the same side as the enemy carry to maximize their value.

When to Play Chug Bug

As with other Hero Augment compositions, the Hero Augment is a requirement. While a similar composition with Fiddlesticks as the primary carry exists, you do not focus on Gragas in that composition. Only pick this Augment if you have components that fit the composition. If you have components for AD-centric builds, do not bother with Chug Bug. Your only bailout is getting Pandora’s Items on 3-2 to help find the ideal components. Only high-resource games that allow you to get more three-star units and access to more components will provide you with Chug Bug success.

What Augments to Take

Two of the best Augments for players to take with this composition are Rigged Shop+ and Trifecta II. While Rigged Shop+ is getting nerfed in Patch 14.3, the guaranteed three-cost shops will give higher odds of finding Gragas, Fiddlesticks, and Mordekaiser. Trifecta II, on the other hand, boosts your three-cost champions. Another Augment you can take to help you three-star your units is Heroic Grab Bag+. Combat Augments like Gargantuan’s Resolve, Ascension, and Big Friend II will increase the potency of the composition. Bruiser-related compositions are the best fits for the Ascension Augment since they rarely win or lose fights before the Augment can activate and attain value.