Cover-Credits:
Riot Games introduced Teamfight Tactics (TFT) Set 9.5 Runeterra Reforged: Horizonbound and wrote, "Bilgewater, Ixtal, item reworks, and new Region Portals—grab your snorkeling gear and let’s dive in!"
This mid-set update went live with Patch 13.18 on 13th September and apart from the two new vertical traits of Bilgewater and Ixtal, there is also a new class called Vanquishers in TFT Horizonbound.
Riot Games introduced Ixtal trait, "With Ixtal, we're seeing a Rise of the Elements: each game, different elemental hexes empower units on them in unique ways."
Notably, Ixtal units create different elemental hexes each game that empower units standing on them.
Neeko is a three-cost Ixtal Bastion unit and players have success with this champion upon fast rolling her into a three-star unit. Having said that, here's all you need to know about Neeko's best build, items, and comps in TFT Set 9.5 Runeterra Reforged.
Neeko in TFT Set 9.5: Build & Comps
Before getting into the appropriate items and compositions for your Neeko, here are her base statistics:
Health: 800/1440/2592
Damage: 50/75/113
Damage per second (DPS): 33/49/73
Magic Resistance (MR): 45
Armor: 45
Speed: 0.65
Mana: 50/120
Range: Melee
Neeko's Ability in TFT is Pop Blossom: Neeko leaps towards the current target and gains a Shield for 3 seconds. Slam down after a brief delay, dealing magic damage to enemies within two hexes.
Shield: 225/350/475%
Damage: 270/410/650%
Neeko is an Ixtali unit and here's what the Ixtal trait does in TFT:
Gain elemental hexes, which give a different bonus from game to game. The breakpoints for the Ixtal vertical trait are 2/3/4. The Ixtal units are as follows:
Milio: Tier 1 Invoker
Qiyana: Tier 2 Rogue, Slayer
Neeko: Tier 3 Bastion
The more Ixtal breakpoints a player unlocks, they will get access to more elemental hexes. However, at the final trait breakpoint, instead of a third hex, you will unlock a bonus effect for the active hexes and the bonus differs from one element to the other.
Elemental hexes shall appear in the same position and host the same element for each player in the lobby.
As a Bastion unit also, Neeko gains Armor and Magic Resist which is increased by 100% for the first 10 seconds of combat. However, for this, the Bastion trait has to be active with at least two units.
Best Neeko Synergies in TFT Set 9.5
Since Neeko is an Ixtal, Bastion unit, these two traits work very well naturally. However, there is another path that players can choose to opt for. Ensure that the "Wood" element is active in your game when you choose to do the following build:
Wood: The champions who are empowered by the Wood hexes gain 10% max health. At the start of combat, they also gain 20 permanent max health and also grow in size.
Bonus Effect: Every four seconds, the empowered champions gain 15 Ability Power (AP) and 15% Attack Damage (AD).
Ionian Ixtali Powerhouse
Though this build is not very prominent or famous, it works extremely effectively. Players need to build the following comp:
(3) Ionia
(3/4) Ixtal
(2) Bastion
(4) Invoker
(1) Rogue
The idea is that you build your comp by first forming your Ionian units along with a Milio and a Qiyana. Your early game units will be as follows:
Milio
Qiyana
Jhin
Karma
Sett/Irelia
Following this, you need to look for Shen to replace your Jhin so that you have a tankier composition. Your final comp will have these units:
Neeko (3 star)
Karma (3 star)
Sett
Shen
Qiyana
Milio
Ryze
Aatrox/ other 4 or 5 cost units
You will have to place Neeko and either your Shen or Sett on the Wood elemental hexes for these units to grow by health.
AFK Gaming
Notably, the best items for Neeko in Teamfight Tactics Set 9.5 Runeterra Reforged Horizonbound are as follows:
Titan's Resolve
Warmog's Armor
Morellonomicon
Gargoyle Stoneplate
