TFTraits// Recommended builds
The best trait and item combination at every level, 2 stars, by effective health.
29,563effective health
Vanguard 6
Emerald Aspect 1Emerald pair29,563effective healthVanguard 6Emerald Aspect 1Emerald pair29,563effective healthVanguard 6Emerald Aspect 1Emerald pair// Top items
What each item adds on its own, in effective health, with no other item.
Gargoyle Stoneplate+3,371
Bloodthirster+3,302
Crownguard+3,281
Sterak's Gage+2,832
Spirit Visage+2,654
Protector's Vow+2,554
Warmog's Armor+2,411
Adaptive Helm+2,198Dragon's Claw+1,650Steadfast Heart+1,442
Bramble Vest+1,316
Evenshroud+1,256Builds by level
Every combination of Taric's own traits that a comp of the chosen level can reach, ranked by the effective health of its best defensive build under the chosen incoming damage stream (half physical, half magic). Numbers open the Tank Calculator with the same inputs. Levels 4 to 7 only use champions you can find at that level: up to 2-costs at level 4, 3-costs at levels 5 and 6, 4-costs at level 7.
| # | Traits | Best build | Effective health · no items | Effective health · with build | Death | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard 6Emerald Aspect 1Emerald pair | | 13,916 | 29,563 | survives the round | CalculatorFind the comp | |
| Vanguard 4Emerald Aspect 1Emerald pair | | 13,052 | 29,514 | survives the round | CalculatorFind the comp | |
| Vanguard 2Emerald Aspect 1Emerald pair | | 11,401 | 28,561 | survives the round | CalculatorFind the comp | |
| Emerald Aspect 1Emerald pair | | 8,558 | 26,827 | survives the round | CalculatorFind the comp |
No comp at this level can field Taric.
// Cast timeline
From the mana bar filling until mana can come in again. No mana comes in during this time.
0/65- attack animation
- attack lands
- attack recovery
- cast window (mana locked)
First cast at 16.48 s with 0.75 attacks per second. Items, traits and damage taken change the mana pace; the cast, effect and channel windows do not.
Step by step, in words
- Mana reaches 65/65: the cast starts and the mana lock goes on (no mana from attacks, ticks or damage taken).
- 0.00 to 0.80 s: cast window. The unit plays its cast animation and its return to idle; it cannot auto attack.
- 0.80 s: unlock. Mana starts again (overflow kept) and a fresh attack starts from zero; it lands at 1.03 s at base attack speed (the attack delay is 17% of the attack animation).
- Attack loop: the attack lands at 17% of the attack animation (mana granted) and unlocks at 36%; a cast that becomes possible at the landing starts at that unlock point, cutting the rest of the attack.
- Mana gain: 5 per attack; combat starts at 0/65.
- Overflow is banked: mana past 65 from attacks or regen is kept through the cast (63/65 plus 5 casts and comes back with 3). Same rule for every champion; only the amounts differ by role.
Warmog's ArmorGargoyle StoneplateSpirit Visage5-cost AP Tank (game role tag). Tanks take the frontline item set. Mana lock 0.80 s per cast; tanks fill mainly from damage taken (1% of pre-mitigation and 3% of pre-shield damage per hit, capped at 50), so the lock length matters more than item mana. The classic main tank trio: a huge Health pool, resists that grow as more enemies focus the tank, and healing amplification to stay standing longest.
Main Tank picks can also serve as a Support Tank, holding debuff auras on the carry's side of the board.